Summer is just around the corner and there is no better way to celebrate the warm summer days, than by enjoying a delicious cone or tub of mouth-watering ice-cream. So if you love a good brain-freeze, here are some of the best spots to get your ice cream fix in Cape Town:

Sinnfull Ice Cream Emporium, Muizenberg

A hidden gem on Muizenberg’s beach front, Sinnfull Ice Cream Emporium is a favourite amongst surfers, swimmers, and families, for a dose of delicious gourmet ice-cream. Choose from a selection of over 450 mouth-watering flavours such as ‘Out of Africa’ – a combination of koeksisters and Amarula; ‘Heavenly Hash’ – A mix of marshmallows, chocolate chips, and fudge; ‘Kreame’ – a yummy blend of white chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel;  or litchi and mango sorbets. Take your pick of cones, tubs, and sugar cones to hold your creamy indulgence. The only negative here is having to choose which flavour to go for!

The Venezia Ice Cream Parlor, Sea Point

This vibey little Italian ice-cream store is open until late and offers a range of lip-smacking gelato. Here you can choose between enchanting flavours like ‘Bar One’, ‘English Toffee’, and ‘Creamy Peanut Butter’. Whichever flavour you eventually decide on, rest assured you won’t be disappointed. Sit on the chairs outside the shop and enjoy the bustling suburb of Sea Point, or take a walk along the promenade and admire the ocean view with your tantalising treat.  If you’re feeling a little lazy, yet still want your ice-cream fix, you can order from Mr. Delivery, who will deliver your favourite flavourful ice-creams to your door.

Haagen Dazs, V&A Waterfront

First established in New York, this luxury ice-cream provides a creamy melt-in-your-mouth tasting experience that most can’t resist. The secret is in the small amount of air that is whipped into fresh cream to make Haagen Dazs, making is far less dense than other ice-creams. Choose from 24 delicious flavours such as ‘Cookies and Cream’, ‘Banoffee’, ‘Mango and Apricot Smoothie’, ‘Choc Choc Chip’, ‘Macadamia Nut Brittle’, ‘Chocolate Midnight Cookies’, ‘Caramel Biscuits and Cream’, ‘Vanilla Caramel Brownie’, and a variety of delicious fresh fruit sorbets. You can get your fix at shop 129 on the lower level of Victoria Wharf in the V&A Waterfront.

Gelato Mania, Green Point

This spectacular ice-cream parlour caters for a variety of dietary requirements. They have kosher, Halaal, as well as diabetic gelato so that everyone can enjoy the splurge guilt-free. Hormone and preservative free milk is used in over 30 heavenly flavours. Enjoy flavours like ‘Yoghurt Berry Crunch’, ‘Bar One’, ‘Chocolate Hazelnut’, ‘After 8 Mint’, ‘Cookies and Milk’, ‘Granadilla Sorbet’, ‘Pistachio’, ‘Rum and Raisin’, and ‘Turkish Delight’. Add to the mix some yummy toppings like strawberry hearts, fudge pyramids, or smarties and you have a winner! For the health-conscious, invigorating sorbets are made from fresh seasonal fruit.

Ice Cream Ninjas, Bellville

This ultra-cool ice-cream outlet offers something unique to ice-cream lovers. Over 10 000 flavours ooze with enchanting creativity. Taste the ‘Dream Maker’ – Black Cherry ice-cream, pistachios, and Belgian white chocolate sauce; or the funky ‘Kid Rock’ – Bubble-gum ice-cream topped with popping candy. You will be served by skilful ‘ninjas’ who will whip up any combination your heart desires. Some fun flavours to try include ‘Eye of the Tiger’ – Wasabi peas and ginger, mashed into Crème ice-cream; ‘Nutty Latte’ – a blend of coffee ice-cream, fudge, pecan nuts and caramelised cashews; ‘Brown Bear’ – Chocolate ice-cream mixed with brownies, caramello bears, and Belgian milk chocolate; ‘It Takes Two to Tango’ – mango ice-cream combined with raspberry sauce, almonds, and pineapple. Prepare to pay a bit more for your treats here, but the ninja-like service and delicious quality more than make up for the extra spend. On “Ching Chong Cha Chuesdays” you can challenge staff to a game of rock, paper, scissors, and if you win, you’ll get a 10% discount on your purchase. Follow your nose to the lower level of the Arena Food Court in Tygervalley centre.

The Creamery, Mowbray

The Creamery is no normal ice cream facility. Flavours change daily and only 2 litres of ice-cream is churned up at a time, so you are never guaranteed the exact same taste twice. Fresh local ingredients are sourced and incorporated to create flavourful creations like ‘Jasmine Blossom’, ‘Basil’, and ‘Fig Leaf’. The philosophy here is to use only what nature provides – so you will get flavours created from the fruits that are currently in season. If you’re heading over in September, you can expect flavours like ‘Farm Cream’, ‘Lemon Curd Swirl’, ‘Naartjie Choc Chip’, ‘Honey Pecan’, Ginger and Roast Apple’, and ‘65% Chocolate’. Ice-cream is served by the scoop, in a cone or cup, or in ice-cream sandwiches – a scoop of ice-cream served between two cookies. Try out these yummy treats straight from the Creamery Headquarters on the corners of Weymouth and Wyecroft roads in Mowbray (be aware that it is cash only), or from the Biscuit Mill on Saturdays.

Marcel’s, Rondebosch

With over 12 outlets throughout the Western Cape, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have already treated yourself to the divine frozen yoghurts from Marcel’s. Try a variety of delectable flavours such as ‘English Toffee’, ‘Lemony Cheesecake’, ‘Rich Espresso’, or try a combination of all your favourite flavours. Sprinkle your choice of topping like nuts, mini smarties, caramel crunch, or jelly tots over your icy treat and enjoy. There are Marcel’s outlets in most major shopping centres, but we love the one in Rondebosch Fountain Square.

With so many wonderful places offering the most delectable ice-creams, summer is sure to be filled with lots of smiles and happy memories!  Let us know where your favourite spot is to enjoy your simple pleasure.

Main Image by Dan Taylor (Flickr)