The best ice cream in Vienna
Traditional Viennese ice cream parlours meet new and trendy gelato shops
It seems that everyone loves ice cream. When the weather gets warmer, people all over Europe are eager to dig into some delicious gelato, soft serve or sorbet during the ice cream season.
In Vienna, there are a few ice cream parlours that are really famous and have a long tradition of excellence, such as the ice cream parlour at Schwedenplatz or TICHY. Viennese people love the fresh ice cream found here, and often have their favourite flavours that they go back to again and again. There are few Viennese who haven’t visited Vienna’s most famous traditional ice cream parlours at least once.
In the last decade several new ice cream parlours have opened and changed the image of ice cream in Vienna from old fashioned to new and trendy. Have a look at this small selection of traditional ice cream parlours and newer gelato shops in Vienna.
The unexpected value of ice cream parlours in Vienna
People often associate Vienna with pastries, as everybody knows the Viennese tradition of drinking coffee while eating delicious cakes and sweets. Through ice cream is often associated with Italy, Austrians also love the creamy confection. Many ice cream parlours in Vienna have Italian origins, as in the 19th century many Italians migrated to Austria in order to open their gelato shops.
As the quality of sweets in Austria has always been really high, producers knew that the ice cream also had to be of the highest quality from the beginning. The ice cream parlour at the Schwedenplatz has been going strong since 1886 because of its commitment to quality, and as a result it is still one of the places to eat the sweet treat in Vienna.
Since the 1880s, the number of ice cream shops has increased enormously across Vienna. According to the Austrian newspaper Die Presse, Austria sells more ice cream per capita than anywhere else in Europe, with one ice cream parlour per 15,000 inhabitants. In addition, Austria sells only high-grade ice cream, and the growing trend to eat local produced food has increased the Viennese’s love for ice cream, as many newcomers advertise their commitment to these values.
The growing trend to eat healthier has led to vegan ice cream
Over the past few years, countless ice cream parlours have opened up in Vienna. Why? The growing trend to eat organic, regionally produced food is increasing rapidly. In addition to this trend, the number of vegans rises every year. About 80,000 Austrians are vegans, which has of course enhanced the demand for vegan ice cream across the country. Furthermore, approximately 10-15% Austrians have a lactose intolerance, and they prefer botanical alternatives to cow’s milk. From 2013 to 2015 the revenue of milk alternatives increased from 20 to 30 million Euro per year. Considering the fact that many vegetarians (approx. 765, 000 across Austria) often choose the vegan alternative, it is quite logical that so many alternative ice cream producers are very successful with their burgeoning business.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t still love our well-known, more traditional ice cream parlours in Vienna’s city centre. Here is just a small selection of the top traditional ice cream shops across Vienna:
Traditional ice cream parlours in Vienna
- The ice cream parlour at the Schwedenplatz
One of the oldest and most famous ice cream shops in Vienna can be found at the Schwedenplatz. Founded by the Italian Molin Pradel Arcangelo, this ice cream dynasty started in 1886. Back in those days, ice cream was served from a mobile cart. Molin Pradel Arcangelo’s son was the one who purchased the building at Schwedenplatz which exists today and has established itself as the best in the city. They offer a wide range of different flavours – traditional ones as chocolate, strawberry and hazelnut are highly acclaimed, as are special flavours such as maroni, amadeus or pear-lavender.
Although this is a traditional ice cream parlour with a typical Italian design and flair, it has jumped on the bandwagon and sells vegan ice cream as well!
Where: Franz-Josefs-Kai 17, 1010 Wien
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 – 23:15
Infos: http://www.gelato.at/
2. TICHY
This legendary ice cream parlour has existed since 1955 at the Reumannplatz, located in the 10th district of Vienna. While all of their flavours are delicious, this shop is especially famous for its very own creation: Tichy’s Eismarillenknödel (dumplings with apricot ice cream in their centre). You should really try them during your stay in Vienna. These delicate Eismarillenknödel are even patented!
Where: Reumannplatz 13, 1100 Wien
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 – 23:00
Infos: http://www.gastroweb.at/tichy-eis/
3. ZANONI & ZANONI
Stores and Opening hours:
Am Lugeck 7, 1100 Wien; daily 7:00-24:00, breakfast 7:00-14:00
Am Graben 19, 1010; March- October daily 11:00 – 23:00
Burgring 1, 1010; March- October, daily 10:00 – 22:00
Infos: http://www.zanoni.co.at/
Modern Ice Saloons in Vienna
- Veganista
Veganista was founded by sisters Susanna and Cecilia, who have been vegan for over 20 years. They claim that most of their customers aren’t even vegan, but prefer their philosophy and are fond of their delicious ice cream. This shop is not only famous for its really extraordinary and creative flavours (Matcha, Basil, Maple Pecan, Black Forest and more), but also because the products are all made without artificial colourings, flavourings or flavour enhancers. The ingredients are all vegan, natural and regionally produced. In addition, their sundae dishes and spoons are biodegradable. In short: this is a really innovative and exemplary business for the future.
Veganista has an extremely modern and appealing corporate design. This demonstrates that ice cream parlours can have their own special identity instead of the traditional Italian look and feel. We like it!
Stores and Opening hours:
Neustiftgasse 23, 1070; Daily 11:00-23:00
Margaretenstrasse 51, 1050; Daily 12:00-23:00
Alserbachstrasse 5, 1090; Daily 11:00-23:00
Taborstrasse 15, 1020; Daily 11:00-23:00
Ungargasse 55, 1030; Monday – Thursday 12:00-22:00, Friday – Sunday 12:00-23:00
Amerlingstraße 19, 1060; Monday – Thursday and Sunday 12:00-22:00, Friday and Saturday 12:00-23:00
Infos: https://www.veganista.at/
2. Eis Greissler
This ice cream shop advertises the use of their own organic milk from their herd of 50 cows that are stationed at a farm in lower Austria. Like Veganista, Eis Greissler foregoes artificial colorings, flavourings and flavour enhancers, and manufactures their products without chemicals. They even use berries from their own farm!
Since 2011, this ice cream parlour near the Stephansdom converts clients with their quality and excellent gourmet-flavours, such as Mandel-Chai (almond-chai), Hanf (hemp) and Ziegenkäse (goat cheese).
Stores and Opening hours:
Rotenturmstraße 14, 1010; Daily from 11:00-23:00
Mariahilfer Straße 33, 1060; Daily from 11:00-22:00
Infos: https://www.eis-greissler.at/
3. KURT Frozen Yoghurt
Where: Schultergasse 2, 1010
Opening hours: Daily from 12:30-20:30
Infos: http://yummykurt.com/