Paris may be most famous for its patisserie, but the modern city has changed with the times (and the weather), so that it is now also an ice cream lover’s dream. Here are 10 of the best destinations for an unforgettable gelato experience in the city of light.
Il Gelato del Marchese, Odéon (photo: Facebook)
Every summer in Paris, it’s not uncommon to see long queues of locals and tourists impatiently waiting to get their hands on a cone of refreshing ice cream. Fresh gelato, fait maison,is the ideal indulgence for any flâneurstrolling along the boulevards, window-shopping in the Marais, tackling the stairs in Montmartre or exploring the banks of the Seine – made up in July and August to resemble a beach resort; the famous ‘Paris Plage’.
In the French capital, the provenance of the ice cream you’re enjoying can seem less important than where you are eating it and with whom. (Ice cream + Paris is always going to sound like a good equation, right?) Even so, there are a handful of gelato makers here who elevate each scoop into a refined art, or even a love affair. Here is a selection of the ice cream parlors using natural, organic ingredients and artisanal techniques to create surprising new taste sensations.
Une glace à Paris
Montmartre interieur, Une Glace à Paris, (photo: Symon Ugp)
They named it ‘An ice-cream in Paris’, but it’s not just any ice-cream. Emmanuel Ryon and Olivier Menard took out the prizes of Meilleur Ouvrier de France and French Ice Cream Artisan of the Year title. In their rich and fragrant creations even the classics have a twist: Walnut oil, Wild Colombian pollen, Pumpkin, Mount Gay rum, and the seemingly dangerous Smoky chocolate Inaya 66%. They also make beautifully presented chilled patisseries, like their rubarb and orange blossom ice cream tartlett. Mull all these flavors over while people-watching on the terrace at Place des Abbesses in Montmartre.
15 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 / 16 Pl. des Abbesses, 75018
La Tropicale Glacier
La Tropicale, near Gare de Lyon (photo: Facebook)
Just a few steps from the vibrant Marché d’Aligre lies a haven for those who like to indulge in ‘weird’ flavors, where exotic is the norm. Ooh and aah at melon with chilli flakes; gin, seaweed, cucumber and bell peppers; basil and yoghurt or even forget-me-not flowers. Behind the bright blue shopfront and small salon de théis a laboratory where the flavors are all concocted in situ from fresh, imaginative ingredients. And so it has been for 40 years, across two generations of ice cream adventurers. Each scoop is a bargain, so grab a cone and enjoy it along the nearby Coulée Verte walkway.
7 Rue Prague 75012
Reÿs – glaces éternelles
Jean-Pierre mastered the art of gelato making in Tuscany as a means of teasing out memories of childhood and travels in the form of delicious, delicious ice cream. He is to gelato what Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is to perfume. With seven poetic and fanciful flavors of ice cream and seven sorbets to choose from, try the surprising Cretan tzatziki (Greek yoghurt, lemon, olive oil, cucumber and mint), Balade à Bangkok (Thai rice, coconut milk and citronella), or the Kiss of the Dragon (pitaya, Lapsang Suchong tea, Sichuan pepper). Your tastebuds will travel to exotic destinations without ever leaving the charming Place du Bourg-Tibourg in the Marais.
4 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004
Emkipop
Emkipop bâtonets (photo: Emkipop)
Founded in Marseille, Emkipop makes ice cream really, really fun, for kids and adults alike. Choose a bâtonnet (paddle pop) made with 100% natural ingredients, from whimsical flavors like black sesame, vegan coconut, or limited-edition collabs like shiso leaves and bergamot; dip it in one four chocolate coatings, and then dip that in a crunchy topping. Countless combinations of colors and textures emerge from this process. In winter, they’ll melt your ice cream into a velvety, hot drink. Enjoy it all in the quaint park of the Square Trousseau.
13 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012
Maison Berthillon
The iconic Berthillon stand at Le Flore en l’Île, Île Saint-Louis (photo: Le Flôre en l’Île)
The chicest ice cream in Paris since the 1950s, handmade on the Île Saint-Louis, Berthillon is the quintessential accompaniment to any sun-dappled stroll along the banks of the Seine. It all started when Raymond Berthillon, owner of the hotel and café Le Bourgogne, dusted off an ice cream machine and started producing his own batches. Today, Maison Berthillon offers 70 light, subtle flavors that are served in practically all the restaurants on the Île Saint-Louis. Stand-outs are pine-nut praline, chestnuts with a splash of rum, caramel and ginger, delicate yoghurt and yuzu, the bolder chocolate whisky, fruity greengage, and the perennial favorite: strawberry. Look out for the iconic Berthillon mark on the shop awnings, and if you don’t want to wait too long, get away from stores on Saint-Louis’ quays: somewhere on the island, there’s bound to be a queueless stand.
Il Gelato del Marchese
Il Gelato del Marchese (photo: Il Gelato del Marchese)
Born in Rome, Marco, the founder of this elegant, nostalgic boutique in Saint Germain-des-Prés, was awarded the no.3 spot in a list of the 100 best Italian ice cream makers in 2015. His confections are made onsite daily with all-natural ingredients, right down to the cones (it’s said Marco hand-picks the Sicilian pistachios that go into the classic signature flavor of Il Gelato del Marchese). The ice creams have little added sugar, to allow the flavors to reveal themselves. The ingredients are seasonal, like ricotta with white Alba truffles.
3 Rue des Quatre Vents, 75006
Glazed
Glazed (photo: @glazed_paris)
Sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll, and… ice cream? The spread at Glazed certainly has the sexiest ice creams Paris has to offer, with flavors inspired by cocktails and names inspired by rock songs. Sourcing local fruits and ingredients, Henri Guittet has been serving up scoop after scoop of seduction since 2014. So head to the rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire for an addictive cone of Highway to Ale (organic beer-flavored ice cream), Black Sugar Sex Magic (dark chocolate, wasabi and ginger), Cococaine (coconut sorbet with hyuganatsu citrus), and many more.
Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse (photo: lechocolat-alainducasse.com)
For the celebrity chef and chocolatier Alain Ducasse, ice cream making, too, is a mix of science and alchemy. His small but carefully curated range, developed by gelato maker Matteo Casone, is all about robust classics with subtle twists and aftertastes: praline hazelnut with hibiscus, olive oil or fermented yoghurt, all with delightfully velvety texture. This is hands down the priciest ice cream in Paris, but one dreamy mouthful is enough to confirm the quality of the ingredients and their composition.
38 Rue de la Roquette 75011 / 11 rue des Petits Champs 75001
1891
It’s called Maison 1891 because that’s the year that the owner, Stéphane Raymond-Bernardé’s ancestor began working as a pastry chef at the Ritz. A family-run establishment followed for the next hundred years. Stephane isn’t afraid to innovate, mind you, as evidenced in the eye-opening sorbets with pineapple and jalapeño or lemon and sancho peppercorns. All the classics are there too: Iranian pistachio, salted caramel and creamy Piedmont hazelnut. 14 flavors tantalize tastebuds at this unassuming café in the trendy Faubourg Poissonière neighborhood. Maison 1891 also makes elaborate ice cream cakes, other desserts and healthy savory dishes.
59 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière 9è
Girotti
Film buffs with a sweet tooth can rejoice at this improbable scoop: the iconic Spaghetti Western actor Terence Hill has opened an ice cream parlor and café in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. Along with his son Jess, the Italian film star pays tribute to the artisanal savoir-faire of gelato makers in Amelia, Umbria, where his great uncle ran a gelateria. There’s no gunslinging necessary to get your hands around a cone of red bean and maple syrup or baba rum-flavored gelato, though, all with natural ingredients, without gluten or preservatives. Buona degustazione!
120 Boulevard Raspail 75006
FAQs
Which is the tastiest ice cream in the world? ›
Gelato cioccolato
Cioccolato is a variety of Italian gelato that is prepared with chocolate and cocoa powder as the key ingredients alongside cream, sugar, and milk. The final product, if made properly and churned at low speed, should have a dense and velvety texture, and a rich, dark brown color.
French ice cream is made with eggs so it's thick and custardy whereas American ice cream (also called Philadelphia-style) is made with sugar, milk and cream. I find French ice cream to be silkier and it doesn't develop nearly as many ice crystals as its little-bit-lighter cousin.
What makes artisanal ice cream? ›A good artisan ice cream must be of the very best quality, and made using fresh ingredients, without the addition of flavorings, colorings, or preservatives.
What is the #1 ice cream in the world? ›What's the most popular ice cream flavor worldwide? We promise we didn't plan this one… it's vanilla! After looking into the top searched ice cream flavors worldwide, we found this classic to be #1 in almost every country.
What is the #1 ice cream in America? ›YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.
Which is the most expensive ice cream in the world? ›A decadent treat from Japan has just set the world record for most expensive ice cream. Ice cream company Cellato's Byakuya flavor cost a whopping $6,696 for just 4.3 oz.
What is the oldest brand of ice cream in the world? ›Bassetts Ice Cream was founded in 1861 — when Abraham Lincoln was in office — and its original ice cream was created by mule power (via Bassetts Ice Cream). Yes, you read that correctly: A mule was making the ice cream.
What is America's most favorite ice cream? ›YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.
What is ice cream called in Paris? ›The most common word for French ice cream is “glace.” But you'll also see “crème glacée,” “glace fermière,” “glace artisanale ” (artisanal ice cream), “glace végétale” (vegan ice cream), and sorbet or “sorbet végétal”. Here's an introduction to what all that means.
What do they call ice cream in France? ›How to Say Ice Cream in France. In France, they have glace. French ice cream is kind of a hybrid between American ice cream and Italian gelato.
Why is French ice cream so good? ›
The egg yolk in the so-called French recipe lends the ice cream a richer texture and a more complex flavor than American or Philadelphia-style ice creams, which only contain cream (or milk) and sugar. (The sweeter the ice cream, the more it becomes malleable – or scoopable, to use the industry term.)
What is the shelf life of artisanal ice cream? ›As per a leading media report, the shelf life of Artisanal ice creams is generally five to seven weeks whereas commercial ice creams can be stored for more than six months.
Why is artisan ice cream so expensive? ›With less fat present, emulsifiers and stabilizers are especially needed to help bring the mixture together and maintain an ideal texture. “If you've ever wondered why you're paying so much more for artisanal ice cream, it comes down to three major factors: ingredients, processes and distribution.”
What make premium ice cream? ›"Premium" ice cream tends to have low overrun and higher fat content than regular ice cream, and the manufacturer uses higher quality ingredients. "Regular" ice cream meets the overrun required for the federal ice cream standard.
What is 100% real ice cream? ›Real ice cream is made from 100% dairy – milk, and products made from milk (including cream, skim milk powder, and whey powder). Frozen desserts are made with vegetable oils, like palm, kernel, or coconut oil.
Which country eats the most ice cream? ›New Zealand consumes the most ice cream per capita
Other countries of ice cream lovers include the US, where an impressive 20.8 liters are eaten per capita; and Australia, where each person puts away 18 liters.
YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.
What state eats most ice cream? ›California eats the most ice cream
If you're picturing soaking up the sun in California right now, you have the right idea. California is the state that likes ice cream the most, according to research from Gravy Analytics compiled by Zippia. Okay, okay, other states love ice cream plenty, too.
A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company.
What is the least popular ice cream flavor? ›Rocky Road, 4% Only four percent of Americans count Rocky Road Ice Cream as their favourite flavor. It is a chocolate-based ice cream with chopped almonds and marshmallow pieces mixed through. The ice cream flavor is often said to have originated in Australia.
What is the rarest ice cream flavor? ›
1. Goat cheese beet swirl ice cream.
What is Millionaire ice cream? ›Description. M&S Chocolate Millionaire's Ice Cream. A delectable chocolate and caramel ice cream with fudge pieces, salted caramel sauce and sprinkled with shortcake biscuit pieces. Suitable for vegetarians.
What is the most ice cream ever eaten? ›Competitive eater Isaac Harding-Davis celebrated national ice-cream day on Today in Sydney. Though suffering mild symptoms of brain freeze, he was able to eat just over two tubs of Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake in one minute.
What ice cream brand has no meaning? ›The name "Häagen-Dazs" ice cream has no meaning - they're made-up words meant to look Scandinavian (like IKEA).
What country invented ice cream? ›The earliest evidence of anything approaching ice cream being made was in China in the Tang period (A.D. 618-907). Buffalo, cows' and goats' milk was heated and allowed to ferment. This 'yoghurt' was then mixed with flour for thickening, camphor (yes camphor!) for flavour and 'refrigerated' before being served.
Which ice cream flavor was invented first? ›As far as modern ice cream flavors go, chocolate was likely invented first, according to Sarah Lohman, a food historian and author of Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine.
What is the most popular flavor in the world? ›The World's Favorite Flavor
According to Datassential, 81% of consumers love or like vanilla and 94% have tried it.
Wafer Cones (also known as cake cones)
These little beauties are the most popular in the ice cream world and have a taste that instantly reignites memories of your childhood. Light and flaky with just the right amount of sugary sweetness, the wafer cone goes well with just about every ice cream flavor ever made.
Gelato is a frozen dessert of Italian origin, similar to ice cream. In fact, “Gelato” simply means “ice cream” in Italian. However, this ice cream has a softer, more velvety texture than American ice cream. Gelato typically contains 70% less air and more flavoring than other kinds of ice cream.
What is a typical breakfast in France? ›A French breakfast is sweet. It is composed of slices of buttered bread and jam spread on it, sometimes croissants or other pastries and cereals. Usually, the drinks are coffee, orange juice or milk.
What is the most popular ice cream in France? ›
French people's taste in ice cream appear to be rather classic. Indeed, the first two favorite flavors are vanilla and chocolate, in that order, while caramel ranks third.
How do you ask for ice in France? ›You'll usually have to ask if you want ice – for example, De l'eau plate, avec des glaçons, s'il vous plait. (“Still water with ice, please.”). It's possible that the restaurant may not have any, so be prepared.
What is fancy ice cream called? ›Neapolitan ice cream, also sometimes called Harlequin ice cream, is a type of ice cream composed of three separate flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) arranged side by side in the same container, usually without any packaging in between.
What is double cream called in France? ›We believe that the closest equivalent in France is creme entiere (sometimes labelled as creme liquide entiere or Creme Fleurette de Normandie).
What ingredient must French ice cream contain? ›While all American ice creams have some combination of milkfat (at least 10% to legally be ice cream), sweeteners, and overrun (air content added to the ice cream), French style ice creams must also have at least 1.4% egg yolk solids according to law. The egg yolks are full of fat and protein.
What makes Tillamook ice cream different? ›Tillamook® Ice Cream is still, and will always be, made with high quality ingredients, more cream and less air than the industry standard for ice cream, with no artificial flavors or sweeteners, no synthetic colors, and no high fructose corn syrup. That is our promise.
Is French ice cream healthier? ›"French" ice cream is usually made with a cooked egg custard base. Ice milk is made with lower-fat milk than ice cream, making it less creamy. However, it does contain fewer calories than ice cream.
What is the most expensive ice cream brands? ›Earlier this week, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that Cellato set a new record for the World's Most Expensive Ice Cream. The ice cream, called “Byakuya,” is a combination of white truffles imported from Alba, Italy; Parmigiano Reggiano cheese; and sake lees, a byproduct of the sake production process.
What is super premium ice cream? ›"Superpremium" ice cream tends to have very low overrun and high fat content, and the manufacturer uses the best quality ingredients. "Premium" ice cream tends to have low overrun and higher fat content than regular ice cream, and the manufacturer uses higher quality ingredients.
What is the best selling ice cream flavor of all time? ›Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the world so it only makes sense to start this list with vanilla ice cream.
What is America's oldest ice cream brand? ›
A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company.
Who eats the most ice cream in the US? ›California eats the most ice cream
If you're picturing soaking up the sun in California right now, you have the right idea. California is the state that likes ice cream the most, according to research from Gravy Analytics compiled by Zippia. Okay, okay, other states love ice cream plenty, too.
Made from a rather plain Madagascar vanilla-bean ice cream base, the Black Diamond is topped with Italian truffles, a very unique Iranian saffron that goes for up to $100 an ounce, and for the finishing touch, edible 23K gold flakes.
How can you tell if ice cream is good quality? ›Quality ice cream should generally be smooth and soft.
It should melt pleasantly and not too quickly in the mouth. Negative spots in this context are noticeable ice crystals, sandy texture or coarseness.
The frozen dessert, called byakuya – “white night” in Japanese – is currently fetching 880,000 yen ($6,380) for a serving, officially making it the most expensive ice cream in the world, according to Guinness World Records.