What would summer be without ice cream? Uneventful, right? This season, you don’t have to settle for supermarket varieties – artisanal and all-natural gelato joints are popping up all over the Mother City.
We dish the scoop on the best ice cream spots in Cape Town. And if you have others to add, please do so in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you.
1. THE CREAMERY
All products are lovingly handmade using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients that have been produced in an environmentally friendly way.
The Creamery has branches in Newlands, Mouille Point and most recently, Claremont’s Palmyra Junction, as well as stalls at the V&A’s Market on the Wharf, the Neighbourgoods Market and the Earth Fair Market at St. Georges Mall. You can also hire its staffed vintage scoop stall for private functions.
How it’s served cup or cone.
Wow factor Because it uses only seasonal ingredients in its ice creams, the flavours change often, so you never know which ones you’ll get when you visit. Also, each month, The Creamery introduces a flavour of the month.
Contact 021 447 7690, hello@thecreamery.co.za
Location Dean Street, Newlands; Beach Road, Mouille Point; and Palmyra Road, Claremont
You can also get the ice cream at Market on the Wharf, The Neighourgoods Market and Earth Fair Market
2. UNFRAMED
Owner Yann Rey and ice-cream master Stéphane Augé have engineered and dreamed up the exciting variety of flavours at this understated, yet stylish, ice-cream parlour. At Unframed, they believe in the authentic, hands-on approach to the art of ice-cream making, using a perfect balance between sugar, water, fat and air.
The best part is that it caters for everyone, including lactose-intolerant and vegan ice-cream lovers too! We recommend Jasmine Rice Lemongrass (vegan), Burnt White Chocolate, Matcha Tea (vegan) and Sea Salt Chocolate.
How it’s served as a cone, cup or tasting flight (a choice of 5 flavours)
Wow factor Unframed has some pretty delectable toppings to choose from: Pink Pralines Swirl, Cardamom Dark Chocolate and Superfood Raw White Mulberry, to name a few.
Contact 063 601 0287, icecream@unframed.co.za
Location Unframed Ice Cream, 45C Kloof Street Cape Town
3. LE DELIZIE
Tucked away within a wondrous chocolate shop that’s owned and run by a dedicated and passionate husband-and-wife duo, Le Delizie serves artisanal gelato, super sorbets (and nougat and chocolates, too). Gelati flavours include: stracciatella (a cream-based ice cream filled with crunchy, dark chocolate pieces), caramel (caramello), hazelnut (nocciola), 70% chocolate (cioccolato), coffee (caffè) and mint choc chip (menta), as well as tantalising lemon, dark chocolate and strawberry sorbet. All the gelati are eggless, except for Crema Della Nonna (Granny’s Cream), which uses egg yolk.
How it’s served in a takeaway tub (500g) or takeaway cup, and they don’t scoop, they dish – Italian style!
Wow factor Massimo’s gelato bonbons (Italian kisses); the tiramisu and cherry cream ice-cream; and the stunning, specially moulded ice-cream cakes (which are available for order and can be made with either gelato or sorbet, with a choice of two flavours for the filling).
Contact 062 034 2732, info@ledelizie.co.za
Where to find it Le Delizie, Shop 15, Dean Street Arcade, Main Street, Newlands, Cape Town
4. SHWESHWE
ShweShwe holds the honour of being South Africa’s first small ice-cream company to use old-fashioned pints (the equivalent of a 470ml carton tub). Each batch of ice cream is made from scratch, using milk, cream, sugar and eggs to make a creamy base before adding in natural flavours. The result? All-good deliciousness, minus stabilisers, additives or fillers.
Based in Stellenbosch, along with its sister brand, Ice Cream Community, ShweShwe has been producing scoops of joy since 2011. ShweShwe is available to serve ice cream at weddings and events – from a handmade, vintage bicycle!
How it’s served in a 125ml or 470ml tub.
Wow factor Aside from staples such as chocolate and vanilla, it serves some pretty interesting flavours…braaied marshmallow, salted caramel and banana or beetroot and honeycomb!
Contact 072 938 2810, 076 416 6439, scoop@icecreamcommunity.com
Location ShweShwe, The Launch Lab, Hammandshand Road, Stellenbosch
You can also get the ice cream at selected SPARs and Melissas in Cape Town and Stellenbosch
5. SORBETIÈRE
Founded in 2013, Sorbetière was born out of French chef Berenne Cristini’s desire to make Cape sorbet. Offering both sorbet and ice cream, Sorbetière uses local products, natural ingredients and seasonal flavours to make its inspired creations.
Its dairy-free, vegan-friendly sorbets are made from 70 to 80% fresh fruit and a water base, while its ice creams use fresh milk and natural ingredients, with no artificial flavours or colourants.
How it’s served take-away 500ml or 2L tubs, 1 or 2 scoops in homemade sugar cones.
Wow factor You can order ice cream cupcakes and have them delivered to your door!
Contact 079 085 5607, info@sorbetiere.co.za
Location Sorbetière, Side Street Studios, 48 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
You can also get the ice cream at various stores, wine farms, restaurants and cafés including: Honest Chocolate Café, The Dining Room, South China Dim Sum, Gogo’s Deli and Burrata, as well as at their Side Street Studios-based workshop
6. DE VILLIERS ARTISAN CHOCOLATE
Based in Paarl, De Villiers Chocolate is a delicious bean-to-bar chocolate maker, coffee roastery and ice-creamery. What began as a garage-based hobby has become a fully fledged chocolate factory, shop and café, housed in a Cape Dutch home where visitors can watch the chocolate-making process through glass walls. All products are made using natural and fresh ingredients, and without any additional flavourings or preservatives. They also now have a new shop/café in Franschhoek’s Heritage Square.
How it’s served in a sugar cone or bowl.
Wow factor The dreamy flavours, which include caramel, rum and raisin, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, peanut butter, espresso and mango-passion sorbet.
Contact (021) 874 1060, info@dvchocolate.com
Location De Villiers Artisan Chocolate, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Paarl and Heritage Square, Main Road, Franschhoek
7. CRÈME DE LEVAIN
This artisanal ice-cream parlour and bakery is situated on Stellenbosch’s buzzy Church Street, between Wakaberry and Bramtons (two other ice-cream spots). Relatively new to gelato scene, it offers 24 delicious, handmade flavours, as well as an array of freshly baked goodies (cakes, macarons, brownies and crêpes), coffee, gourmet milkshakes, and even light lunches.
How it’s served cone or cup.
Wow factor The exotic flavours – that vary daily – such as Blueberry, Berry & Crème, Turkish Delight & Top Deck, Malva, Romany or Lemon Cheesecake, and Salted Caramel.
Contact 021 886 5116, cremedelevain@gmail.com
Location Creme de Levain, 7 – 15 Church Street, Stellenbosch
8. GELATO MANIA
These unique, family-run gelateria produce unforgettable scoops of happiness
using a traditional, age-old recipe. Full-cream, hormone-free cow’s milk is used in the recipe, with no added animal or vegetable fat, alcohol, gelatine or preservatives included. Those who would like to avoid sugar, you’ll be pleased to know that there are Banting and diabetes-friendly flavours available, but then you’ll have to forego the homemade sugar cones, which are divine.
How it’s served 1 to 3 scoops in a cup or homemade sugar cone; or 500g and 1kg take-away tubs.
Wow factor The five most popular flavours are salted butter caramel, lemon sorbet, chocolate brownies, yoghurt berry crunch and Diabetic hazelnut. But you might want to go for a waffle or pancake with your favourite scoop when visiting the Waterfront and Greenpoint stores.
Contact 021 914 6376, scoop@gelatomania.co.za
Location V&A Waterfront (their flagship store), Green Point, Hermanus, Camps Bay, Franschhoek, Somerset Mall, Canal Walk and Cavendish Square
9. LAS PALETAS
These artisanal fruit ice lollies are handmade with real dairy and fresh fruit and no artificial colourants or additives. We love the exotic flavour combinations, such as Peanut Butter Bomb (with swirl of caramel with chocolate coated peanuts), Coconut Lemonade and Pineapple and Chilli.
How it’s served on a stick.
Wow factor Since the lollies are made with fresh ingredients, some of the flavours are seasonally available. This summer make sure you try the refreshing watermelon-and-mint sorbet.
Contact 021 556 1491, info@laspaletas.co.za
Location Las Paletas, Unit 2, Ebenezer Park, 71 – 73 Killarney Avenue, Killarney Gardens, Cape Town
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
10. TASHAS WAFFLE HOUSE
With its pastel palette, this ice-cream parlour has a decidedly vintage feel. The designer waffles are heavenly, as is the gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt and milkshakes. And don’t forget to pile on the toppings of your choice, which include Cherry Sauce, Turkish Delight, Smarties and Wafers.
How it’s served cup or cone.
Wow factor The crispy sugar cones add another dimension of flavour to your ice cream. And, if you’re a sorbet fan, try the lemon – the perfect calibration of sweet and sour!
Contact: 021 794 8419, constantia@tashascafe.com
Location Tashas, Shop 55, Constantia Village, Constantia Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
11. CRUMBS AND CREAM
This ice cream truck is the brainchild of sisters, Shahar and Or Peled that aims to bring the fun back into ice cream. Situated at the Waterfront’s Watershed Market, it is the perfect place to cool down and fill-up with a delicious ice cream sandwich. Or catch them on Regent Road, Sea Point where the sisters have their own store. The cookies are baked fresh every day, and they are served with authentic Italian ice cream.
How it’s served Between two cookies, in a cup or a cone.
Wow factor It is a fun way to enjoy ice cream, as you are free to pick two different cookie flavours to enjoy with your ice cream. Choose from flavours such as peanut butter, Oreo, candy crush, butter and choc chips. Why not add some yummy toppings for the ultimate ice cream sandwich?
Contact 083 659 4439, shahar@crumbsandcream.co.za
Location Crumbs & Cream, 16 Regent Road, Sea Point;
Also find them at The Watershed
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
12. COLD GOLD
These ice creams and sorbets are made with fresh, organic, all-natural ingredients sourced from local farms and small producers in the winelands – no additives, preservatives or colourants are used. Also, if you have a special dietary request – if you’re, say, lactose intolerant, a vegan or on the Banting diet – Cold Gold will whip up a tasty ice cream to suit your requirements!
How it’s served cup or cone or take-home tubs of 150ml, 500ml, 1L, 2L, or 5L.
Wow factor In strawberry season – which is now! – the 100% Strawberry Sorbet is heaven in a cup! Made with pure fruit, it’s a healthy and refreshing treat for summer.
Contact 074 182 5510, vzjanine@hotmail.com
Location Cold Gold, Shop 53, Bosman’s Crossing, Distillery Road, Stellenbosch
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
13. ICEDREAM
For authentic creamy Italian ice cream, IceDream in Hout Bay is the place to go. All ice cream is made on location by owners Luigi and Liana. There are a variety of flavours to choose from, whose names are presented in Italian (with the English translation below). These gelato are available from the store as well as the Bay Harbour Market.
How it’s served: cup or cone.
Wow factor: The vanilla ice cream, made with pods from Zanzibar, is pure ice-cream joy, and the fruit sorbets in raspberry, sour cherry, pink grapefruit and a whole host of other divine flavours are darn good, too.
Contact: 021 790 2496
Location: IceDream, Homeleigh Place, Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
14. THE ICE CREAM GUYS
You’ll find these guys at various markets on different days of the week.They make ice creams, sorbets and frozen yoghurt, using certified organic ingredients that have been sourced from local farms. Their ice creams are decidedly less sweet than others because they extract the natural sweetness from fruit, thereby reducing the amount of sugar added.
How it’s served cone or cup.
Wow factor The exciting flavours they conjure on a regular basis. Try the apple crumble, blueberry cheesecake, cookies and cream or ginger apple carrot sorbet.
Contact 082 975 2552, hello@theicecreamguys.co.za
You can find them at Earth Fair Food Market Tokai: Wednesday, 3pm – 8.30pm; Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Cape Point Vineyards: Thursday, 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Constantia Waldorf Organic Market: Friday, 10:30am – 3pm
Kirstenbosch Craft Market: Sunday, 9pm – 3pm
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
15. HÄAGEN-DAZS
Since it was founded in New York 1961, this premium ice-cream brand has had one mission: the pursuit of the perfect ice cream. The first ice-cream house to come up with decadent flavours such as Cookie & Cream and Chocolate Pralines and Caramel, it paved the way for the next genertaions of gelato.
How it’s served cup or cone.
Wow factor The Belgian Chocolate ice cream – with bits of chocolate that melt in your mouth – is heaven in a cup.
Contact 021 421 0744
Location Häagen-Dazs, Food Court Ground Level, V&A Waterfront
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
16. MYOG FROZEN YOGURT
Made using locally sourced fresh milk, no refined sugar, freshly cut fruit – no frozen or canned products here – Myog’s frozen yoghurt is 98% fat free, making it a healthy option. The innovative menu includes flavours such as Berry, Nutella and Rooibos, with toppings such as seasonal fresh fruit, brownie, fudge, Smarties, almonds, chocolate chips and sprinkle nuts that take it to a whole new level. Myog is environmentally conscious and only uses recyclable and biodegradable cups and containers.
How it’s served cup.
Wow factor The freshly cut fruit, which includes mango, watermelon, apple and pineapple, adds a refreshing element to the frozen yogurts made from fresh milk.
Contact headfineroots@gmail.com
Location Myog Frozen Yoghurt, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens; The Point Center in Sea Point; and Plein Street, Stellenbosch
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
17. WAKABERRY
Inspired by “Waka Waka”, Shakira and Freshlyground’s 2010 World Cup anthem, the founders of Wakaberry opened their first store in Durban in 2011. There are now 25 branches all over SA. Made with fresh ingredients and real liquid yogurt (using low-fat milk from free-range farm), the taste is light and fresh.
How it’s served cup.
Wow factor Vanilla frozen yoghurt with a Turkish Delight topping is simple, refreshing and the reason you’ll keep going back for more.
Contact 011 554 4704, felicity@wakaberry.co.za
Location Wakaberry in Somerset Mall, Centenary Drive, Somerset West
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
18. SINNFULL ICE CREAM
These velvety smooth and densely delicious ice creams are some of the most loved in Cape Town. With a variety of flavours that includes Milktart, Cookies and Cream and Sinnfull Chocolate, you find it hard to decide…
How it’s served cone or cup.
Wow factor Sinnfull’s founder, Brita Sinn, has invented over 700 unique flavours.The intriguingly named 100th Sinn, made with saffron and pistachio, is worth a try.
Contact 021 790 8143 justin@sinnfull.co.za
Location Sinnfull Ice Cream, Harbour Road, Hout Bay
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
19. N2ICE CREAM LAB
Be blown away by the infinite number of ice cream flavour combinations. What makes N2 Ice Cream so special is the use of liquid nitrogen as a freezing agent. Because the ice cream’s ingredients are frozen so quickly, smaller ice crystals are formed, resulting in an extra smooth texture. Fresh local ingredients, including full-fat milk, vanilla bean, cream, sugar and a ‘secret ingredient’ are blended to order onsite by specially trained ‘Brrr-istas’. This is pure ice cream theatre.
How it’s served cup or cone.
Wow factor Be blown away by the infinite number of ice cream flavour combinations.
Contact 084 516 1818, maija@n2icecreamlab.co.za
Location N2Ice Cream Lab, The Paddocks Shopping Centre, Milnerton
You can also get the ice cream at Val de Vie market in Paarl and Wynberg Boys Market (Caffe Pronto at The Bill Bowden Pavilion)
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
20. LANZERAC ICE CREAM
A match made in gelato heaven, Lanzerac has partnered with Sinnfull Ice Cream to bring you an exciting range of ice creams. With flavours such as Chardonnay and Butter Pecan; Pinotage, Raspberry and Vanilla; and Sauvignon Blanc and Kiwi Sorbet, it’s the perfect dessert!
How it’s served in a 175ml tub.
Wow factor It’s quite an unusual flavour sensation when you take your first bite, but we love that two of our favourite things have been combined into such a delightfully presented treat.
Contact 021 886 5641, info@lanzerac.co.za
Location Lanzerac Wine Estate, 1 Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
21. ICE CAFE
Made using a secret family recipe, the Kalk Bay cafe’s ice cream is composed of natural ingredients and no eggs or gelatine . The flavours, which taste amazingly like the real thing include black cherry and brandy, peanut butter, cinnamon, liquorice, coffee, coconut, and loads more.
How it’s served sugar cone or tub.
Wow factor Other than the great prices and huge scoops, we love that they change flavours daily, so you always have something new to try. And, as a nod to the environment, they encourage people to return plastic spoons to be washed for re-use, they only use paper tubs and encourage people to use wooden spoons instead.
Contact 021 788 1995
Location Ice Cafe, 93 Main Road, Kalk Bay
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
22. ICEZEIT
Here you’ll find 12 out of a possible 100 gelato and sorbet flavours, mainly made from fresh fruit, fresh double pasteurised milk and as little sugar as possible. The gelato is made using a warming process that heats up the ingredients to 85 degrees, before being cooled down to four degrees to give the final product a delicious texture and depth.
How it’s served sugar cone or cup.
Wow factor Regardless of the season, there are so many delicious flavours to choose from. Keep a look out for these great flavours lemon, wild-berry and granadilla mango sorbet, or Ferrero Roche, lemon cookie and Malaga Rum raisins. For an extra R4, you can guiltlessly enjoy sugar-free ice cream.
Contact 021 421 0901, jaco@icezeit.co.za
Location Icezeit, Sea Point Pavillion, Beach Road
You can also get the ice cream at Meloncino at the V&A Waterfront; Greek Fisherman at the V&A Waterfront; Lobster & Burger, Bree Street; Roca at Dieu Donné Winefarm in Franschoek; and Steffanie’s place in Sommerset West
TIG Reviewer Sharon Kariwo
23. MORO GELATO
Stefano Moro, Heine van Wyk and Charlene Stephenson met in Milan years ago and, with their shared passion for gelato, visited the Italian foodie capitals of Bologna and Parma, researching and sampling along the way, so they could bring us Moro Gelato.
Here, it’s all about making gelato the way Nonna Moro used to. While touchingly paying tribute to Stefano’s Nonna, they combine their collective passion with the same real flavours and high standards she once used.
Moro’s creamy gelato is freshly made each day from pure local ingredients, while its sorbets are made using seasonal, juicy fruits. Aside from its Woodstock shop, Moro sells its products at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market from a beautiful cart – and we can barely contain our excitement because they will be opening a shop in Long Street soon too!
How it’s served cone or cup, as well as takeaway tubs (or ‘couch boxes’) in 500ml or 1kg tubs.
Wow factor We love the pistachio, caffe (rich coffee), cioccolato (deep dark chocolate) gelato, and the pomegranate and Marchese sorbet!
Contact 021 448 5272, info@morogelato.co.za
Location Moro Gelato, 7 Ravenscraig Road, Mason’s Press, Unit 011, Woodstock, Cape Town
You can also get the ice cream at Oranjezicht City Farm Market, Granger Bay, Cape Town.
source: insideguide.co.za