Lick Ice Cream - The Barracks

Lick Ice Cream at The Barracks in Paddington, Brisbane is a dedicated ice cream shop built around dense, creamy scoops and a rotating selection of classic and more unusual flavours. The range includes more than 24 flavours on display, with specials changed regularly, so there is plenty of scope to try something different across visits. The shop also offers barista-made coffee, affogatos and thick shakes made with four scoops of your chosen flavour.

Lick’s point of difference is its production method. The family-owned Brisbane business uses more than 50 per cent real Australian thickened cream, along with real eggs and other ingredients, then fills the mixture into tubs before sending it straight to a blast freezer. Unlike traditionally churned ice cream, the mix is not whipped with extra air, which the maker says results in a rich, dense texture with smaller ice crystals. It is made in small batches and sold through Lick’s own retail shops as well as other retailers and restaurants.

There are a few options beyond a standard scoop. The fresh cookie ice cream sandwich is a house offering, while an affogato pairs the ice cream with coffee. For something made to share, custom ice cream cakes can be ordered online for pickup. Lick also produces its ice cream in several tub sizes, including larger five-litre tubs, although the shop’s in-store experience is focused on sampling and enjoying the flavours on offer.

The business began in Brisbane in 2004 and remains family owned and locally produced. Its history includes supplying ice cream and sorbets to restaurants and independent grocers, as well as providing the ice cream for the Brisbane Ekka sundae. The venue suits a quick solo treat, a coffee-and-dessert stop, or groups and families choosing different flavours; custom cakes also make it relevant for birthdays and other occasions. Its vanilla bean ice cream has additionally been recognised in Australian Gourmet Traveller’s top five vanilla ice cream brands.