Stockholm’s best ice cream parlours: our 5 ice-cold favourites

What it is? Rows and rows of ice cream and imaginative flavours from Stockholm’s uncrowned ice cream king, Kenny Mattson. It was a 50th birthday present from his wife that led him to discover his great talent for ice cream making. Proof that it’s never too late to change paths!

Why we love it? Isn’t it a bit dull to put an ice cream chain at the top? Yes, maybe, but it’s hard to avoid when the ice cream is this good, the flavours this plentiful and the locations this easy to get to. If you only visit one ice cream shop in Stockholm, make it Kenny’s. The chain is also run by an entrepreneur and Stockholmer (okay, technically a Nacka resident) with strong local roots who is on first-name terms with half the city. That’s especially clear at the flagship shop on Malmskillnadsgatan 15, not far from Sergels torg, where the walls are filled with pictures of Kenny alongside various Swedish celebrities.

Time Out tip: I don’t usually go for sorbet, but here it’s actually my top tip. The flavours vary, but lemon and ginger is a regular. Yum.

Open all year round? Yes. The flagship shop on Malmskillnadsgatan and Kenny’s in Sickla are open all year round.

Address: There are eight locations around the city and in Nacka, including Djurgården, Kungsbroplan, Sergelterrassen and Brunogallerian on Södermalm.

What it is? A small, newly opened spot on Kungsholmen serving bingsu, a Korean take on ice cream. Behind the counter is Ja-Youn Kim, who also runs a Korean restaurant a few doors down.

Why we love it? Because it’s brilliant and gets me almost as excited about the thought of ice cream as my three-year-old. So what exactly is bingsu? It’s a mix of cream, condensed milk and water that is turned into tiny ice cream flakes using a large machine and an ice-cold rotating coil. The texture is a bit like grated coconut, except bingsu melts completely in your mouth. As well as milk and fresh strawberries, the taste of Swedish summer, there are also matcha and mango versions. The location in the middle of Kungsholmen is a small detour from the city centre but definitely worth the trip.

Time Out tip: Buy a takeaway bingsu and take a lovely walk back into town along the water at Norr Mälarstrand.

Open all year round? No. For now, Ja-Youn is only open at weekends, but she plans to open daily once summer gets going. Check their Instagram for updated times.

Address: Polhemsgatan 15, Kungsholmen. A small bingsu with fresh strawberries costs 59 kronor.

What it is? A handful of different flavours and Ethiopian coffee are on the menu at this little spot near Slussen, run by young pastry chef and ice cream maker Hosanna Amuel. But it’s the buzz around their award-winning pistachio ice cream that draws the long queues outside.

Why we love it? Brown butter, baklava and dark chocolate in classic metal cylinders. I count ten flavours. But wait, no vanilla? No, Aryam’s ice cream may not be the most child-friendly, but who cares when the flavours are so decadent you don’t want to share with the kids anyway? Here, up on the hill, fittingly enough as Aryam means ‘heights’ in Hebrew, there are no sprinkles or sugar shocks. Instead, you’re met with deep, complex flavours that linger long after the cup is empty.

Time Out tip: Pop in to neighbour Napoli Centrale for vintage shopping with Italian ’70s vibes.

Open all year round? No. See the website for exact times.

Address: Sankt Paulsgatan 3. Tue-Sun usually 12:00-18:00.

What it is? A historic ice cream and pasta spot in Gärdet that stays open all year round and offers shady, or sunny, front-row seats overlooking the lush roses in Tessinparken.

Why we love it? Because it’s practically an institution. This year, Glasshuset on Östermalm turns 40, and several generations often gather here to eat ice cream and have something nice to drink. My partner came here with his parents as a child, so it naturally feels extra lovely to now see our three-year-old standing on tiptoe at the ice cream counter, holding grandad’s hand while they decide which flavour to choose today. And while some places on this list focus on a few carefully chosen flavours, Stockholms glasshus does the exact opposite, with almost 50 to choose from.

Time Out tip: Tessinparken doesn’t exactly hurt matters. There’s a charming playground with functionalist-style houses, a paddling pool in summer and a grand fountain to admire while you enjoy your ice cream. All in all, Stockholms glasshus feels like the ultimate ice cream spot for families with children in the capital.

Open all year round? Yes.

Address: Valhallavägen 155. Mon-Fri 10:30-21:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-21:00.

What it is? Soft serve and sandwiches on fluffy milk bread with Asian influences. After moving around between different addresses, Francis & Francis has now landed in a strategic spot right in the buzz of Götgatsbacken by Slussen.

Why we love it? Forget the watery soft serve from the hot dog stand, here the cones come with character. Think flavours like black sesame, matcha and yuzu, and a final result that’s as appetising as it is photogenic. Pernilla’s ice creams, made with organic cream and milk, are not just very tasty but seriously pretty too. Splashing out on extra topping, like pistachio or a grand marshmallow, feels almost mandatory.

Time Out tip: Enjoy your ice cream on Guldbron and check out the new Slussenterrassen, Stockholm’s latest hangout, which is emerging in stages during 2026.

Open all year round? No.

Address: Götgatan 11, Södermalm. Opening hours vary, so check their Instagram for current times. A simple soft serve costs around 55 kronor, but with topping the bill is more like 75 kronor.