Katy RosserEver wondered what Kiwis scream for when it comes to ice cream? Trust us, it’s not just sheep and hobbits that make New Zealand proud – it’s their insatiable appetite for the creamy stuff!
With a staggering 28.4 liters per person per year, these folks know how to indulge. From local legends to international sensations, Kiwis have their pick of the litter when it comes to frozen treats.
And let’s be real, when your dairy game is as strong as New Zealand’s, you know you’re in for a scoop of excellence. But hey, why settle for any old ice cream joint when you’ve got the inside scoop on Auckland’s finest?
We’ve rounded up the crème de la crème — pun intended — so you can indulge like a true Kiwi connoisseur. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s spoon!
Duck Island Ice Cream
– Media credit: duckislandicecream
Website: https://www.duckislandicecream.co.nz/
Address: 1/182 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11 AM–10:30 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 11 AM–11:30 PM
Duck Island’s Salted Caramel & Cacao Crumb flavor is our jam: sweet, salty, and oh-so-addictive. Those cacao nib crumbs are a total game-changer for texture junkies like us.
And can we talk about Duck Island’s innovation game? It’s off the charts!
From berry sorbets to decadent chocolate delights, they’re always dishing out new and exciting flavors. Mint Chip, we’re coming for you next!
Duck Island doesn’t stop at scoops. They’ve got ice cream sandwiches too.
Cookies & Cream? Yes, please! And those sundaes? Talk about a party in your mouth!
| Pro Tip: We dare you to try the black sticky rice or raspberry, coconut, and coriander concoctions. We can’t wait to see your face when those flavors hit your mouth like a tsunami! |
Miann Chocolate Factory
– Media credit: miann_chocolatefactory
Website: https://miannchocolatefactory.com/
Address: 136 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Contact: +64 21 261 8172
Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: 2 PM–9 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday: 12 PM–10 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM–9 PM
You can just forget boring old vanilla! At Miann, they’re serving up gelato that’s anything but basic.
Take their Pistachio, Honey & Baklava flavor, for example. It’s like a fragrant party in your mouth, with candied pistachio praline and smashed baklava swirled through a pistachio-based gelato.
Of course, it’s no shocker that a place specializing in desserts knows how to do gelato right. Miann’s cabinets are bursting with experimental flavors, each one more daring than the last.
Just imagine a pavlova-inspired gelato, complete with berries, burnt vanilla, and chunks of the iconic Kiwi dessert. But here’s the best part – the menu is always changing, so there’s always something new and delicious to try.
One thing that never changes? The fact that Miann’s gelato is absolutely, positively, without a doubt, worth coming back for.
| Pro Tip: If you’re feeling extra fancy, drown yourself in the Sea Salt Caramel gelato, loaded with caramel sauce and roasted walnuts — it’s a total game-changer. |
Charlies Gelato
– Media credit: charliesgelato
Website: https://www.charliesgelato.co.nz/
Address: 17 Sharp Road, Warkworth 0982, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 422 7942
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 10 AM–6 PM
Allow us to dish on Charlies Gelato in Warkworth! This place is an absolute legend, perfect for snagging a scoop (or two) before strutting your stuff around Matakana.
Charlies Gelato is like a hidden gem, tucked away down a side street on the way to Matakana. But trust us, it’s worth the detour.
Their award-winning gelato and sorbet are whipped up in tiny batches, using only the freshest seasonal produce grown right on-site. Talk about farm-to-cone freshness!
And don’t even get me started on their flavor selection. With over 40 mouthwatering options to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Plus, they’ve got a cute little garden where you can kick back and savor every spoonful of deliciousness. Trust me, this spot is a total ice cream changer.
| Pro Tip: Try their Black Doris Plum Sorbetto! It’s like a taste of heaven, especially when you pair it with their best-selling Dark Chocolate (thank us later). |
Island Gelato
– Media credit: islandgelatocompanynz
Website: https://www.islandgelato.co.nz/
Address: Ferry Building 99 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 210 889 7946
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 7 AM–10:30 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 7 AM–11 PM
Island Gelato’s rise from humble Waiheke Island roots isn’t surprising when you taste their mind-blowing flavors. They practically cleaned house at last year’s Ice Cream and Gelato Awards, bagging 25 shiny trophies. Talk about flavor maestros!
We’re dazzled by their award-winning lineup: Pic’s Peanut Butter Caramel, Sour Cherry & Darkest Chocolate, and Whiskey Truffle!
Looking for more? There’s Rhubarb Sorbet, Woodland Berries, Plum & Coconut Pavlova, Coconut Latte, and that’s just the tip of the taste iceberg!
| Pro Tip: We’ve got to be honest — we’ve got no real favorites here. All of their flavors deserve their own categories! |
Ben & Jerry’s
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Website: https://www.benjerry.co.nz/
Address: Harbour Eats, Commercial Bay level 2/7 Queen Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 213 2326
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM–9 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 11 AM–9 PM
Ben and Jerry are the dynamic duo behind some of the most sinful ice cream concoctions known to mankind. These guys started slinging scoops more than 40 years ago in America, and now?
Well, they’re basically the Beyoncé (or Taylor Swift if you prefer) of the ice cream world.
Just imagine strolling through Auckland, and what do you stumble upon? None other than a Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop, ready to rock your taste buds with their outrageously indulgent flavors.
We’re talking cookie dough, brownie chunks, caramel sauce, peanut butter, and pretzel pieces — all in one glorious scoop! This isn’t just a snack; this is sugar-overload territory.
And forget about boring old cups or cones — go big or go home with a sundae instead! Trust us; it’s like winning the ice cream lottery.
| Pro Tip: Okay, here’s our secret obsession: Half Baked. Who needs one ice cream flavor when you can have the ultimate flavor mashup of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Chocolate Fudge Brownie? |
Giapo
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Website: https://www.giapo.com/
Address: 12 Gore Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 21 412 402
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30 PM–10:30 PM
- Sunday: 12:30 PM–10 PM
Ever feel like regular ice cream is just so… vanilla? Well, Giapo hears you loud and clear.
They’re here to shake things up — and trust us, they’re not playing it safe. From their wacky cones to their out-of-this-world flavors and toppings, Giapo is all about pushing the boundaries of ice cream.
No more boring scoops — Giapo is where the magic happens. They’ve earned themselves the title of Auckland’s best ice cream for a reason, folks.
Let’s talk about their Coconut Chocolate Cookies and Cream. It’s so darn creamy that you won’t even realize it’s vegan. Yep, they’re that good!
Their creations aren’t just delicious; they’re Instagram-worthy works of art. I mean, have you seen their Sky Tower ice cream or the one that looks like a squid? Mind. Blown.
But it’s not just about looks – these flavors are the real deal. Drawing inspiration from their Italian roots, Giapo serves up scoops that’ll make your taste buds rejoice.
From the decadent ‘bueno’ with caramel and hazelnut praline to ‘Cher’s chocolate’ — yeah, you heard that right, named after the queen herself — these flavors are as bold as they come.
So if you’re ready to take your taste buds on a wild ride, Giapo is where it’s at!
| Pro Tip: Swing by during summer for their seasonal berry creations. They’ll have you singing about summer-loving quicker than the sorbet melts! |
Mövenpick
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Website: https://www.moevenpick-icecream.com/
Address: 75 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 521 6166
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11 AM–9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11 AM–10:30 PM
So, let’s spill the tea (with some ice cream) on Mövenpick, shall we? Originating from the land of cheese and chocolate — yep, Switzerland — these guys have conquered over 150 spots worldwide, with a handful right here in New Zealand.
They’ve got our go-to’s, like the boujee pistachio, marvelous maple walnut, and perfect panna cotta raspberry. But hey, if you’re all about keeping it classic, they’ve got you covered with their legit vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry game.
Oh, and don’t even get us started on their fresh fruit sorbets! Those babies will hit you with a chill that’s straight-up legendary.
| Pro Tip: Our top pick’s gotta be the classic tiramisu in one of their famous waffle cones on Mission Bay. And hey, if you’re not out East, no sweat — there are Mövenpick joints all over Auckland just waiting to scoop up some sweet goodness for you. |
Ollies Burgers & Ice Cream
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Website: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=201354373211355
Address: 802 Manukau Road, Royal Oak, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 625 7705
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
Ollies Burgers & Ice Cream in Royal Oak is the OG of ice cream joints, dishing out nostalgic Tip Top scoops for half a century. It’s the kind of place that screams, “Don’t mess with tradition!”
Just step into this retro paradise, where the vibes are as classic as the flavors. We’re talking chequered floors, arcade games, and a countertop so shiny it’ll blind you.
It’s like stepping back in time — but with better ice cream! And oh, the flavors!
Hokey pokey, goody goody gumdrops, orange chocolate chip — they’ve got ’em all. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, go for the banana split, piled high with all the fixings!
| Pro Tip: We love their sundaes. And big plus if you get there on Valentine’s: they’ve got promos since it’s their birthday too! |
Pistackio
– Media credit: pistackiogelatoandco
Website: https://pistackio.co.nz/
Address: 416 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 390 6095
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 12 PM–9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 12 PM–10 PM
- Sunday: 1 PM–5 PM
Ever wondered what happens when you mix a fancy Auckland chef with a gelato obsession? You get Pistackio, folks — one of Tāmaki’s top-notch gelato joints, duh!
Run by the dynamic duo, Chef Juan Balsani and his gelato aficionado wife, Valentina, Pistackio churns out heavenly small-batch delights that’ll make your taste buds sing operettas or chanting vamos, vamos Argentina!
We’re talking organic milk mixed with top-notch ingredients to create mouthwatering flavors like peanut butter and jelly, banana and dulce de leche, and the star of the show: Pistackio!
Pistackio isn’t just your run-of-the-mill gelato spot. That’s because you can swing by for a killer coffee, grab a cannoli or tiramisu to-go, or simply kick back and soak in the cozy vibes.
It’s like your favorite neighborhood hangout, but with gelato that’s out of this world. Talk about a sweet deal!
| Pro Tip: Our pick might raise some eyebrows, but their Figs and Walnuts Gelato is just scrumptious. |
The Gelato Workshop
– Media credit: thegelatoworkshop
Website: https://thegelatoworkshop.co.nz/
Address: 77 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626, New Zealand
Contact: +64 20 4023 3483
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12:30 PM–9:30 PM
- Friday: 12:30 PM–11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
So, you think you’re a gelato connoisseur, huh? Well, prepare to have your taste buds rocked by the absolute legends at The Gelato Workshop.
These folks aren’t just making gelato. They’re crafting little bites of heaven using techniques straight outta Italy!
Just imagine creamy Belgian chocolate so divine it’ll make your eyes roll back in your head. Just make sure you look good while doing it!
And if you’re feeling fancy, why not kick things up a notch with a scoop of pina colada? Trust us, it’s like a tropical vacation in a cone.
These guys are all about keeping it local and fresh, so get ready for flavors like strawberry and feijoa sorbets that’ll knock your socks off.
| Pro Tip: Here’s the kicker – they even have gelato for your furry friend! Yep, you heard that right. Treat your pooch to a scoop of banana gelato made especially for them. Talk about a doggone delicious treat! |
