The team behind popular Sydney-based gelato brand, Gelato Messina, has opened a do-it-yourself dessert bar in Darlinghurst.

The Messina Dessert Bar is essentially a soft serve sundae bar, and encourages customers to, what head chef Donato Toce called, “choose your own adventure”.

Cups, cones and crepes are on offer, along with soft serve gelato and a selection of more than 20 toppings and additions, including foams, gels and fudges.

“The inspiration comes from the customers who give us all these great ideas. Not all of these ideas work in gelato, so we wanted to create a product where we could incorporate all of those ‘other’ ingredients,” Donato said.

“We have seen some bizarre combinations but, at the end of the day, it is the customer creating their own customer flavour, which you have to love. “Creating a different flavour experience every time you come in; who doesn’t love that?”

For those who would prefer a chef’s suggestion, a number of well-named sundae combinations are also available, including I Dough Know – a doughnut topped with burnt vanilla gelato, mandarin gel, mandarin tuile, mango foam and butterscotch sauce.

The menu will change sweets, scents and gelato soft serve flavours monthly.