Frankies Gelato, a fusion of Italian artisanship with Australian flavours and ingredients, has opened at 8/8 Fletcher St in Byron Bay.
Co-owned by Franco Giordano, Kim Stephen and James Sutherland, of Light Years Asian Bar and Diner, Frankies Gelato uses authentic Italian practices to create both traditional and fun, one-of-a-kind gelato flavours.
Handmade and all-natural, Frankies Gelato is churned on site using the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients. The menu itself is 40% vegan, with highlight flavours including ‘Golden Milk’ made with house made almond butter, almond milk and turmeric and the incredibly refreshing sorbet combination of ‘Strawberry, Hibiscus Tea & Mint’. Dairy-based flavours include ‘Ricotta, Figs & Honey’, ‘Earl Grey Tea’ which tastes not too dissimilar to a Bubble Cup, and a decadent ‘Banoffee’ with caramelised toffee bananas and a butter biscuit crumble.
Served from silver lidded pozzetti tubs to keep the gelato at optimum temperature before being scooped, Frankies offers an experience reminiscent of days spent exploring the Italian coastline with a guarantee of no added colours, preservatives, additives or any other nasties.
Co-owner Franco Giordano spent several years in Italy, travelling and learning from the best makers in the country. Speaking about the opening, Franco said: “First and foremost, I love gelato. I dreamed of owning a business that represented my sentimentality for the Italy of old. Frankies was born out of the desire to bring one-of-a-kind gelato flavours to life, which could only be done with the rich and vibrant produce available to us here in Byron Bay.”
Less than 100m from Byron’s Main Beach, the space invites an Italian nostalgia, with the floor and bar featuring blue and white terrazzo, balanced with rustic hand-rendered walls. Franco pays homage to his Sicilian heritage with an array of decorative Moor Head vases, overflowing with seasonal flowers which evoke a coastal atmosphere combining the old world with the new.
From Monday 2 May, Frankies Gelato will be open 7 days a week from 12pm until late. The gelato has the option to be served in a cup, cone or, in traditional Sicilian style, a brioche bun.
Frankies Gelato
8/8 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
E: hello@frankiesgelato.com
