Summer in Munich means cold beers by the Isar, picnics in Englischer Garten and many a scoop of ice cream. Thanks to Germany’s love of this frozen snack (remember the queues during lockdown?), parlours and vendors are not hard to find, but here are some of the best in the city.
True & 12 Handmade Ice Cream
Using natural ingredients and milk from local grass-fed cows, this Haidhausen establishment makes all their ice cream (and cinnamon wafers) from scratch. With a focus on fair prices for farmers and sustainable production, True & 12 also aims to raise awareness of issues facing our food system. The result is perfection.
Try: Raspberry sorbet with chocolate or Piedmont hazelnut
Der verrückte Eismacher
Der verrückte Eismacher means “the crazy ice cream maker” and this top-hat wearing producer is certainly experimental. Expect schnitzel ice cream, wheat beer ice cream or even South Tirolean bacon. There are also less-wacky flavours, but you’d be missing out on the full experience.
Try: Depends how brave you’re feeling!
Patagon Helados
Transport yourself to the streets of Buenos Aires with this excellent Argentinian ice cream. Patagon Helados, located close to Nymphenburg Palace, offers high quality scoops based on local recipes as well as jars of delicious dulce de leche and mate tea. Keep an eye out for their environmentally-friendly porcelain bowls.
Try: White chocolate with raspberry jam
Bartu Bio-Eis
Munich’s first organic ice cream brand, BARTU is available in a number of locations in town. Their original shop in Schwabing also offers organic pizza and attracts a fairly constant crowd. The flavours here are more familiar and consistently good.
Try: Pistachio
Ballabeni
Run by the Ballabeni family, with dad Giorgio at the helm, this brand has two locations in Munich: one opposite the Brandhorst Museum and one close to the central station. Combining innovation with tradition, Ballabeni offers creative flavours alongside the classics. If you want to learn more, you could try one of their ice cream making courses.
Try: Malaga with cayenne pepper or damson sorbet in summer.
Ice Guys (currently closed)
With black cones, black ice cream and other unusual colours, Ice Guys is an Instagrammer magnet. But beyond the photos, people will discover excellent soft scoop ice cream made from natural ingredients. The black is created using ash from coconut shells. Owner Nicole came up with the idea during a trip to Hong Kong, where she discovered lilac ice cream made with the Filipino root ube (a hipster favourite).
Try: Ube
Sarcletti
For a serving of history, head to Sarcletti in Rotkreuzplatz. This family-run business, now in its fourth generation, was the first to sell ice cream in the city. From a van to a wooden kiosk to their shop opened in the 1970s, they’ve come a long way – although the café still maintains some old-school charm. Sit in and order a sundae for the full experience.
Try: Tough call – they have around 60 flavours to choose from
iceDate
And finally, for anyone on the lookout for a dairy-free treat, iceDate offers organic vegan ice cream at their shop in Maxvorstadt, as well as in tubs available in organic supermarkets across the country. Key ingredients include cashew cream, fresh fruit and dates (hence the name), with no refined sugar or artificial flavours in sight.
Try: Pumpkin seed
