Let’s make things clear: Berliners go wild for ice cream. We’re almost certain that you’ve stood in a queue for a scoop before, and you’re probably going to do it again. Here at BFS, we’d argue that Berlin has more top-tier ice cream shops per capita than anywhere else in Europe. Why? Because we’re obsessed with ice cream. Honestly, we go feral for the stuff. Walk past any parlour on a sunny afternoon and you’ll find queues snaking down the street like it’s the grand opening of Berghain. And yes, we know, everyone loves ice cream. This is not news. But in Berlin… we love it with a passion that borders on the fanatical.
As a result of our frozen-sweet treat craze, our ice cream stores don’t mess around with quality. From impeccable artisanal scoops to silky gelato, and from funky soft serve to delicate Asian shaved ice, this city is an ice-cream lover’s dream.
But fair warning: this is one of the toughest lists to write. Much like the Döner debate, ice cream loyalty in Berlin is deeply personal (and often convenient). Everyone’s got their neighbourhood spot, and let’s be honest: most of us won’t even cross a Kiez for ice cream. If and when we do, it’s because we know that scoop is going to be orgasmic. Ice cream is a hyper-local pleasure.
So yes, this list is going to ruffle some feathers. We’ve gone back and forth on it, and we’ve decided to keep it tight. Only the top-tier spots made the cut. Will more spots join the list later? Probably. The scene is buzzing right now, especially with the rise of Asian flavours and inventive new players shaking things up. But the core of the Berlin ice cream world is still held by a few dominant names. Think Hokey Pokey, Jones, and Duo. These are the cornerstones of the Berlin ice cream landscape, which have successfully spread their frozen gospel across the city.
So if your go-to isn’t on this list, don’t panic and don’t sulk. Feeling like your favourite scoop deserves a spot on the list? Let us know! Hit us up on Instagram or TikTok and tell us what we’re missing. We’re always eager to try some scoops for research purposes.
Until then, stay cool.
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Jones Ice Cream
What started as Gabrielle Jones’ neighborhood ice cream shop in Schöneberg (plus her by now legendary French ice cream truck, which you could see touring the street food festivals), has grown into one of Berlin’s essential sweet stops. Jones serves some of the creamiest, most decadent ice cream in the city, but what truly sets them apart are their hand-rolled, in-house cones made fresh right in front of you (yes, they’re worth the extra euro). Despite scaling to multiple locations, the quality remains top-notch, if not even better. This is serious ice cream for people who know the difference.
Get the Blueberry Besier pay the extra euro for the homemade cone, it's worth it
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Duo Sicilian Ice Cream
Duo is the Berlin ice cream project that’s always danced to its own funky gelato beat. What began in Kreuzberg is now a city-spanning mini-empire, with their Skalitzer Straße shop regularly drawing some of Berlin’s longest ice cream lines. Known for bold, inventive flavors that somehow always work, Duo is a fearless gelato trailblazer that keeps things exciting. It’s not just good, it’s really one of the best ice cream experiences Berlin has to offer.
The Pistachio Cream is insane - but make to try one of the innovative flavors as well!
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Tenzan Lab
Tenzan Lab is Berlin’s one-of-a-kind shrine to kakigori, the delicate Japanese shaved ice that’s considered an art form in Japan. Th kakigori isn’t just a novelty, it’s so perfectly executed it could stand proud on the streets of Tokyo. Every element, from the filtered water for the ice to the hand-crafted syrups, is obsessively fine-tuned. Sadly, Tenzan Lab is set to close in September 2025, making this summer your last chance to experience one of the most special desserts in the city.
While the textures of shaved ice might not be for everyone, life's short - give it a shot!
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Canal Berlin
At Canal, pastry queen Gabriela Canal isn’t just baking stellar eclairs and perfectly laminated croissants, she’s also quietly scooping some of the best ice cream in Berlin. The coconut flavor alone is a knockout: intensely creamy, deeply coconutty, utterly unforgettable. This is a must-visit for anyone chasing top-tier sweets, whether flaky, frozen, or both. Trust us, you want to make your way to Canal.
Get some eclairs, croissants AND ice cream while you're here.
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Zàgara
Zagara brings pure Sicilian gelato soul to Köpenicker Straße, where less is deliciously more. This is the place to go classic, think fior di latte milk gelato, or maybe pistachio, and their knockout almond granita, a true Sicilian staple. Pro tip: get your gelato stuffed into a soft brioche bun, just like they do in Sicily. Grab an espresso, snag an outdoor seat, and for a moment, Berlin feels like Palermo.
Ask for the Almonf granita - best thing you can eat on a hot summer day
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Early Bird
Tucked away on Winsstraße, Early Bird might just be Berlin’s best-kept gelato secret, though the word’s definitely been getting out. This tiny Prenzlauer Berg shop scoops gloriously gooey, fold-it-over-your-cone gelato straight from proper metal tins, Italian style. From pitch-perfect pistachio to daring olive oil and licorice, every flavor here hits. Best gelato in Berlin? It’s definitely in the conversation.
Flavors you must try: Olive Oil, Liquorice and Pistacchio
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Cuore di Vetro
Cuore di Vetro ("heart of glass") has been a steady star in Berlin’s gelato galaxy since 2013, and it’s not going anywhere. This Mitte gem serves true Italian gelato: silky, foldable, and scooped at the perfect low temperature. Classic flavors like stracciatella and fior di latte shine, but their nutty, chocolatty caramel-laced creations are just as irresistible. The all-day lines say it all, this place is the real deal
Get the Fior di latte for the baseline assesment
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Hokey Pokey
Hokey Pokey is the rockstar of Berlin’s comtemporarty ice cream scene, famous for unapologetically rich, over-the-top flavors loaded with swirls, chunks, and all kinds of crunchy surprises. Their cult-status namesake flavor, a honeycomb caramel bomb, is the stuff of local legend. Expect long lines but also maximalist joy in every scoop. This is pure, no-holds-barred ice cream indulgence featuring lots of fat and flavour.
Visit the Stargarder Strasse for shorter lines
