It's almost Ice Cream Day! Try these 10 Beijing ice cream places

Photo: Baskin Robbins/Weibo

Here's the scoop on where to indulge this Ice Cream Day

You scream, I scream, the one thing we all scream for this weekend is ice cream. That’s right. Ice Cream Day is this Sunday – according to American president Richard Nixon, who apparently loved the frozen creamy goodness so much that he decided to declare July to be National Ice Cream Month, and its third Sunday, National Ice Cream Day. 

While we think every day should be the occasion to indulge without guilt or shame, this weekend is particularly worth indulging. And what better excuses than this Ice Cream Day to get out there and get stuck into a heaping scoop of the frozen treat. Here’s the scoop on where to get the best ice cream in Beijing. 

HeyTea Celato 喜茶

Photo: HeyTea/Weibo

Celato which is marketed as gelato 'with Chinese characteristics', is the latest concept by HeyTea. The heavily hyped Chinese beverage chain has apparently launched its own take on the Italian staple, with a pop-up ice cream truck next to its Sanlitun store that runs until August 31. The highlight of its menu features a range of experimental flavours made of ingredients including White Rabbit milk candy, Erguotou and sesame pastry that appeal to nostalgia-driven local Chinese. But for those who feel rather unadventurous, there’re honey peach sorbet, strawberry cheezo and milk tea gelato to opt for. While the pop-up store disappears next month, HeyTea also serves regular ice cream in store with milk tea and cheese flavours, as long as you can tolerate the notoriously long queues.

HeyTea Celato. 19 Sanlitun Lu, S6-11a, Chaoyang district 朝阳区三里屯路19号院6号楼S6-11a单元. Open until Aug 31, 10am-10pm daily.

Flower Ice Cream 蜜花冰淇淋

Photo: Jackie Park

The small ice cream shop within Shichahai offers a unique variety of ice cream with toppings that is either ingenious or just a hopeful market ploy. Included in its ice cream line-up are crayfish ice cream, (that uses fresh crayfish, according to the shop vendor on our last visit after telling us that it was sold out), wheat ice cream, meat floss ice cream, tuna ice cream and more. The shop also serves alternative fruit toppings for its ice creams, such as papaya and avocado. 

Flower Ice Cream 蜜花冰淇淋. 11A Qianhai Jie, Xicheng district 西城区前海西街甲11号. Open 9.30am-8.30pm daily.

Wuyutai 吴裕泰

At 6RMB per cone, Wuyutai is hands-down the best spot for green tea and jasmine soft-serve on the cheap in town. With over one-hundred locations dotted about the city, it's the perfect pit-stop for a sweet treat on a dime. You shouldn't have too much trouble tracking one down: just keep your eyes posted for the brand's signature green awnings. These ice cream makers serve the real deal in flavour – cold, refreshing and worth planning into any visit to the Yonghegong area, where its main tea shop is at. 

Wuyutai 吴裕泰. 48 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng district 东城区雍和宫大街48号. Open 8am-8pm daily.

Modern 1906 马迭尔Modern 1906 

Considering the city of Harbin is famed for its annual ice festival, it's no surprise they've also got you covered on the ice lolly front. They've been making delectable ice lollies for over a century now and have definitely perfected stalwart flavours like The Classic (tastes like slightly sweetened milk) and the Durian flavours. If you're feeling a bit left-field, opt for one of the more modern flavours, like chocolate, hazelnut or Matcha. Again if you don't want to make the trek down to NLGX, you'll be able to find it at most convenience stores. 

Modern 1906. 106 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng district 东城区南锣鼓巷胡同106号. Open 10am-9pm daily.

Häägen-Dazs 哈根达斯

We know, apologies, not very original of us. Nevertheless, there's a reason that Häägen-Dazs retains such a legendary status worldwide: it rocks. It satisfies the craving nicely as you kick back in their comforting seats, and sample the delectable ice cream with a range of desserts. It’s a great place to bring the family as well, with a great menu full of colourful sundaes for your kids. For single scoops, we recommend the Belgian chocolate and other classics like the strawberry cheesecake. Toppings include walnut, almond, red bean, chocolate and raisins.

Häägen-Dazs. First Floor, Grand Pacific Mall, 133 Xidan Bei Dajie, Xicheng district 西城区西单北大街133号君太百货1楼. Open 10am-10pm daily.

Cow’s Creamery COWS梦工厂

Photo: Cow's Creamery/Weibo

Hailing from Canada, Cow's Creamery is a pretty off-the-wall ice cream joint. The cafe offers a wide variety of flavours, whilst staff knead the ice cream live in front of you, which is pretty cool to watch. It also offers snacks and drinks, in addition to plenty of cow puns and cute cow merchandise. If you're feeling adventurous, have a go at designing your own flavour combination. Prices start at 28RMB per cone. 

Cow's Creamery. Third Floor, Pano City, Futong Xi Dajie, Chaoyang district 朝阳区阜通西大街新荟城3层. Open 10am-10pm daily.

VaI Milano

Photo: VaI Milano/Wechat

Probably the closest thing you'll find to authentic Italian gelato in the city. This is the good stuff, free from preservatives, chemicals and colouring, VAI Milano is thousands of miles away from an Italian ice cream parlour in location only, guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth with Italian gelato that’s made fresh on site.

VaI Milano. Fifth Floor, Galeries Lafayette, 110 Xidan Bei Dajie, Xicheng district 西城区西单北大街110号老佛爷百货5楼 Open 9.30am-10pm daily.

Baskin Robbins

Photo: Baskin Robbins/Weibo

With over 24 something different flavours, there’s more than enough here to indulge your sweet tooth. Sampling is encouraged at this parlour, so don’t be hasty. Try at least five or so of their ice creams, and be bold because you never know when one flavour will surprise you. We loved the Cappuccino Bambino, Pumpkin Pudding and the NSA Mocha Raspberry Chip. Their seating area is a bit sterile, but it’s better than heading outside only to see your ice cream quickly become a mucky puddle.

Baskin Robbins. First Floor, Yansha Outlets, 9 Dongsihuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区东四环南路9号燕莎奥特莱斯购物中心A座1层. Open 10am-10pm daily. 

Comptoirs de France 法派1855  

Photo: Unsplash.com

For something different, try Comptoir's latest addition to their menu: macaron ice cream which is filled with premium strawberry and vanilla ice cream sourced from Baxy, a San Francisco-born Chinese ice cream brand once named by Time magazine as one of the best ice creams in the world. The décor and ambiance are as enticing as the food. Bright and airy, it’s just the kind of place to meet up with friends or to sit with a book and read. 

Comptoirs de France. 2B Jiangtai Lu, Lido, Chaoyang district 朝阳区将台路乙2号海润国际公寓底商1楼. Open 7am-8.30pm daily. 

FreakShake 变态奶昔

Photo: Freakshake/Wechat

The Australian mega milkshake brand serves high-calorie over-the-top milkshake concoctions in a style called ‘freakshake’ that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their milkshakes are gigantic and packed with ice cream, baked goodies, candy and pretty much anything else that you can get your hands on. Brace for a sugar high after you finish. They can be found at several locations, including Joy City Xidan, Joy City Chaoyang and Solana. 

FreakShake. 101, Chaoyang Bei Lu, Joy City, B1, Chaoyang district 朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城B1层. Open 10am-10pm

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