ICE, ICE (CREAM), BABY

From Rothschild Boulevard to Rabin Square, from the shore to the shuk, there’s one thing you can find anywhere in Tel Aviv: sweet, creamy gelato. In the past few years, chains and tiny shops selling the delectable Italian dessert have emerged all over the city, like chocolate chips in a vanilla cone. With so many flavors at each ice cream parlor – with many now selling sorbet and frozen yogurt, as well – it’s hard to know where to start. Here’s a tour of five gelato joints that can’t be missed with a taste of their yummiest flavors.

Anita (La Mamma del Gelato)

Situated on sleepy Shabazi Street in Neve Tzedek, Anita provides a well-needed respite from the bustle of the neighboring Shuk Carmelit. You might be drawn in by the shop’s heart-shaped logo and nickname “La Mamma,” its spacious, air-conditioned seating areas, or the simple fact that there are three Anitas within fifty feet of each other with one exclusively offering frozen yogurt. You’ll love their delicious dessert-themed varieties – Anita’s chefs are inspired by sweet treats from around the world.

23 Shabazi St, 40 Shabazi St and 42 Shabazi St and 3 Florentine St, Tel Aviv

Kinder Bueno:

Kinder – a celebrated Italian brand first sold in the U.K. is the ultimate pan-European chocolate. Anita’s ice-cream variety adds a twist that could only be Tel Avivian; with blends of waffles, nuts, and vanilla ice cream under a thick coating of white, dark and milk chocolate Kinder bars. The result is something like a heavenly chocolate and ice cream sandwich. Bueno indeed!

Mille Feuille:

Because no pastry-themed shop would be complete without a nod to France, Anita has created a flavor that pays homage to the popular cake – the Napoleon. Traditionally, this French dessert is made up of three layers of puff pastry alternating with two layers of cream, topped with icing and chocolate. And it’s perfectly suited to the thick, creamy texture of Anita’s gelato, with soft, flaky chunks of cake providing a pleasant, unexpected crunch.

Ricotta with Strawberries & Mascarpone:

Anita’s best flavor comes from gelato’s home country. You may not have thought it possible for soft, white Italian cheese to get any sweeter or creamier, but ricotta reaches new heights in gelato form. Two cheeses are indeed better than one – ricotta blends with mascarpone to provide a cream-lover’s dream. Sugary strawberries and thick white chocolate top off this superb flavor. Other delectable options? Don’t miss out on the Cookieman, Nougat Wafers, Ferrero Rocher Cream, Vanilla Madagascar, Black Forest, Chestnuts and Hazelnut Cream, Banana and Date, Limoncello, Pistachio, Chocolate with Almonds and Caramel, and a must-try Dairy-Free Halva.

Gala Gelateria

It’s easy to miss this tiny storefront on busy King George Street as it's no wider than a tiny kitchen counter, but you’ll discover dozens of original flavors that change daily.

On this summer day, Gala Gelateria boasts distinctly Israeli blends made from classic Middle Eastern ingredients. And their new vegan options provide a contemporary twist

30 King George St, Tel Aviv

Chocolate Tahini:

This traditional sesame-seed based treat is really like a gelato version of halva. While the classic version of halva crumbles in your mouth, this ice cream delightfully melts in your mouth and warms your heart.

Cherry Mascarpone:

When cherries are in season in Israel – everybody knows about it. Arriving in bright red, deep almost-purple and sunset-colored varieties – they're the quintessential summer treat. At Gala Gelateria they’re mixed with creamy mascarpone in gelato and drizzled with a fine coat of white chocolate.

Vegan Chocolate:

Those with milk-free diets no longer have to miss out on Tel Aviv’s creamy delights. Gala has a new soy-based chocolate blend that provides all of the thick, sweet wonder of real gelato. The soft texture will remind you of the icing on your childhood birthday cakes.

FYI, half of Gala Gelateria is vegan – serving vegan froyo and even tasty vegan hot chocolate.

Iceberg

If you really have a sweet tooth, go for Iceberg’s unique Italian gelato flavors – decidedly gourmet spins on already favorite treats.

31 Rothchild Blvd, 24 Ibn Gvirol St, and 4 Ha'Arbaa St, Tel Aviv

Bacio:

Nutella, the chocolate-hazelnut glory of your childhood, just grew up. Iceberg’s unique take on this simple delight is thicker, nuttier and more flavorful than the store-bought variety. Freshly crushed hazelnuts provide just a hint of crunch. The word “Bacio” means “kiss” – and this gelato flavor is every bit as sweet as a smooch.

Leggenda

Leggenda’s Rothschild joint has stiff competition in the dessert market with famous chocolate haven Max Brenner located just down the street. Max might need to watch out though, as Leggenda’s flavors feature chocolate on chocolate upon chocolate. Chips and chunks of this delicious treat find their way into all kinds of gelato varieties.

45 Rothschild Blvd and 94 Dizengoff St, Tel Aviv

Bueno Blanco:

Though “blanco” is the Italian word for “white,” this flavor is anything but plain vanilla. In fact, with melted chocolate bars, cut-up chocolate wafers, chocolate cookie crumb and drizzled chocolate sauces, this gelato is delicously dominated by rich, dark browns.

Dulce de Leche:

The Dominican variety of this traditional Latin American sweet is made with equal parts milk, sugar and cinnamon, creating a fudge-like texture and taste. Leggenda’s version is blended with (what else?) actual fudge and caramel, creating gelato so deliciously thick that you’ll have trouble extracting your spoon…

Crème Brulee:

This is one Leggenda flavor without chocolate, but its layer of hard, sweet caramel provides a different sort of crunchy goodness. Since “crème brulee” means “burnt cream,” it’s funny to find this dessert turned into chilly ice cream.

But as they say, opposites attract, and never have hot and cold gone together so well.

Vaniglia

Vaniglia began when Itai Rogozinsky set up a handmade gelato stand with nothing but a secondhand ice machine. Today, this chain has multiple locations in Tel Aviv and imports ingredients from around the world– pistachios from Italy, orange flowers from Turkey and tonka beans from New Guinea. At Vaniglia’s Rabin Square location, locals and tourists flock under a bright pink chandelier made of plastic spoons.

98 Ibn Gvirol St; Dizengoff Center (bottom floor); 267 Dizengoff St; 22a Ishtori HaParchi St; Ramat Aviv Mall (second floor); HaTachana Complex

Vegan Soymilk, Crushed Peanuts, Molasses and Coconut:

Each ingredient in this innovative flavor takes your taste-buds someplace enchanted. The thick, creamy molasses recalls a pancake breakfast. The crushed peanuts – an afternoon ballgame. And the coconut transports you to an exotic island. The soymilk base ensures that non dairy-eaters can enjoy, as well.

Chestnut:

Sweet, roasted Spanish chestnuts are staples at the shuks in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but they taste even better whipped with cream in a small waffle cone. Gelato-connoisseurs have long enjoyed hazelnut, almond and peanut varieties of ice cream, but chestnut has a distinctive nutty and fruity flavor that might just make it your new favorite.

White Chocolate with Chunks of Nougat:

Okay, there’s nothing exotic about white chocolate as a gelato flavor but Vaniglia’s rendition on this classic is scrumptious. This gelato tastes like pure melted chocolate bars and the chunks of nougat are so big that they could be a dessert on their own.

Gelato and Ice Cream Outside of Tel Aviv

If you’re spending the day out of the city, don’t worry. These spots around Israel will certainly satisfy your craving.

Mousseline

A visit to Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda would not be complete without a stop at Mousseline, where fresh fruits from the market are blended into sorbets and gelatos. Unique flavors like grapefruit basil and sour cherry surprise the most creative foodies, while classic vanilla and chocolate cones take on whole new flavors. This parlor also serves a delicious blend of Ethiopian ice cream.

6 HaEshkol St, Jerusalem

Andre

In Tel Aviv you’ll find some of the most innovative gelato flavors. Their gelato flavors, made from all-natural ingredients with no preservatives. Try lotus cookies and cinnamon, almonds and honey, Tamar pecans, pineapple and coconut, and passionfruit or Chinese oranges. The best option here might be Tartufo – an Italian dessert composed of two or more flavors of ice cream with frozen fruit in the center, deliciously smothered in a shell made of chocolate or cocoa. Luckily, the chain has multiple locations in the heart of Tel Aviv, as well.

2 Ben Gurion St, 8 LeZion St, 27 Herzliya-Maskit St, 87 Ramla-Herzl St