Now Reading: Cold Front: Inside KL’s Best And Most Creative Ice Cream Bars
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Cold Front: Inside KL’s Best And Most Creative Ice Cream Bars
From artisanal scoops to inventive gelato, Kuala Lumpur’s ice cream bars are redefining everyone’s favourite frozen treat.
KL’s dessert scene has gone beyond the classic cone. Today, ice cream bars across the city are serving up everything from creamy small-batch gelato to bold, unconventional flavours that surprise and delight. Whether you’re chasing a nostalgic childhood scoop or a modern twist with gourmet flair, these spots prove that there’s always room for ice cream in Kuala Lumpur.
Scoop, There It Is
Inside Scoop
You can’t talk about ice cream in Malaysia without mentioning Inside Scoop. Instantly recognisable by its cheerful yellow icon, this homegrown favourite has become something of a modern classic—celebrated not only for its playful spirit but also for its commitment to quality.
Founded on a love for frozen desserts and the joy they bring, Inside Scoop draws from globally sourced ingredients to craft flavours that resonate with Malaysian palates. Its Flavours of Home series nods to nostalgic local desserts with inventive takes like ‘Cendolicious’ and ‘Ais Ais Baby’, while perennial favourites such as ‘Durian’ and ‘Valrhona Chocolate’ remain staples.
Whether you’re after something culturally rooted or purely indulgent, Inside Scoop continues to offer both—with a swirl of fun and familiarity in every scoop.
Conscious Churns
Kind Kones
For the discerning sweet tooth with a mindful palate, Kind Kones offers a gentler take on indulgence—plant-based, all-natural, and free from dairy, eggs, refined sugar, and artificial additives. What began as a homegrown project has evolved into a full-fledged dessert destination, churning out small-batch ice creams that are as kind to the planet as they are to your gut.
Each scoop leans into flavour without compromise. The ‘Pandan Gula Melaka’ delivers coconut richness layered with aromatic pandan and palm sugar, while ‘Almond Brittle Fudge’ offers crunch and creaminess in equal measure, blending coconut and cashew milk with cacao nibs, chia seeds, and dairy-free chocolate chips. Even their cones are gluten-free, adding a satisfying crunch to every swirl. In a city where indulgence often comes with a caveat, Kind Kones makes the case for ice cream that’s thoughtful, flavour-forward, and entirely plant-powered.
Taffily Ever After
Taffy Gelato
At Taffy Gelato, flavour takes a playful turn. Known for its community spirit—hosting everything from pop-ups to parties—this gelateria is built on the simple idea that dessert should make you happy. Located at The Campus Ampang, its indoor-outdoor surroundings invite you to grab a cone, a croissant, or even a brioche bun, and enjoy gelato the way it was meant to be: fun, flavourful, and never fussy.
The flavours are bold, diverse, and occasionally unexpected. ‘Vanilla Madagascar’ is pure and indulgent, while ‘Hazelnut Rocher’ channels that iconic confection in velvety, nut-studded form. Those craving something bright will find comfort in the ‘Mixed Berries Sorbet’, while the ‘Lemon Blue Pea Butter Biscuit’ leans citrusy and floral, with a distinctive pastel hue.
However, the signature ‘Knafeh Gelato’, served in a croissant, is a standout—rich, textural, and layered with Middle Eastern flair. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic or unconventional, Taffy Gelato delivers cool satisfaction with a side of personality.
The Ice Cream Bar
Licked & Loaded
For those who like their dessert with a dash of drama, The Ice Cream Bar delivers the perfect blend of indulgence and intrigue. A spirited sister to Inside Scoop, this artisanal parlour made its debut in Desa Sri Hartamas with a focus on liquor-laced creations that push the boundaries of traditional ice cream but now has multiple locations.
The signature ‘Rum & Raisin’ is anything but standard—steeped in Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold and loaded with rum-soaked raisins, it’s rich, smooth, and undeniably seductive. Meanwhile, ‘Crunchy Coffee Whisky’ brings together smoky espresso notes with the sweetness of Kentucky bourbon, finished with dark chocolate drizzle and crisp chocolate-coated cone bits for texture and contrast. From silky blends to bold finishes, The Ice Cream Bar brings a grown-up twist to the frozen treat, where every churn comes with a cheeky kick and a refined edge.
Ugly Delicious
TUG Gelato by The Unusual Greens
With a mission to rescue the overlooked and the imperfect, TUG Gelato turns sustainability into something irresistibly sweet. This gelateria champions ‘ugly’ produce—fruit that’s often discarded for its less-than-perfect appearance—and transforms it into inventive gelato that’s as thoughtful as it is flavourful. As a subtle nudge to try something unexpected, their fruit-based flavours are priced a touch lower than their classic offerings.
Highlights include ‘Soursop Calamansi’, a zesty and revitalising sorbet with bright tropical energy, and ‘Avocado Pistachio’, which delivers a velvety richness punctuated by the crunch of roasted nuts. For a more delicate profile, ‘White Chrysanthemum’ blends floral notes with creamy white chocolate and crystallised cacao nibs, resulting in a scoop that feels both meditative and indulgent.
Best of all? You can enjoy your gelato wrapped in soft Daifuku mochi if you so desire—proof that sustainability and surprise go hand in hand.
TUG Gelato by The Unusual Greens
Dolce & Gelato
Paolo Paolo Gelato
Tucked into The Five in Bukit Damansara and within the bustling The Exchange Mall at TRX, Paolo Paolo Gelato is hard to miss. Its signature red signage catches the eye before its flavours win you over—an open invitation to step out of the heat and into a cool, creamy moment of indulgence. Its cult-favourite ‘Pistachio’ channels roasted Italian nuts into a rich, crisped creaminess that lingers on the palate, while ‘Bacio’ pairs deep dark chocolate with Piedmont hazelnuts in a nod to its Northern Italian roots. Alongside these signatures, you’ll find a rotating cast of seasonal flavours—both in classic gelato and soft serve form—crafted using ingredients sourced locally and abroad.
From buttery milk buns to fresh-baked brownies, their add-ons make each serving a little more decadent. Whether in a cone, on a waffle, or nestled in a warm brioche, Paolo Paolo Gelato turns an everyday dessert into a full-blown treat.
Batch Made In Heaven
Piccoli Lotti
Named after the Italian phrase for ‘small batches’, Piccoli Lotti is built on thoughtfulness—from the 16 to 18 handcrafted flavours made fresh each week (so as not to create a surplus), to the calm, minimalist interiors inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design. It’s a neighbourhood gelateria where pace and palate align, offering just enough to keep things interesting, without ever feeling excessive.
Signature flavours include the ‘Peruvian Single Origin Dark Chocolate’, crafted with couverture from an organic plantation in Peru that’s rich, intense, and uncompromising in quality. For something closer to home, the ‘Pulut Tai Tai’ is a local favourite: a Nyonya dessert reimagined as gelato, blending glutinous rice, creamy santan, and homemade kaya, with butterfly pea flower lending its signature hue.
In addition to cones and waffles, Piccoli Lotti also serves beautifully crafted gelato cakes—perfect for celebrations or simply sharing something special. True to its name, this is a place where the little things are done with intention.
