Messina Gelato’s next scoop: A new restaurant and bar experience

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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Messina Gelato’s new dining concept, Erin, will replace Messina Creative.

Messina Gelato has become a beloved icon in Sydney’s vibrant food scene, adored for its creamy, artisanal gelato and bold, inventive flavours. And with the introduction of Messina Creative, it became more than just gelato – it became a full experience. Now, the gelato geniuses are taking it even further by transforming Messina Creative into Erin.

Named after the Erindale dairy farm, Erin Restaurant & Bar will build on the success of their popular degustation concept while offering a more approachable experience for a wider audience. The new format has transformed Messina Creative into a wine and cocktail bar, featuring both à la carte and set menu options (eight courses for $89 per person), all incorporating gelato elements. This allows guests to enjoy the experience without committing to the full six-course degustation.

The pork pie with wild mushrooms, ketchup gelato at Erin.
The pork pie with wild mushrooms, ketchup gelato.

In a company statement, Messina Gelato said, “Despite its success, we knew it wasn’t the easiest experience to access. With all the restrictions around bookings, many missed out – and that didn’t sit right with us."

Erin Restaurant & Bar will serve a unique combination of savoury and sweet dishes using fruits, veggies, milk, and beef all sourced from the Erindale dairy farm. Guests will enjoy dishes such as prawn toast with mixed seeds and tomato sriracha sorbet, Erindale gnocchi with pickled mushrooms, aosa butter, and roasted potato gelato, as well as a beetroot tart with caramelised walnuts, shiso, seaweed tart, and goat cheese gelato.

Erin Restaurant and Bar Messina Gelato
Diners will feast on a range of elevated dishes, each with a gelato element.

The venue will open on March 20th at their Marrickville flagship. Snackbar by Messina Creative will be incorporated into Erin, meaning you can still drop by for a more casual dining experience without committing to a full dinner.

No bookings are required, but they are available.

Open Thursday to Sunday.

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

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    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

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    Lake Lascelles
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    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.