Shanghai summers are hot. Thankfully, there’s ice cream – so whether you’re looking to take the family out for cones, or get sandwiches delivered to your apartment, there are fixings for every craving:
We’re including this pop-up gelateria in hopes that it becomes permanent – at least until summer ends. Located next door to The Avocado Lady on Wulumuqi Lu, it’s the perfect post-grocery-shopping treat. Homemade flavors like salted caramel and ginger-coconut will please the more adventurous, while the staples of vanilla and chocolate are available for the purists. Dairy-free options are also on offer, and the price is right at ¥20 for one scoop and ¥30 for two.
Where: 276 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu (near Wuyuan Lu)
You probably already know that CinnaSwirl is the best place in town for nostalgia-inducing cinnamon rolls; but did you know that they also serve ice cream? True, there are only two flavors: vanilla and cinnamon roll, but the homemade cinnamon sugar and cream cheese variety is so good they don’t need anything else. Go for the waffle cone, and strongly consider getting two scoops (¥30) instead of one (¥20).
Where: 32 Yuyuan Dong Lu (near Changde Lu); 138 1717 3245
What kind of ice cream list would this be if we didn’t include Gracie’s? Tucked away inside both Al’s Bakery and Al’s Diner, their ice cream is consistently creamy, smooth, and perfectly paired with either location’s food offerings. A splurge at ¥30 for one scoop and ¥90 for a pint, it’s worth it if you’re craving big flavor and trustworthy ingredients. We recommend the cookie dough and the dairy-free mango, made with coconut milk.
Where: Al’s Bakery, 174 Xiangyang Nan Lu (near Fuxing Zhong Lu); Al’s Diner: 204 Xinle Lu (near Donghu Lu)
With several locations around town, Le Creme Milano is a solid choice for homemade, Italian-style gelato. Some flavors are seasonal with local ingredients, while others are mainstays, like the mint chocolate chip or pistachio. Note, those looking for cones or toppings – you won’t find them here; the Italian owners are purists and only serve the creamy treat in small cups.
Where: 173 Fumin Lu (near Julu Lu)
A dream-come-true for any ice cream sandwich lover, Melt offers creative combinations of cookie/cake bases and ice cream flavors. Two particularly delicious options are the “Lovelet,” a cream cheese ice cream sandwich made with two red velvet “meltcakes,” and the “Elvis,” a peanut butter cookie, perfectly paired with a caramel banana ice cream. Ice cream is sold on its own for ¥28 per scoop, or as a sandwich for ¥35.
Where: 159 Madang Lu (near Xingye Lu)
Since 2010, Strictly Cookies has been satiating the cravings of all Shanghai cookie-lovers. And while the cookies are delicious on their own, when you add ice cream to the mix, you get something that’s downright sinful. Choose from five varieties: chocolate chip and vanilla, brownie and mint, oatmeal raisin and cinnamon, peanut butter and strawberry and the “CinnaBang” – two cinnamon bun cookies sandwiching CinnaSwirl ice cream. They start from ¥35 a pop and are worth every kuai.
Where: Rm. 103, 1160 Yan’an Xi Lu (near Panyu Lu)
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