Just like winter and hot chocolate, summer and ice cream go hand in hand. And when the sun shines brighter and hotter than ever in a chaotic metropolitan like Mumbai, the sugary delight becomes a staple for many. Often serving as a cooling respite, ice creams have undergone a renaissance.
Whether you have a penchant for old-school French vanilla or prefer an opulent sundae with exotic berries, there are a myriad of spots which offer some of the greatest ice cream in Mumbai.
1. Naturals Ice Cream
When it comes to chunky ice cream with real fruit pieces, Naturals Ice Cream is where it’s at. Introduced by Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath in 1984, the ice cream was inspired by his visits to the family farms with his father, where Kamath learned the art of recognising high-quality and ripe fruits.
From classics like tender coconut and sitaphal (custard apple) to seasonal delights like strawberry and mango, Naturals Ice Cream has reigned supreme when it comes to satisfying Mumbai’s ice cream cravings.
💵: INR 300 for two people
⏰: 11am– 11pm
📍: Multiple outlets across Mumbai
2. Apsara Ice Creams
Founded in 1971 by Nemchand and Kiran Shah in South Mumbai’s Walkeshwar neighbourhood, Apsara Ice Creams is a household name in the city. These ice creams are made with buffalo milk which is boiled until it’s halved in volume for that rich and silky texture. Over the years, this ice cream parlour’s fame spilled over and has spread to other parts of Mumbai, gathering a growing fan following.
💵: INR 400 (approx.) for two people
⏰ : 12pm– 12am
📍: Multiple outlets across Mumbai
3. K Rustom & Co., Churchgate
Are you an ardent enthusiast of Iranian food? K Rustom & Co., tucked away in the bylanes of Churchgate, is calling you. A fan favourite of Bollywood celebrities like Boman Irani, the ice cream shop has been serving customers since 1953. Best known for its old-school ice cream sandwiches in multiple cream flavours, K Rustom & Co. knows not to mess with a winning recipe that is indulgent and nostalgic.
💵: INR 150 (approx.) for two people
⏰: 9:30am– 11pm
📍: 86, Brabourne Stadium, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate
4. Coppetto Artisan Gelato
Who said you can’t find a slice Italy’s dolce vita in aamchi Mumbai? Coppetto Artisan Gelato, nestled in Bandra will transport you to the Trevi Fountain with its authentic gelatos. Airy and light, they’re whipped up in an array of distinctly European flavours such as raspberry, lemon, pistachio, guava, and more.
💵: INR 500 (approx.) for two people
⏰: 12pm– 12am
📍: Branches in Bandra, Girgaon, and Juhu
5. Bachelorr’s, Chowpatty Seaface
An intricate part of Gen-Z and millennial Mumbaikars’ childhood memories, Bachelorr’s is a go-to for many for its iconic strawberry cream. Started in 1930 by Ghaziabad-native Omprakash Agarwal, this famed shop has earned a name for its range of lip-smacking milkshakes too.
💵: INR 400 (approx.) for two people
⏰: 1pm– 1am
📍: 45, Sattar Sea View Hotel, Chowpatty Seaface
6. Gokul Ice Cream, Santacruz (W)
Ever since its inception in 1970 by Shri Gundraya S Kamath, Gokul has been a pioneer of desserts. Ice creams rule the roost here alongside fresh shrikhand, churned from strained yoghurt. What gives frozen delicacies here an edge are refreshing fruit flavours – you’ll find yourself devouring scoops of chikoo, strawberry, kala jamun, and lichee. Other crowd-pullers here are their kesar-pista and choco-bite ice creams
💵: INR 200 (approx.)
⏰: 12pm– 12am
📍: Ajay Apartments, 71 C, Saraswati Road, Santacruz (West)