Chill Out: All The Best Ice Cream In Abu Dhabi

The beauty of living in a climate where even winter weather could pass as summer in a lot of places? Ice cream is on the menu all year round! Abu Dhabi has it all: from creamy ice cream, fresh gelato and viral affogato, to home delivery, premium ingredients and the perfect beachside treats, your ice cream dreams are sure to come true. What’s your favourite?

Vasa Vasa

Al Muneera

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Want a taste of Italy without the airfare? Vasa Vasa is scooping up delicious Sicilian gelato - imported straight from the source - right here in Al Muneera. A throwback to hot summer days by the Mediterranean that become a race against time - with melting gelato threatening to drip down your arm in the sun - this gelato will stir up plenty of nostalgia. 

We love cookies and cream - fan favourite! - and give their sugar free sorbets a crack: strawberry and mango are extra refreshing and - bonus - low in calories if you’re wanting to indulge more often without resorting to your stretchy pants. Pair your gelato with a gorgeous sea view, a stroll along the waterfront or - if you’d prefer to stay in - delivered right to your door by the tub.

Open: daily | 8AM - 10PM

Contact: +971551438056 | delivery is available

J.LATO

Souq Al Mina

We’re not ones to play favourites, but J.Lato is definitely worthy of a podium place. You might have seen their signature affogato doing the rounds - it’s had plenty of Insta-moments - but this is arguably one of the best gelatos in Abu Dhabi. If you’re over in the area - maybe grabbing a sandwich at Barbassi or pizza at nearby Marmellata - it’s worth a stop, but we’ve been known to make the trip for this gelato alone! 

Flavours are changed up regularly, often while you’re standing in front of the display trying to make a choice, and the consistency of their gelato is the bees knees. You can’t go wrong here, but try raspberry basil (believe us, it WORKS) if it’s available when you stop by, gianduia - dark chocolate with hazelnut, and classics like lemon, peanut butter, pistachio and salted caramel all deserve honourable mentions. Roll the dice and see what’s available when you visit - you won’t be disappointed! 

Open: Monday | 2PM - 10PM; Tuesday - Sunday | 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 02 550 4446

MOISHI 

The Galleria and Yas Mall

The food game in Abu Dhabi’s malls is undisputedly strong, and MOISHI's locations in The Galleria and Yas Mall make for a tasty pick-me-up while out shopping. The concept is pretty much grab-and-go, and mochi lovers will appreciate the quality of mochi being churned out at this Japanese confectioner. 

What is mochi? If you haven’t tried it yet, do: mochi is Japanese rice cake, made by pounding glutinous rice into a paste and molding it into shapes. Mochi icecream is this rice casing, wrapped around - you guessed it - ice cream! It’s won plenty of fans around the world, and pops up in the UAE everywhere from brunches to food trucks, kiosks like this one and even the supermarket freeze. If you’re trying it for the first time, MOISHI is a great place to start: premium quality, a great mix of standard and more adventurous flavours like salted caramel, mango sorbet and pistachio, and minimum mess. It’s not for everyone - but it is for us!

Open: daily 9AM - 11PM | Friday & Saturday from 10AM - 12AM

Contact: 0522734637

Gelateria La Romana

The Galleria

When your Italian friend tells you this gelato is excellent, you don’t ask questions - you just head straight in for a double scoop ASAP. Another Galleria Mall pick - they’re no slouch in the frozen treat department! - this is one of the most authentic and delicious gelatos you’ll find in Abu Dhabi. Originating in Rimini, they now have over 86 gelaterias around the world, so don’t just take our word for how good it is. 

So what should you order? The flavours aren’t just your run-of-the-mill chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, so we deferred to our Italian expert to order! Her hitlist? Try bacio di dama (northern Italian hazelnut biscuits perfection), pistacchio salato, yogurt miele e noci (honey yogurt and nuts), and ricotta e fichi (ricotta and figs)! Everything we tasted was an instant winner, with some jostling involved for the last spoonful - we’d stop by The Galleria just for this. 

Open: daily | 9AM - 10PM | until 12AM on weekends 

Contact: +971 044911211

Ripple Ice Cream

Zayed Port & Mohamed Bin Zayed City

With branches on opposite sides of the city, this soft-serve style ice cream has won itself some loyal fans. Flavours like pink lemonade, cotton candy and blueberry mean it’s very kid-friendly, and is gluten free too - great for those with dietaries and easy on the tummy (unless you’re lactose intolerant - sorry!). 

Another plus? It’s well priced - a vanilla cone setting you back just AED5, and the likes of pretzel and mango AED15 - and keeps things refreshingly simple. Pop in next time you’re passing to cool off - and keep an eye out for their seasonal flavours.

Open: daily | 11AM - 11PM

Contact: 050 266 0509

Yolatti 

The Galleria 

More of a fro-yo fan than an ice cream stan? You’ve probably already heard of Yolatti at Galleria Mall then. Doling out fresh Greek frozen yogurt and soft gelato, this relative newbie is a fun spot for a frozen treat fix. Located on the second floor, up the cinema and adventure end of The Galleria, the vibe is chill, with a colourful and Instagrammable backdrop that makes it perfect for both a quick treat or a leisurely dessert stop.

The yogurt itself is solid - with classics like strawberry and mango - and a huge topping selection makes for a dessert level-up. Be sure to check out their taiyaki, the Japanese fish-shaped cake that makes for the perfect fro-yo receptacle! We even recreated Dua Lipa’s signature ice cream order here (vanilla, olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt) and were pleasantly surprised! Worth a visit if you're in the mall, and one the kids will love. 

Open: daily | 8AM - 12AM

Contact: ‎+97124937400

Antonia

Mamsha Al Saadiyat

Few pleasures beat tucking into a frozen treat by the sea, and any visit to Antonia doesn’t feel complete without a scoop of their beloved gelato. Keep it simple, with vanilla, choc hazelnut, coconut or pistachio on the menu, and share so you can try a few. 

All gelato-d out? Treat yourself to an Antonia lemon or orange sorbet - homemade sorbet with Amalfi lemons or oranges from Sorrento. Delivered in an actual lemon or orange and melting deliciously down the sides if you let the sun have its way, this is a delicious throw back to a summer holiday by the Italian seaside. 

Open: daily | 12PM - 11PM

Contact: 02 667 2554

One to watch: 

Mina Creamery

Mina Zayed - coming soon

After getting their start offering delivery across the UAE - daily to Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and pop ups and collaborations with the likes of WakeNBake and Kooya, this homegrown hero is about to open their first proper store in Mina Zayed. Located at M_39 - that’s Madar_39 if you don’t know, a shared workspace and studio space for creatives and businesses in Mina Port - it’s sure to become a go-to, and it’s due to be just in time for summer. 

With flavours like almond croissant, Can I Have S’mores and cheeseboard (a cream cheese base with cheddar, apricot chunks and graham crackers) just come of the innovative creations that have graced their kitchen in the past, we can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon. Stay tuned - we’ll keep you posted when the doors are officially open!

Open: coming soon!