Where to Find the Best Ice Cream in Cape Town

The inside scoop on the top venues keeping Cape Town cool

Last Update: 4 February 2021

After a hard day’s tanning at the beach or a sweaty mountain hike, what better way to reward yourself than with a refreshing ice cream? Find the perfect accompaniment to a hot Cape Town day at one of these chilled haunts.

CRUMBS & CREAM IS FAMOUS FOR THEIR ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Inside this Willy Wonka-like ice cream store is paint-splattered tables and chairs, a swing-set table and ice cream sandwiches that are almost as bright and colourful as the furniture. Only a stone's throw away from the Sea Point promenade, Crumbs & Cream sells "happiness in your mouth" says store owner Nadav Lahat. Think, over the top ice cream sandwiches with milkshakes stacked so tall you'll need to stand up to eat them next time you visit Crumbs & Cream in Sea Point. 

Hours: Friday - Saturday, 11am - 12am

Must-try: One particular showstopper of a dessert if the Nutella/BarOne Donut cookie with Oreo Monster ice cream squished in the middle.

16 Regent Rd, Sea Point, hello@crumbsandcream.co.za, crumbsandcream.co.za

Moro Gelato

This pretty, golden-interiored gem sits on Long Street and has some of the tastiest authentic Italian gelato and sorbet. Its sorbets are made with local seasonal fruit, and all ingredients are fresh and, as Moro Gelato puts it, “Real food”. No preservatives, artificial flavouring or gelatin here. The ice cream itself comes in a range of decadent flavours, both classic and unique. Try the Milk Tart, the creamy Pistachio, or the Pinocchio - a toasted pine nuts gelato. The sorbets include Mango and Fico (black figs sorbet), and of course there are various chocolatey gelatos. This includes a rich vegan chocolate, that tastes too wonderfully creamy to be true.

165 Long Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 3552

Unframed Ice Cream

Located on Cape Town's trendy Kloof Street, Unframed Ice Cream is an artisan ice cream parlour offering fruit sorbets, dairy ice cream, and even nut-based vegan ice cream. With 10 flavours available at all times, flavours change regularly depending on daily inspiration and available seasonal produce.

45C Kloof Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)63 601 0287

The Creamery

If you value ethical and sustainable production, you will love The Creamery, which has cafés in Newlands, Mouille Point and Claremont. Its tubs and spoons are biodegradable. Local ingredients are sourced to create its delicious creations. Classic favourites include Sea Salt Caramel, Rosetta Roastery Coffee and 65% Chocolate. It also boasts seasonal limited-edition flavours you’ll find nowhere else, like Naartjie Choc Chip and Cornflake Milk (the taste is so exact it’s uncanny). 

Tip: Try The Creamery’s dreamy soft, warm cookies or crispy waffles, topped with a cold scoop or two. 

31 Dean Street | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 686 3975
Park Road | Mouille Point | +27 (0)21 434 2455
Shop 16, Palmyra Junction | Palmyra Road | Claremont | +27 (0)21 671 6348
Baskin Robbins 

The popular international ice cream and frozen dessert franchise arrived in SA in 2016 to the delight of its Capetonian fans. The brand is known for having over 31 flavours, with the idea that patrons can enjoy a different one each day of the month. Right now in SA, Baskin Robbins boasts 35 different flavours. Favourites include the Macadamia Nuts N Cream, Very Berry Strawberry, and the colourful Cotton Candy Wonderland. 

Mojo Market | 3 Regent Road | Sea Point
Blue Route Mall | 16 Tokai Road | Tokai | +27 (0)21 443 9240
Canal Walk Shopping Centre | Century Boulevard | Century City
Tygervalley Mall | Bill Bezuidenhout and Willie Van Schoor Drive | Bellville

Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream   

Handmade from scratch in small batches, using fresh and often unusual (but delicious!) ingredients, this ice cream really is totally kick ass. Think concoctions that include buttery toasted nuts, seasonal fruits, jam, marshmallows – even fresh herbs! Vegan and banting options are available here too. Visit the charming Noordhoek Farm Village and sit in Kristen’s adorable, airy ice cream shop with a cooling cone.

Must try flavours: Fresh Basil and Pralined Pine Nuts, Espresso Fudge, Cookies and Cream, Double Dark Chocolate, and boozy Lime & Gin.

Noordhoek Farm Village | Village Lane | Noordhoek | Cape Town | +27 (0)72 563 7642 

Gelato Mania

Head to one of Gelato Mania’s stores dotted around Cape Town for a homemade ice treat. It caters for a multitude of requirements, including kosher, Halaal, lactose-free, banting and even diabetes-friendly! Gelato boasts more flavours of gelato in one gelateria store than any other in South Africa! Popular flavours include Mango, After Eight mint, Chocolate Hazelnut and Bar One. 

Tip: there are also pancakes and waffles available, which are served with a scoop of your choice flavour on top – now that’s decadence.

Primary store: Shop 152, Victoria Wharf | 19 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)60 400 4115

Lecca il Gelato

If your icy craving is for authentic Italian ice cream and you’re looking for a Stellenbosch locale, give this gem a taste. Think natural ingredients, including fresh local fruit, cocoa beans from Brazil, and hazelnuts from Piemonte. Oh, and ultra creamy dairy ice cream.

15 Church Street | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 886 4694

The Ice Café

For sumptuous homemade ice cream in a vintage seaside setting, head to the Ice Café in Kalk Bay. Here you can try delicious flavours, including blueberry and cream, rum and raisin or ginger and cinnamon. There’s nothing better than getting a cooling cone to eat outside with a fresh sea breeze, the sun on your back, and an ocean view.

Main Road | Kalk Bay | +27 (0)21 788 1995

Häagen-Dazs

The famous Häagen-Dazs melt-in-the-mouth texture is created by whipping a small amount of air into fresh cream. There are plenty of dreamy flavours to choose from, but we've got a sweet tooth for Belgian Chocolate and the Blueberries and Cream (made using real blueberries!).

V&A Waterfront Shopping Centre | Breakwater Blvd | Victoria & Alfred Waterfront | +27 (0)21 421 0744

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Choose from over 40 different types of ice-cream from Crumbs & Cream in Sea Point.

New place in Stellenbosch: Built on beer and ice-cream: Wingerd Vista.

If you are looking for the leaders in frozen yoghurt in Cape Town, check out Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt

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