The moment Mother Nature turns up the heat we’re flooded with articles about where to get the best ice cream. While we’d love to live off the stuff as much as the next person, it’s not exactly practical. Here’s a thought: food doesn’t have to be frozen to refresh you in summer, and if you’re still being served ice cream scoops – well – you’re living in the past. Here are ten culinary coolers from across the country.

Chocolate & hazelnut ice cream sandwich @ Meatball Co. ($12)

The Fox Hotel 71-73 Melbourne St, South Brisbane, QLD | (07) 3844 2883

This will appeal to anyone who has ever eaten Nutella from the jar with a spoon, or Baci chocolates by the bucket load. You wouldn’t think to look for a cooling dish at a meatball joint, but that’s exactly where you’ll find this decadent ice cream sandwich. Two house-made cookies encase the velvety chocolate filling, served with a delicate arrangement of hazelnuts.

Nitrogen ice cream @ N2 Extreme Gelato ($6)
Shop 43/1 Dixon St, Sydney, NSW

N2 looks more like a science laboratory than an ice cream shop. Staff in white lab coats and protective goggles mix raw ingredients with liquid nitrogen to create an unusually smooth and creamy gelato. Flavours change weekly and range from crème brûlée to pear topped with blue cheese and a side of water cracker.

Vietnamese steak tartare, prawn crackers @ Ms. G’s ($18)
155 Victoria St, Potts Point, NSW | (02) 9240 3000
When it’s too hot for a barbeque but you need a meat fix, steak tartare is the way to go. The version at Ms. G’s is laced with crunchy shallots, crowned with an egg yolk and served with prawn crackers. Perfect for the carnivore that won’t compromise.

Peanut butter parfait, salted caramel & soft chocolate @ Golden Fields ($10)

2/157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, VIC | (03) 9525 4488
A caramel cloak flows over the delicate cube of icy peanut butter parfait, which arrives punctuated with peanuts and christened with a quenelle of rich chocolate mousse.  

A dozen oysters @ Freycinet Marine Farm ($15)
1784 Coles Bay Rd, Coles Bay, TAS | (03) 6257 0140

Freycinet Marine Farm is a tiny shack tacked onto a farm on the way to Freycinet National Park and stunning Wine Glass Bay. Sit outside on the wooden picnic tables  (you don’t have a choice) surrounded by old fishing nets studded with shells. Slurp your way through plump, juicy Pacific Oysters by the dozen, fresh off the boat with salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Fruit salad tacos @ The Merrywell ($8)

Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood, WA | (08) 9362 7777

Move over pulled pork, The Merrywell is serving up fruit salad tacos. The refreshing dish is an ideal end to a meal if you want to beat the heat, or convince yourself that you’re doing your body a favour by opting for fruit instead of chocolate after the mammoth hamburger you just devoured.

Caramel parfait, salted peanuts, caramel cream, chocolate dust @ Morries Anytime ($12.50)
Shop 2/149 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River, WA | (08 9758 8280)

If Snickers were a gourmand-friendly dessert, this would be it. Complete with frozen caramel base, clouds of caramel cream and salted peanuts in an opulent caramel sauce, the only reason you’ll lose your cool is if someone wants to share it with you.

Burrata with fresh peas, mint and sopressata @ Andre’s Cucina ($25)
94 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA | (08) 8224 0004

Opened by a Masterchef contestant with a penchant for paddock to plate produce, Andre’s Cucina is all about keeping things fresh. But dishes seldom come as fresh as their burrata, a firm sphere of mozzarella with a creamy interior. This one is paired with the best of the season: peas, newly-picked mint and sopressata salami.

Frozen yoghurt on wheels @ Yogurddiction ($4-6)
Melbourne, VIC (check facebook.com/Yogurddiction for location) | +61 452 323 977

A guilt-free way to keep your cool: Yogurddiction’s fat-free, cholesterol-free soft serve frozen yogurt. The only catch is you have to chase them down – Yogurddiction is a food truck, after all. Hit up their Facebook for scheduled locations and flavours.

Green tea snow ice with red bean and chocolate @ Dessert Story ($9.9)
195 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC | (03) 9650 7776

Dessert Story’s light and airy mountain of green tea snow ice is frozen genius. The base dissolves in the mouth while sweetened red beans and a generous drizzle of condensed milk take it to a whole new level. It’s an absolute treat on a hot day. Actually, it’s a treat any day.