Everybody loves ice-cream, right? And when Ireland does get the occasional perfect summer day – just like today’s glorious burst of sunshine – knowing where to get the best ice-cream is essential. Both flavour and choice are key, so below are some top picks for ice cream in Dublin.
Ann’s, Howth
For a classic 99 you can’t go wrong with Ann’s in Howth. The small shop is part newsagent, part gift shop, with a small window at the side where you can skip the queues and get straight to the ice-cream. Located beside the East pier, the shop is in the perfect location to buy your ice cream and then take a stroll along by the sea. While the flavour choices might be a bit limited, it tastes very, very good, and at €2.50 the price isn’t too bad either.
Amore Gelato, Howth
If you are in Howth and looking for some more adventurous flavours, then take stroll back up the village to Howth Market, where you’ll find Amore Gelato. Located in the permanent food market, flavours include limoncello, Jaffa Cake and Smarties. A medium tub costs €3.95. Crepes and churros – fried-dough pastry served with chocolat – are also available. Opening hours are 1-6pm on weekdays and from 10am at weekends.
Storm in a Teacup, Skerries
A colourful little hut by the pier, Storm in a Teacup opens rain, hail or shine. A local favourite, they make their own ice-cream in a dairy in Stamullen. Toppings include Malteasers, peanut butter and freddo bars. It’s open from noon on weekdays and 11am on Saturdays and Sundays. Two scoops will set you back €2.50. Expect to queue – but it’s worth the wait.
Scrumdiddly’s, pop-up shop at Arnotts, Donabate, Dún Laoghaire
Owned by the same family who runs Storm in a Teacup, Scrumdiddly’s has two permanent shops, in Donabate and Dún Laoghaire and a pop-up in Arnotts of Henry Street. The brand made waves by mixing ice-cream with unusual toppings they claim to have over 2,400 combinations of flavours and toppings to choose from. It’s also easy your wallet, with the signature “scrummy tub” costing €2.50. Opening hours are noon to 8pm in Donabate, till 9pm in Dún Laoghaire, and store hours in Arnotts (9.30am-7pm/9pm)
Teddy’s, Bray, Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove
A south side institution, Teddy’s has two permanent shops in Dun Laoghaire and Sandycove, with a roving ice-cream van that’s available for hire. Recently, they branched out and began selling tubs of ice-cream, of which two scoops will set you back €3.50. If you are visiting Teddy’s though, you really can’t beat the traditional 99. Open every day from 11.30am.
Best of Italy, Ranelagh
This neighbourhood Italian food store recently began selling their tasty gelato. Offering 12 strong different flavours, the ice-cream is a must.€3 for three scoops. Open weekdays from 8am and after 9.30am on weekends.
Gino’s Gelato, various locations
Gino’s is probably Ireland’s biggest ice-cream chain, with branches Grafton Street, Henry Street, George’s Street, Clondalkin, Blanchardstown, Jervis Shopping Centre, along with outlets in Galway, Kildare and Wicklow. Their gelato is freshly made every morning and boasts Kinder Bueno, Snickers and Pina Colada among its choices. If you are looking for ice-cream in the city, it really is one of the best places to go. It costs €4.50 for a regular tub.
Murphy’s, Wicklow Street
Recently voted fourth best ice-cream in the world by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, this ice-cream chain is owned by Kerry brothers Sean and Kieran Murphy, who opened their first branch in Dingle in 2000. They still make all the ice-cream in their Dingle factory, even though they now have branches in Dublin, Killarney, Kilkenny and Galway. Current flavours include Dingle Sea Salt, Caramel Honeycomb and Dingle Gin. Although it's tasty, a medium tub will set you back €5.50. The Dublin store opens everyday from noon till late.
Arctic Stone, Rathfarnham, Dún Laoghaire
For a completely different type of ice-cream visit the Arctic Stone. Their method is based on rolled ice-cream, a popular Thai dessert, which the founder Caolán Cullen saw when he was travelling Asia. Their unusual ice-cream is only available to buy on Saturday from 10:30pm to 5pm, Marlay Park, Rathfaranham and on Sunday from 11am to 6pm, Peoples Park, Dún Laoghaire. Popular flavours include banoffee and Jaffa, and salted caramel. They cost €5 for a regular tub (equivilant to up to 2.5 scoops of ice cream, with two toppings or sauces) and €7 for a large (equivilant to about four scoops, with two toppings or sauces).
