Best retro ice cream salons in Amsterdam

Monte Pelmo

Since 1957

This family-owned ice cream institution in the heart of De Jordaan exudes serious vintage vibes. The parlour started as a snack bar and spaghetteria in 1957, but quickly expanded to traditional Italian gelato. The original maker would spend the morning chopping rough ice to cool the ice cream carts peddled to markets across the city. He earned the nickname of The Singing Ice Cream Man from the Jordaan and even had his own gelati-themed pop single produced. Check out a range of interesting flavours, including lemon cheesecake, stroopwafel, blood orange and limoncello.

Monte Pelmo | 2e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 17, De Jordaan

IJssalon Garrone

Since 1949

IJssalon Garrone serves the tastiest ice cream in Haarlem (and possibly in the Netherlands). This family-run parlour has been making ice cream since 1949 using traditional Italian recipes and only the freshest ingredients. As well as all the usual flavours, give your taste buds a treat with more unexpected combinations including lychee, gooseberry and olive. The salon has won numerous awards in the ice-cream world – and the experts are very rarely wrong.

IJssalon Garrone | Grote Houtstraat 179, Haarlem

Pisa IJs

Since 1935

Amsterdammers have been making the pilgrimage to Pisa for traditional gelato since 1935, and this retro ice cream stand has been competing for the title "Best Ice Cream in Amsterdam" for about as long. With excellent quality and Italian service with a smile, the long lines are absolutely warranted, and the queue is well worth the wait.

Pisa IJs | Scheldeplein 22, Zuid

Miuz

Since 2022

Owner Carlo Petroni, originally hailing from Torino, wanted to bring real-deal gelato to Amsterdam when he opened Miuz on the Overtoom. Freshly made with carefully sourced ingredients, the gelato is slow-churned and stored the proper way in covered, circular containers. And, as in Italy, you order by size, not by the scoop (from €4 for a piccolo to €7 for a grande). We tried several flavours and loved the tiramisu (with coffee, eggs, mascarpone and Marsala-dipped Savoiardi), appeltaart (inspired by Dutch apple pie, with biscuity crust bits and crispy fresh apple pieces), as well as Carlo’s favourite, the classic nocciola, a creamy concoction of milk and IGP hazelnuts from Piemonte.

Miuz | Overtoom 117, Oud-West / Ferdinand Bolstraat 4, De Pijp

IJscuypje

Since 2007

If you’ve spent more than a few hours in the city, you’ve probably already spotted this ubiquitous ice cream chain - rightly famous for its unbeatable flavour selection and artisanal quality. IJscuypje started with a tiny shop near Albert Cuypmarkt and has quickly expanded with over 15 stores and stalls across the city. The brand makes its ice cream fresh on location using traditional Dutch recipes and delicious ingredients. If you’re watching the waistline, they have a good selection of sorbets and sugar-free options, too.

IJscuypje | citywide locations

Massimo Gelato

Since 2017

On a warm evening, or actually just any evening, the line outside Massimo Gelato is a surefire sign of its status as one of the most authentic Italian gelaterias in the city. Massimo learnt the trade from his uncle who used to make ice cream with dairy from his nonna’s shop on the Ligurian coastline. Flavours are seasonal and straight-to-the-point, with milk procured from a local organic farm and lemons for those zingy sorbets shipped straight from Sicily. You’ll find some inspiring tastes of the week (dark chocolate sorbetto with forest fruit jam, for example) along with vegan options.

Massimo Gelato | Jan Hanzenstraat 15, Oud West / Van Ostadestraat 147 H, De Pijp / Pretoriusstraat 89, Oost / Marathonweg 10, Zuid

La-La-IJs

Since 2018

Under the trendy glow of La-La-IJs’ neon sign, indulge in over 20 flavours of cooling goodness, including whole milk and vegan options or sorbets squeezed from the ripest fruits. Experimental concoctions are dreamed up by the former pastry chef of one of the city’s top fine-dining restaurants, so expect flavours like apple fennel, cardamom or buttermilk with turmeric and lavender. All the ice cream is made with organic produce in the most eco-conscious way possible, handcrafted on their solar-powered machine, named Michel.

La-La-IJs | Transvaalstraat 3, Oost / Tollensstraat 65F, Oud-West

Doardi

Since 2016

Westerpark is best experienced with a Doardi ice cream in hand. On summer days, you’ll see a throng of gelato brandishing enthusiasts pouring into the park via the old drawbridge. Enjoy endless combinations with a wide selection of flavours, dozens of extra toppings, and the option to upgrade to a chocolate cone or have a side of Belgian fries (naughty).

Doardi | Van Limburg Stirumstraat 15, Westerpark

IJskoude de Beste

A balmy evening stroll through Noorderpark wouldn’t be complete without a frosty purchase from this well-loved neighbourhood parlour. The Italian-style taste and quality are among the best in the city, and the delicious flavours are conjured daily from the freshest produce. You’ll be equally enticed by the classics as you will the more uncommon combinations whipped up from your favourite chocolate bars and... energy drinks? The coffee also comes highly-rated if you fancy a two-hand deconstructed affogato situation.

IJskoude de Beste | Meeuwenlaan 331, Noord

Van der Linde

Vying for the title of best ice cream in the country, Van der Linde serves – wait for it – just plain old natural-flavoured ice cream. And nothing else. But this ain’t no Mr Whippy; it’s a soft, velvety sugar cloud of frozen whipped cream. Choose from cones, cups or waffle ice-cream sandwiches, each in three sizes. A long line regularly snakes out the door of this narrow, generations-old shop in Amsterdam’s city centre, so be prepared to wait.

Van der Linde | Nieuwendijk 183, Centrum

IJs van Oost

With combinations like caramel sea salt, mint chocolate and honey yoghurt, you’ll happily wait in line for a creamy scoop made the traditional way at IJs van Oost. Parked halfway up the Javaplein in Oost, the ice cream parlour is perfectly poised at the start point for a walk in Oosterpark or Flevopark. 

IJs van Oost | Javastraat 79, Oost

IJshoeve Sloten

Voted twice as the tastiest ice cream shop in Amsterdam by Mokum Magazine, IJshoeve Sloten knows what it's all about at their cosy farm shop location. You can go for ice cream with the freshest ingredients and flavours (almost) all year round. By now, their yoghurt and pistachio ice cream is well known and they even attract regular customers from outside the city. When the weather is nice you can expect a queue, but it is well worth the wait!

IJshoeve Sloten | Sloterweg 1335, Nieuw-West