Gelocchio(Cairns City)

Gelocchio is a long-running gelato and sorbet shop on the Cairns Esplanade, known for fresh fruit sorbets made with Tablelands produce. Its outdoor footpath tables sit right on the waterfront boardwalk, which makes it an easy dog-friendly stop in the middle of an Esplanade walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath seating facing the Esplanade; inside is for service animals only. The tables open straight onto the pedestrian boardwalk, so it is simple to pull up in the shade with a dog beside you. Bring your own water bowl, since this is a grab-a-cone counter rather than a full-service cafe with table service.

Worth knowing

The draw is the fruit sorbets, often made with local Cairns and Tablelands fruit such as dragon fruit and lychee, alongside richer gelato flavours like the much-ordered pistachio and Ferrero-style options, with vegan-friendly sorbets across the range. The waterfront position makes it a natural cool-down on a hot day. Hours run 10am to 10pm daily. Portions are generous, which regulars call out as often as the flavours, and the queue moves quickly even at the evening peak, so a stop rarely costs more than a few minutes.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 9/93 The Esplanade. Paid street parking runs along the Esplanade and surrounding streets, and it is within walking distance of most central accommodation and the Marlin Marina.

Close by with the dogs

The Esplanade boardwalk runs directly out front, a long flat on-lead walking path, though dogs are not allowed in the sandy lagoon swimming area. For more food with dogs in tow, Lillipad Cafe and Blu Marlin Bistro are both central, and Espresso Italiano is just north of the city.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly guide and the Cairns City destinations page.