It’s getting hot outside. Like, hot-hot. And if you’re anything like us, the best thing to make you feel better is a scoop of cool and refreshing ice cream. Wondering where to get incredible ice cream in Abu Dhabi?
Whether you prefer your ice cream in a soft serve, shake, sandwich, or with all the toppings, the capital is full of ice cream parlours and restaurants that will be more than happy to serve it however you like it.
Need more ways to cool off? We’ve got you covered with the best beaches in Abu Dhabi and the best beach and pool day deals across the city.
Get ready to snag the very best ice cream in Abu Dhabi; we’ve got the full scoop.
Beirut Sur Mer
If it’s Lebanese sweets you’re after, Beirut Sur Mer is the place to be. Pull up a chair next to Soul Beach and grab a spoon because there are loads of options on the halawiyat menu. The baklawa with ice cream comes with a pan of sweet baklawa topped with mistika ice cream, pistachio and pashmak for Dhs65. You can also go for a bowl of fresh mango, pistachio or tahina ice cream for Dhs50.
For where to eat at Mamsha, click here.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri-Sat 9am-1am. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, beirutsurmer.com (054 395 4000).
Black Tap
If you prefer your ice cream in shake form, then Black Tap is your best bet. Wander down the promenade at Mamsha then dive into the A/C and hipster-cool vibes at Black Tap. The cake shake comes with a vanilla-frosted rim with sprinkles, a “funfetti” cake slice, whipped cream and a cherry. Black Tap does loads of themed shakes, so keep an eye out for the specials when you make your visit.
For everything you need to know about Soul Beach, click here.
Open daily, noon-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island @blacktapad (02 446 5128).
Central
If you want your ice cream in Abu Dhabi with a massive side of fun, Central is the spot. Located at the buzzy Yas Bay Waterfront, Central has burgers, bowling and an arcade to keep you entertained. And if it’s ice cream you’re after, there’s a massive menu of monster shakes including the “space jam,” which is a strawberry shake topped with a cupcake, lollipop and whipped cream.
For where to eat at Yas Bay Waterfront, click here.
Open daily, 4pm-midnight. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island central-uae.com (058 587 1765).
Corner Cone Gelato
Corner Cone is a sweet, lowkey spot for ice cream in Abu Dhabi. Located in Al Nahyan, Corner Cone is all about gelato, which comes at Dhs25 per scoop. Flavours include tiramisu, vanilla, pistachio, chocolate and strawberry but this cool little parlour also does speciality soft-serve cones, like the “nini peach” with Minnie Mouse ears or “the honey bee” with candy bees and yellow ice cream.
For top new brunches in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily, 8am-11pm. Al Nahyan @cornerconeuae (056 541 1611).
MADO
In our books, there are few things better than Turkish ice cream. MADO is a Turkish sweets brand that also happens to be one of the best places to get ice cream in Abu Dhabi. There is a new branch open now at Al Qana. We’ve got our eye on the pistachio baklava with churned ice cream. It comes with two scoops of traditional Turkish ice cream squeezed between a piece of pistachio baclava and a carrot slice. Yum.
For where to eat at Al Qana, click here.
Open daily, 9am-11pm. Al Qana, Al Maqta @mado.abudhabi (02 886 4672).
Pickl
You might be headed to Pickl for one of its signature burgers or a lip-smacking chicken sando, but don’t sleep on the ice cream. Pickl serves an ice cream sando with vanilla, salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry, or vimto ice cream. There are two Pickl locations in Abu Dhabi at WTC and Mamsha. Pickl plus ice cream in Abu Dhabi is the perfect way to spend your summer.
Click here to learn about Pickl in the metaverse.
Open daily, 11am-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, eatpickl.com (02 886 7844).
SALT
If you haven’t tried SALT yet, what are you waiting for? This cult-favourite burger spot has spread all across the UAE and KSA for a reason and serves some of the top ice cream in Abu Dhabi. It started off as a humble food truck, but now you can find SALT across the region. Head to the branch at Umm Al Emarat park for a lotus softie with soft-serve ice cream drizzled in caramel for Dhs27. If you can brave the heat, go for a jaunt around the park with your cone. If not, there’s plenty of A/C inside.
To learn about a new brunch with pool access, click here.
Open daily, 10am-1am. Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif (055 996 7381).
Soo Matcha
If you love matcha, you’re going to love this spot. Soo Matcha serves soft-serve matcha ice cream that’s vegan-friendly and keto-friendly. This soft-serve is a swirl of matcha and beetroot ice cream. It’s the most unique ice cream on the list, but don’t knock it until you try it. Grab an iced matcha while you’re there.
To learn about the new Soo Matcha branch in Dubai, click here.
Open daily, 9am-9pm. Saadiyat Marina, Saadiyat Island, soomatcha.com (050 237 8378).
