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There are few things worse than a disappointing ice cream, but few things better than when it totally hits the spot. To ensure that your icy experience is everything you want and more, we’ve tracked down over a dozen of the most famous, outrageous, and downright delicious ice creams Hong Kong has to offer—while experiencing a record number of brain freezes in the process (the things we do for research, eh?). Here are the best ice creams we’ve found in Hong Kong.
Snack Baby’s retro-feel décor is reminiscent of 1960s Italy, and this funky gelato spot immediately caught our eyes when it opened on Hollywood Road, standing out among the many antique shops. Its 14 rotating flavours of gelato—including lactose- and dairy-free options—range from chocolatey to fruity and from rich to light, and are all delicious and imaginative. Doubling as a bar, Snack Baby also serves its own range of signature cocktails! Ice cream and a drink—that’s our new favourite summer combo right there.
Snack Baby, G/F, 93–95 Hollywood Road, Central
If you’re looking for some of the best gelato in Hong Kong, Messina is a foolproof choice. Located in the heart of Central, this hip parlour is always buzzing with people eager to get a taste of its 35 indulgent flavours! If you can’t decide which scoop you’d like to go with, the team will tell you that the all-time favourites are the dulce de leche and pistachio flavours, but we also love the creamy macadamia crunch, pandan and coconut, and the tiramisu options.
Messina, 37–43 Pottinger Street, Central
While Holy Gaw is a restaurant, not an ice cream shop, we couldn’t talk about our favourite scoops in town without mentioning its homemade ube ice cream. The quintessential Filipino treat is made with sweet yams, which have a mild, coconut-y flavour and appealing purple hue. At trendy Filipino eatery Holy Gaw, the ube ice cream sandwich is served in toasted green pandan bread to create a lovely tropical combo that satiates without being too sweet.
Holy Gaw, Shop 4, 15 Swatow Street, Wan Chai | (+852) 2782 3988
If you have a weakness for both pastries and ice cream—and who doesn’t—then head over to Owl’s Choux in Tsim Sha Tsui, where you can enjoy your gelato in airy choux puffs. The à la carte options include popular creations like the praline noir with hazelnut and praline gelato, and the pop-rocks-studded popcorn and rocks.
Owl’s Choux, 32 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 6199 5176
Want to indulge in a nice cold scoop out in the sun, but don’t want to compromise on your new diet? Look no further, as Happy Cow is whipping up delicious treats for both vegan and health-conscious ice cream lovers alike. Replacing dairy products and artificial flavours with organic coconut cream and fresh fruits, Happy Cow provides a wholesome treat to cool down on a hot day without sacrificing taste or texture.
From the sweet mango to the creamy banana caramel swirl, all of the products are kosher, gluten-free, vegan, low-glycemic, and void of cholesterol. We love that this lovely local brand is so committed to creating a healthier and more sustainable alternative for both people and the planet. Click here for a list of retail locations.
Those craving a simple tub of ice cream joy need look no further than trendy coffee spot Elephant Grounds, which offers Hokkaido milk soft serve, as well as sundaes and ice cream sandwiches.
Throw caution to the wind and welcome the exclusive ice cream sandwich, with its flavour rotated every month. Past recipes include banana and caramel, jasmine and mango, mango and coconut, and a millefeuille-inspired ice cream sandwich. If you still have room after all of that, then you have to try the coffee, which is roasted at its 7,000-square-feet digs on Hollywood Road.
Without a doubt the favourite ice cream parlour of Hong Kong’s four-legged population, Gino’s Gelato welcomes dogs to join in the fun at both its locations. Whipping up special dog-friendly ice cream with a generous donation to the SPCA included in the price, this sweet spot is sure to get those tails wagging. It may not be the best value for money or the most authentic gelato you’ve ever tasted, but it will certainly help keep you out of the doghouse.
Pretty, yes, but when you take on the job of crafting petals out of ice cream, you open yourself up to high-speed melting. The lavender ice cream at Barista by Givrés is delicious, especially when paired with vanilla, and definitely made us keen to try out the other flavours. The gratification is a little less than instantaneous, given the elaborate shaping and carving required, but they make up for it in beauty and diversity of choice, with options like the floating rose (a gelato rose on the iced tea or coffee of your choice), waffle and rose (a gelato rose wrapped in an egg waffle), and the three-flavoured gelato rose.
Barista by Givrés, Chui Man House, 7 Staunton Street, Central | (+852) 9659 0816
The inevitable queues at Via Tokyo require a dedicated time slot in your diary, but when you tuck into your delectable Japanese treat, you’ll be glad you put in the effort. We recommend the Uji matcha soft cream—a combo of matcha and vanilla whipped together. Definitely worth snapping an Instagram shot while you’re there—you’ll make your friends green with envy!
Via Tokyo, Shop 1A–1B, Leishun Court, 106–126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2895 1116
Not particularly edgy or worthy of our cameras eating it first, but a consistently solid choice for those who want little more than high-quality chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone. Besides the classic vanilla, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate soft serves, Godiva also offers a variety of seasonal flavours in the summer months.
Known for its aesthetically pleasing lollies, I See I See was one of the first homegrown brands to popularise gourmet ice lollies way back in 2015, populating our feeds (and freezers) with ice pops adorned with perfectly frozen slices of fruit. The brand still has one brick-and-mortar location on top of the Peak, where you can enjoy its Hokkaido strawberry milk and refreshing kiwi lollies, among other flavours.
I See I See, Shop 115, 1 /F, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak
On sunny days, you’re sure to spy a Mobile Softee (or, as we all call it, “Mister” Softee) parked up near transport hubs and tourist hotspots. Rocking the retro vibe, this much-loved ice cream van offers great value for money as well as the most delicious soft-serve vanilla cone. Short of change? Don’t panic—just whip out your Octopus card.
With a scattering of shops and kiosks at various spots across the city, including popular neighbourhoods such as Causeway Bay, Central, and Repulse Bay, Häagen-Dazs is a classic go-to when you’re looking to satisfy your sugar cravings. Make sure you swing by during the Mid-Autumn Festival period to bag yourself a selection of ice cream mooncakes in a range of delicious flavours or keep an eye out around Valentine’s Day for the elaborate rose-shaped ice cream cakes. Our recent favourite is the Häagen-Dazs x Pierre Hermé macaron collection, with flavours such as vanilla and blueberry, yuzu and lemon, and the indulgent double chocolate ganache.
First published on 30 June 2017. Written by Sophie Pettit. Last updated by Lily Valette.
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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