Vienna's best ice cream parlors

From fruity to creamy, from classic to unconventional – every ice cream fan will get their fill in Vienna.

With around 150 ice cream parlors, Vienna has the highest density of ice cream parlors in Europe. The spectrum ranges from traditional Italian-inspired establishments to fusions with Viennese coffee house culture, as well as new, modern shops that transform ice cream into a genuine lifestyle product. Each offers the highest quality and often use regional, organic or even vegan ingredients. Vienna is a true ice cream capital. And this is a long-standing tradition. The first ice cream makers from Northern Italy came to Vienna in the 19th century and some of their descendants still run large ice cream parlors today.

Display alternative text

Video about 6 tasty ice cream parlors in Vienna to cool off in the summer sun

Tichy

Let’s start with a Viennese institution. Tichy has been one of the leading names in ice cream since 1952. The charm of days gone by is still felt in the vast parlor on Reumannplatz. The ice cream flavors, on the other hand, have arrived in the modern age. Here is also where an icon was invented, making the Tichy ice cream parlor famous beyond Vienna’s borders: the ice cream dumpling. A genuine – and even patented – classic!

Veganista

Here, the name leaves no room for doubt. Everything is vegan at Veganista. After 20 years on a vegan diet, two sisters made it their goal to conjure up the best vegan ice cream in town. No sooner said than done, there are now several branches of Veganista throughout Vienna. 18 varieties of ice cream are made fresh every day. These include inventive flavors such as basil, oatmeal cinnamon and blueberry lavender. Even non-vegans will love it!

Eissalon am Schwedenplatz

Ice cream has been sold in the middle of the lively Schwedenplatz since 1886, and the establishment is still run by the fifth generation of the same family. This makes the traditional parlor the oldest in Vienna. Its production facilities are located within the city limits, in Seestadt Aspern. Once you’ve made your choice from the almost endless selection, we recommend taking the ice cream straight down to the charming Danube Canal.

Eissalon Schwedenplatz, Silvio Molin Pradel holds a sundae in front of the counter

Eis-Greissler

The Eis-Greissler is similarly creative and sustainable. Fresh organic milk from Eis-Greissler’s own cows is used every day to make their ice creams. The result is natural flavor explosions in an ice cream cone with varieties such as Alpine caramel, butter cookie, Zotter chocolate and goat’s cheese. The ice cream menu is constantly being updated with seasonal flavors and special sugar-free or vegan varieties.

Eissalon Tuchlauben

In the center of the city, just a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, we find a true, traditional Viennese company: the Eissalon Tuchlauben. The striking orange color makes the classically furnished parlor hard to miss. Rumor has it that there is a special type of nougat that isn’t sold out of the display case but from a drawer underneath the counter. You only have to ask!

Tuchlauben ice cream parlor, exterior view with guests

Schelato

Gelato – or casually as the Viennese say it: Schelato. When you're holding a black ice cream cone with pink lemonade, sour cherry oregano and pomegranate basil gelato in your hand, it’s pretty obvious that you’re in a modern Viennese ice cream parlor. These and, of course, the unmissable classics are made using high-quality and often locally sourced organic ingredients. They are accompanied by delicious seasonal creations such as vanilla crescent ice cream.

Ferrari Natural Gelato

Ferrari Natural Gelato is a little slice of Italy in the center of Vienna. Located between the State Opera and the House of Music, the master himself is constantly creating new ice cream concoctions using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Freshness is the number one priority here. Hence why the ice creams are not presented in the classic display case, but lie covered under round metal lids. A very popular choice at Ferrari Natural Gelato are the fruit sorbets which have a fruit content of up to 70% and are completely free of sugar, gluten and lactose.

Paolo Bortolotti

In summer, Paolo Bortolotti’s exceptionally creamy ice cream is as much a part of a stroll along Mariahilfer Strasse as espresso is a part of Italy. There is something for everyone in the huge selection of flavors – popular classics such as Fiocco and hazelnut, new creations like pomegranate-yogurt and bergamot, or Italian specialties such as Nocciolone. The large sundaes are perfect for a little break from shopping.

Paolo Bortolitti Eissalon Mariahilferstraße, Ice cream vendor preparing a large portion of ice cream

Leones

Gelato Artigianale – the traditional Italian art of making ice cream – is an integral part of Leone’s philosophy. The company’s close, personal relationship with its predominantly local suppliers guarantees that Leones always has the best ingredients for its exquisite creations. No artificial additives are used at all. This gives the coffee ice cream the taste of real espresso. Sometimes there are even several different varieties of delicious vanilla ice cream to choose from.

Gelato Carlo

Carlo Maghakian trained as a gelato maker in Bologna and has been bringing international flair to his ice cream creations ever since. Each variety is handmade on site using high-quality ingredients. The intense Sicilian pistachio ice cream in particular is a real crowd favorite.

Gelateria La Romana

Fans of creamy ice cream will be in their element at Gelateria La Romana. The company’s story begins in 1947, albeit in Rimini, Italy. All sorts of flavors are still created there today. The company’s ice cream parlors can now be found all over Europe. Each branch decides on its own range of flavors and produces its own ice cream on the premises according to the original recipes.

Zuckero

Family plays an important role here. Siblings Emöke and Zsolt Nagy make their ice cream with plenty of passion. “Zuckero” stands for ‘without sugar’ — the varieties of ice cream and cakes are lactose-free and gluten-free, use alternative sweeteners, and can also be completely vegan on request. These delectable ice creams are available at three locations across Vienna.

Zanoni & Zanoni

Benvenuto! The Zanoni family arrived in Vienna from northern Italy in 1971 to bring Italian flair to life in ice cream form. It is now impossible to imagine the city center without their Gelateria. Classic and unique flavors are available in a cone to-go or in a generously-sized sundae to enjoy there. The frozen yogurt with your own choice of toppings is a definite highlight!

Vidoni

Anyone looking for honest and modern ice cream will find it at Vidoni. The varieties come in all shapes and colors: deliciously chocolatey with chocolate nut brittle, refreshingly fruity with raspberry and violet, or even something a little funky. Have you ever tasted lychee and elderberry ice cream? There are also smoothies, lassis, and teas – all ice-cold and beloved.

Eisfuchs

Inconspicuous on the outside but genuine and sophisticated on the inside, the little Salon Eisfuchs surprises with a creative selection of flavors – all made in-house. In addition to some permanent classics, exciting flavor combinations – such as walnut and fig, orange and ginger, and nectarine with green tea – rotate in the display counter.