[Where To Eat:] Five Must-Visit Ice Cream Shops in Shanghai

Shanghai, a vibrant metropolis rich in cultural diversity, offers a remarkable variety of culinary delights. The city is particularly noted for its ice cream and dessert soup shops, where traditional handmade ice creams meet innovative modern flavors. Whether you prefer classic tastes or seek new experiences, Shanghai's diverse ice cream scene can cater to all preferences.

As the weather warms up, the appeal of Gelato, soft-serve, and unique stir-fried ice creams grows. Many Gelato shops stand out not only for their craftsmanship but also for their exceptional use of local ingredients, creating a distinctive Chinese twist on classic Gelato. Whether you're strolling through the bustling city center or wandering along quiet alleys, you're never far from a memorable dessert experience in Shanghai.

1.Dip in Gelato

Rating: 4.2/5 (6538 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 41 RMB

Business Hours: 12:00-21:00

Address:

• (Fumin Road Store) 205 Fumin Road
• (Xintiandi Store) Lane 123, Xingye Road, Xintiandi Style Phase I, 3rd Floor, South Area Food Court
• (Weihai Road Store) 644 Weihai Road

Since its inception, Dip In Gelato has consistently ranked among the top three in Shanghai's ice cream scene for three consecutive years, renowned for its seasonally themed menus and inventive flavors.

Maintains a reliably solid texture that is thick yet not sticky, with no ice crystals, ensuring high-quality gelato in every scoop.

• Kaffir Lime Tequila: Utilizes Thai Kaffir lime leaves to deliver a vibrant and aromatic experience without the typical bitterness of lime, enriched with a hint of Southeast Asian herbs.

• Pistachio: This classic flavor boasts a rich aroma and creamy texture, with reduced sweetness allowing the nutty notes to shine through, enhanced by a slight sweetener aftertaste.

2.Spiceman Gelato

Rating: 4.2/5 (995 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 45 RMB

Business Hours: 11:00-22:00

Address: 225 Yanping Road

(1) Google Map (2) Apple Map

Emerging as a dark horse in last year's ice cream rankings, Spiceman Gelato impresses with its innovative cocktail-inspired flavors and a culinary approach that maps global tastes into gelato.

• Olive Lemon Cheesecake: Blends Mediterranean culinary culture with the freshness of olives and zest of lemon in a uniquely refreshing cheesecake gelato.

• Watermelon Feta: An ingenious concoction that combines watermelon sorbet with feta cheese gelato, creating a harmonious balance of sweet watermelon with a savory hint.
• Cocktail Flavors: Globally inspired, utilizing high-end spirits like Macallan 12-year sherry cask to craft mature and deep flavors that resonate with the sophisticated palates of their clientele.

3.A,WAY

Rating: 4.5/5 (179 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 137 RMB

Business Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00-2:30(next day), Friday and Saturday 11:00-5:30(next day)

Address: F101, 109 Yandang Road

(1) Google Map (2) Apple Map

At first glance, A,WAY might be mistaken for a chic bar inside Fuxing Park, but it’s actually a haven for adults-only cocktail ice cream, blending high-quality spirits with gourmet flavors.

Expansive Menu offers a vast selection of flavors, encouraging patrons to explore based on their preferences, with particular emphasis on the gin and whiskey series for a unique tasting experience.

• The Chocolate: For lovers of strong spirits, this flavor combines Macallan 12-year sherry cask with rich chocolate, featuring deep toffee and vanilla notes with a hint of peat.
• High-End Spirits: Incorporates an array of premium spirits, from Yamazaki to Macallan to St-Germain, ensuring each scoop captures the essence of a true cocktail.

4.YoCo Crush

Rating: 4.2/5 (526 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 36 RMB

Business Hours: 10:00-22:00

Address: 35 Yongkang Road

(1) Google Map (2) Apple Map

Unique in Shanghai, YoCo Crush specializes in pure fruit stir-fried ice, making use of fresh, seasonal fruits to create a richly flavored sorbet that outshines typical water-based versions.

YoCo Crush regularly updates its menu to reflect the freshest seasonal produce, with each ingredient traceable to its specific variety, ensuring quality and freshness.

• Natural Coconut Ice: Features intensely flavored fresh coconut that surpasses even fresh coconut meat, all in a smooth and finely textured sorbet that melts delightfully in the mouth.

• Pure Fruit Stir-Fried Ice: The only shop in Shanghai offering this unique preparation, creating richer and more flavorful sorbets through an innovative process.

 

 5.Souffle Cafe

Rating: 3.8/5 (4725 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 83 RMB

Business Hours: Monday 13:00-18:00, Tuesday to Sunday 13:00-21:30

Address: A151, Building 1, Floor 1, Ruilong Plaza, 2088 Yan'an West Road

(1) Google Map (2) Apple Map

Among many Hong Kong-style dessert shops in Shanghai, Souffle Cafe stands out with its meticulously prepared traditional desserts, particularly its signature frozen mung bean water chestnut jelly.

Ingredients are cooked for over an hour to achieve a millet porridge-like texture that's refreshingly non-sticky, blending the sweet crispness of water chestnuts with the fresh aroma of mung beans.

• Frozen Mung Bean Water Chestnut Jelly: Uses high-quality seasonal water chestnuts and peeled mung beans, cooked carefully to achieve a clean and refreshing taste that is cooling and delightful.

• Traditional Hong Kong-style Dessert Soups: Despite a limited selection, each bowl is crafted to meet high standards, with consistent quality that ensures satisfaction every time.