After four months of renovations, a Hahndorf gelateria has entered a new chapter, unveiling a fresh new look and a renewed focus on making its gelato entirely from scratch.
Krema Gelateria has officially opened at 60 Mount Barker Road, taking over the space previously home to Natura’s Artisan Ice Cream.
The business comes from the Capasso family, who have been making gelato from the Hahndorf site since 1999, although the inspiration behind it began long before owner Roberto Capasso moved to Australia.
Roberto was born in Italy and grew up on the Amalfi Coast, where his mother ran a souvenir shop in Sorrento with a gelateria right next door.
“He grew up seeing it closely,” his son Marco, who helps operate the gelateria, said. “I think it really inspired him to go that way.”
After migrating to Australia, Roberto worked as a chef before moving into the gelato industry.
More than two decades later, the family is still doing what first inspired him all those years ago, only now with a distinctly South Australian approach.
While the Hahndorf store has undergone a complete rebrand and renovation, the family’s philosophy around gelato has remained firmly centred on using real ingredients.
“My dad is very against using artificial flavours and colours,” Marco said. “We don’t take any shortcuts.”
That means everything from the nut pastes to the sauces rippled through the gelato is made in-house, with the family sourcing South Australian produce wherever possible.
The result is a cabinet filled with both familiar favourites and combinations you might not expect, alongside regularly changing creations.
“On the gelato side, we’re always trying to come up with creative flavours and not just follow trends,” Marco said.
“We want to make things that people might not have seen before.”
One of Krema’s most distinctive offerings is akbar mashti, a traditional Iranian-style gelato made with pistachio, cardamom, saffron and rosewater.
“It’s a traditional flavour,” Marco said, adding that Persian customers often visit the shop and “can’t believe we have it”.
Fresh fruit sorbets are another major focus, with flavours changing according to what is in season.
“We even make sorbet using lemons from our own tree in our backyard,” Marco said.
“Our sorbet is also vegan, and we also make gluten-free and halal flavours for people who need those options.”
Beyond the gelato cabinet, Krema also serves Belgian waffles, German hot dogs, coffee and milkshakes.
The relaunch follows a four-month closure while the family stripped back and transformed the longtime Hahndorf shop.
“The old shop was very outdated, and we wanted to rebrand and elevate everything that we do so the branding matches the product and we can provide a better experience for customers,” Marco said.
The new fit-out was designed by local designer Rob from Beyond Design, with the Capasso family managing the build and engaging local trades.
With the doors now open, the family says the response from Hahndorf locals has already been encouraging.
“We’re really excited to see what the future holds,” Marco said.
“We already have quite a big local clientele who know us, and they’ve loved the new shop.”
And while Hahndorf’s busy tourist trade brings a steady stream of new visitors through town, the family is just as focused on continuing to serve the locals who have supported the business for decades.
“It’s a great community in Hahndorf,” they said.
“As well as the local community, it’s obviously one of the bigger tourist destinations in South Australia, so it’s an awesome place for us to show off what we do.”
Krema Gelateria
When: 11am to 5pm daily
Where: 60 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
To find out more, click here.
