Our editorial team took on the tough job of finding the best ice creams in Budapest. After lots of tasting, we've picked our favourites – all coming with natural ingredients and flavours you'll remember.
1. Nour – Art of desserts
You can savour Nour's eye-catching and even more delicious French desserts at two locations: Sas utca near the Basilica and the more residential area of Budaörs. The Sas utca shop offers pre-made small ice cream cups (HUF 1,490), with flavours like pistachio, while the Budaörs branch has won praise for its rosemary pine nut ice cream, sold by the scoop.
- Price: 500 Ft / 5 dkg
- WLB tip: rosemary/pine nuts
- Find out more here
2. Gelateria Pomo d′oro
Budapest's iconic Italian gelateria, Gelateria Pomo d'oro, is renowned for its authentic gelato. In addition to a diverse range of imaginative flavours, this year's menu boasts a variety of ice creams and ice desserts a stone's throw away from the Parliament.
- Price: HUF 650 / 5 dkg, extra flavours: HUF 750 / 5 dkg, pistachios: HUF 890 / 5 dkg
- WLB tip: chocolate hazelnut, pistachio
- Find out more here
3. Gelarto Rosa
With two central locations in downtown Budapest (Hercegprímás utca and Szent István tér), Gelarto Rosa offers an aesthetically pleasing and uniquely delicious ice cream made with Hungarian ingredients. Instead of the usual gram or scoop pricing, ice cream is sold by rose size.
- Price: HUF 1600 / small portion, HUF 1900 / medium portion, HUF 2200 / large portion
- WLB tip: dragon fruit and violet sorbet, mango
- Find out more here
4. Gelateria Pichler
Indulge in a truly decadent treat at Gelateria Pichler: ice cream served in a crunchy, locally made kürtőskalács (kürtőskalács, or chimney cake, is a sweet, yeast-raised dough spun into a strip, wrapped around a cone-shaped spit, and rolled in granulated sugar. Choose from Nutella, pistachio, or hazelnut cream to complement your scoops. This is not for the faint-hearted, but sometimes life's all about a little indulgence. The combination of the crispy cone and melting ice cream is simply divine.
- Price: HUF 2,200 / 2 scoops in a kürtőskalács, HUF 2,800 / 3 scoops
- WLB tip: strawberries and pistachios with pistachio cream
- Find out more here
5. Bruno Gelateria
With two branches, Kolosy tér and Hollán Ernő utca, Bruno Gelateria serves authentic Sicilian ice creams and granita. The latter, a refreshing icy treat, comes in six flavours. Specialities include Sicilian pistachios and Piedmontese hazelnuts.
- Price: HUF 560 / 5 dkg, HUF 1,120 / 10 dkg
- WLB tip: pistachios, cantaloupe granita
- Find out more here
6. Hisztéria Cremeria
Hisztéria, the confectionery wizards who opened a dessert haven on World Heritage site Andrássy út a few years back, continue to impress with their ice cream. Available at several locations across the city, they offer classic and seasonal flavours to beat the summer heat.
- Price: 100 Ft / 1 dkg (500 Ft / 5 dkg)
- WLB tip: Belgian chocolate
- Find out more here
7. Artigiana Gelati
Be prepared to queue at this long-standing favourite of Buda residents. Artigiana Gelati boasts a vast selection of Italian gelato, from classic flavours to unique options like pomegranate, fig cream, truffle, and mascarpone chocolate cream. They also offer dairy-free and sugar-free options and a variety of toppings and cones.
- Price: HUF 650-700 / 4 dkg
- WLB tip: grapefruit, Cuban chocolate (made with real Cuban cocoa)
- Find out more here
8. Vietnámigulyás.hu HK
Indulge in extravagance at Vietnamigulyas.hu HK, a Buda restaurant fusing Asian and Hungarian flavours. Their unique soft-serve ice cream boasts bold, proprietary flavours. We recommend the salted caramel with rum and caramel sauce, the apricot, and the Japanese plum with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Don't miss the rice ice cream topped with rose syrup and black curry!
- Price: HUF 2,500-3,000 / serving
- WLB tip: salted caramel, Japanese plum
- Find out more here
9. Minus11
Living up to its name (minus 11 degrees Celsius!), Minus11 offers refreshingly cold ice cream in Hűvösvölgy and at the Római-part (Roman Embankment). They stick to a tried-and-tested selection of 10 flavours, including our favourites: butterscotch, raspberry (like eating pureed fruit!), and blood orange.
10. Szaletly
After a stroll in gorgeous City Park, head to Szaletly! They offer a wide range of flavours, from light and fruity to rich and creamy. Our picks include almond with orange blossom, Belgian dark chocolate with Timur pepper, and vegan options: mango/passion fruit and blackcurrant yuzu (sugar-free!).
- Price: HUF 500 / scoop, salted pistachios: HUF 650 / scoop; one scoop approx. 6 dkg
- WLB tip: almonds with orange blossom, Belgian dark chocolate with Timur pepper, mango/passion fruit, rosemary/raspberry
- Find out more here
11. Giandó
Founded by a trio of Italian ice cream enthusiasts, Giandó offers a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Their ice cream defies the heat, slowly dripping to perfection. While the mango flavour is a standout, they continually introduce exciting new creations like ice cream sandwiches, granita, and affogato. Dog owners rejoice – there's even ice cream for your furry friend.
- Price: HUF 120 / 1 dkg (HUF 600 / 5 dkg)
- WLB tip: fior di latte, coffee, white chocolate pistachios, pineapple
- Find out more here
12. Kő fagyi? on Bartók Béla
Born on the shores of Lake Balaton, Kő fagyi? has developed a loyal following with its Buda location. Using only natural ingredients, they prioritise seasonal, fresh fruit. Indulge in their sweet cones for an extra treat.
- Price: HUF 600 / scoop, allergenic-free ice cream: HUF 650 / scoop, Bronte pistachios: HUF 750 / scoop
- WLB-tip: Bronte pistachios, raspberries
- Find out more here
13. Cioccolatte
This tiny, authentic Italian gelateria boasts flawless ice cream, exceptional coffee, and delectable pastries like cannolo. Cioccolatte's award-winning pastry chefs constantly innovate, with recent highlights including a surprising yet refreshing tzatziki ice cream. They cater for ice cream lovers on Pozsonyi út and Kopaszi dam.
- Price: HUF 600 / 5 dkg
- WLB-tip: salty peanuts
- Find out more here
14. Fazekas Cukrászda
Winner of the Gelato Festival World Ranking 2024, Fazekas Cukrászda is a must-visit for ice cream lovers. From classic flavours to adventurous options like pickled gherkin and blueberry with goat cheese, there's something for everyone. Their apricot and dairy-free pistachio and salted caramel are this year's standouts.
- Price: HUF 100 / dkg (HUF 500 / 5 dkg)
- WLB-tip: apricots, any pistachios, salted caramel
- Find out more here
15. Anjuna
Inspired by the ice pops of Goa, Anjuna offers all-natural, vegan, and vibrant frozen treats. Choose from a range of fruity flavours, then elevate your experience with dips and toppings. In addition to ice pops, they serve acai bowls and pupsicles for dogs.
- Price: HUF 890-1,650 + HUF 330 / dip + HUF 330 / topping
- WLB-tip: sugar-free mango and passion fruit, dark chocolate dip, lyophilised raspberry topping
- Find out more here
(Cover photo: Norbert Hartyányi - We Love Budapest)
