Whether you prefer gelato or sorbet, creamy or chocolate, there’s an ice cream parlor in Istanbul that’s just right for you. We’ve put together a list of the best ice cream Istanbul has to offer.
For anyone in Istanbul, whether visiting or residing, you can find a wide variety of ice creams to match your preferences, from creamy and rich in salep to refreshing sorbets and artisanal gelatos. However, it’s important to consider various aspects like the ingredients used and the production methods. Be sure not to miss our recommendations for top spots with the best ice creams in the city.
Table of Contents
Best Ice Cream Istanbul Has To Offer On the Anatolian Side
1. Lillo Gelato
Discover the secrets of authentic Italian ice cream at Lillo Gelato, made with real fruits. You’ll instantly taste the fresh fruit flavors in each bite. Lillo Gelato offers unique varieties that are hard to find in other ice cream shops. Regulars love the bitter sorbet and nectarine flavors. For vegans, there are options like matcha and black seed. With branches in four different locations, Lillo Gelato brings quality ice cream to its fans.
Caddebostan: Bağdat Cad. No:280, Kadıköy/Istanbul
Metropol Istanbul: Ataşehir Boulevard, Gazi Street, Ataşehir/İstanbul
Pırlanta Göztepe: Fikirtepe, Bahtlı Sok. 46A, Kadıköy/İstanbul
Aqua Florya: Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No: 93, Bakırköy/İstanbul | instagram.com/lillo.tr/
2. Yusdo
This ice cream venue has worked since 1962 in Bostancı. Today, it has expanded to 10 branches beyond Bostancı. The secret of Yusdo, which ranks among Turkey’s best, lies in its use of fresh milk, carefully selected fruits, and natural ingredients. The ice creams are made daily without any preservatives or gluten, and among these, the tahini ice cream has garnered a fan base of all ages.
Ali Nihat Tarlan Cad. No:34/A Bostancı / Kadıköy | instagram.com/yusdobatisehir/
3. Vero Gelato
With three branches, Vero Gelato combines Italian and Turkish traditions to craft genuine handmade ice creams from natural ingredients. Their flavors include unique options like refined sugar-free tahini and chocolate, Lotus biscuit, black cookie, salted caramel, caramel, pistachio, dark chocolate, kiwi, Nutella, mastic, lemon, strawberry, rosemary raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry & stracciatella, Raffaello, cheesecake, rice pudding, and plain. These varieties are not commonly found everywhere.
Caddebostan: Bağdat Cad. 264, No: 12 Kadıköy
Fashion: Damacı Sok. No: 3, Kadıköy/Istanbul
Bostancı: Bahçelerini Sok., Lale Apt, No: 1/1B, Kadıköy/İstanbul | instagram.com/verogelato.tr
4. Serez
Serez Gourmet Ice Cream was born from a long journey involving extensive efforts. This included meetings with numerous fruit and free-range milk producers across the Marmara, Central Anatolia, and Aegean regions, and tasting almost every ice cream available on the market. They are committed to supporting local producers. Their sorbets are made from 100% fruit, and the fat in their ice creams comes solely from milk cream. With these principles, they succeed in creating natural, delicious ice cream.
Bostancı: Kocayol Cad., 12B, Kadıköy/İstanbul
Caddebostan: Bağdat Cad., No: 311, Kadıköy/İstanbul
Kozyatağı: Atatürk Cad. No:36/40, Kadıköy/İstanbul | instagram.com/serezdondurmacisi/
5. Muà
Muà embarked on a mission to bring the tradition of Florentine ice cream masters to Istanbul, offering genuine Italian ice cream. This local Italian ice cream parlor aims to provide fresh, healthy, and high-quality ice cream daily. Starting from a small shop in Yeniköy, Muà now operates 9 branches in Istanbul.
What makes Muà’s gelato unique is its use of milk cream instead of regular cream and the highest quality ingredients. The gelatos are made with special fresh milk from Lüleburgaz and regional fruits, creating unforgettable flavors. Their most famous offering, the Pistachio Sorbet, is a real treat.
Caddebostan: Bağdat Cad. No: 292/16, Kadıköy/İstanbul
Yeniköy: Köybaşı Cad. 126/B, Sarıyer/İstanbul
Akaretler: Şair Nedim Cad. No: 45, Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Reşitpaşa: Congress Cad. 20/A, Sarıyer/İstanbul | instagram.com/muadondurma/
6. Tekin Usta
Tekin Usta, a renowned ice cream shop is dedicated to using goat’s milk and sticking to traditional recipes, ensuring every flavor has an irresistible aroma. Tekin Usta crafts its ice creams using seasonal fruits and nuts from the Aegean region. Among the must-try varieties are honey almond, honey melon, and black mulberry ice creams.
Şemsettin Günaltay Cad. No:140, Kadıköy/Istanbul | instagram.com/tekinustadondurma/
Best Ice Cream Istanbul Has To Offer On the European Side
7. Girandola Gelato
Artisan Gelato is a special treat that is freshly made every day. It contains much less air, fat, and sugar compared to regular ice cream. The focus is on using more milk and less cream, resulting in a softer texture and a richer flavor. In Girandola they produce gelato using the Italian method with high-quality ingredients daily. Ingredients like black mulberries are sourced from Tire, peaches from Bursa, and milk cream is used over regular cream. Girandola is popular for its minimal sugar content, making the ice cream a guilt-free indulgence. The standout feature of their ice creams is the fresh fruit flavor in every bite. Make sure to try the peach, sour cherry, apple, and black mulberry flavors, especially when they’re in season.
Yeniköy: Köybaşı Cad., Arpacı Ali Sok. No:2, Sarıyer/İstanbul
İstinyePark: İstinye Bayırı Cad., İstinye Park AVM Floor: -1, No:11, Sarıyer/İstanbul
Akasya AVM: Çeçen Sok. No:25, Üsküdar/Istanbul
Caddebostan: İskele Sok. No:16, Kadıköy/Istanbul
Acarkent: Acarlar Mah. Arda Business Center, No:5, Beykoz/Istanbul | instagram.com/girandolagelato/
8. Baylan
Baylan, known as the oldest patisserie in Istanbul, has maintained its reputation for quality, taste, and prestige since 1923. Their handmade ice creams are legendary, made organically and without additives, using fresh daily milk. Alongside classic flavors like Pistachio, Strawberry, Vanilla, Lemon, Dark Chocolate, and Cream, they also offer Milk Roche Chocolate, Walnut Croquant, Cherry Brownie, and Caramel. The excellence of their ice creams comes from using fresh fruits, local raw nuts, real vanilla sticks, special salep from Kastamonu, and original chocolates from Altınmarka.
Cevdet Pasha Cd. No:52 D:54, Beşiktaş | instagram.com/baylanistanbul/
9. Dondurmacci
Dondurmacci is renowned for its exceptional ice creams, blending high-quality ingredients with traditional Turkish ice cream techniques. Their signature flavors include buffalo milk and chocolate ice cream. The brand combines the fresh, daily approach of Italian gelato with Turkish style and has outlets in various locations. They prioritize using certified antibiotic-free milk, real sugar, and fresh fruits. For fruit lovers, they offer sorbets in flavors like strawberry, peach, lemon, pomegranate, and Bodrum tangerine. In their milk-based options, they use genuine salep.
Teşvikiye: Şakayık St. 11/E, Şişli/İstanbul
Etiler: Alkent Çarşı F 4 Blok 13-5, Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Mecidiyeköy: Uysal Sok. No:3, Şişli/Istanbul | instagram.com/dondurmacci/
10. Kahve Dünyası
Kahve Dünyası, well-known for its coffees and desserts, also wins over hearts with its ice creams. Their secret lies in using nutritious Jersey cow and goat milk, real salep powder from wild orchid roots in Anatolia’s mountains, 100% genuine Altınmarka chocolate, fresh fruits, and tasty nuts. All their ice creams are homemade and free from artificial additives or colorings. The uniqueness is in how they make them. They offer a variety of flavors to suit different tastes, from honey-almond to cherry ice cream.
Maslak: Windowist Tower Reşitpaşa Mah. Eski Büyükdere Cad. No:26/2
Yeniköy: Köybaşı Cad. Kapalı Bakkal Sok. No:170 | instagram.com/kahvedunyasi/
11. Mini Dondurma
Regular visitors of Mini Dondurma, a classic favorite, enjoy buying their signature milk-scented, low-sugar ice cream and taking a stroll in Bebek. Among its popular flavors, Rose Turkish Delight is a crowd favorite. With its combination of quality taste and friendly service, Mini Dondurma easily stands the test of time.
Cevdet Pasha Cad. No: 38/A, Beşiktaş/İstanbul | instagram.com/bebekminidondurma/
