Abu Dhabi’s Best Ice Cream Shops: A Guide for Every Craving

The city’s ice cream scene has quietly become one of the UAE’s most varied, with ice cream shops in Abu Dhabi spanning century-old Italian gelaterias, liquid nitrogen labs, and Sicilian parlours. Residents have never had more options, or better ones.

This guide covers the standout ice cream spots across the city, with locations and contact details to help you find your next favourite flavour.

• The best ice cream shops in Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi ice cream shops compared
• Tips for finding the right spot
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

The best ice cream shops in Abu Dhabi

Below are the best spots in the city, covering a wide range of styles and settings. Options include waterfront parlours, neighbourhood staples, and mall-based classics worth adding to your weekly rotation.

1. Gelateria La Romana dal 1947

One of the oldest gelato names in Italy, Gelateria La Romana has been crafting fresh gelato in Rimini since 1947 and now operates 68 locations worldwide. Each batch is made daily in an in-store artisan lab using organic milk, fresh cream, and eggs. Flavours range from classic pistacchio salato to yoghurt with honey and walnuts, plus vegan selections.

• Phone: +971 2 442 0080
• Location: The Galleria, Level 1, Section A, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi (second branch at Yas Mall)

2. Giovanni L. Gelato DE LUXE

Giovanni L. positions itself as a gelato manufactory built on premium ingredients, offering vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, halal, and nut-free options to cater to a wide range of dietary needs. The brand’s emphasis on carefully sourced ingredients and quality over quantity makes it a reliable choice for an elevated gelato experience.

• Location: Yas Mall, Floor 1, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (second branch at Reem Mall)

3. Gelato Divino

Made fresh every day, Gelato Divino’s menu has over 150 flavours, from crowd-pleasers to adventurous combinations such as ginger, lemongrass, and parmesan cheese. All gelato is 100% vegetarian, using natural, fresh ingredients sourced from quality suppliers.

• Location: Multiple branches across Abu Dhabi, including Yas Mall, Reem Mall, Masdar City, and Dalma Mall

4. Vasa Vasa

Tucked into Al Muneera waterfront, Vasa Vasa serves authentic Sicilian-style gelato crafted to traditional Italian recipes. Alongside the gelato, the menu includes sugar-free options, fresh crepes, Sicilian cannoli, and cakes.

• Phone: +971 2 555 6484
• Location: Al Muneera Beach Plaza, 65 Ar Raha Street, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi

5. Mina Creamery

Nestled in the creative port district of Mina Zayed, Mina Creamery is an artisan shop with a speciality for locally inspired flavours. Unique flavors you can order include olive oil with zaatar, halwa with salted saffron, and almond croissant ice cream packed with actual croissant pieces. It is a favourite among those who look for a new and refreshing dessert.

• Phone: +971 58 579 1612
• Location: 77 Yida Street, Zayed Port (MiZa), Abu Dhabi

6. Ice Cream Lab Abu Dhabi

The Ice Cream Lab Abu Dhabi experience is as much about the theatre as the flavour. Each creation is made to order using liquid nitrogen, producing intensely creamy scoops with a dramatic cloud of vapour. Expect unconventional combinations including Blue Velvet Cupcake and a rotating milkshake menu.

• Phone: +971 56 636 6546
• Location: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

7. Boozaji Ice Cream

Boozaji brings authentic Arabic-style ice cream to Abu Dhabi, built on flavours and textures rooted in regional tradition. The Khalidiya branch is a neighbourhood staple, and the more recently opened Saadiyat Marina outpost takes the brand’s signature offering to one of the city’s most sought-after dining destinations.

• Phone: +971 55 899 2346
• Location: Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi (second branch at Saadiyat Marina)

8. Yolatti

Yolatti stands out for its combination of fresh Greek frozen yogurt, soft gelato, and Japanese taiyaki, which are fish-shaped waffles filled with your choice of flavour. Located in The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, it is a versatile stop for shoppers who want something different from a standard ice cream visit.

• Phone: +971 58 582 0243
• Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Floor 2, Abu Dhabi

9. Ripple Ice Cream

Ripple is a neighbourhood favourite known for its seasonal and creative flavour pairings. They serve mango with pretzels, pink lemonade, and cotton candy along with fresh-fruit slushies on warmer days. The MBZ City branch draws a loyal local crowd, while the second outlet in the MiZa district brings the same playful approach to the port area.

• Phone: +971 56 181 5444
• Location: C 340, 1 Al Yidoud Street, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi (second branch at MiZa, Mina Zayed)

10. Scoop n Roll Creamery

Originally from Canada and now making its mark in the UAE, Scoop n Roll Creamery specialises in handcrafted rolled ice cream prepared on a cold plate right in front of you. With over 15 customisable flavours including matcha, pistachio, and bubble gum, it has quickly built a loyal following at its Khalidiyah Mall food court location.

• Phone: +971 50 875 6005
• Location: Khalidiyah Mall, Food Court, Abu Dhabi

11. Cold Stone Creamery

A long-standing favourite in Abu Dhabi, Cold Stone Creamery is built on the concept of mixing premium ice cream with your chosen toppings on a frozen granite stone right in front of you. With several branches across the city, including on the Corniche, it is one of the most accessible options for a consistently high-quality scoop.

• Phone: +971 55 213 6403
• Location: Multiple branches across Abu Dhabi, including Abu Dhabi Mall (3rd Floor), the Corniche (East Plaza), and Al Wahda Mall

12. Häagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs needs little introduction as one of the world’s most recognised premium ice cream brands, and its Abu Dhabi Mall location continues to draw a loyal crowd of residents and visitors alike. The menu covers classic scoops and sundaes, signature milkshakes, and ice cream cakes for every occasion.

• Phone: +971 56 820 6342
• Location: Abu Dhabi Mall, Level 2, Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi

13. Amoor Juice and Ice Cream

Amoor is a low-key neighbourhood spot in Al Khalidiya that has earned a reputation for staying open until 1 am, a reliable option in the area for a late-night craving. It keeps things simple with a solid selection of freshly made juices and ice cream in a casual setting.

• Location: Zayed the First Street, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

14. Ice Cream & Juice Station

A hidden gem tucked inside the vibrant Souq Al Mina, Ice Cream & Juice Station serves all-natural ice cream made with no added sugar and a rotating menu of creative flavours. The casual, market-like setting and late hours (open until 2 am) give it a lively, street-food atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else in the city.

• Location: 17 Al Marabi Street, Souq Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi ice cream shops compared

The ice cream Abu Dhabi has to offer varies considerably by style, setting, and price range. Use this table as a quick reference for all shops mentioned in this guide.

Tips for finding the right spot

Abu Dhabi’s ice cream scene covers a broad spectrum, so a few things are worth considering before you head out.

Know your flavour style. If you lean towards classic Italian gelato, Gelateria La Romana, Gelato Divino, and Vasa Vasa are the best picks for you. 

For something more inventive, Mina Creamery and Ice Cream Lab Abu Dhabi offer menus that go well beyond the standard, and both rank among the best ice cream in Abu Dhabi for residents who want something genuinely original.

Consider the setting. Waterfront spots such as Vasa Vasa at Al Raha Beach and Mina Creamery at MiZa are worth the drive for a more atmospheric outing. Mall-based options like Cold Stone Creamery, Scoop n Roll, Yolatti, and Gelato Divino are convenient for families or anyone combining dessert with a shopping trip.

Check the hours. Not all shops stay open late. For a late-night scoop, Amoor (until 1 am) and Ice Cream & Juice Station (until 2 am) are among the most reliable options in the city after 11 pm. 

If you are searching for an ice cream truck in Abu Dhabi, the open-air, market-like setting of Ice Cream & Juice Station at Souq Al Mina comes closest to that casual, street-side experience.

Key takeaways

• Abu Dhabi’s ice cream scene includes Italian gelato, Arabic-style scoops, liquid nitrogen creations, and Sicilian-style parlours.

• For authentic Italian gelato, Gelateria La Romana dal 1947, Giovanni L. Gelato DE LUXE, and Gelato Divino are the most established options, each with strong credentials and multiple branches across the city.

• Late-night options are limited but reliable: Amoor stays open until 1 am and Ice Cream & Juice Station runs until 2 am, making both solid bets for a post-dinner or midnight craving.

• Mina Creamery and Ice Cream Lab Abu Dhabi stand out for innovation. Both serve flavours and formats you are unlikely to find elsewhere in the city, and both reward a dedicated trip.

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