A list of our favorite ice cream parlors in Utrecht. Delicious artisanal ice creams at the best Utrecht spots.
We have a choice of several businesses that are all popular and busy during the spring and summer months. We highlight a number of favorite ice cream parlors that we all know. Because who doesn’t like a walk around the block combined with a cone or bowl from one of these ‘ice cream palaces’.
1. IJskiosk Venezia
I know Venezia ice cream from the time when they had a fancy shop on the Oudegracht. Now they have been standing on the Jansbrug for years with their super cute ice cream stall. Their delicious Italian ice cream has been a household name in our city since 1928. The de Lorenzo family have been ice cream makers for three generations and now Romana is at the head of the business.
There is always a very long line of customers at the kiosk because this ice cream shop is extremely popular with the people of Utrecht and far beyond! It is always difficult to choose here, but favorite flavors remain lemon-basil and the Peace of Utrecht with delicious cherries and chocolate. And then they also have the changing weekly flavors …. they don’t make it easy for you.
Location: Oudegracht 105
Opening hours: daily from 11:00 – 22:00
2. Roberto Gelato
In front of this ice cream parlor in the Wittevrouwen district, there is always a pleasant line of people patiently waiting to order a delicious ice cream. The choice is huge, so it is difficult to decide which flavor to order. That is why you should order extra scoops or come back regularly.
The owners Roberto and Carlina make fresh ice cream every day with top quality ingredients. These are sometimes brought all the way from Italy, such as the pistachio nuts. This is where I ate the most delicious pistachio ice cream ever! Even better than in Italy. It is not without reason that they have won many prizes.
In front of this ice cream parlor in the Wittevrouwen district, there is always a pleasant line of people patiently waiting to order a delicious ice cream. The choice is huge, so it is difficult to decide which flavor to order. That is why you should order extra scoops or come back regularly.
The owners Roberto and Carlina make fresh ice cream every day with top quality ingredients. These are sometimes brought all the way from Italy, such as the pistachio nuts. This is where I ate the most delicious pistachio ice cream ever! Even better than in Italy. It is not without reason that they have won many prizes.
Incidentally, Carlina (Romana van Venezia’s sister!) has written a very nice book about making ice cream yourself. I have been making her wonderful recipes with great pleasure for years.
Location: Poortstraat 93
Opening hours: daily from 12:00 – 22:00
3. Il Mulino
Of course, Il Mulino cannot be missing from the ice cream list. The shop is of course named after the special windmill Zon en Rijn in the Adelaarstraat. I lived around the corner from this ice cream parlor on the Bemuurde Weerd for years. So when friends came to eat, I never had to provide dessert because everyone wanted ice cream from Il Mulino! I spent a lot of guilders and later euros there with great pleasure. And the ultimate place to eat your ice cream is of course on the stairs at the Weerdsluis. What a great location!
The incredibly sweet owners unfortunately passed away a few years ago, but fortunately the family took over the business earlier. Here too, it is always difficult to choose, and they also have delicious tiramisu! So come back regularly or order a lot at once and freeze it at home.
Location: Adelaarstraat 4
Opening hours: daily 12:00 – 20:00
5. IJssalon Luca
Luca’s cozy ice cream parlor has been located in the busy Nobelstraat since 2016. He once started under the name Luciano’s but chose to continue independently. And every year he continues to grow. The friendly owner gets the ice cream from IJs en Zo in Leidschendam, where it is always freshly made.
It is often a regular occurrence to stop by here on Saturdays, after a visit to the flower market on the Janskerkhof. We recommend the flavors salty caramel and after eight, but there are many more delicious flavors. Something for everyone.
There are sometimes fun promotions via the Instagram and TikTok pages, such as Golden Tickets hidden throughout the city for free ice cream. So keep a close eye on the socials!
Location: Nobelstraat 215
Opening hours: daily from 12:00 – 22:00
6. IJssalon Vorst
IJssalon Vorst, in the Schildersbuurt, makes handmade ice cream that is not to be sneezed at. If you have made the difficult choice between the many different flavors, you can easily walk into the Wilhelminapark to eat it there. They make the ice cream from organic fresh milk and pure ingredients. Not just any ice cream!
Location: Prins Hendriklaan 6, Utrecht Oost
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 14:00 – 21:30, Saturday 13:00 – 21:30 and Sunday 12:00 – 21:30
7. Lorenzo ijssalon
For over 20 years, owners Lorènz and Monica have been making their ice cream in a traditional way. They are both certified and specialized ice cream makers and you can taste it! All flavors are free of colorants and they naturally use fresh fruit. You can also go here for beautiful wedding (ice cream) cakes.
Location: Rijnlaan 29, Rivierenbuurt
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
8. Zomers
Zomers started in 2012 in De Meern and has also had a shop in the Lombok district for a few years now. Last year they moved from the first location to Leidscherijn. Here too they work without colourings and flavourings and they do not make the ice cream too sweet and too greasy. For parties you can rent a nice gelato bar here with three tubs of ice cream that your guests can scoop themselves,
Location: Makassarstraat 32, Lombok and Castellumlaan 6, Leidscherijn
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 13:00 to 22:00
This list wouldn’t be complete without also mentioning ice cream parlor Roma in Zuilen and Dam in the Damstraat in Lombok. Are there any parlors we forgot and are worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments!
