By Fathima Rukaiya,
Calling all ice cream lovers!
We know you’re always craving something new and exciting, especially those exotic and downright weird ice cream combinations. But let’s be real, it’s not always easy to find them in your home country.
That’s why we’ve scoured the globe to bring you a list of some of the most exciting places that serve the wildest, most delicious ice creams on the planet. Get ready to discover flavors you never imagined and destinations that are a dream for dessert lovers!
1. Italy – The Birthplace of Gelato
Gelato is creamier, richer, and more flavorful than ordinary ice cream. Italian gelato is frequently produced fresh every day and uses more milk and less air.
Top Locations:
Florence: Real traditional flavors like hazelnut and pistachio are served at Vivoli and Gelateria dei Neri.
San Gimignano (Tuscany): Gelateria Dondoli is renowned worldwide and has received multiple awards.
Rome: Located close to popular tourist destinations, Gelateria del Teatro and Giolitti are local legends.
Each scoop costs between €1.50 and €2.50 in small towns and up to €3 – 4 in large cities.
2. Germany – Best Budget Ice Cream in Europe
Germany leads Europe in ice cream production and consumption, especially in supermarkets. For tourists seeking high quality at extremely affordable costs, it’s perfect.
Top Locations:
Berlin: Rosa Canina sells unusually flavored organic ice cream.
Munich: Ballabeni’s fruity scoops are well-liked by the locals.
Supermarkets: High-quality 1-liter tubs are available for less than €2 from brands like Langnese and Mövenpick.
In stores, it costs €1.20 per liter; in stores, it costs €1-2 per scoop.
3. France – Gourmet Sorbets & Luxury Scoops
Seasonal fruits and rich creams are frequently used in French ice cream, or glace. France is home to elegant boutiques and artisanal craftsmanship.
Top Locations:
Paris: The famous location for raspberry and caramel beurre salé is Berthillon on the Île Saint-Louis.
Nice: Fenocchio comes in over 100 flavors, ranging from cactus to lavender.
Lyon: Only locally sourced and organic foods are used at Terre Adélice.
In boutique stores, scoops cost between €3 and €4; 500 ml cups can cost up to €11.
4. Spain – Rich Mediterranean Flavors
Spain blends affordability and rich texture, with many stores focusing chocolate, fruits, and nuts that are sourced locally.
Top Locations:
Barcelona: Handcrafted gelato in the Italian style is Delacrem’s specialty.
Madrid: Mistura blends fresh fruit into creamy bases on cold slabs.
Seville: Since 1980, Helados Rayas has been producing traditional scoops.
Street-side, €1.50 – 2.50; at contemporary gelaterias, €3 – 4.90
5. Thailand – Tropical Street Treats
Ice cream vendors in Thailand sell coconut milk-based ice cream, which is frequently topped with fresh fruit, peanuts, or sticky rice.
Top Locations:
Bangkok: Traditional Thai ice cream is available at several booths at the Chatuchak Weekend Market for as little as 20–30 THB.
Chiang Mai: Thai tea and mango-chili are two of IceHub’s creative flavors.
Phuket: Homemade scoops in tropical fruit shells are served at Look Choup Café.
19 – 39 THB (about US $0.40 – $0.85) per scoop.
6. United States – Variety & Creativity
From creative, plant-based, or nitrogen-frozen ice creams to nostalgic classics, the U.S. ice cream market is extremely diversified.
Top Locations:
New York City: Ample Hills and Morgenstern’s are known for their strong, funky flavors.
Los Angeles: Salt & Straw creates seasonal dishes like honey-lavender or olive oil.
Texas: Amy’s Ice Creams is well-known for its unique atmosphere and entertaining mix-ins.
In parlors, a scoop costs $3 to $5; in supermarkets, a half-gallon costs about $6.20.
7. Singapore & Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is dominated by the Chinese chain Mixue, which offers milk tea combos and soft-serve cones at affordable costs.
Top Locations:
Cones at Mixue stores in Singapore cost only SG$1.50 (around 1USD).
Kuala Lumpur: Family run stalls and Mixue compete side by side inside large malls.
Hanoi, Vietnam: Mixue is well liked for its fruity yogurt ice cream with pearl toppings.
Mixue costs between US $1 and $3 per serving, but handmade variants in cafes can cost up to $5.
8. Finland – Nordic Cream & Local Berries
Scandinavian brands prioritize flavor purity and consistency. Expect flavors of Arctic berries and bases that are rich in milk.
Top Locations:
Helsinki: Real Finnish milk and fruit are used to produce ice cream at 3 Kaveria, or “3 Friends.”
Turku: Sea buckthorn sorbet is one of the interesting tastes that Nuvole provides.
Supermarkets: Pingviini and Ingman
9. Venezuela – World’s Most Unique Ice Cream
Known for its now-famous Heladería Coromoto in Mérida, which once held the Guinness World Record for the most ice cream flavors (more than 860).
Top Places:
Mérida: Visit Coromoto to sample unusual ice cream flavors including avocado, spaghetti, and trout.
Caracas: Tropical and chocolate-heavy styles are now available in modern cafes.
Prices: Moderate by local standards, although they fluctuate in response to inflation.
10. Norway – Scandinavian Ice Cream Royalty
One of Europe’s oldest ice cream companies, Hennig-Olsen Is, is based here. renowned for its traditional, cream-rich dishes.
Top Locations:
Kristiansand: For new releases, stop by the Hennig-Olsen factory outlet.
Oslo: In the capital of Norway, Ice Crime serves vegan and organic options.
Bergen: Ultra-rich local scoops that are ideal for chilly climates are sold by Isbaren.
Shops charge €3 – €5 per scoop, whereas tourist destinations charge more.
That’s 10 of the best ice cream spots we’ve rounded up in this article, each with its own unique, mouthwatering twist. We hope at least one of these places dares you to step out of your comfort zone and try a flavor that’s as wild as it is unforgettable.
So go on, chase the chill, taste the thrill, and indulge in the world’s most underrated and exotic ice cream experiences!
