Nothing is more disappointing than craving delicious ice cream and getting a bland, artificial-tasting glob of sadness instead. As a guy who’s made a hobby out of hunting down the best food spots, I’ve had my fair share of these soul-crushing experiences.

I’ve dealt with stale waffle cones, ice cream that tasted more like ice than anything, and more than a few rude cashiers. But amidst the occasional letdowns, I’ve discovered some of the best ice cream shops in Auckland for ice cream lovers. 

So, if you love ice cream just as much as I do, check out my list of the top ice cream spots in all of Auckland. 

How much does it cost to get ice cream from an ice cream shop in Auckland? 

Be prepared to spend at least 5 NZD for a basic scoop in either a cone or cup. 
This price is just an estimate and will vary depending on the ice cream parlour you visit, how many scoops you get, and your toppings.

How I Chose

Quality of Ingredients: I prefer ice cream crafted using fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. So, I chose places prioritizing organic and sustainable practices, ensuring every scoop was rich and truly flavorful. Establishments that use real fruits, natural flavours, and premium dairy stood out significantly in my evaluations.

Variety and Creativity of Flavours: I sought places that go beyond the classic vanilla and chocolate, offering unique and innovative flavours that showcased local and international inspirations. 

Atmosphere and Service: I looked for places that provided a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere, whether it was a cosy little parlour or a stylish modern space. The quality of service was equally important; friendly, knowledgeable staff who offered insightful recommendations and provided excellent customer service enhanced the overall experience. 

Reputation: I gathered feedback from local food enthusiasts, read reviews, and paid attention to places that had garnered a loyal following. 

1. Boozylato 250 Flavors Gelato & Ice cream 

Boozylato has a super-vibrant, fun atmosphere and over 200 flavours to choose from. Every time I come here, it takes me ages to decide.

If you’re a fan of the classics, they’ve nailed the perfect balance between traditional and top-notch quality. In terms of their fruity flavours, it’s just as hard to choose. 

They’ve got everything from raspberry pomegranate to apple. But, yes, I’ll admit I mainly come here for some boozy ice cream. 

One of my personal favourites is their strawberry champagne flavour. It’s light and refreshing, and the sweetness of strawberries is elevated by the hint of champagne. 

This time around, I tried their Grand Marnier. The warm, complex notes of Grand Marnier enhance the vibrant citrus flavours of orange zest. It’s a sophisticated and invigorating flavour that always makes me smile.

By the way, you can only order their boozy flavours at night, and you can add extra shots. I just wish I got a better scoop size for the price I paid.

Customer Reviews

The service was top-notch, and the selection of flavours was unmatched

“I had the pleasure of visiting this gelato shop recently and was extremely impressed with the level of service and the variety of products available. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure that my experience was enjoyable from start to finish. The gelato itself was absolutely delicious, with a wide range of flavors to choose from. I especially loved the unique combinations they offered, such as salted caramel and pistachio swirl. Overall, I highly recommend this gelato shop to anyone looking for a sweet treat. The service was top-notch and the selection of flavors was unmatched. I will definitely be returning in the future.”

• Maunish Joshi Google Review  

 A wonderful place with over 200 flavours and ice cream and gelato

“This is a wonderful place with over 200 flavors and ice cream and gelato, that you can top off with booze. Just think of going there before or after an event or dinner with friends. Like  a lot of places in NZ, the service is sometimes slow (lots of new workers) but is worth it.”

• Ellery J Google Review 

2. Scrunchy Millers – Real Fruit Ice Cream & Gelato

If you like fruit ice cream, Scrunchy Millers might be your next favourite spot. Trust me, I’ve already been back more than a few times!

The outside of the shop was simple and charming, with a few seats to relax. And the staff? They greeted me with smiles, making me feel right at home. 

From what I saw, the shop itself was clean and well-maintained. There were no lingering, trashy ice cream cups around. 

Scrunchy Millers lets you create your own flavour combos, which is awesome for getting a taste of more than one flavour. Their ice cream cakes are also a sight to behold—seriously, check out their Instagram! 

I had a scoop of their strawberry and a scoop of their mango ice cream. The sweet strawberry ice cream blended well with the tartness of the mango ice cream. The waffle cone, though, was a bit of a letdown. I think it could’ve been fresher. 

By the way, people crowd this shop on the weekends, so parking can be a bit of a hassle.

Customer Reviews

Friendly staff; affordable price, and a good amount of ice cream! 

“Lovely little shop, highly recommend. Staffs super friendly, affordable price and good amount of ice cream! The atmosphere is super cute and cosy, the colours and lightings fits so well. We’ve got real fruit strawberry mango banana mix yoghurt and it was amazing 🤩 really love the small fruit piece on top 💖 keep it up 🌟 Vegetarian options: Real fruit dairy free ice cream 🍦 and sorbetto 🍨 Parking: The design of the car park was awful 😔 cars block each other’s way. Looks like 8 lots but actually only 4 lots to park, good thing is not too many people in the evening, but would be hard to find somewhere to park if busy.”

• Phoenix Zhang Google Review 

A definite five-star destination for any ice cream enthusiast

“Indulging in the delightful offerings at Scrunchy Millers was a sheer pleasure! The fruity ice cream, bursting with freshness, was a taste bud sensation that left me craving more. The charming atmosphere and the warm, welcoming staff elevated the experience, making it a definite five-star destination for any ice cream enthusiast. Scrunchy Millers has certainly set the bar high for a memorable and delicious treat!

You have at least 1 fan from Australia 😊”

• Amin Kazemi Google Review 

3. Pistackio

From the moment I stepped inside Pistackio, I could sense the charm and warmth that everyone raved about. The owners greeted me with genuine smiles and infectious enthusiasm, which had me just about ready to buy one scoop of every flavour. 

It took me a minute to decide on which flavour to get, but after some deliberation, I decided to try their signature pistachio and the banana with dulce de leche. 

The pistachio was rich and nutty, with a creaminess that spoke volumes about the ingredients’ quality. The banana and dulce de leche flavours were a heavenly blend, perfectly balancing the sweetness of bananas with the caramel-like depth of the dulce de leche.

Plus, they weren’t overly sweet, which I found quite refreshing. 

On the downside, the shop is pretty small, so finding a seat can be a bit tricky, especially during their busy hours.

Customer Reviews

This little gelato shop is quite the hidden gem

“This little gelato shop is quite the hidden gem. Came here after a nice dinner or for dessert and I wasn’t disappointed. Though the selection of flavours is not massive there are some interesting choices and you’re sure to find something you’d like. Really nice vibes inside as well.”

• Michael Davidson Google Review  

I thoroughly enjoyed the best pistachio ice cream I’ve eaten

“Popped into Pistackio after a nice dinner with my partner and immediately noticed the fun and friendly vibe of the place which matched the owner’s energy. We ended up sitting for a while where I thoroughly enjoyed the best pistachio ice cream I’ve eaten (it’s often hard to find and Pistickio’s even has whole nuts mixed through!) Thanks for a great night!”

• Dion Ice-Cream Logue Google Review 

4. Giapo

At Giapo, the staff are like enthusiastic ice cream tour guides, eager to share their passion and knowledge with you. They make the experience much more enjoyable with their free tastings.

I tried two of their flavours on offer: “The Buono” and “The Nem”

The Buono’s sweet, warm caramel is pure velvety richness. Add in the crunchy praline, and each bite will be a tiny explosion of nutty goodness. 

The Nem is for chocolate lovers. It’s a deep, dark chocolate dream with a rich, almost fudgy texture that melts in your mouth. The hazelnuts give the ice cream that earthy crunch, that unexpected burst of texture that keeps me coming back for more. 

But the presentation is where Giapo truly shines. I got their Colossal Squid Whammie, a giant squid-shaped kind of chocolate ice cream, which I obviously ended up posting on Instagram. 

Giapo, though, is undeniably on the pricey side. A single scoop can set you back around 9 NZD, and if you want more elaborate ice cream, you’re looking at about 17 NZD. It’s definitely a treat-yourself kind of place, not a daily indulgence.

If you go during peak hours, be prepared to wait a bit. Lines form out the door, but honestly, the wait didn’t detract from my overall experience.

Customer Reviews

A great variety of ice creams, cones and pastries on offer

“Visited on a rainy Tuesday looking for a gluten free sweet treat and was not disappointed. This place is amazing. It is a totally gluten free venue with a great variety of ice creams, cones and pastries on offer. The staff are super friendly, knowledgeable and appear to be genuinely happy to be at work. I guess it is an ice-cream store after all. The ice cream was to die for. We had the Double cream NZ Hokey Pokey in a dark choc & nibs cone and the Triple Textures Pistachio in the homemade waffle cone. Both were outstanding!! We also took home some takeaway treats, a GF hot cross bun and a GF carrot cake. Mmmmm! I highly recommended this place.” 

• Tania Madgwick, Google Reviews

Some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had

“Some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. AND gluten free! Waffle cones, donuts, this place is a gluten free heaven. You can’t go wrong with any of the flavors. Honestly, get them all.”

• Garret Gouley, Google Reviews 

5.  Scoop and Smile

If you’re looking for unique tropical flavours, Scoop and Smile is your spot. 

Sure, classic chocolate and vanilla are always safe bets, but I opted for two of their more adventurous flavours: passionfruit and durian. 

Now, most people can’t get past the smell of durian, but surprisingly, their ice cream has kept the creamy, sweet flavour of durian minus the scent of garlic and onions. And the passionfruit—what can I say—had my mouth watering from a simple sample.

You can really taste the difference because they make everything fresh in-house. And hey, they also have vegan and gluten-free options too. 

However, a little heads-up: they close pretty early (by 5:30 PM), so I’d suggest heading here for a pre-dinner dessert.

Customer Reviews

Prices are pretty good here 

“I’m always on the lookout for ice cream shops in Auckland so was surprised when I saw a new one so close to me. I made a point to try it out and wasn’t disappointed. I had a very difficult time choosing between Peanut Butter and Peanut Slab flavours. I ended up going with the Peanut Butter (it was a great choice) but I will definitely need to return to try some other ones. Prices are pretty good here as well.”

• Michael Davidson, Google Reviews

Mango ice cream and passion fruit sorbet were delicious

“Had ice cream from here with the family for mothers day. Super friendly man and young boy at the counter! Mango ice cream and passion fruit sorbet were delicious. But best of all was the ever so intriguing Black Hawaii, a big scoop in a perfectly crisp waffle cone equals a happy customer.

(P.s. if anyone has the Black Hawaii ice cream, expect the number 2’s to be black the next day too. Ha!)”

• Tina Hoover Google review 

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