If there’s one city that loves its ice cream as much as its IPL team, it’s Chennai. For most of us, no IPL or international cricket game is complete without a visit to the ice cream kiosk around the stadium. My first memories of cricket games at Chepauk aka MA Chidambaram Stadium (or just MAC) always revolve around polishing off some choco bars. That has not changed till today. Most Chennaiites will tell you that the city is the ice cream capital of India. There is ample evidence to prove this audacious claim.
The city’s ice cream scene was dominated by local players for much of the 20th century. Brands like Dasprakash, Joy and Buhari continued to dominate, while new players like Arun also entered the fray. While most of these were grab-and-go options, the city saw the rise of ice cream parlors from brands like Chit Chat and Snowfield that still serve old-school sundaes like they did in the 1980s. The delicious wave of gelaterias and premiumization of ice cream happened in the 2010s and then came the pandemic and the rise of home (literally) cloud kitchens that turned into delicious ice cream and gelato destinations. We take you on a fun journey to some of the must-try ice cream stops in the city:
1. Siclo Cafe
We had a glimpse a few months ago, when Siclo’s Kotturpuram outlet showcased Scoops by Siclo, helmed by Sanjana Ramesh, who produces one of the tastiest ice creams in the city. Sanjana has leveraged her experience in Italy to create a huge flavor bank – there are 12 flavors on show every day. Meet Milo and make sure to check out the pistachio flavor.
Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram
Also read: 10 Delicious Local Chennai Breakfast Dishes You Can’t Miss
2. Les Amis
Photo Credit: Les Amis
A product of the pandemic and an Instagram-first customer base, Les Amis was started as a small outlet in the Anna Nagar residential neighborhood by Praveen Rajagopal and Abhinav Dega, who are fond of gelatos, close to Chennai’s premier restaurant, a huge Before turning into a dining venue. Boat Club Neighbourhood. It’s one of the city’s premier gelato spots, with a flavor bank of over 400 gelatos and an abundance of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Chamiers Road
3. Nakku Popsicles
Photo Credit: Nakku Popsicles
The cleverly named (nakku is the Tamil word for chaat) ice cream cart in Anna Nagar has fast become a popular evening destination for its unique offering of popsicles (they are open only from 6:30 pm onwards). The popsicles (Belgian chocolate is a popular choice) are stored in sub-zero temperatures and set on fire on site before serving to create the perfect temperature to enjoy their popsicles.
10th Main Road, Anna Nagar
4. Amadora Gourmet
Photo Credit: Amadora Gourmet
One of Chennai’s first delicious ice cream brands to expand outside the city, Amadora has been one of the city’s favorite dessert destinations due to its emphasis on fine ingredients by eschewing artificial flavours. Their Mamie’s Filter Coffee Ice Cream is a tribute to the city’s eternal romance with filter coffee, while signature sundaes like the Hail Mary really hit the spot.
Wallace Gardens 3rd Street
5. Ibaco
First, it was Arun Ice Cream (their Cassata is still a local legend), Hatsun Foods, one of India’s most successful dairy and ice cream companies, has its roots in Chennai and launched the Ibaco chain of ice creams across the city. The brand has spread throughout the country and serves high-quality ice cream at affordable prices in cozy neighborhood-style ice cream parlors. Their fruit-based ice creams (like jackfruit) are bestsellers; We’re also big fans of their Belgian chocolate.
multiple outlets
6. Shraddha Lulla Gourmet
Photo Courtesy: Shraddha Lulla Gourmet
We first sampled Shraddha Lulla’s delicious ice cream at an event at ITC Grand Chola. Shraddha Lulla, which started as a delivery brand amid the pandemic, recently opened its first outlet in Phoenix Market City Mall. Regulars keep going back for their ice cream cakes and sugar-free ice cream.
Phoenix Market City, Velachery
7. After Gelato
Photo Credit: Afters Gelato
Nestled in a quiet residential quarter of Thiruvanmiyur, Afters is one of the many neighborhood gelaterias and ice cream spots in the city that have emerged in this decade. Many of their gelatos are inspired by Chennai nostalgia, including an homage to Chennai’s most famous rose milk, which is prepared by the dozens at Mylapore’s Kalathi store.
East Kamaraj Street, Thiruvanmiyur
8. Horse 24
Photo Credit: Aswah24
With sweeping views of the Neelankarai beach, this atmospheric dining venue has also recently launched a new range of gluten-free and egg-free ice creams in collaboration with Chef Ritwik Anantharaman. The range includes refreshing sorbets (try the frosé with strawberry and champagne) and rich ice creams such as the Tipsy Orange with 54% dark chocolate, whiskey and orange.
Beach Road, Neelankarai
9. Snowfield
This OG ice cream parlor is reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, when weekends were spent visiting ice cream parlors with extended family and shy first dates. The menu hasn’t changed much (and that’s a good thing), with a full range of old-school sundaes and classic flavors.
cathedral roa
