There are two camps in Malaysia. One enjoys cool beverages and food items when it’s hot, and the other doubles down on the cold to sip and scoop cold delicacies. Whichever one you fall into, our list of best ice cream parlours in KL and PJ will surely soothe your sweet tooth cravings.
The temperatures in town can soar up to 36°C and feel like 40°C. In times like these, seeking shade and air-conditioned spaces isn’t enough—you need a shot of crisp coldness to run through your veins. It doesn’t hurt that these sweet treats will put a smile on anyone’s face too, and perhaps, for a brief amount of time, lead them to forget the stifling weather. Whether you’ve got a hankering for local delectable treats (like gula melaka-infused scoops), or want to go down the experimental rabbit hole with the creative genius behind these successful ice cream parlours and gelateria, we’ve got the scoop.
10 best ice cream parlours in KL and PJ that serve gelatos, sorbets, and more
Paolo Paolo Gelato
Situated at the esteemed community hub, The Five, Paolo Paolo Gelato is easily one of the buzziest places in the compound. A place where you can “eat your feelings” (at least that’s what it says on the cups), the gelateria is also available at The Exchange TRX. It’s home to Italian-style artisanal creations that are made each day in-store, so you’re getting the freshest, dense but smooth gelatos in a rainbow of flavours. For first-timers, the nutty Bacio is a must-try. Once you’ve got a taste of the indulgent hazelnut, you’ll soon be back for more.
Address: E-GF-01 No 49, The Five, Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm, Sundays to Thursdays | 12 pm to 11 pm, Fridays and Saturdays
Crème de la Crème
Between the presentation, the fact that each ice cream is made with 100% natural ingredients, and the undeniable flavours, Crème de la Crème is a strong contender in the local ice cream scene. The sizeable menu boasts your staples like Warm Vanilla to more interesting twists such as the OoLongan, an oolong tea ice cream with longan sorbet. It also welcomes cake orders for special occasions and has seasonal petit gâteau that truly make any festive season that much more exciting. When you visit, be sure to secure a scoop of Ded from Chocolate, a sinful blend that is worth every bite.
Address: 35G, Ground Floor, Jalan SS21/60 Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 12 pm to 10.30 pm, Sundays to Thursdays | 12 pm to 11.30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays
Sōfte
No ice cream connoisseur worth his salt will skip KL’s latest dessert diamond: Sōfte. The dessert bar is ideally located—just a stone’s throw from the Twin Towers—and it’s accessible for every kind of commuter. With pastry whiz Elwyn Boyles at the helm and the fact that it shares an address with an art gallery, you can expect to be on the receiving end of a tasteful work of art. Kek Batik ft. Chocolate Concierge has piqued our interest, and if you’re a fellow chocolate-flavoured anything fiend, then you may want to check it out too.
Address: Ground Floor, Ilham Tower, Jalan Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 10 pm, daily except Mondays and Tuesdays
TUG Gelato by The Unusual Greens
Founded to eradicate the beauty standards in food and food wastage, TUG Gelato is one change-making ice cream machine. Because of that, you should expect that flavours here tend to be ephemeral in nature—especially when loyal customers clean them out of it. But fret not, because best-sellers such as Strawberry Cheesecake, Dark Chocolate, and Avocado Pistachio are always in heavy rotation. The best part? You can mochi-fy any ice cream your heart desires. Just let the staff know and you’re on your way to dessert heaven.
Address: 7, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11 am to 11 pm, daily
Dimpled
Fresh out of the oven (or chiller?), Dimpled gelateria is the latest arrival in town. Tucked in the friendly neighbourhood of SS2, the drive will immediately pay off once your tastebuds are hit with the artisanal scoops. Soothing flavours such as Honey Milk and Sea Salt Sakura, and caffeine-infused Espresso Stracciatella are waiting for you at Dimpled. It held a grand opening in early June 2024 which saw over 100kg of gelato sold out in a day—a massive feat for this up-and-coming ice cream giant.
Address: 151, Jalan SS 2/6, SS2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Wednesdays to Sundays
Inside Scoop
From cakes to pints, Inside Scoop should be your instant go-to when you need to scratch that ice cream itch. It is widely available—we’re talking across Peninsular Malaysia—so you’re probably already within driving range of one at this very moment. Housing every indulgent creation you can dream of, for different festivities, as well as plant-based options, you can also choose to get creative and create your own ice cream. How’s that for options?
Address and Operating Hours: see here
Kind Kones
Vegan, all-natural ice cream parlour Kind Kones has long been a favourite among local foodies. Apart from staple options like Madagascan Vanilla Bean, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Strawberry, you can also expect the unexpected here, such as Chili Chocolate & Honeycomb, a Valentine’s Day collaboration with Masterchef Singapore Season 4 winner, Inderpal Singh. You can also find a selection of Kind Kones frozen treats at select grocers near you, so you can always have a taste of goodness right at home.
Address: F.29, Level 1, Bangsar Village, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm, daily
Licky Chan
If we’re talking about unique finds, then Licky Chan has to rank in the top three in the list of best ice cream in KL. Sharing an address with a tattoo parlour The Poke Guy, it beckons the playful side of any adult to come out. While it’s most definitely known for the alcoholic scoops, they also serve kids-friendly options so you can still have the whole family over. But one thing you have to try is Fior Di Latte, which sees local milk gelato drizzled in sweet soy sauce. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.
Address: 24, Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 12 pm to 10.30 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays | 12 pm to 11 pm, Fridays to Sundays
Gula Creamery
Take it from us, Gula Creamery is legit serving some of the best ice cream in KL. We served them up at both our launch party and our anniversary party, and both times, the carts were cleared out. With cakes, milkshakes, and waffle ice cream available on the menu, it’s a dessert addict paradise here. Indulgence is the name of the game here, as the folks behind the brand spared no effort to make sure that everything is perfect, from presentation to flavour. Our top picks? The Berry Pavlova ice cream and the Raspberry Pistachio ice cream are served with buttermilk waffles.
Address: LG-27, KL East Mall, Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm, daily
Whimsical Gelato
If you’re a pet lover, then you already know that Desa ParkCity is a haven for furry friends. Now, add Whimsical Gelato to the list of places you can bring your pets to, because not only can you enjoy the award-winning flavours of gelato, but so can your pup or kitty (though stocks might run out fast). It also has an array of alcohol-infused options, such as Mulled Wine for Christmas, Rum & Cranberries, and Mojito. Our favourite, though, has to be the Dragonfruit & Lemon sorbetto, an utterly refreshing flavour that can help you beat the heat with every spoonful.
Address: FF17, The Waterfront, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 12 pm to 9 pm, Mondays to Thursdays | 12 pm to 10 pm, Fridays | 11 am to 10 pm Weekends