This town is packed with super duper scoopers, and any true ice cream addict has to add these best Hong Kong ice cream shops to their lick list!
Okay, let’s stop talking about eating healthy for once. Because whether it’s scrumptious street food, or delectable treats from our favourite cake shops, nothing can replace ice cream when it comes to wrapping up a good meal. So, we’ve hit the streets to test out the parlours around town before giving you our picks for the best Hong Kong ice cream shops. Whatever the season, here’s where you should go for some sweet sorbet and gorgeous gelato. You’re welcome!
15 Hong Kong ice cream shops that get a thumbs up from us
1. Owl’s Choux
While Owl’s Choux has been listed on the Michelin Guide for several years in a row now, its products remain surprisingly affordable and, of course, absolutely delicious. This Hong Kong ice cream and coffee shop is renowned for its range of gelato and handcrafted choux pastries. You’ll definitely be wanting to try its signature gelato choux, which is available in a range of flavours.
Exploring the neighbourhood while you’re there? Check out our complete guide to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Owl’s Choux, G/F, Shop H, Lyton Building, 32 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 6199 5176
2. Mobile Softee (Mister Softee)
Hang around Hong Kong enough, and you’ll probably spot a nostalgic Mister Softee van rolling through the streets with its familiar jingle (maybe with a crowd of people trailing behind). This iconic 852 institution serves familiar faves like classic soft serve ice cream straight from the window of its red, white, and blue vans. With a spontaneous “schedule” that’s rarely followed, these ice cream vans are becoming increasingly rare – so trying to spot them is part of the fun itself. Although the trucks have been rebranded as Mobile Softee since 2010, it’ll always be Mister Softee in the hearts of those who grew up in the city. It’s more than just a place to cure our cravings for a nutty drumstick – it’s a fond childhood memory!
Mobile Softee (Mister Softee) vans can be found throughout Hong Kong.
3. Happy Cow
Dairy-free ice cream doesn’t mean missing out on the fun and taste – Happy Cow is proof! Taste popular flavours like the Golden Pillow Durian, the classic vanilla, or the unconventional ginger. Health-conscious ice cream lovers will be delighted with Happy Cow’s alternative with less sugar, less cholesterol, and no eggs. Plus, it’s made in Hong Kong. #SupportLocal!
Shop Happy Cow at supermarkets across Hong Kong.
4. Venchi
Founded in 1878, Silviano Venchi experimented with making chocolate at the young age of 20 in Italy before creating the delicious empire that Venchi is today. Besides chocolate, this world-famous brand is also one of our go-to spots for gelato ice cream in Hong Kong. With over 90 recipes up its sleeve, Venchi celebrates both traditional Italian flavours and contemporary ones. We particularly like Venchi’s line of vegan-friendly sorbet, which doesn’t contain any added sugar or artificial ingredients – perfect for the health-conscious! Grab a scoop in a cone topped with seasonal sprinkles at the stylish gelato bar – simply divine!
Venchi has multiple locations in Hong Kong
5. Haagen-Dazs
One of the undisputed kings of the ice cream world since 1960, Haagen-Dazs is basically synonymous with delicious, quality ice cream. Whether you’re buying its tubs from the supermarket, or grabbing a fresh scoop on the go from its many physical stores around town, you can experience over 20 amazing flavours on their own, or dressed up with syrups, waffles, and oodles of toppings. With no preservatives, stabilisers, or colours, only the best ingredients go into a Haagen-Dazs scoop – the classic Strawberry even took six years to perfect!
Haagen-Dazs has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
6. Messina
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon guilty pleasure, a sweet way (literally) to start a date, or an after-dinner scoop to end the night, you won’t be able to resist the silky smooth gelato from Messina! Open daily, Messina is the sweet spot when your dessert stomach is calling. Picking through all the different flavours is tough here – which is why we always return to check for seasonal specials. Here’s a lil scoop: try to sample all the Hong Kong-exclusive flavours, like Dragon’s Back and Tofu Fa.
Messina, 37-43 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
7. Snack Baby
More than just another ice cream shop in Hong Kong, Snack Baby puts its own spin on gelato by heavily featuring lactose- and dairy-free options. With a changing selection of around 14 incredible flavours, all of the silky smooth gelato here is slow-churned and made with premium ingredients almost entirely from scratch. We especially can’t get enough of the salty pistachio flavour! In addition to gelato, Snack Baby also whips up comforting cocktails, indulgent milkshakes, and more – including the icy-sweet Affogato Baby.
Snack Baby, 93-95 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
8. Milk & Cream
Freshly arriving into Hong Kong’s ice cream scene in summer 2024, this all-natural honest ice cream shop celebrates nostalgic Australian creameries. Using Australian whole milk and pure fruit, Milk & Cream’s 12 homemade flavours are churned daily to creamy perfection. What’s more, with its prime location in the Hong Kong Museum of Art, you get to enjoy your scoop of Black Sesame alongside an unbeatable view of the harbour!
Milk & Cream, G/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3500 5881
9. Elephant Grounds
Nothing beats the unique ice cream flavours available at Elephant Grounds – think Thai iced tea, earl grey cookie (pleaseee make a comeback), and many others. Thanks to its creativity, this homegrown brand now has numerous branches across Hong Kong. While our favourite used to be the Red Velvet Oreo Smash Ice Cream Sandwich, Elephant Grounds simply releases way too many new and amazing flavours for us to pick now. So make sure you pop by from time to time to have a taste of its latest offerings!
Elephant Grounds has various branches across Hong Kong.
10. Dood Bottega Gelateria
If you’re looking to support small, local businesses, look no further than Dood Bottega Gelateria. This Hong Kong ice cream shop first opened in 2018 in Wan Chai, before moving to K11 Musea in 2020. The founder, Jackson, is a self-proclaimed maniac for all things gelato, and always ensures that his gelato is second to none. Using fruits, nuts, chocolates, and other fresh ingredients, Dood Bottega’s gelato is created in-house and has over a dozen flavours. Can’t pick a favourite? Go for the Tasting Petti, which offers four mini cups for you to try four different flavours.
Dood Bottega Gelateria, Unit 23, B201, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 9699 6624
11. Gelato-go
Founded by an Italian team in the US, Gelato-go now has branches around the world – and there’s one at your doorstep in Hong Kong! Not only is Gelato-go’s ice cream made fresh everyday, the shop also uses imported quality ingredients, like Italian pistachios and Valrhona chocolate. More importantly, the brand uses milk that doesn’t contain artificial hormones or antibiotics, so that we can enjoy healthier and more natural products. Good news for those who are lactose intolerant: Gelato-go has a refreshing range of sorbet too!
Gelato-go, 174 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, p. 2383 9118
12. Via Tokyo
In search of the best ice cream shops in Hong Kong? Of course we have Via Tokyo on the list. Serving traditional Japanese soft serves, desserts, and coffee, Via Tokyo has been many Hong Kongers’ go-to for quality ice cream. Other than the signature Uji matcha and Hokkaido milk soft serve ice creams, the brand also offers seasonal items, as well as roll cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, and more.
Via Tokyo, Shop 1A-1B, G/F, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2895 1116
13. i See i See
Find fruit- and milk-based ice pops made from quality and natural ingredients at i See i See. No two individual ice pops are the same, as the brand only makes them in small batches from seasonal fresh fruits. We also think it’s amazing that there are no added preservatives or colouring in these sweet treats, making our indulgence a little bit healthier!
i See i See has locations in The Peak and Tsim Sha Tsui.
14. Smile Yogurt & Dessert Bar
Yes, we know it’s not technically ice cream… But Smile Yogurt offers some of the best show-stopping desserts in Hong Kong. Its show-stopping frozen yogurt swirl concoction is served in a range of flavours from green tea, mango, strawberry, chocolate, and loads more. Get your camera and your spoons ready!
Smile Yogurt & Dessert Bar has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
15. Yo Mama
Yet another frozen yogurt shop on our list, but Yo Mama is definitely one of the most popular places for a cold treat in Hong Kong. We often return for the featured flavours, like Caramel or Ovaltine, but the original is exactly what hits the spot! You can adorn your icy swirl with a range of toppings spanning from fresh fruit to cereal. Though not serving ice cream, Yo Mama remains as a reliable spot for an ice cold bowl.
Yo Mama has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
