Israel’s boutique ice cream shops have seen a burst of creativity, with surprising flavor pairings like tahini and parsley or watermelon and feta. But while the scoops are more adventurous than ever, so are the prices — another reminder of the country’s high cost of living.
Aglida, Ramat Yishai
This boutique shop in Ramat Yishai’s industrial zone lets you top your ice cream with a sauce of your choice—options range from warm white chocolate to pretzel or hazelnut wafer (Loacker) sauce.
Vegan-friendly flavors include coconut, mango-passionfruit, chocolate sorbet and hazelnut. Other offerings include cheesecake with berries, white chocolate “Bueno,” salty pretzel and several yogurt-based options.
Try: Amarena cherry and chocolate—refreshing and well-balanced.
Galiella Gelato, Kibbutz Afikim
Originally from the Gaza border region, this gelateria relocated to Kibbutz Afikim near the Sea of Galilee. Owner Guy Magen, who studied gelato-making in Italy and named the shop after his daughters, offers lime and orange sorbets, blue vanilla, cinnamon roll, coconut-pineapple, avocado-chamomile, salted caramel and vegan pistachio. Cakes, Belgian waffles and cookies round out the menu.
Try: Orange and lemongrass—impossible to stop at one bite.
Eissalon, Haifa
A pastry shop and chef-led gelateria under one roof. Everything is handmade on site—from squeezing to baking—for flavors like tahini-parsley, sweet potato-cinnamon and carrot cake gelato. Each scoop surprises the palate.
Try: Wheat beer gelato—pair it with a real pint on the side.
Emilia, Haifa
Known for daring flavors, this Haifa favorite serves yogurt-beet and corn-avocado gelato. In summer, you might catch watermelon with feta. Other options include lemon-mint, pretzel-caramel, Belgian waffles and pancakes. There's also a full Italian restaurant and a custom pasta and pizza bar.
Try: Corn polenta gelato with coconut milk and honey — a full experience.
Pistachio, Hadera
A family-run shop for over 20 years that's built a loyal following. Flavors include classic Israeli treats like chocolate-covered Mekupelet, Ferrero Rocher, dulce de leche, strawberry-cream and, of course, pistachio. A separate counter offers colorful toppings from marshmallows to halva. Also available: frozen yogurt, crepes, ice cream sandwiches and shakes.
Try: Vanilla-rum-raisin—a crowd-pleaser in any mood.
Delicato, Pardes Hanna-Karkur
A nostalgic boutique spot with unique and not-too-sweet options like mint-chocolate chip, mozzarella-pesto and yogurt-blueberry. Vegan-friendly and eco-conscious: no plastic utensils, only reusable dishes. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Try: Pomegranate gelato (seasonal).
QQ, Tel Aviv
This brand-new shop just opened in the trendy Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian zone next to Har Sinai Pizza. Serving American-style soft-serve with extravagant dessert combos, QQ is an Instagrammer’s dream.
Hot pastries like cinnamon rolls, croissants and cookies are paired with cold treats, plus espresso-based drinks like affogato and espresso martinis. The playlist is worth a mention and breakfast includes coffee and pastry.
Try: Tiramisu sundae with biscotti, espresso, vanilla soft serve, cocoa crumble and chocolate chunks.
Rivareno Gelato, Tel Aviv
Located just steps away at the other end of Nahalat Binyamin, Rivareno is a new Italian chain with branches across Europe, the U.S. and Australia. Since opening, it’s drawn long lines and online buzz.
The design is low-key, the music relaxed and the texture velvety. Vegan sorbets and dairy options are available for dine-in or takeaway.
Try: Cream gelato with Amarena cherries — irresistible.
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Cassata, Tel Aviv
Celebrity chef Eyal Shani’s latest dessert spot draws daily lines with his unconventional ice cream creations. This isn’t your typical gelateria—flavors change with the seasons and push the boundary between savory and sweet: think guava, olive oil, roasted rice, or jam with salt. Wine and cocktails are served alongside, making it a nighttime destination.
Try: Strawberry-cream sandwich with milk cream—an instant mood lift.
Arte, Tel Aviv
The third gelateria on the same bustling street – and one of the city’s oldest and most highly regarded boutique gelaterias, owned by an Italian couple who opened it a decade ago. They don’t use preservatives here and even the cookies for the ice cream are made on-site.
The result: soft, melt-in-your-mouth ice cream in a wide variety of flavors like tiramisu, chocolate-orange, apple strudel, Japanese tea, avocado, pistachio in a delicate pastel shade and Sicilian cassata (ricotta cheese and candied orange peel).
Try: Butter ice cream with toasted French baguette – you have to taste it to believe it.
Stefan, Tel Aviv
Technically an Austrian bakery and chef-run gelateria, but it's much more than that. The sweet baker Stefan Maeker crafts handmade boutique gelato, which also stars in desserts like brownies, cookies and chocolate fondant.
The sweetness level is moderate – making every bite extra delicious. Don’t miss the classic Viennese strudel filled with apples, pears, or cherries and cheese, with a crispy top crust.
Try: Blue vanilla ice cream – channel your inner invisible boy.
Pinoli, Tel Aviv
A beloved gelateria in Dizengoff Square offering classic flavors alongside bold ones, with homemade sauces like salted chocolate (it works!) or white chocolate. The menu also includes Dutch mini pancakes with whipped cream and toppings, plus coffee for those who don’t want to wait in line at the neighbors'.
Try: Pine nut ice cream – a special blend with roasted pine nuts, a playful burst of flavors on the tongue.
Freezer, Givatayim
Fresh chef-made gelato with a smooth texture and nothing too crazy – they stick to the classics. Options include salted pretzel, strawberry sorbet, mango sorbet, cookies & cream, bubble gum and hazelnut. You’ll also find Belgian waffles, French crepes and American pancakes.
Try: Mascarpone and caramelized figs – worth the trip on its own.
Dolce Mila, Savyon
A new chef-run gelateria from chef Jonathan Sharvit, located next to the parent restaurant, Mila. The gelateria in Savyon's G City mall has become a hub for locals, thanks to its coffee and cookies served alongside the gelato.
They offer truly unique flavor combinations, like carrot cake ice cream with carrot cake croutons or brown butter and sage ice cream. The flavors are seasonal and change regularly.
Try: Rice ice cream with pistachio and orange zest – a wow moment in every bite.
Nono Joseph, Rishon LeZion
An Italian-style boutique gelateria named after the owner’s grandfather, also serving photogenic desserts. The ice cream is creamy and rich and the flavors are intriguing: bubble gum, white chocolate with salted pretzel, panna cotta and berries, coffee and Hershey’s.
You can level up with sauces and toppings like chocolate and Nutella sauce, maple syrup, or candied peanuts. Don’t miss the affogato – dessert on dessert.
Try: Strawberry ice cream – in Grandpa’s honor.
Mousseline, Jerusalem
A small but esteemed Jerusalem gelateria in the heart of the market, offering both traditional and unconventional flavors, plus sorbets made with fresh fruit. Examples include matcha, Indian chai, wasabi, cinnamon-clove, coffee and tonka bean.
Try: Saffron ice cream with cardamom and rose water – a heavenly bite.
Gelato Variegato, Jerusalem
A gelateria that started as a patisserie. The gelato is creamy with a textured finish (variegato refers to added swirls and mix-ins) and not overly sweet.
Flavors include strawberries with balsamic and tahini, spiced pear, Dubai chocolate, peanut butter and jelly, apple-cinnamon-raisin, yogurt with honey and za’atar, carrot-ginger sorbet and almond cream with clementine.
Try: Beet and za’atar sorbet – pairs surprisingly well with sashimi.
Serenity, Eilat
A long-established boutique gelateria that opened ten years ago in a residential neighborhood far from the tourist buzz. Dozens of rotating handmade flavors are offered, including peanut butter with salty peanut bits and caramel, chocolate-caramel, mango sorbet, mascarpone with almond pie and berry cream and apple pie ice cream. You can also buy pints to take home.
Try: White chocolate and Amarena cherry – unlike anything you've had before.