Gelato Lab

Monday11:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Tuesday11:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Wednesday11:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Thursday11:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Friday11:00 am – 7:30 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 7:30 pm.

Sunday11:00 am – 7:30 pm.

5/132 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch

022 599 5496

Hiding away in the leafy suburb of Opawa lies a small piece of Italy. Gelato Lab churns out traditional gelato in a number of delicious and ever-changing flavours, all made on-site by two passionate ladies: Martina, who hails from the motherland of gelato and hence has a fair idea of the product at hand; and Pippa, the owner-operator of this wee gem, who fell in love with gelato while studying in Europe and attended a ‘gelato university’ in Bologna (just for fun, she tells us!) after finishing her PhD.

Working as a research scientist at the University of Otago as a day job, Pippa set up Gelato Lab as a way to import a slice of Europe to little ol’ Christchurch. She wanted to combine science, fun and creativity in Gelato Lab. Thus, on top of its name, the fit-out also nods towards all things science: an elements table as a menu, conical flasks and glass beakers on top of open shelves, and a white scientist’s jacket and hairnet uniform for the scoopers and churners.

Keeping true to tradition, the gelato here is scooped with a spatula rather than your usual round scoop. Expect to find seasonal flavours along with some classics, plus a number of dairy-free options available throughout the year. Come on a sunny weekend and you’ll find a wiggly line of people queuing to cure that craving for the Lab’s gelato delizioso.

If you can’t quite pedal your bike all the way to HQ, Gelato Lab’s cold stuff is also available right in town at Ballantynes and at Riverside Cheesemongers (the latter will be the only spot where you can wrap your laughing gear around a very special sheep’s milk gelato!). With a focus on wholesale going on behind the scenes, more spots to offer a Gelato Lab fix will be popping up in the near future.

Words by Petra Nyman & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

5/132 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch

Nearby Places

La Voute

Vintage chair with retro painting of clown's face behind it at La Voute, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

La Voute, French for "The Vault", certainly lives up to its name. While the showroom for this vintage furniture and homewares shop may be a little off the beaten path, it only makes the underground space feel even more transportive.

Similar Places

Prima Roastery

The counter at Prima Roastery.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Whether you’re after a caffeine kick, a cool spot for a catch up, a resupply of beans or a new espresso machine, Prima is the place - they’ve got parking out the back, too.

Civil and Naval

The building exterior of Civil and Naval in Lyttelton
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

This Lyttelton spot offers a well thought-out sharing menu dotted with memorable plates along with excellent wine, beer and cocktails.

OGB

Sunlight streaming through OGB's speakeasy-style bar in Christchurch
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

A speakeasy-style bar, OGB serves up an old-school approach to hospitality.

Coffee Embassy

The cafe space at Coffee Embassy.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Pay attention next time you are driving down Fitzgerald Ave because here you will find a cafe and roastery home to some of the best brews and beans in the city.