Burpple - Best Places for Ice Cream in Singapore 2017
As temperatures climb, we can't think of a better or more delicious way to cool down than with ice cream! We have scoured the island in search of the best of this frozen treat. Packed with icy ideas including a vegan-friendly soybean soft serve, botanical-inspired creations and luxuriously dense Italian gelato, this guide will have you cooling down in no time, Burpple style. This article was originally published on burpple.com. Download the app for iPhone and Android now at burpple.com/getapp!
1. Creamier (Gillman Barracks)
For Ice Cream and Waffles For Ice Cream and Waffles
Known for its ice cream and waffles, this Burpple Hot 100 favourite is completely deserving of its place in our list. Their freshly churned ice cream is consistently good, and we like how they often introduce seasonal flavours to keep things fresh. They have several knockout flavours on their regular menu, with Roasted Pistachio ($4.50) and Earl Grey Lavender ($3.50) topping the list of the Burpple community's favourites. Ice cream here starts from $3.50 a scoop, with premium flavours going at $4.50 a scoop. If it's available, don't hesitate to have a scoop of the Peanut Butter and Jelly ($4.50), which hits the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. Consider getting their fluffy Waffle ($9 with a scoop of ice cream), which soaks up the ice cream perfectly while remaining crisp around the edges. Pro tip: They are opening a new outlet in Tiong Bahru in the fourth quarter of the year — we can't wait! Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Muriel A2. Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique
For Amazing Botanical Gelato For Amazing Botanical Gelato
This takeaway-only shop in Katong serves what we think is hands-down the best botanical-inspired gelato. We are constantly in awe of how they creatively combine unique flavours flawlessly. Priced at $4.70 per scoop, the gelato manages to be both creamy and light at the same time, and you are likely to love what you order. Some of the Burpple community's favourites include the White Chrysanthemum peppered with cacao nibs, Lychee Raspberry and the timeless combination of Strawberry Basil. Feel free to ask to try the flavours before ordering to discover your favourite! Add on $1 for the Thyme Cone, which they make in-house. It is aromatic and subtly earthy, and the perfect cone to house the gelato. Truth be told, we sometimes make the long journey to Katong simply to inhale the freshly-made waffle cone aroma, no joke. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Kar Yan Yeong3. Venchi (Takashimaya)
For Luxurious Italian Gelato For Luxurious Italian Gelato
Dense and luxurious with a lingering creamy mouthfeel, the gelato from Italian confectionery Venchi is the closest we can get to an idyllic Italian summer in Singapore. Pop by its stand in Takashimaya Food Hall (it's located near Godiva) and order a double scoop ($8.90, or $6.90 if you want to be modest with a single scoop). Trust us, too much of this gelato is still never enough. The Burpple community loves the Giandujotto, where the age-old combination of hazelnut and chocolate results in Ferrero Rocher-esque flavours that are absolutely decadent. Pair it with a chocolaty gelato like the bittersweet and chocolaty Cuor di Cacao or, for true blue chocolate connoisseurs, the Azteco, a rich water-based dark chocolate gelato made sans milk. The nutty flavours like Pistachio and Hazelnut are great too. Burpple Tastemaker Sheryl Lyx likes how the latter is nutty without being too sweet. Pro tip: It's worth checking out the other Venchi counter at Robinsons at the Heeren as they sometimes offer different flavours. Better yet, visit both and have a scoop at each! Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim4. Matchaya (The Cathay)
For Japanese Soft Serves For Japanese Soft Serves
As it turns out, these Japanese milk tea specialists are great at churning ice cream (from $5.90) too. The classic Matcha Soft Serve here is perfect for those who like their ice cream bittersweet and intensely flavoured with green tea — not for the faint-hearted, that's for sure! Consider pairing it with the irresistible Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve; it had Burpple Tastemaker Zul Latiff smitten with its milky creaminess. To make things even more epic, we love to add a Goma Shot ($2), an intense, delicious shot of thick black sesame that really enhances the Hokkaido milk flavour. If you like roasted tea flavours, the Houjicha Soft Serve is the perfect mix of toasty and velvety. There are toppings to add on but if it's your first time, we recommend savouring the soft serve sans embellishments. Pro tip: Burpplers who work in the CBD can pop by their other outlet at Icon Village in Tanjong Pagar. Perfect for a post-lunch treat! Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burppler Cassandra Chew5. Geometry
For Ice Cream in Bukit Merah For Ice Cream in Bukit Merah
Just next to ABC Market in Bukit Merah, this gelato parlour serves up some interesting flavours, and we love how homey and cosy the space is — great for resting your legs after a shopping spree at the nearby IKEA. We like the Pistachio ($3.90 for cup, $4.70 for cone) for its smooth and creamy texture and nutty overtones. The refreshing and soothing Earl Grey Tie Guan Yin, made with brewed tea from The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., is what Burpple Tastemaker Nobelle Liew describes to be "delicate, fragrant, yet intense all at the same time". Other interesting flavours include Cacao Milk Honey Cornflakes and Strawberry Pocky. If you have time to spare, sit and enjoy their popular Handcrafted Tart ($9.90). The crumbly, buttery and cake-like tart comes with a scoop of gelato. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Caecilia Caecilia6. Lickety Ice Cream and Waffles
For Ice Cream and Egglet Waffles For Ice Cream and Egglet Waffles
This newly opened Muslim-owned spot is the place to visit for an unabashed sugar rush. Portions are generous and they certainly don't hold back with the sauces and toppings. Neighbours to Konditori Artisan European Bakery along Bussorah Street, Lickety specialises in Hong Kong style Egglet Waffles folded into a cone to house your ice cream (from $8.90). And what an amazing variety they offer, with flavours ranging from safe Green Tea and Chocolate to more interesting combinations like Coconut & Taro and Earl Grey Fig. You get to choose between the Red Velvet or Buttermilk for the fluffy waffles — get the half-and-half if you can't decide! Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Raine Liu7. Alfero Artisan Gelato (Macpherson)
For Amazing Nutty Gelatos For Amazing Nutty Gelatos
With an average of 12 flavours on display at their Macpherson space, which functions both as a gelato shop and lab, Alfero Artisan Gelato keeps it simple with classic flavours like Chocolate, Vanilla and Lemon. What the Burpple community loves most however are their nut flavours, in particular the elegant Pistachio made using pistachios from Sicily, and the intensely flavoured Hazelnut made using hazelnuts from Piedmont. The gelato is made from scratch without preservatives, and we love how smooth and creamy it is. A single scoop in a cup will set you back $4.50 ($4.80 for cone, additional $0.50 for premium flavours), so it's actually great value to get a double scoop ($6.50) instead. While you're here, consider ordering the Waffle ($9.50 with two scoops of gelato), which strikes just the right balance of crispy and fluffy. Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burppler Blanche Tan8. BrotherBird mochi & softserve co.
For Soft Serve and Lava Mochi Balls For Soft Serve and Lava Mochi Balls
Housed under the same roof as Stateland Cafe in Bali Lane, Brother Bird demands repeat visits partly because their soft serve and mochi balls are delicious, but also because they change their flavours weekly — there's always something new to try! For the month of July, they have created soft serves inspired by traditional Asian beverages. Flavours currently on rotation are Hong Kong Milk Tea, Caffe Mocha and Yuan Yang. Get a Soft Serve cup ($7), which sees a generous serving of the ice cream layered with complementary toppings, or go all out with the addition of mochi balls, filled with flavoured lava like matcha and earl grey milk chocolate. The combination of chewy-soft rice balls and oozing liquid is definitely a treat! A dessert with mochi balls and a soft serve flavour of your choice will set you back between $14-$15, and is best shared with a friend. Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim9. HUSK
For an Amazing Frozen Coconut Treat For an Amazing Frozen Coconut Treat
Made from the flesh of of frozen young Thai coconuts, this 99 percent dairy-free frozen treat is the cure for hot, hot days — now if only we were lazing on a tropical island beach! Called 'froco' for short, the treat is less creamy than most soft serves, making it easier on the tummy and definitely lighter on the palate. For a guilt-free treat, get the Frozen Coconut ($3.80 for short, $5 for tall) and add your choice of toppings ($0.80 each), or go all out with the Coco Parfait ($6.50) for a tall serving with three toppings — Burpplers love the jackfruit. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Irene Arieputri10. Apiary
For Ice Cream with Heart in Neil Road For Ice Cream with Heart in Neil Road
After brunching at Botanist, stroll a few doors down to this minimalistic ice cream cafe for comforting, home-churned ice cream. We like that the guys running the place are earnest and provide consistently personable service, and are always up for a chat about their favourite topic — ice cream! Prices start at a reasonable $3.90 for a scoop, with premium flavours like their wholly popular Black Sesame priced at $4.60. Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua describes the black sesame to be intense and rich, yet lusciously smooth and well-balanced. Other flavours to try include the Caramelised Strawberry, Pistachio and Bailey Brownie. If you're with a friend, consider sharing the Charcoal Waffle ($6). It is crisp around the edges and soft in the centre, and there's also a very slight hint of earthiness that adds character. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Vanessa Sng11. Overrun
For Chendol Soft Serve For Chendol Soft Serve
Guess what's better than chendol on a scorching day? Chendol ice cream! Head on down to this Muslim-owned takeaway stand for a taste of the creamy and smooth Chendol Soft Serve ($6). It bears an uncanny resemblance to 7-Eleven's Mr Softee chendol ice cream, except it's made better with green worm pandan jelly and generous lashes of gula Melaka syrup. Pro tip: Chendol purists may balk at the idea, but durian lovers should consider adding on the durian topping ($1). According to durian-loving Burpple Tastemaker Jonathan Wong, it elevates the chendol soft serve from tasty to amazing. The store only churns out a limited amount of chendol soft serve a day, so head down early. Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou12. LICKERS
For Generous Ice Cream Scoops For Generous Ice Cream Scoops
If regular-sized ice cream portions don't do it for you, Hougang cafe LICKERS may just satisfy with their super generous scoops of gelato; the friendly service is a bonus. The Gelato ($3.50, additional $0.80 for premium scoop) is smooth and intensely flavoured — no diluted flavours here! On top of that, the selection is huge, with some interesting flavours like Yakult Oreo, Salted Caramel Crackers and Oolong Lavender. The Honeycomb, a vanilla based gelato laced with honeycomb bits and maple syrup, is an up-and-coming favourite among the Burpple community. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Zi Heng Tay13. Dessert Project
For Ice Cream on Thick Toast For Ice Cream on Thick Toast
On days when it's not only ice cream but an icy dessert that you crave, head on down to this Havelock cafe for three-inch-thick toasts topped with ice cream. The Gula Melaka Coconut Thick Toast ($14.90) is a long-time favourite among the Burpple community. Expect a pillowy toast with crispy edges, topped with handcrafted coconut ice cream, grated coconut flakes and gula Melaka syrup. Burpple Tastemaker Cassie Ong loves how the slightly salted buttery toast complements the rich coconut ice cream. While you're here, check out their selection of daring ice cream flavours (from $3.80 per scoop). There are classics like Matcha and Mango, but there are also some, like the Melon & Parma Ham, that have made us stop in our tracks in the past. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Rachel Xie14. Dofu (JCube)
For Vegan-Friendly Soy Soft Serve For Vegan-Friendly Soy Soft Serve
Made from black soybeans, this dairy-free soft serve is a vegan-friendly treat. We like that the ice cream is not too sweet, and the fact that it is made without preservatives or artificial colouring is a bonus in the books of the health conscious. A cup of Dofu ($5.60) gets you a cup layered with equal portions of soft serve and black soybean pudding, along with five toppings — the selection includes fresh fruit, granola, jelly pearls and more. According to Burppler Hannah Chew, portions are generous, so it might be a good idea to share. Pro tip: Dofu has outlets in JCube, Jurong East and Yishun Bus Interchange. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Hannah Chew15. Udders (Novena)
For Late Night Ice Cream Runs For Late Night Ice Cream Runs
For years, Udders has been the place to head to for foolproof late night ice cream runs with friends. This conveniently located Novena location is open till 11pm daily, while its Upper Thomson outlet opens till 2am on weekends and public holidays. Apart from classic flavours like Cookies & Cream and Peanut Butter Crunch (from $4), Udders does pretty great alcoholic ice cream (from $4.90) — some of their classics are Rum Rum Raisin, Baileys & Bourbon and Wineberries, the latter a port-based treat laced through with port-soaked cranberries. Another winner is their Mao Shan Wang Durian ($6.40). One of the best interpretations of durian ice cream, this is equal parts bitter, sweet, pungent and fragrant, and so smooth too! Pro tip: All NTUC Fairprice Finest supermarkets now stock selected flavours of Udders ice cream by the pints. Keep this in mind for your next stay-home movie night. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Ice Blossom
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