Gelato & Tea

Gelato and Tea is the work of two Christchurch hospitality experts, Mia Zhao and Andy Shiau, who have brought the city some of its mainstays like Sushi Soldier, Eightgrains, Dose Diner and more. True to form, this venture is just as stellar as the rest of the bunch and offers homemade gelato and a range of tea drinks.

All the gelato is made in-house and flavours range from funky to familiar - and half the cabinet is vegan. Options like ‘Black Hawaii’ are striking in both appearance and taste. Made with raw cacao and coconut this gelato is night sky black and bursting with rich chocolatey undertones and springy coconut notes. Other flavours like orange mandarin, Snickers Bar, pistachio sorbet, creme brûlée, matcha banana and mango and passionfruit sorbet cycle through quickly making each trip to Gelato and Tea a bit of an adventure in and of itself. However, there’s always a balance of sweet and savoury flavours on offer and any gelato can be made into a milkshake (even if you want to go lactose-free).

On the tea side of things you’ll find the same level of fun and flavour. Bubble teas, fruit teas, smoothies and iced drinks are all available. Try taro, coffee, chocolate or brown sugar bubble tea or opt for a smoothie featuring banana and honey or mango and passionfruit. Strawberry plum iced tea, iced Belgian chocolates or Uji matcha all make great drinks options as well. You can even add a scoop of gelato.

Gelato and Tea’s other sweet offerings like their Portuguese tarts, waffles and cupcakes are also delicious. For a complete meal visit one of Andy and Mia’s other restaurants, Ramen Ria, just across the laneway. Then finish it all up with a scoop of gelato or a tea.