Best Ice Cream in Singapore

A guide to ice cream in Singapore

Ice cream in Singapore comes in many forms. There are modern dessert shops, old-style street carts and shaved ice desserts at hawker centres. In a hot, humid city, a cold treat is welcome at any time of day. This guide covers what to try and where to find it.

The classic ice cream sandwich

The best-known local treat comes from small push carts. The seller cuts a block of ice cream from a larger slab. It is then wrapped in a thin wafer or a slice of soft, colourful bread. It is cheap, quick and fun to eat as you walk.

You will often see these carts on busy shopping streets, such as Orchard Road. Some carts only take cash, so carry a few small notes.

Flavours to try

• Red bean: sweet adzuki beans, a common flavour in Asian desserts.
• Yam: taro root, with a soft, nutty taste and a purple colour.
• Durian: the famous strong-smelling fruit, for brave tasters.
• Sweetcorn: sweet and creamy, and more popular than you might expect.
• Chocolate chip or mint: safe choices if you prefer something familiar.

Ice cream cafés and dessert shops

Singapore also has many small ice cream shops. They often make their own flavours and change them often. Some mix in local tastes, such as pandan, kaya or milk tea. Pandan is a fragrant green leaf, and kaya is a sweet coconut jam.

Apiary is a dessert shop in the Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar area, listed here for ice cream. It makes a sweet stop after exploring Chinatown. In Chinatown you can also visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a Buddhist temple, or eat at Maxwell Food Centre. Find more places on our Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar page.

For gelato, try Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique in Katong & Joo Chiat. Browse more sweet stops on our Dessert page.

Local cold desserts worth trying

Hawker centres sell cold desserts that are not ice cream, but they do the same job on a hot day.

• Ice kachang: a mound of shaved ice with coloured syrups, evaporated milk, red beans, sweetcorn and jelly. Some stalls add a scoop of ice cream on top. It is also called ABC, short for air batu campur, which is Malay for mixed ice.
• Chendol: shaved ice with coconut milk, gula melaka palm sugar and green rice-flour jelly.
• Grass jelly: a dark, slightly bitter jelly, often served with ice and syrup.

Look for these at dessert stalls in large hawker centres. New to hawker centres? Read What Is a Hawker Centre? A Plain Guide for Visitors.

Tips and rough prices

• Street cart treats: usually just a couple of dollars each.
• Café scoops: often around S$4 to S$7 for a single scoop. Prices change, so check the menu.
• Beat the heat: ice cream melts fast outdoors. Eat in the shade or choose a cup.
• Go after dinner: many dessert shops stay open into the evening, when it is cooler to walk around.
• Check the ingredients: ask the staff about nuts, eggs or dairy if you have allergies.

FAQs about ice cream in Singapore

What is the famous ice cream in Singapore?

The ice cream sandwich from street carts is the best-known local treat. It is a block of ice cream wrapped in a wafer or bread. Locals often call the seller the ice cream uncle, a friendly local word for an older man.

Is ice cream in bread really a thing?

Yes. A block of ice cream is wrapped in a slice of soft bread, often in bright colours. It sounds odd, but the bread holds the ice cream well as it melts.

Where can I find durian ice cream?

Many street carts and dessert shops sell it. Ask before you buy, as flavours change. Try a small portion first, because the taste is strong.

Can I find dairy-free ice cream?

Some shops sell sorbets or vegan flavours. Ask the staff, as recipes and flavours change often.