White chocolate, wild berries, lemon basil or pistachio? In Munich there are as many ice cream shops as there are different tastes. We have tried our hand and found the right places for the daring, vegans and those who simply want a classic scoop of strawberry.
Only a short walk away from the Kunstareal München (art district) is the inconspicuous looking Eiscafé Italia. When you enter this ice cream parlour, the somewhat dusty furniture and the Italian motifs on the walls make you feel nostalgically transported to the land of pasta, gelato and amore. Homemade and unbelieveably creamy ice cream is offered here, the Italian owners stick to classic varieties such as Bacia, Amarena and Pistachio. If you're hungry, you can eat a delicious pasta and have a glass of wine with it – that's what Italy feels like, right in the middle of Munich.
Eiscafé Italia, Augustenstrasse 85
Also tasty: Sarcletti Eiscafé, Nymphenburger Strasse 155; Bayerische Eismanufaktur, Oettingenstrasse 42a
Not far from the Deutsches Museum you find the tiny ice cream shop True & 12, which – as the name suggests – only offers twelve varieties at a time, all of them so delicious and unusual that it is still hard to choose. The ice-cream manufacturer uses only fresh organic milk, produced regionally and fairly. In addition, it does not use prefabricated base mixes in the composition of the ingredients. Transparency, authenticity and the love of Munich are most important to the owners. This is also how the flavour “Haidhausen“, named after the district where True & 12 is located, was created. And how does this piece of home taste? Like lavender with a strudel of blackberries.
True & 12 Handmade Icecream, Rosenheimer Strasse 14
Also tasty: Gelato Naturale, Adlzreiterstrasse 1; BARTU Bio-Eismanufaktur, Wilhelmstrasse 23
If there is one ice cream parlour everyone in Munich knows about, it is Ballabeni which is directly opposite the Museum Brandhorst. It is not only known for its delicious flavours such as dark chocolate or refreshing lemon basil, but above all for the small tasting portion: people always get asked which flavour they would like to nibble on in addition to their order – a perfect solution for those who can't make up their mind. And the Ballabeni is also known for something else: the long queue at the door. If you don't want to stand in line, you can get the same ice cream at Jessas in the Glockenbachviertel district, at Punto G. Gelato in the Westend or at the Ballabeni factory in Seidlstraße 28.
Ballabeni Stammhaus, Theresienstrasse 46
Also tasty: del fiore, Gärtnerplatz 1 (several parlours)
With many ice cream shops vegans have to fall back on the offered sorbets, since only these are made without using dairy. Ice Date does it all differently and, in addition to its sorbets such as fresh mango, only offers flavors that are made with nuts instead of milk. How about coffee, nougat or wild berries? By the way, everything is sweetened not with sugar but with dates, but don't worry: the ice cream does not taste as healthy as it actually is. And don't forget that all flavours are gluten-free.
Ice Date, Amalienstrasse 91
Also tasty: Eiscafé Eismeer, Pestalozzistrasse 21
The name (“The crazy ice-maker“) reveals that the cylinder-wearing ice-maker's own creations are exceptional flavours. It is not unusual for curious people to queue up to try the well-known Weißwurst (white sausage) ice cream, but there are also many other varieties for which you don't have to be so daring. How do doughnuts, green apple lychee and chai latte ginger sound? You should be open and willing to try them, since most people like them, after all, the ever-changing flavours have already won several awards. There are now three branches: the oldest in Maxvorstadt district has been joined by one directly at Viktualienmarkt and one in the Glockenbachviertel.
Der verrückte Eismacher, Fraunhoferstrasse 42
The certified organic ice cream parlour is located in the heart of Giesing district, which is why local residents swear by the delicious creations and the queue is not too long like at well-known ice cream parlours in the city centre. Everyone who wants to be surprised and try a basmati or even spirulina ice cream gets their money's worth here, but there are also delicious sorbets that refresh and very classic flavours. If you want to discover the exciting and very hip Giesing off the beaten track, you should definitely stop by on a hot summer day.
ARTEfredda, Tegernseer Landstrasse 38
Also tasty: Cesario Eiscream Il Gelato Italiano , Oefelestrasse 2
