Budapest is experiencing a renaissance of promising new ice-cream parlors introducing new-wave frosty treats, from scoops served in brioche to freshly frozen fruit pops to potent cocktail-flavored confections. Here are some of the best recently launched vendors helping Budapest beat the summer heat with their creative deviations on the classic cool delights.
1/5
Barber’s Wife
We know that the grooming parlors of Barber’s Shop are off-limits for ladies, but if they want to wait nearby one location while waiting for their exigent gents, they can visit Barber’s Wife on Király Street – here they can try some special ice cream made on a cooled metal sheet. The variations are endless as we can ask for any ingredients, from Bounty bars to caramel sauce to the house brownie, resulting in a roughly three-scoop ice-cream bowl. Preparation time is roughly three minutes.
Barber's Wife
Address: 1061 Budapest, Király Street 6.
Barber's Wife Facebook
2/5
Gelati & Co.
This Italian confectionery is worth visiting not only for of its excellent Sicilian pastries and delicious coffee, but also for Domenico’s pistachio ice cream, served in heavenly brioche. All the other versions are fine, too, whether we choose a fruity or a creamy flavor, but our favorite remains this one made from Bronte pistachios.
3/5
Pharma Ice Cream
The popular Pharma Bar summer special is the ice-cream counter where we can get cocktails, too – in ice-cream format, naturally. We should not expect actual intoxication after two alcohol-infused scoops, but the Russian Flower (with vodka), a Quincy (with quince pálinka), or the Secret Garden (with gin) can definitely numb our tongues a bit.
4/5
Pops! (closed)
Technically, this isn’t an ice-cream parlor, but Popsi offers something just as cool for summertime – custom-made variants of Popsicles crystallized with real fruit, found amid the bustling Karaván food-truck complex. These fruity treats come in flavors like green apple, apricot, orange, coconut, passion fruit, cherry, pineapple, and more, all free of artificial coloring or bulking agents. (It is important to know is that “popsi” happens to be Hungarian slang for “buttocks”, so be careful with your phrasing if inviting a Magyar friend here...)
