From creamy kulfi to nitrogen-frozen sundaes and proper Italian gelato, Dubai does frozen desserts brilliantly. These are the best ice cream places in Dubai I keep going back to — homegrown scoop shops, gelaterias and a few reliable global names — all of them vegetarian, so I’ve marked them (V).
Homegrown & artisanal
Kulfilicious
A local chain known for creamy, rich kulfi — the traditional South Asian ice cream — in classic and modern flavours. (V)
Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream & Coffee
A homegrown spot using natural ingredients for small-batch handcrafted ice cream, paired with good coffee. (V)
Scoopi
A homegrown brand using nitrogen fast-freeze — home of the famous ultra-premium sundaes. (V)
S’cream
An artisanal shop using natural ingredients for rich, small-batch ice cream in inventive flavours. (V)
Soft Serve Society
A trendy spot serving Instagram-worthy soft serve in a rotating range of flavours and toppings. (V)
Granny’s Waffle
A cute cafe piling waffles with ice cream, sauces and toppings — the indulgent dessert stop. (V)
Fondue
A chocolate cafe doing fondue ice cream — a scoop coated in warm chocolate to order. (V)
Gelato
Gelato Divino
An Italian gelateria that prides itself on natural ingredients and authentic, dense gelato. (V)
Grom
An authentic all-natural Italian gelato spot — the pick when you want the real thing. (V)
Amorino
An international chain famous for gelato shaped into a flower, with locations across Dubai. (V)
Milano Gelato
An Italian chain using natural ingredients for a creamy, wide-ranging gelato selection. (V)
Global names & mall favourites
Magnum Cafe
In Dubai Mall — build your own Magnum, dipping the bar in chocolate and toppings of your choice. (V)
Cold Stone Creamery
A global chain that mixes your ice cream and toppings on a frozen granite stone. (V)
Baskin-Robbins
The global 31-flavours chain, with numerous branches across Dubai for a reliable scoop. (V)
Haagen-Dazs
The luxury brand with scoop shops across the city for a rich, classic indulgence. (V)
How I picked these ice cream places in Dubai
Every one of these ice cream places in Dubai is somewhere I’ve actually eaten, chosen for the quality of the scoop over the hype. All are vegetarian; flavours and branches change, so check ahead for the newest ones.
Questions people ask
What are the best ice cream places in Dubai?
For homegrown, Kulfilicious (kulfi) and Scoopi (nitrogen sundaes) stand out. For gelato, Grom and Gelato Divino are the real deal. For a fun mall treat, the Magnum Cafe lets you build your own bar.
Where can I get authentic gelato in Dubai?
Grom, Gelato Divino and Milano Gelato all use natural ingredients for authentic Italian-style gelato.
Are there vegetarian ice cream options in Dubai?
Yes — virtually all ice cream and gelato spots here are vegetarian, and many now offer vegan and dairy-free scoops too.
Got a sweet tooth on a budget? See my desserts in Dubai under AED 10 and best brownies in Dubai guides. For more of the city’s dessert scene, Time Out Dubai keeps a current list.
