The best ice cream shops in Singapore

What is it? Nut-based gelato galore with two outlets, located at South Bridge Road and Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Why we love it: The pistachio kunafa flavour nails the Dubai chocolate trend, while pecan praline is a classic you can’t go wrong with. Not nuts about nuts? There’s always burrata, strawberry honey or momo sencha to fall back on.

Time Out tip: Get a complimentary loyalty card. Every third accumulated beverage you order will be free.

Address: 7 Tanjong Pagar Plz, #01-107, Singapore 081007; 29 South Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 058665
Price per scoop: $5.50 for single, $10 for double

What is it? A Neil Road ice cream parlour focusing on simple flavours done well. 

Why we love it: There are about 18 rotating homemade flavours each time, two of which are always sorbets. While classics like Ferrero Rocher, pistachio, and black sesame are favoured, its experimental concoctions such as pink peppercorn have also found success.

Time Out tip: Try Apiary, the eponymous signature. The base is always honey ice cream, with fold-in ingredients regularly switched up between bee pollen, cacao nibs, nuts, and more.

Address: 84 Neil Rd, Singapore 088844
Price per scoop: $5.90 for single, $11 for double

What is it? Unassuming late-night spot that opens till 2am on some days.

Why we love it: It serves creamy, floral gelato such as Eve’s Nectar, a blend of Japanese brown sugar and thyme; and Bouquet, infused with rose, lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm.

Time Out tip: There’s a mystery flavour every month and patrons who can correctly guess its ingredients are entitled to a free scoop.

Address: 106 Desker Rd, Singapore 209628
Price per scoop: $6 for single, $11 for double

What is it? Dessert parlour by chef Loris Massimini of Ristorante Pietrasanta, who studied the art of ice cream churning in Italy. 

Why we love it: No preservatives or colouring here – what you get is the real deal, with favourites like pistachio, stracciatella, Ferrero, and coffee with butter.

Time Out tip: Have your gelato as an affogato (from $7.20), served with a shot of Brazil single origin espresso.

Address: 1 Fusionopolis Way, Connexis B1-11, Singapore 138632
Price per scoop: $4.20

What is it? Australia’s cult favourite gelato chain, which uses high quality Jersey milk from its own herd of stress-free, pasture-fed cows. Many of its ingredients and toppings are also specially farmed and produced in-house.

Why we love it: From panna cotta with fig jam to pistachio praline and even kaya toast, there’s a whopping 40 flavours available at any one time.

Time Out tip: Sharing is the way to go – a single scoop costs $8, but grab two other friends and order a triple scoop for $14, and you’ll each be paying just around $4.70 per dollop.

Address: 1 Club St, Singapore 069400
Price per scoop: $8 for single, $12 for double, $14 for triple

What is it? A six-outlet business founded by a pair of childhood friends during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Why we love it: There’s always something new to look forward to with each special flavour of the month. Recent past ones include pineapple tart, ube with oreo, and gem biscuit – specially created for SG60.

Time Out tip: Ice cream aside, Burnt Cones also serves robust brews from its sister brand Sudden Coffee Roasters. 

Address: Multiple venues including United Square, Sunset Way, and One North. Check out the full list here.
Price per scoop: $5 for single, $9 for double

What is it? A household name that many of us grew up with and still love today, now with 21 outlets worldwide.

Why we love it: Hunt no further for durian ice cream because Udders’ mao shan wang one is hailed by many as the best in Singapore. There’s also a good selection of alcohol-infused flavours like Baileys and Bourbon, and orange choc bitters.

Time Out tip: Save some stomach space for the mochi waffle ($7.30).

Address: Multiple venues including Novena, Upper Thomson, and Bukit Timah. Check out the full list here.
Price per scoop: $4.50 for single, $8.50 for double

What is it? Proof that simple ice cream atop crisp dough can still emerge tops, with five scoop shops islandwide.

Why we love it: Holding their own against the café’s limited edition scoops like sea salt gula melaka and honey lemon yuzu sorbet, the waffles offer the perfect contrast of outer crispiness and inner gooeyness and don’t turn soggy even as the natural ice creams start to melt.

Time Out tip: The East Coast outlet is fully pet-friendly, with dogs welcome both indoors and outdoors. Treat your furkid to a special Pup Cup made using dog-safe ingredients.

Address: Multiple venues including Toa Payoh, Tiong Bahru, and Margaret Market. Check out the full list here.
Price per scoop: $4.30

What is it? Botanical gelato boutique with six perpetually packed outlets across Singapore.

Why we love it: Flavour, texture, and colour are naturally coaxed from flowers, herbs, nuts, and spices for signatures like strawberry basil, white chrysanthemum, and lychee raspberry.

Time Out tip: Ditch the cup for the house-made waffle cone ($1.30) that’s infused with thyme – you won’t get this anywhere else.

Address: Multiple venues including Craig Road, Beach Road, and Jewel Changi Airport. Check out the full list here.
Price per scoop: $5.50

What is it? Chinese-inspired gelato joint by The Better Scoop, with unique tea-based flavours – think white peach oolong, honey chamomile butterfly pea, and even pi pa gao.

Why we love it: It’s not just the ice cream that pays homage to the café’s Chinatown locale. There’s also an extensive selection of brewed tea (from $6.50), including canola flower green tea, pineapple jin xuan oolong, and peach vinegar black tea.

Time Out tip: Pair your scoops with the delightfully sticky, chewy nian gao waffles ($6.80).

Address: 24 Sago St, Singapore 059020
Price per scoop: $5.50 for single, $10 for double

What is it? A lesser-known café at Lavender that’s refreshingly bare bones in its decor, washed in – you guessed it – muted tones.

Why we love it: The store embodies simplicity in its ice cream by using only ingredients that come straight from the grocer while staying away from artificial flavouring, colouring, and preservatives.

Time Out tip: We recommend the Sicilian pistachio for its nutty flavour and rich, creamy consistency.

Address: 221 Lavender St., Singapore 338774
Price per scoop: $5 for single, $9 for double

What is it? A viral ice cream shop at Orchard that’s by the same Italian chef behind GelatiAmo. 

Why we love it: Asian florals, fruits, herbs and spices are used to handcraft flavours like matcha white chocolate, bacio (rich 70 percent dark chocolate with hazelnut), and chrysanthemum.

Time Out tip: Have your scoop wrapped in mochi skin for an additional $1.80.

Address: 313 Orchard Rd, 313@somerset #01-17, Singapore 238895
Price per scoop: $3.80 to $6.80

What is it? A simple but well-loved HDB ice cream café that’s been operating for over a decade – Yishunites will tell you it’s the best in the ‘hood.

Why we love it: Its creamy creations are all churned in-house, with flavours like charcoal hojicha, sour plum, and honeycomb which contains bits of the real thing. Don’t skip the waffles with maple syrup ($5.50), which are praised by many for being crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Time Out tip: Flavours rotate daily. Check Holy Cow’s Instagram stories to see what’s being served for the day.

Address: 292 Yishun St 22, #01-291, Singapore 760292
Price per scoop: $4.30 for single, $7.80 for double

What is it? Small batch gelato café with experimental flavours made using only natural ingredients and fresh fruits.

Why we love it: No basic flavours here – get a brain freeze with the likes of Kyoto shiso and yuzu jelly; mango and thyme; and Yali pear with barrel-aged oolong.

Time Out tip: You won’t regret topping up $1.20 for a homemade lavender cone.

Address: 108 Faber Dr, Singapore 129418; 61 Seng Poh Ln, Singapore 160061
Price per scoop: $6