From the golden dunes of Liwa to the glittering towers of Dubai, the UAE knows heat. And with that heat comes a national craving — for the sweet, the frozen, the indulgent: ice cream.
As International Ice Cream Day rolls around each July 20, The Gulf Talk takes a delicious dive into the top frozen delights across the Emirates. Whether you favour artisanal gelato, nostalgic soft serve, or bold Middle Eastern twists, here’s your ultimate scoop on the UAE’s coolest dessert destinations.
Mina Creamery – Salted Saffron with Luqaimat
📍 Online-only (reopening in MiZa, Abu Dhabi)
Fusing tradition with trend, Mina Creamery’s salted saffron with luqaimat is a tribute to Emirati flavour in frozen form. This floral, golden scoop is both comforting and unexpected. Weekly drops (Dh50 per 500ml) sell fast, and their permanent space in MiZa is set to open by August’s end.
— Laura Koot
Salt – Mango Softie
📍 Kite Beach (Dubai), Umm Al Emarat Park (Abu Dhabi), Marjan Island (RAK)
A bite of summer, pure and simple. Salt’s mango softie (Dh35) is like frozen mango pulp straight off the tree. It’s fruity, fresh, and not overly sweet — exactly what we need under the Arabian sun.
— Aarti Jhurani
Scoopi Café – Terry’s Chocolate Orange
📍 Time Out Market, Dubai
Scoopi’s luxury creations are as dramatic as they are delicious. Their Terry’s Chocolate Orange (Dh45) is a creamy, citrusy dream — a nod to British nostalgia with Middle Eastern flair. And yes, they’re the ones behind Dubai’s legendary Dh2,999 Black Diamond scoop.
— Farah Andrews
Hapi – Yoghurt Honeycomb & Sea Salt
📍 Al Khazan Park, Dubai / Deliveroo
Tangy yoghurt, crunchy honeycomb, a touch of salt — Hapi’s handcrafted flavours hit all the right notes. Dh32 gets you a 480ml tub of what might be the UAE’s most thoughtfully made artisanal ice cream.
— Nasri Atallah
J.Lato – Avocado Gelato
📍 Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi
Not your typical dessert. Creamy, savory, and rich, J.Lato’s avocado gelato (from Dh21) has developed a quiet fan base — and a not-so-quiet queue. It’s green, it’s gorgeous, and it’s proof that Abu Dhabi’s dessert scene can surprise you.
— Laura Koot
Crème – Horlicks Soft Serve
📍 Dubai
Part childhood memory, part gourmet soft serve, Crème’s Horlicks flavour (Dh32) is a malty marvel. Forget sprinkles — the flavour is the star here. It’s Weetabix nostalgia with a luxury twist.
— Saeed Saeed
La Romana Gelateria – Crema dal 1947
📍 Dubai Hills Mall, Bluewaters, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
La Romana’s Crema dal 1947 is Italian heritage in a cone. This custard-meets-lemon-zest scoop is a house classic, but the real indulgence? Pairing it with a warm crepe, Nutella, and fresh berries (Dh41).
— Zoya Thomas
Cold Stone Creamery – Founder’s Favourite
📍 Nationwide
Sweet cream ice cream, brownies, fudge, pecans, caramel — Cold Stone’s Founder’s Favourite (from Dh24) lives up to its name. Add cookie dough or peanut butter cups if you’re feeling extra.
— David Tusing
Baskin-Robbins – Love Potion #31
📍 Across the UAE
This raspberry-white chocolate swirl with chocolate hearts isn’t just for Valentine’s Day — it’s a UAE staple, available year-round (from Dh11). Creamy and tart, this one balances richness and romance.
— Evelyn Lau
Bachir – Ashta with Pistachios
📍 Various locations
A Lebanese classic, Bachir’s Ashta (clotted cream) ice cream is fragrant with rosewater and generously topped with crushed pistachios. For many in the region, this scoop tastes like home.
— Hala Nasar
Mama Booza – Lazy Cake
📍 Wasl Port Views, Dubai / Deliveroo
The UAE loves a good lazy cake — and Mama Booza churns it into an ice cream flavour that’s rich, fudgy, and beautifully nostalgic. Sharing tubs (Dh69) are generous, but you’ll want it all for yourself.
— The Gulf Talk Team
More Must-Try Scoops in the UAE
Salt – Lotus Crunch & Brownie Softie
📍 Across the UAE
Born on the sands of Kite Beach, Salt redefined soft serve with cult creations like the Lotus Crunch. Think gooey, caramelized crunch with that perfect soft swirl.
Amorino Gelato – Pistachio, Mango, and More
📍 The Dubai Mall, Yas Mall & beyond
Parisian elegance meets Italian gelato in a cone shaped like a flower. Pick your palette and eat it too.
M’OISHÎ – Mochi Ice Cream
📍 Across the UAE
A fusion of East Asia and the Emirates. Flavours like matcha, coconut, and yuzu wrapped in soft mochi. Chewy, creamy, and surprisingly light.
Gelato Divino – From Tiramisu to Bubblegum
📍 Everywhere
Crafted locally using imported Italian ingredients — Gelato Divino lives up to its name.
Creams Café – Over-the-top Sundaes & Milkshakes
📍 Dubai Hills Mall, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Think of every dessert you’ve ever loved — now stack it in a cup. That’s Creams.
The Ice Cream Lab – Nitrogen Magic
📍 Dubai Mall, Al Seef
Watch your dessert fog into life as liquid nitrogen transforms your chosen mix into creamy, dreamy scoops.
Brix by 3Fils – Miso Caramel, Spiced Mango, and More
📍 Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Dubai
Gastronomic innovation in a cone. Chef-driven and flavour-packed, this one’s for the connoisseurs.
🥄 Final Scoop from The Gulf Talk
In a region where summer can feel endless, ice cream is more than just a treat — it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re craving regional nostalgia, culinary artistry, or just something cold and sweet, the UAE’s ice cream scene has a scoop for every craving.
Got a favourite frozen find? Slide into our DMs — because at The Gulf Talk, we’re always chasing the next great bite.
