Calatrava

This caf is in the big open space at the front of Crown Casino, nearest Spencer Street. Its open Gelato Bar faces the pedestrian walkway outside. Inside, the serving area is opulent - gold and brightly coloured cabinets display lovely looking cakes, macaroons and desserts. I came here to have a business meeting and it's good for that as it's open from first thing in the morning - my meeting was at 7.30am. The seating is basic - wire chairs and Formica tables, but the environment is good for discussion and work. The coffee is good and service is quick.

Calatrava is a takeaway gelato and sorbet shop located in the Southbank promenade walk. Having been visiting this area quite regularly, I believe this might have been the only ice cream shop in the area as I struggled to locate any other ice cream parlour nearby.

This place are quite busy especially when you are visiting in the evening, since this shop has just the right location to watch and enjoy the Crown Casinos famous fire feature, which goes off at night.

Although it might seem like a simple takeaway shop, they really did it well with plenty of staffs serving across the great range of gelato and sorbet flavours, making it really quick to order. I believe I was quite lucky when the person who served me gave me an unusually larger serving of my ice cream sorbet order. It tasted very fresh and clean and although I have seen cheaper and better ice cream before, this shop was still worth going to.