10 Top Ice-Cream Parlours in Cape Town

The inside scoop on the venues keeping Cape Town cool

After a hard day’s tanning at the beach or a mountain hike, what better way to reward yourself than with a refreshing ice-cream? It’s the perfect accompaniment to a South African summer’s day; it’s popular and it’s an integral part of South African culture. So, get down with the ‘Gelaterati’ at some of these chilling haunts.

1 - Sinnful Ice-Cream Emporium
For a ‘sinnful’ experience, choose outrageously tasty flavours from this Cape Town favourite, enjoyed best on the beach in stylish Camps Bay. The funky ice-cream parlour brings new meaning to gourmet ice-cream, with its curious blend of flavours. Try for instance, ‘Heavenly Hash’; a blend of marshmallow, chocolate chips, fudge and vanilla ice-cream.
Shop 5 | The Promenade Centre | Victoria Road | Camps Bay | +27 (0)21 438 3541

2 - Haagen Dazs
Less air is whipped into fresh cream, to create Haagen Dazs' famous, melt-in-the-mouth experience. Sure, there are 24 gorgeous flavours to choose from, but we've got a sweet tooth for Belgian Chocolate.
Shop no. 129 | Lower Level | Victoria Wharf | +27 (0)21 421 0744

3 - Gelato Mania
If you can’t afford the calories; head to Greenpoint for a delectable, but guilt free, treat. Expect kosher, halaal, hormone free milk and no additives or preservatives in over 30 delicious flavours. You could opt for Coconut with fresh fruit, in a waffle cone.
65 Main Road | Greenpoint | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 2074

4 - The Venezia Ice-Cream Parlour
If the staff has to continually clean finger prints from the glass cabinet where patrons have salivated, then this parlour is a true contender. They do not deal in snow flakes drizzled over a stick of cinnamon; rather it is the epitome of gluttony and certainly not for the faint hearted. You are presented with an uber-sized, chocolate encrusted waffle-cone, filled with full cream ice-cream, including English Toffee, Mango and Peanut Butter. To top it off, the staff is genial.
92 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 930 2952

5 - Lecca il Gelato
For ice-cream connoisseurs concerned with high-end quality and outstanding flavours, check out this gem in beautiful Stellenbosch. Think natural, authentic ingredients, including fresh fruit from South Africa and rich cocoa beans from Brazil, expertly blended to a soft, smooth and decadent texture.
15 Church Street | Stellenbosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 872 9062

6 - Marcel’s
If you’re partial to tempting frozen sensations that take the taste-buds by storm, visit the first ever frozen yoghurt store. Marcel’s was established in 1989 and now has 12 outlets. Marcel’s friendly staff serves dairy soft-serve treats, including classics like English Toffee. Try the exciting new flavours, Lemony Cheesecake and Rich Espresso.
Devon Valley Road | Stellenbosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 887 5803

7 - Bombolina Gelateria and Restaurant
For traditional, artisan-made ice-cream, look no further than Milnerton’s classical offering. Newcomers, Bombolina, promise gelato making methods that date back hundreds of years. Whilst other ice-cream makers make a large quantity of ice-cream, use it as a base and then flavour it to make their different tastes, Bombolina makes each flavour individually.
Unit 11 | Central Park | Platinum Crescent | Marconi Beam | Milnerton | Cape Town

8 - The Café in the Garden
Take ten minutes out of your day to sit on a bench and marvel at flora and fauna in the stunning Company Gardens, whilst enjoying a dairy treat. The Café in the Garden offers a single scoop of Aylesbury ice-cream for R5 and a double-decker for R7.50.
The Café in the Garden | The Company Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 400 2521

9 - The Beach

Tanning at the beach can be an arduous task, beneath the intense, Cape Town sun. If you don’t want to disrupt valuable bronzing time, simply look up to the vendors that appear like desert cacti, calling phrases like: ‘granadilla lolly to make you jolly’. Do try the frozen granadilla and indulge in decadent chocolate covered, coconut ice-cream. Sound appealing? The vendors will bring your tanning relief right to you and for as little as R10!
Camps Bay | Clifton Beaches

10 - Ice Café
For a memory lane of sumptuous ice-cream, head to the delightful Ice Café, in buzzing Main Road, Kalk Bay. Here you can sample classics, including Blueberry and Cream, Rum and Raisin or Ginger and Cinnamon.
Main Road | Kalk Bay | +27 (0)21 788 4816

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