Get the scoop on the coolest Ice Cream shops in Dundee!

Cool down in the summer heat with a cone at one of Dundee’s Ice Cream parlours.

It’s been proper ‘tops off’ weather across Scotland recently. As Scotland’s sunniest city Dundee has certainly been basking in the heat with people, both visitors and locals, enjoying the summer. But, yikes, it can get a bit toasty! Our pasty origins mean we need to find ways to cool down and, the second-best way, beyond top notch air conditioning, is a refreshing scoop of ice cream. 

Here’s a guide to some hot spots to cool down with a cone. 

Visocchi’s Café

A trip to Broughty Ferry is not complete without a visit to Visocchi’s Café. Situated on Gray Street, this Italian family run café and ice cream parlour has been bringing a taste of Italy to the area since 1954. After nearly seven decades, this haven is part of the paintwork and much loved. You haven’t really experienced the Ferry without dropping into Visocchi’s for an artisan ice cream then a walk along the promenade. Some sunshine is a bonus but certainly not mandatory for this to feel like a real treat. Of course, the café offers many more Italian delights if you’re sitting in, from fresh calzone to takeaway street food including mouth-watering Nutella filled churros.

Jannettas Gelateria 

When it comes to gelato in this part of the world, Jannettas is The Godfather. With their flagship shop in the ‘Home of Golf’ St Andrews, the Jannettas family are the self-proclaimed ‘Home of Gelato.’ Well, certainly the Scottish home. Winner of the Golden Cone in 2014, making them officially the best ice cream parlour in Scotland that year, Jannettas have been selling their gelato in St Andrews for over a century and have been attracting visitors for a taste from all over the world. It’s a common sight on a sunny day in St Andrews to see a queue of people out the door and down the street patiently waiting for an ice cream. 100% worth the wait. What’s been fantastic in recent years is the opening of a Jannettas Gelateria on Dundee’s Waterfront. Nestled in Slessor Gardens between the Caird Hall and V&A, now Dundonians don’t have to cross the water to experience a Jannettas ice-cream. Bliss.

Casa Di Gelato

Found on Albert Square near the main shopping district, Casa Di Gelato offers fine Italian ice cream as well as a plethora of sugary treats that will appeal to everyone’s inner child and delight any kid with a sweet tooth. Like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there’s row-upon-row of delectable candies to choose from as well as an array of gelato flavours including some vegan options. Casa Di Gelato also has a van that is often spotted out and about at various events in the area whether that’s for private functions or events like the Kirriemuir Agricultural Show. 

Crolla’s Gelateria

A 125-year-old family-run gelato business originating from Glasgow, Crolla’s can be found up the Perth Road. If you’re taking a stroll through the West End on a hot summer’s day, this could be a welcome pit-stop. As well as a delicious range of refreshing scoops, Crolla’s has an incredible sit-down menu featuring waffles, ice-cream sundaes, crepes and churros. Also, look out for the ‘coldstone’ – a combination of ice-cream, toppings and sauce all mixed together on a frozen marble slab. The ‘Scottish Special’ sounds just how you’d expect. There’s a Tunnock’s teacake and tablet ice cream involved. Need we say more!

Redberry

With so many ice cream parlours, old and new, some can fly a but under the radar if you’re not familiar with Dundee. Considering its smack bang in the middle of Dundee city centre, Redberry could not be more convenient for anyone looking for a refreshing scoop of their favourite flavour while browsing the shops. Sitting on Crichton Street, Redberry was once voted one of Scotland’s Top 20 Best Ice Cream Spots. It has a takeaway feel and has an ‘old-school’ vibe as it’s cash only. Also, it has an exceptional range of Belgian waffles, crepes and creamy milkshakes if you’re not hankering after an ice cream.

Happy ice-cream hunting!