In a city where not one flake of snow has ever been seen, summer temperatures tip over 30 degrees Celsius, and for people with working tastebuds, ice cream is just necessary. Forget the cheap tubs that contain more water than cream, and stroll over to our favourite spots for ice cream in Hong Kong that’s actually good. Soft serve with a pure milk taste? Authentic Italian gelato? Ice cream cakes? If that’s your thing, find out where to get the best examples of the sweet, cold treat below.
Messina — Central
The original Messina opened in Sydney in 2002. Now thriving with more than 25 outlets in Australia, Messina brought its artisan gelato ice cream to Hong Kong in 2021. At any give time, they have 35 signature flavours in their display case, such as Choc Fondant, Dulce de Leche, and Pistachio Praline, plus local flavours that regularly change like Milk Tea, Tofu Fa, Yuen Yeung, Yoyoyokult; as well as five special flavours, each of which are only available for seven days.
Messina has withstood the test of time by controlling every point of production, using milk from their own dairy farm, hazelnuts from their hazelnut farm, and making their own dulce de luche and chocolate from Ecuadorian cacao. One of the pricier ice cream spots on this list, you can get one scoop for HK$70, two for HK$85, or three for HK$95. They also make avant-garde gelato cakes.
Signature: Choc Fondant
Location: 37-43 Pottinger Street, Central
Timings: 12-10pm (Monday-Thursday), 12-11pm (Friday-Sunday)
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | info@gelatomessina.com.hk
Mobile Softee — Multiple locations
Iconic and ubiquitous, Mobile Softee brings joy on wheels to every corner of Hong Kong. With 14 ice cream trucks roaming the city, you can usually spot the vibrant vans in areas with concentrated foot traffic, like Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Central. Since starting operations in 1970, Mobile Softee has sold just four items: milky soft serve ice cream, ice cream drumstick with peanuts, Large Cups, and Jumbo Orange. The affordable prices of HK$10 to HK$13 and iconic white, red, and blue vans make Mobile Softee a quintessential part of many Hongkongers’ childhoods.
Signature: Vanilla soft serve in a cone
Location: Star Ferry Pier (Tsim Sha Tsui) | Central Pier No. 6 | Stanley Main Street | Sai Kung Pier | Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai | Sham Shui Po Station, outside MTR Station Exit D2
Contact: Website
Venchi — Multiple locations
Italian chocolatier Venchi is also known for its decadent ice cream offerings. The chain’s spattering of small outlets in Hong Kong have done well with their luxe, velvety gelatos and fruity sorbets. They’ve tuned their ears to local tastes to the sound of limited-edition flavours like Durian and Lychee. The mini cone with 120 grams of ice cream starts at the premium price point of HK$59, and they also offer ‘Gourmet’ cones and cups coated with an absolutely sinful layer of chocolate and/or nuts for an extra HK$15.
Signature: Cuor di Cacao
Location: Across Hong Kong. View store locations here.
Timings: Depends on the store
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | customercare@venchi.com
il Bel Paese — Discovery Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui
Charming Italian restaurant and market il Bel Paese offers creamy gelato in handmade waffle cones at two locations: Discovery Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui (the only dedicated gelateria). There are no gimmicks here, just classics like rich dark chocolate, espresso, and hazelnut for full Ferrero Rocher feels, as well as tropical favourites like coconut, mango, and tart red berry. Pointing out which flavours are egg-free and dairy-free is a nice touch, too. Prices start at HK$38 for one hearty scoop in a cup or cone and go up to HK$88 for three.
Signature: Hazelnut
Location: Shop 19-51, G/F, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | G29-32A, Block C, DB South Plaza, Discovery Bay
Timings: 11:30am-10pm
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 9235 1771
Barista by Givrés — Central
Treat your senses to the pretty-as-a-picture gelato at Barista by Givrés. Located in Central, this trendy Hong Kong ice cream shop and café elevates the whole post-dinner treat experience with their patented creations of handcrafted gelato roses served on dainty metal stands. As the design is patented, you won’t find gelato roses anywhere else in Hong Kong.
The Rose in a simple cone (HK$50 for one flavour or HK$65 for two) that looks like you’re holding a pretty flower in your hand is the classic, but you can also pair the ice cream with a waffle, croffle, brownie, croissant, or even make it an affogato with a pour of their artisan espresso (from HK$68 to HK$80). The flavour options are simple, with popular ones being fragrant rose, pistachio, and vanilla.
Signature: The Rose
Location: 7 Staunton Street, Central
Timings: 8am-20pm
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | info@givres.com
XTC Gelato — Central
This Hong Kong gelataria has been around since 2001. Located centrally beside the Mid-Levels escalator, they serve gelato as well as sorbets for non-dairy takers in creative flavours like Clover Honey Yoghurt, Pear Williams Brandy, and Sour Cream; they also have a couple of nice locally bent flavours like the Hong Kong Milk Tea and Stem Ginger. They also make deliciously dense ice cream cakes, gelato popsicles, gelato cookie sandwiches, and gelato shakes. After a night out in the pub, swing by for a single scoop for HK$50. If you’re not sure what flavour to get, don’t worry, because the shopkeepers are always generous with the samples.
Signature: Hong Kong Milk Tea
Location: 45B Cochrane Street, Central
Timings: 1pm-12am
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2540 0105
Sweets House Cha Cha — Tsim Sha Tsui
With just one little shop inside city’super Harbour City, Sweets House Cha Cha is a gem offering honest soft serve ice cream made with Japanese ingredients. The Hokkaido Milk Soft Cream (HK$38) and Kyoto Uji Matcha Soft Cream (HK$40) are the must-tries at this Hong Kong ice cream shop if you’re going for the first time. If you want something a little more buffed up for a pretty Instagram shot, the soft serve in waffle cups (from HK$50) are perfect for sharing. The texture is uber creamy while the purity of the ingredients are obvious — they’ll have you saying “It’s not too sweet!”
Signature: Hokkaido Milk Soft Cream
Location: city’super, 3/F, Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Timings: 10am-10pm
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6039 9202
Twist & Buckle — Tsim Sha Tsui and North Point
Twist & Buckle is where ice cream becomes a work of art. The proclaimed “Churros Specialists” have branches in Tsim Sha Tsui and North Point, serving up whimsical delights of ice cream topped with just-made churros. Opened by two South American friends, the churros are made the traditional way while the flavour combinations are more inventive; think Crème Brûlée, Strawberry Stracciatella, and Lemon Pie. The ice cream churros range from HK$58 when paired with the original churro, to HK$68 for special flavours like the Rainbow and Cookie Monster (pictured above).
Signature: Rainbow Churros Sundae
Location: 29-31 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui | 180 Electric Road, North Point
Timings: 12pm-10:30pm (Sunday-Thursday), 12pm-11pm (Friday and Saturday)
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6508 2674
Via Tokyo — Causeway Bay
Escape the bustling streets of Causeway Bay and enter the serene world of Via Tokyo. This Japanese-inspired dessert haven has a nice selection of soft-serve ice cream. Indulge in their velvety matcha, aromatic hojicha, pure Hokkaido milk, or heavenly black sesame flavours. The prices range from HK$40 to HK$50. One of our favourites has to be the Mochi Azuki (from HK$53) with a heaping bowl of sultry soft serve and little bites of tacky mochi. Matcha experts at their core, Via Tokyo also does other delectable matcha desserts such as Uji Matcha Basque Cheesecake and Matcha Rollcake.
Signature: Matcha
Location: Shop 1A-1B, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
Timings: 1pm-10pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 2895 1116
Mini Melts — Multiple locations
Mini Melts are a tiny wonder in the ice cream world. With 15 kiosks across Hong Kong, this treat from Canada offers a unique twist on the classic scoop. Each little gem of ice cream is frozen using liquid nitrogen with flavours ranging from tangy fruit medleys to Cotton Candy to Banana Split. A cup with one flavour will set you back around HK$40. The little ones will definitely be fans of this delightful ice cream treat, which is as fun to eat as it is to look at.
Signature: Cotton Candy
Locations: Across Hong Kong. View locations here.
Timings: Depends on the store
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | + 852 53488144
Owl’s — Tsim Sha Tsui
Everyone loves a good dessert mashup, and Owl’s version involves gelato and choux pastry. The TST joint, which has been Michelin recommended from 2017-2024, is known for its generous servings of gelato sandwiched within a moreish choux pastry with a perfectly crispy craquelin. Their gelato choux, priced at HK$60, comes in a whole range of flavours. Think a red velvet puff with a dollop of vanilla and almond gelato, or a crispy caramel popcorn choux paired with a coffee and oreo gelato. If you want one of their more popular offerings, you better get there early before they sell out — or you could just WhatsApp them to pre-order.
Signature: Red Velvet Gelato Choux
Location: G/F, No. 32 Lyton Building, 32-48 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Timings: 3pm-9:30pm (closed Mondays)
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6199 5176
3 Italiani — Tung Chung
If you’re in the Tung Chung area, we suggest taking a 10-minute walk out of the town centre and heading to T-Bay. Here, you’ll find a cute al fresco joint called 3 Italiani, popular among residents of the area for its breakfast menu and coffee. But it’s also a great place to stop by for a gelato, and of a spot of people-watching while you’re at it. Try favourites like Stracciatella and Hazelnut, or, if you want something more left-of-centre, we suggest the Thai Milk Tea. You can even get a crash course in the difference between ice cream and gelato, courtesy a chart listing the comparisons between the two desserts in terms of texture, flavour, and fat content.
Signature: Thai Milk Tea
Location: Shop G07, G/F, T-Bay, 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung
Timings: 9am-10pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 9088 6555
HEA Ice Cream — Sham Shui Po
Like your dessert with a K-Pop twist? Then this cute Sham Shui Po ice cream shop may be the place for you. Check out the popular flavours like tofu (a fan favourite), matcha, tofu, red bean and mango pomelo — which you can have in a cone and even add an ice lolly to. HEA Ice Cream hosts regular events for K-Pop releases and idol birthdays with cup sleeves and merch, so follow their socials to see if your oppa is getting a celebration.
Signature: Tofu
Location: Shop No. 5, Nam Fung Mansion, No. 10F, Boundary Street, Sham Shui Po
Timings: 2pm-9pm (Tuesday-Thursday), 1.30pm-10.30pm (Friday-Sunday), Closed Mondays
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 5345 5954
hushush ice cream.coffee — Sai Kung
This pet-friendly popular spot in Sai Kung recently moved from its original location in a tiny alley near Fuk Man Road to new digs in Hoi Pong Square. They specialise in creative homemade ice creams — think flavours like rose wine and lemon sorbet, and pistachio & raspberry. They also pair their in-house Belgium waffles with two scoops of ice cream, which are a popular pick. If you fancy something lighter, ask the staff if they have seasonal sorbets.
Signature: Linden Snow Honey Sage
Location: G/F, No.2 Kam Po Court, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung
Timings: 10:30am-7pm (closed Monday and Tuesday)
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | hushushcoffee@gmail.com
Header image credits: Jean Balzan via Canva
