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5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Aberdeen

5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Aberdeen

How We Picked

Menu

We rated the quality and selection of ice cream available in each shop so that customers would know what to look forward to.

Restaurant Staff

Each customer deserves a wonderful dining experience. So, we also checked out the responsiveness and demeanour of the staff.

Prices

We also looked at the prices in each ice cream shop to let you know which ones fit your budget.

Ambiance

Lastly, we scoped out the ambiance of each ice cream parlour to help you decide in which setting you’d like to enjoy your frozen treat.

1. Mackie’s 19.2

Mackie's 19.2 Homepage

Ice Cream Flavours: Traditional, Strawberry Swirl, Honeycomb, Chocolate, CHocolate Mint, Raspberry Ripple, Scottish Tablet, Salted Caramel, Toffee Fudge, Madagascan Vanilla, White Chocolate and Raspberry, Cream of Scottish, Organic

Website: https://www.mackies.co.uk/

Contact Details:  +44 1224 518252

Address: 7, Marischal Square, Broad St, Aberdeen AB10 1BL, United Kingdom

Operating Hours:

  • Mon-Wed: 12 PM–9 PM
  • Thurs-Sat: 12 PM–10 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM–9 PM
Google reviews score4.6/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.7/5
Menu5/5
→Quality5/5
→Selection5/5
Staff4/5
→Responsiveness4/5
→Demeanour4/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • Focused on sustainability
  • Pasteurises at a higher temperature 
  • Build-your-own options

Cons

  • Small space
  • Long wait times

Mackie’s 19.2 is a gem for anyone in search of a scrummy and eco-friendly ice cream experience. Since 1983, this family-run business has carved out a reputation for itself by prioritising sustainability and churning out top-notch ice cream.

Not only is the ice cream delicious, but it’s also made with a conscience. Their farm is one of the largest solar farms in Scotland, with 7000 solar panels spread over a 10-acre area. 

We found out that the secret to Mackie’s unique flavour is their higher temperature pasteurisation process. This creates a sweet, caramelised taste that sets their ice cream apart from the rest. 

We started with their strawberry delight, which was a real treat, with fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and white chocolate curls. And the waffles were super fresh and fluffy!

Their caramel cookie crunch was also proper tasty, served with honeycomb pieces, Biscoff sauce, and Lotus biscuits. 

Plus, you can build your own dish from different ice cream flavours and mix-ins, including sundaes, floats, crepes, waffles, and milkshakes. It’s a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth.

However, we couldn’t help but notice that the digs at Mackie’s 19.2 were a bit of a squash. 

The queue was also quite long, maybe because they offer so many personalised options to build your own dish. It was a bit frustrating, but we reckon the wait was worth it for the deliciously bespoke treats we ended up with.

2. Equi’s Ice Cream

Equi’s Ice Cream's Homepage

Ice Cream Flavours: Double Cream vanilla, Scottish Tablet, Sea Salt and Caramel, Raspberry Sorbet, Chip Off The Old Mint Choc, Strawberry Ripple, Raspberry Ripple, Belgian Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Honeycomb Crunch, Blue Bubble Gum

Website: https://www.equisicecream.com/2016/02/11/equis-ice-cream-aberdeen/

Contact Details:  +44 1224 467374

Address: 93 Rosehill Dr, Aberdeen AB24 4JS, United Kingdom

Operating Hours:

  • Wed-Thurs: 12 PM–9:30 PM
  • Fri-Sun: 12 PM–10 PM
Google reviews score4.4/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.63/5
Menu5/5
→Quality5/5
→Selection5/5
Staff3.5/5
→Responsiveness4/5
→Demeanour3/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)3.5/5
Ambiance5/5

Pros

  • Made with fresh Scottish milk
  • Received several awards and nominations
  • Clean place with a nice layout

Cons

  • Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
  • Comparatively pricier
  • Staff was a bit moody

Equi’s Ice Cream is another proper top-notch spot in Aberdeen to get your dessert fix. Using fresh Scottish milk to make their creamy concoctions, they managed to win loads of accolades under its belt. 

For instance, they’ve won several awards at the 2018 Great Taste Awards. Plus, they were nominated for the Co-op Scottish Supplier Awards for Local Supplier of the Year and Grocery Product of the Year.

We thought the place itself was quite tidy, with an orderly layout to boot. But the real star of the show is their ice cream – their Scottish Tablet is nothing short of divine, with the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. 

And if you’re looking for a bit of salty-sweet goodness, we tried their Sea Salt and Caramel ice cream – and it was an absolute winner.

Sadly, they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, which can be a bit of a bummer if you’re craving a scoop of their deliciousness. 

Also, while the ice cream is top-notch, it does come with a bit of a premium price tag. At £3.80 for two scoops, it’s a bit pricier than some other spots around town.

The only other downside we noticed was the staff, who were a bit on the moody side. But to be fair, we’d be pretty grumpy too if we had to deal with endless queues of hungry ice cream fiends all day long.

3.  Crolla’s Gelateria

Crolla’s Gelateria's Homepage

Ice Cream Flavours: Caramel Shortcake, Amarena Sundae, Banana Chocolate Nut, Sofia Ava’s Hot Chocolate Fudge, Classic Banana Split, Arabella’s Cookies and Cream,  Crolla’s Bonanza, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Classic Banana Split

Website: https://crollasgelateria.com/

Contact Details:  +44 1224 467260

Address: 60 Rosemount Pl, Aberdeen AB25 2XJ, United Kingdom

Operating Hours:

  • Mon-Fri: 3 PM–10 PM
  • Sat-Sun: 12 PM–10 PM
Google reviews score4.5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4/5
Score consistency4.7/5
Total Reviews4.73/5
Menu5/5
→Quality5/5
→Selection5/5
Staff4/5
→Responsiveness5/5
→Demeanour3/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)3/5
Ambiance5/5

Pros

  • Family-run shop 
  • Has over 80 delectable choices
  • Vegan and dairy-free choices

Cons

  • Staff was a bit rude
  • Comparatively smaller portion sizes

Crolla’s Gelateria in Aberdeen is a family-run, time-honoured ice cream shop that’s been serving traditional Italian gelato since 1895. With its doors open all week, it’s a reliable spot to satisfy your gelato cravings.

One of its highlights is that it has over 80 delectable choices. We definitely felt spoilt for choice! 

Whether you’re a fan of classic options or more adventurous creations, they’ve got you covered. And the best part is all their ice cream is made right on the premises, ensuring freshness and quality.

If you’re vegan or dairy-free, fear not because Crolla’s Gelateria has got you sorted. They offer 2-4 options for sorbets and creamy treats that cater to your dietary preferences. 

We tried their Vegan Vanilla, and it was an absolute delight, especially when paired with a drizzle of heavenly Biscoff sauce. Trust us, you won’t miss the dairy in this scrumptious treat!

Another flavour that truly stood out to us was their Cookie Dough ice cream. It was simply superb – a perfect marriage of creamy gelato and generous chunks of cookie dough. 

While their ice cream was fantastic, the same can’t be said for the staff’s rude attitude. Perhaps they were having a “bad ice cream day,” but a sprinkle of friendliness and customer service wouldn’t go amiss.

It’s also worth noting that their portion sizes were relatively smaller compared to other shops in town. So, if you’re looking for an ice cream feast, you might find yourself wanting a bit more.

4. Crema Aberdeen

Crema Aberdeen's Homepage

Ice Cream Flavours: Banana Caramel, Belgian Chocolate, Biscoff Crunch, Chip Off The Old Mint, Double Cream Vanilla, Flakey Caramel, Ferrero Rocher, Honeycomb Crunch, Isle Of Skye Sea Salt Caramel, Malteaser, Nutella, Oreo Cookies N’ Cream

Website: https://cremaaberdeen.com/

Contact Details:  +44 1224 478118

Address: 6 Scotstown Rd, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8HS, United Kingdom

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 9 AM–9 PM

Google reviews score4.5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.3/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.93/5
Menu5/5
→Quality5/5
→Selection5/5
Staff3/5
→Responsiveness3/5
→Demeanour3/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4/5
Ambiance5/5

Pros

  • Supports local suppliers
  • Produces jersey milk from their own dairy farm
  • Makes their own chocolate
  • Has exclusive online deals
  • Convenient parking

Cons

  • Long wait times
  • Snippy servers
  • A tad pricier

Crema Cafe & Ice Cream is a charming spot that takes immense pride in supporting local suppliers. They’re all about keeping it local by supporting the renowned ice cream makers, Simpsons of Buckie from North East Scotland. 

They also go the extra mile by sourcing their super creamy jersey milk from their very own dairy farm. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they make their own delectable chocolate using the finest single origin Ecuadorian cacao.

We also appreciate their exclusive online deals. They’ve made it easy for ice cream enthusiasts like us to treat ourselves to their delightful creations while snagging special discounts and offers.

In terms of convenience, parking is a breeze at Crema. We found ample space to park on the street, and there were even a couple of dedicated spots right in front.

We have to recommend their Crema Royale Special, which is a heavenly combination of Ferrero chocolate and vanilla ice cream, served with fudge brownie pieces. This royal indulgence made our taste buds dance with joy.

We must admit, the wait time for our orders was a bit of a snooze-fest, clocking in at around 30 minutes. 

The servers were also a bit snippy, which put a damper on the overall experience.We were hoping for a bit more cheer and banter, but alas, not every cone can be topped with a sunny disposition.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that their scoops fall on the pricier side. At £2.95 for just one scoop, it may leave your wallet feeling a tad lighter.

5. Tutto Gelato

Tutto Gelato's Homepage

Ice Cream Flavours: Fior Di Panna, Stracciatella Cripple, Variegato Amarena, Panna Cotta, Mint Chocolate, Vanilla, Cheesecake, Cocco, Crema Antica, Cookies, Salted Caramel, Blood Orange, Blueberry, Forest Fruits, Green Apple, Kiwi, Lemon

Website: https://www.tuttogelato.co.uk/

Contact Details:  +44 7360 062117

Address: 431 George St, Aberdeen AB25 1ER, United Kingdom

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 2 PM–11 PM

Google reviews score5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.7/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.9/5
Menu5/5
→Quality5/5
→Selection5/5
Staff4/5
→Responsiveness3/5
→Demeanour5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)5/5
Ambiance3/5

Pros

  • Serves authentic Italian gelato and sherbets
  • Can sample various flavours before ordering
  • Extensive vegan options
  • Can customise orders
  • Huge portions

Cons

  • A bit cramped
  • Servers lacked product knowledge

Tutto Gelato in Aberdeen is a hidden gem for ice cream enthusiasts, offering an array of authentic gelato and sherbets that will whisk you straight to Italy.

One of the highlights of our visit was the cheery server who happily encouraged us to sample various flavours before making our decision. It’s like being a kid in a sweet shop, but instead, you’re a grown-up in an Italian gelateria!

We also adored their extensive selection of 15 vegan gelato and sherbet options. It’s jolly refreshing to see a gelateria embrace the vegan community and provide such scrumptious alternatives.

If you’re feeling a tad more adventurous, you can customise your orders. Whether you fancy a piping hot crepe, waffle, pancake, or even cookie dough with your ice cream, they’ve got you covered.

We thought their panna antica ice cream was an absolute treat. Creamy, velvety, and oh-so-posh, it captured the essence of Italian indulgence.

Their blood orange sherbet was also a refreshing delight. With its tangy citrus flavour and smooth texture, it acted as the perfect palate cleanser for us.

When it comes to portion sizes, Tutto Gelato certainly doesn’t hold back. Their servings are ever so generous, ensuring you get your money’s worth.

However, we thought the place was rather teeny, making it less ideal for large groups or families. It’s more suited for cosy get-togethers or solo indulgence.

Additionally, while the staff is friendly, we felt they lacked a tad in-depth product knowledge. So, if you’re seeking detailed information or recommendations, it’s best to trust your own taste buds or consult with fellow gelato enthusiasts.

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