As soon as the spring sun emerges, there’s no stopping Copenhagen locals from flocking to their favorite gelato parlors, making the most of the imminent Nordic summer. And with these five spots—plus a bonus tip—you can maintain those summery vibes well into late autumn.
In a city renowned for its food scene, ice cream is no exception. And Copenhagen certainly knows how to craft desserts the artisan way. Think high-quality ingredients like aromatic, handmade cones infused with tonka bean, delectable, exotic sorbets with fruits sourced from Vietnam, and velvety soft serve cones crafted from the finest coffee grounds—you’ll find all these and more. Join us on a refreshing and sweet tour of Copenhagen’s finest spots for the ice cream, gelato, sorbet, popsicles, and soft serve.
This ice cream is genuinely good—scientifically speaking! Behind it all is food scientist Cathrine Østerberg, who packed her bags and traveled to Canada to study the physical structure of ice cream under one of the world’s leading food science professors as part of her master’s thesis. A few years later, she returned with a collection of refined recipes that have since delighted Copenhagen locals. Her ice cream is rich in flavor, drawing inspiration from around the globe and made with exotic fruits from Vietnam and Scandinavia, combined with a selection of other high-quality ingredients. Even the cones aren’t left to chance—they’re homemade, too.
If you can’t get enough of Østerberg’s creations, she even authored a book, Ice Cream – According to Østerberg. And if you ever find yourself in Vietnam, you’re in luck—there’s a shop there as well!
Ice cream frozen with liquid nitrogen? You read that right! At Nørrebro's Istid, you’re in for quite the spectacle as your ice cream is flash-frozen right before your eyes to an astonishing -196 degrees Celsius. This dramatic process delivers a truly unique experience—both visually and in taste and texture.
Crafted with organic ingredients, seasonal fruits, and berries, Istid offers a delightful range of ice creams and sorbets. We recommend going all-in with one of their decadent sundaes, topped with homemade delights and served in aromatic, freshly made cardamom waffles. Seating is limited, but if you’re lucky, you might snag a table outside and enjoy your treat in the sunshine. Even if you end up eating while standing, it’s absolutely worth it.
Although Det Vide Hus offers much more than just ice cream—including excellent pastries, coffee, and a fantastic menu —their popsicles alone are reason enough to visit. Artisanally made in-house in small batches, they always offer a few different options, often created in collaboration with local producers and partners to deliver that some extra flair when it comes to flavor combinations.
Mango sorbet with vanilla ice cream, coconut cream, glazed with lime-coconut syrup topped off with a dusting of sumac? Just a regular week at Det Vide Hus! And if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s usually a surprise option to keep your taste buds on their toes. These popsicles may be petite in size, but their flavors are bold enough to fill an entire room. And we all know the golden rule: when they’re small, you’re allowed to have two (at the very least!). Oh, and did we mention they’re beautiful, too? Just go for it—you won’t regret it.
The story of Aurora began at its sister café: Christianshavn's Alice Ice Cream & Coffee, founded by Noma alumni Anders Krarup Lorenz and Rasmus Sjødahl and part of the Earnest Eats family. Alice quickly made a name for itself with their delicious, artisanal homemade ice cream—served in an irresistible homemade tonka bean waffle. This winning combination became so popular that it inspired them to open a place dedicated entirely to ice cream: Aurora, which is located in Carlsberg Byen, conveniently near one of their family bakeries, Københavns Bageri.
At Aurora, just like at Alice, you’ll find a delightful selection of intense and flavorful ice cream with the perfect texture, topped with homemade add-ons crafted in-house or sourced from their sister bakeries. Even their simple vanilla will have you coming back for more. They also offer soft-serve ice cream and a variety of ice cream-based desserts. Aurora also serves brunch, and let’s be honest— enjoying some of the dishes á la mode is more of an expectation than a surprise.
Siciliansk Is is the ultimate destination in Copenhagen for a proper gelato fix. This beloved spot captures the essence of Italian ices, delivering a rich, creamy texture in every bite (or lick, if that's your preference). Their selection features all the classic Italian flavors like fior di latte, chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio. But Siciliansk Is also embraces creativity, offering innovative varieties made with seasonal fruits and the imaginative freedom of their in-house ice cream makers.
If you’re a fan of refreshing granita (and really, who isn’t?), you’re in luck. It’s served alongside delightful treats like homemade cannolis, expertly brewed espresso, and even imported Italian delicacies you can take home. Whether you crave a timeless scoop or something entirely unexpected, Siciliansk Is delivers a taste of Italy right in the heart of Copenhagen.
One last tip for coffee fiends seeking a sweet treat...
When the summer sun graces Copenhagen, so does an irresistible treat at the coffee roastery and bakery Andersen & Maillard: a sliced up, espresso-glazed croissant filled to the brim with creamy, soft-serve coffee ice cream – decadently smooth, and in the greatest cone imaginable. If you’re a coffee fanatic, it’s hard to imagine anything better than this—no wonder we already raved about the place in our coffee bar guide.
When the first signs of its return appear—most likely on social media—at their Nørreport café, don’t just walk, run. Just promise you’ll leave one for the Falstaff team; we need our fix of this masterpiece, too. And while you’re at it, why not grab a bag of their exceptional roasted coffee to enjoy at home?
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