On Friday, 23 January, Mondo Gelateria opened its doors on Elizabeth Street, serving artisanal gelato inspired by flavours from across the globe. Trained by Stefano Tarquinio, Head of Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, Owner and Gelato Artist, Rio Olivetti, is bringing world-class gelato expertise to Australia, with innovative flavours designed to intrigue and excite, alongside hand-crafted celebration cakes and specialty coffee.
Open 7:30 AM – 11:30 PM, seven days a week, the space will service CBD professionals on their morning coffee run, daytime shoppers looking for an ice-cold pit-stop, and late-night diners seeking an after-dinner treat.
Stepping into the bright and airy space, guests are welcomed into the 150-year-old building, designed by Melbourne studio, Aydnco Commercial Interiors. The fit-out seamlessly blends unique heritage features with high-spec contemporary design. Ornate cornices frame the dusty peach walls and draw the eye to the coffered ceiling, upon which a striking light installation, taking the shape of Mondo’s sun emblem, commands the space. Casting light and warmth across the room, symbolic of Mondo’s commitment to showcasing ingredients from around the world, and standing as a beacon of culture, connection and community.
To the left, upholstered banquet seating lines the wall, and opposite, a bar stretches the length of the room, filled with a cornucopia of colourful desserts. Ice-cold mountains of creamy gelato will be piled high, jewelled and textured with fresh fruits, candied nuts, cake bites, cookies and more.
A rotation of 28 flavours will celebrate global tastes, from China to Japan and Italy to America. Scoops will see fusions such as yuzu-blood orange, cassis calamansi, matcha-mango and strawberry shortcake with pistachio, whilst five house-favourites will remain stalwarts on Mondo’s menu:
- Black Forest Gâteau – cherry and chocolate gelato, spiked with kirsch liqueur-infused Amarena cherries and layered with chocolate sponge
- Pistachio Crunch – silky Sicilian pistachio gelato jewelled with pistachio praline and a salted pistachio crunch
- Salted Caramel – swirled with home-made caramel and dotted with kumquats and freeze-dried raspberries
- Chocolate-Fudge Brownie – decadent dark chocolate gelato, mixed with chewy-fudgy brownie pieces
- Lemon Cheesecake – mixed with almond slivers and chunks of roasted lemon cake
Delicate and designer pastry will also be a hero on Mondo’s offering, led by expert Taiwanese pastry chef duo, Executive Chef Peini Yu (Head Pastry Chef at 5* Nice Prince Hotel and Fuli Resort, Taiwan) and Head Chef Jasper Yang (Ivy Sweet, Taiwan). Expect seasonal cakes, petit gâteaux, eclairs, brioche and cookies baked fresh daily; signature cakes will include:
- Black Forest Gelato Cake – chocolate sponge layered with cherry and chocolate gelato, kirsch liqueur-infused Amarena cherries and finished with dark chocolate ganache
- Yuzu-Pistachio Mousse Cake – Sicilian pistachio and orange gelato layered beneath a delicate Yuzu Mousse and topped with a chocolate sponge
A specialty aperitif bar will serve gelato flights infused with limoncello – think flavours such as lemon verbena and toasted coconut; yuzu, elderflower and Davidson plum, and charred mandarin and pear. Each month, Mondo will introduce a new concept to the bar, showcasing flavours from around the world.
Coffee from Veneziano Roasters will provide the perfect hit, alongside inventive cold-brew concoctions of signature sips for those on the ambitious side. These will include:
- Tokyo Drift – Ethiopian blend infused with matcha, yuzu and miso caramel, topped with caramel foam and chocolate shavings
- Casablanca Dusk – Ethiopian Single Origin blend infused with orange blossom honey, preserved lemon zest and mint leaf, topped with almond milk foam and pistachio dust
- Seoul Harmony – Ethiopian brew infused with plum and barley, topped with black sesame and rice foam
- Peach Bellini – Single Origin blend infused with elderflower, peach and grapefruit soda, topped with elderflower cheese foam
Those looking for a late-night treat or post-dinner dessert, Mondo will remain open until 11:30 PM, soundtracked by DJs spinning late-night sessions, with a takeaway fridge of scoops also available.
Mondo Gelateria is set to bring a whimsical world of flavour, fun, creativity and community to every scoop.
Website: mondomelb.au
Instagram: @mondo.melb
Image credit: Griffin Simm