Cover Beat the heat with a scoop (or two) of refreshing ice cream (Photo: Facebook / Birds of Paradise)
Beat the heat with a scoop (or two) of refreshing ice cream (Photo: Facebook / Birds of Paradise)
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These ice cream and gelato joints are serving up indulgent scoops of creamy goodness that will help you beat the heat
Nothing beats a refreshing scoop of ice cream, especially with the recent heat wave in Singapore. Lucky for us, the island is home to a range of ice cream and gelato joints offering mouth-watering scoops. Savouring these decadent scoops has come a long way from enjoying the dessert along the roadside from the ice cream stand uncle.
While some of us may regard ice cream and gelato as the same thing, these creamy desserts are different in many ways. Hailing from Italy, gelato is a richer treat than its counterpart, thanks to its higher percentage of milk. Compared to ice cream, the process of making gelato sees its machines churning gelato mixtures much slower than ice cream. The result? A creamy creation that’s lusciously thick and dense. Texture-wise, the Italian dessert tends to have a less silky mouthfeel than ice cream as the former is less airy and contains less fat than the latter.
Below, we share some of the best ice cream and gelato spots to visit the next time you need to cool down from the island’s blazing sun.
Read more: How I’m Making It: How Museum of Ice Cream’s Maryellis Bunn turns dreams into reality
1. Tom’s Palette
Above ‘Six Shades of Yellow’ ice cream at Tom’s Palette
‘Six Shades of Yellow’ ice cream at Tom’s Palette
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With two locations on Middle Road and Kovan, this local gelateria all your favourite flavours. There is, of course, Sicilian pistachio and Italian dark chocolate, both thick, rich and creamy; those who love a boozy twist, the rum and raisin is ideal. For local flavours, the “Tekka Market Coconut” will do just right, made as it is with freshly-pressed coconut milk from Lim’s Coconuts and Sundry Products in Tekka Market.
Tom’s Palette (multiple locations)
Address: 51 Middle Road, 01-01, S(188959), +65 8815 8054
2. Kind Kones
Above Banana, coconut, and fig swirl at Kind Cones (Photo: Kind Kones)
Banana, coconut, and fig swirl at Kind Cones (Photo: Kind Kones)
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With Kind Kones, vegans don’t have to miss out on ice cream. This plant-based ice cream made in small batches is free of dairy, eggs and preservatives, making it just as good as regular ice cream. If you’ve a taste for creative flavours, this is the ice cream spot you want to go to, with flavours such as chilli chocolate; banana, chocolate and fig; and a torched ginger sorbet.
Kind Kones (multiple outlets)
Address: 290 Orchard Road, B1-15 The Paragon, S(238859), +65 9729 9131
3. Apiary
Above Waffle and ice cream at Apiary
Waffle and ice cream at Apiary
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This creamery borrows its name from the place where honeybees are kept, which is fitting—it’s an adorably designed mainstay on Neil Road with ice cream as sweet as honey. Each ice cream is made from scratch here—they even pasteurise their own milk—so you can count on Apiary for quality, especially with flavours such as apple cinnamon, fresh mint, and the “Soleil”, a mix of coconut ice cream with passionfruit and mango sorbet.
Apiary
Address: 84 Neil Road, S(088844), +65 6493 7273
4. Scoop & Sketch
Fancy a tattoo while eating some ice cream? Scoop & Sketch is a new gelateria in Aljunied that offers both delectable scoops of gelato and artful tattoos, courtesy of Naked Skin Tattoo. The flavours here range feom blue pea vanilla to savoury white truffle, which is best washed down with some craft beer or soju which it also has on offer.
Scoop & Sketch
Address: 82 Lorong 23 Geylang, 01-01 Atrix, S(388409)
5. Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee
At this ice cream cafe, look forward to flavours ranging from cookies and cream to earl grey lavender. Its roasted pistachio is a crowd favourite for good reason—made from Italian pistachios, each scoop is smooth and creamy while bursting with flavours of roasted pistachio. New flavours are also regularly introduced, so you’ll always have something new to try when you head down.
Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee
Address: 78 Yong Siak St, #01-18
6. Hundred Acre Creamery
This nostalgic cafe is inspired by the popular children’s tale Winnie the Pooh and serves up rich and creamy scoops. Classic and innovative flavours are available, ranging from roasted pistachio to honey chrysanthemum. What’s more, scoops here are made from natural ingredients with no artificial flavourings or colourings. Pair your scoops with a fluffy coconut pandan mochi waffle.
Hundred Acre Creamery
Address: 109 Clementi Street 11, #01-37
7. Ri Ri Cha
Those who enjoy Asian flavours will revel in Ri Ri Cha’s ice cream offerings. Look forward to sweet creations like matcha butterfly pea soy, tie guan yin and oolong peach. For a more indulgent treat, get your scoops served on top of its nian gao waffles which see mochi-like nian gao coated in waffle batter. It’s beautifully cooked to achieve a crisp exterior while fluffy and chewy on the inside.
Ri Ri Cha
Address: 24 Sago St, Singapore 059020
8. Milk & Honey
Located in the heartlands of Bedok, this joint offers freshly churned handmade gelato. You’ll want to try its signature milk and honey gelato that comes topped with sweet in-house made honeycomb. On top of classic flavours, find premium flavours like raspberry cheesecake with baked crumble, floral and fruity lavender berry, and black goma. Pair your scoop with its warm and soft waffle.
Milk & Honey
Address: 86 Bedok North Street 4, #01-179, Singapore 460086
9. Momolato
This Halal-certified gelato parlour by Sharon Tay boasts a slew of classic and unique flavours. If you’re looking for something refreshing, the Himalayan osmanthus mango passionfruit is a vegan option made from a blend of Australian mango, Vietnamese passionfruit and Himalayan osmanthus. Look out for its gelato cakes, too; the Fabulously Chocolate is a signature, featuring luscious slices made from 50 per cent and 70 per cent dark chocolate.
Momolato
Address: 34 Haji Ln, Singapore 189227
10. Dopa
This nut-based gelateria hidden in Tanjong Pagar offers creamy and sticky gelati stored in traditional metallic Pozzetti tubs. A range of flavours are available, including strawberry honey, butter crumble and white peach. The pistachio is a crowd favourite, made from roasted and blended pistachio. The result is a strong earthy and nutty scoop that pairs perfectly with the gelateria’s buttery and flaky croissant.
Dopa
Address: 7 Tanjong Pagar Plz, #01-107
11. Birds of Paradise
Fans of botanical flavours can head to Birds of Paradise for a scoop of its gelati. This botanical gelateria pays homage to the flavours of South East Asia by infusing familiar herbs and spices into its creations. Try the white chrysanthemum flavour, infused with chrysanthemum florets and cacao nibs. For something fruity, the strawberry basil marries the tangy strawberry flavours with the mellow tones of basil.
Birds of Paradise
Address: 3 Lor Liput, #01-01 Holland Piazza
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12. No Horse Run Gelato
A wide selection of classic and unique flavours are available at this artisanal gelato joint. Feeling adventurous? Go for the cereal milk, a nostalgic offering that will remind you of flavours of leftover milk after finishing a bowl of cereal. For something classic, the fleur de cao dark chocolate is a rich and fudgy gelato made from floral and fruity cacao berries.
No Horse Run Gelato
Address: 160 Yishun Street 11, #01-216, Singapore 760160
13. Monarchs & Milkweed Gelato
This local gelateria churns out a range of house-made gelato. The team constantly discovers new and innovative flavours, so you’ll never be bored with the options available. Apart from classics, anticipate one-of-a-kind creations like brown butter sage, burnt white chocolate and wildflower honey.
Monarchs & Milkweed Gelato
Address: 02 North Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 198770
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
