The Best Ice Cream in Cairo

It’s become the go-to spot for real Italian gelato. And there are a few reasons why the locals consider this place as the number 1 ice cream parlor in Cairo. Gelato Mio scores full marks in flavor, consistency and authenticity. They use farm-fresh fruit everyday to make the most delicious gelato and sorbet. Their menu changes depending on what fruits are in season. Some of their most popular flavors include; Ricotta & Figs, Chilli Chocolate, Apple Strudel, Cheesecake, Cappuccino, Crème Caramel, Marron Glace, Tiramisu and Panna Cotta. It’s certainly the best textured gelato in Cairo, and the serving temperature is absolutely perfect. Gelato Mio will never serve icy rubbish like so many ice cream parlors in Cairo. And if that’s not enough, Gelato Mio is 100% natural. Apart from their stellar gelato, they also make gorgeous gelato cakes and gelato macaroons. Ladies and gents, the benchmark has been set.
Where: Zamalek
Contact: +20227371527, website

This international chain needs no introduction. There’s no artisanal gelato here. It’s all about premium, American ice cream. Cold Stone Creamery offers colourful and sweet ice cream for kids and adults to enjoy. The flavors are tried and tested all over the world, so you’re at the receiving end of a refined global menu designed to draw you in with items named “The Pie Who Loved Me”, “Cookie Doughn’t You Want Some”, and “Berry Berry Berry Good.”  And if their creations don’t tickle your sweet bone, you can always create your own.
Where: Mall of Arabia, Sun City Mall, Cairo Festival City Mall, Citystars
Contact: +20222757610, website

Sultana is a well-established ice cream parlor serving classic flavors Egyptians have come to expect and love. These include the typical mango, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. There are some more interesting flavors including mastic, hazelnut, and yogurt and berries. You won’t find the quality of an Italian gelateria here. Instead, you’ll find local flavors enjoyed by the masses. Prices are reasonable, and they are generous with the quantity, which is nice.
Where: Korba, Mohandeseen, Citystars, El Haram, Shobra, El Hegaz
Contact: +20224141740, website

Bel Gelato has a wide variety of flavors including tiramisu, mascarpone, mint, pistachio, and oreo. The servers are friendly, and the place is clean and well maintained. Bel Gelato caters to the Heliopolis crowd, so if you find yourself in the neighbourhood and craving the famous Italian dessert, you won’t go wrong with Bel Gelato. It’s a good overall ice cream parlor and deserves a spot on this List. Overall, Bel Gelato offers an authentic experience and tasty gelato.
Where: Heliopolis
Contact: +20226906187, website

Bet you didn’t expect to see Mickey D’s on this list but those sundaes are god damn delicious. It’s simple, stripped down vanilla ice cream topped with hot caramel, hot fudge sauce, or strawberry sauce. Oh, and there’s also that Oreo McFlurry which some of you would kill for! We’ve all grown up with these flavors and sometimes we just need to relive our childhood because we’re fed up of our crappy adult lives filled with revolutions and whatnot.
Where: Everywhere! Click here for all branches.
Contact: 19991, website

Mandarine Koueider is known as one of the best suppliers of Egyptian and Middle Eastern desserts. But they also serve some ridiculously good ice cream. Much like Sultana, they focus on classic, local favourites. Mix any of their flavors with vanilla and you’ve got yourself a winner. Their low prices and proximity to colleges makes Mandarine Koueider a favourite among students.
Where: Heliopolis, Maadi, Zamalek
Contact: +20227355010, website

Baskin Robbins has been spearheading the ice cream industry for over 50 years becoming the largest ice cream chain in the world. They’ve been in the Egyptian market for quite some time now, and have been the same success story here as it is in so many other countries. Who doesn’t love themselves a scoop of praline and cream, or indulge in some strawberry cheesecake ice cream?
Where: Everywhere! Click here for all branches.
Contact: +20238860155, website

Stavolta is another spot that serves Italian gelato instead of the denser American-style ice cream. In our opinion, their best flavor is the salted caramel. But they do have a lot more flavors to choose from including Hazelnut, Lemon, Chocolate Praline, Hibiscus, and Black Forest. They currently have two branches – one in Maadi, and one in Sheikh Zayed City, along with a presence in Sahel during the summer. In short, Stavolta serves lovely Italian gelato placing them in the same league as Gelato Mio and Bel Gelato. But seriously, Stavolta, that Salted Caramel… delicious.
Where: Maadi, Sheikh Zayed City
Contact: +20225210065, website

For those of you that don’t know, Carvel is the USA’s first retail ice cream franchise with roots dating back to 1906. If you’ve tried Carvel in America, then you’ll know just how good it is. Carvel in Egypt isn’t as good as its American counterpart because of the quality of the ingredients, but it’s as good as any American-style ice cream parlor on this list, if not better. The flavors are a bit more exotic than Baskin Robbins’ including peach, mint chocolate chip, tiramisu, and butter pecan. A great addition to Cairo’s ‘scream scene’ and one we hope will stay on for long.
Where: New Cairo, Nasr City, Heliopolis, Giza, Maadi
Contact: 16720, website

Our final entry on this list needs no introduction. You’ve seen their tubs in supermarkets all over the world. You’ve passed by their store in Citystars, and you know that a scoop of Häagen-Dazs has the power to tune out all the crap in Cairo and send you to heaven. What’s special about Häagen-Dazs is the fact that every flavor has its own bunch of loyalists that will try to convince you to go for “their” flavor. We think you should just follow your heart. That way you only have yourself to blame if you don’t like it, haha! But seriously, any scoop of Häagen-Dazs flavor is likely to make you happy.
Where: Heliopolis, Zamalek, 5th Settlement
Contact: +201015023223, website