Little ‘Lato

Even in a city full of ice cream spots, Little ‘Lato is worth crossing town for. This bright parlour on Ponsonby Road has built a cult following for their huge range of award-winning flavours made with proper Italian gelato technique. Often busy with excited customers, no matter the time of day, they’ve managed to really nail the simple, joyful experience of standing in front of a cabinet trying to choose a scoop flavour (...and tasting almost every option in the process).

Founder Hannah Wood first trained at Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, before bringing that knowledge home and opening her first tiny Auckland gelato kitchen in 2017. Since then, the business has grown from a small local operation into one of New Zealand’s beloved artisan gelato names, with pints stocked in stores all over the country.

Their Ponsonby shop is a sweet spot to swing by after dinner, take the friends or kids on a weekend afternoon, or to break up a wander down the shopping strip. It’s not just gelato there, either - you’ll find sorbet, milkshakes, brownies and a variety of vegan options, all made with care. Some flavours lean nostalgic, some are more unexpected, and many of them have picked up major awards. Their Speculoos gelato was the first to win Supreme Champion Boutique Ice Cream Producer at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards, while the Mango Lassi made history as the first dairy-free ice cream to take out Supreme Champion.

That mix of craft and fun is what makes them so damn good. There’s technical skill behind every flavour for those with the tastebuds to notice - but whether you’re a wide-eyed kid or a food critic, the experience is always delicious, and never overly serious. 

Pop in for a cone, grab a pint for later, or ask the team what they’re excited about in the cabinet that day.