Listen, we all love Haagen-Dazs and Baskin-Robbins and the likes, but if you’re in the mood for some ice cream with some local Egyptian flavor, then look no further than these frosty favorites of ours.
Dara’s Ice Cream
The most recently buzzed-about ice cream shop taking Cairo (and the North Coast) by storm is Dara’s Ice Cream. This uber-popular, Instagrammable spot is known for not only their made-from-scratch ice cream and ice cream cakes, but cookies straight from the oven too.
Our favorite flavor: honeycomb
Branches: Galleria 40 (Sheikh Zayed), 26th July Street (Zamalek), White by Waterway (New Cairo), Road 218 (Maadi), and Seashell Walk (North Coast).
For more info: their website
Stavolta Gelato
Artisanal, homemade gelato the Italian way. One of our favorite things about Stavolta is that you’ll always find something new and fun on their menu -- their gelato always features different fruit flavors based on what’s fresh and in season (teen shoki/prickly pear in summer for example), and during Ramadan and other holidays they get creative (othmanleya gelato, anyone?). They also offer vegan ‘seyami’ flavors.
Our favorite flavor: lemon sorbet
Branches: Road 231 (Maadi), Westown Hub (Sheikh Zayed), Point 90 (New Cairo), Korba (Heliopolis), Iconia (Zamalek), Diplo Lakeyard (North Coast)
For more info: Stavolta Facebook
Mandarine Koueider
This beloved dessert shop has been open in Cairo since 1928, and while its main claim to fame is its oriental desserts (especially during Ramadan), locals know that Mandarine Koueider also has some great ice cream year-round.
Our favorite flavor: tangerine
Branches: Zamalek, Maadi, City Stars, New Cairo, Heliopolis, Sheraton, El Rehab
For more info: Mandarine Koueider Facebook
Rigoletto
Ah, the ice cream of our childhood. Rigoletto opened its first shop in 1987 under the name Dolce Vita, and officially became Rigoletto two years later. They pride themselves on being Cairo’s “first ice cream parlor” and a place where you could actually hang out, not like the grab-and-go ice cream of today.
Our favorite flavor: vanilla croquant
Branches: Zamalek, Maadi, 6th of October, Nasr City, Alexandria, North Coast (Diplo 3), Hurghada
For more info: their website
Gelato Mio
Similar to Stavolta, Gelato Mio serves up homemade gelato and sorbet the Italian way. Their flavors range from the traditional like Belgian chocolate and Oreo to the quirky like karkade (hibiscus), ricotta and figs, cinnamon and dates, and carrot orange.
Our favorite flavor: it changes each time!
Branches: Zamalek and Maadi
For more info: Gelato Mio Facebook
Sultana
Another old-is-gold entry in our ice cream list. Sultana has been open for more than 30 years, first opening its doors in 1989. Since then, they’ve absolutely exploded, with around 15 branches in Cairo and ten in Alexandria, plus their ice cream is now even packaged and distributed in big supermarket chains like Metro. They’ve come a long way since our childhood, that’s for sure.
Our favorite flavor: mixed berry yoghurt
For more info: Sultana Facebook
The Batter Half & Co
Locals might be surprised to see The Batter Half & Co make this list because they’re mainly known for their assorted baked desserts like cakes, tarts and “desserts in a cup”. But we once tried their ice cream a few years back and ever since, it’s been our favorite thing on their menu.
Our favorite flavor: Snickers
Branches: Zamalek, Cairo Festival City, Mall of Arabia and North Coast (Hacienda White)
For more info: The Batter Half & Co Facebook
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