We often ask ourselves... Which is better and why? And this is about everything around us... Since it's summer and we're all craving something cold, let's talk about ice cream. Creating good ice cream is not as easy as you might think. Light fruity, Italian or Arabic, we'll have plenty of time to try them all until the season ends in September. What's your favorite? Below 27 favorite ice cream shops you have to try in Lebanon.
Bouzat el Berdawni: Zahle's Living Tradition
Berdawni isn't only about Casino Arabi and Casino Mhanna, it’s also about the tastiest ice cream in Zahle and the famous Semsmieh. Visiting Zahle for a food discovery, specifically some sweet treats.
Haagen-Dazs; A Creamy Ice Cream, A Sexy Brand
Häagen-Dazs started in 1921 in New York, as a family business. In 1961 Mr. Mattus “the owner “, decided to create a new company dedicated exclusively to produce the only best ice cream available. He called his new super-premium brand “Häagen-Dazs”. I'm a fan of the brand and love their ice cream.
Cold Stone Creamery, Now Open in Lebanon: The First Pictures
Founded in 1988 in Tempe, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. Cold Stone Creamery is now open in the M1 building downtown Beirut. Loved the vibes, how the staff smiles, the songs they shout, the welcoming and the ice cream culture you feel!
Hanna Mitri... Much More Than Ice Cream, It's Happiness on a Biscuit
I highly doubt that any local doesn't know or has not heard of Hanna Mitri. The one and only Hanna Mitri is known for his uniquely fresh ice cream, perfect Maamoul, and arrogantly rude character. Following his steps is his son Mitri Hanna, the sole carrier of this legend's recipes.
Al Fata Ice Cream: The Merry Cream of Our Childhood
I've always asked myself why we call it Merry Cream....still none the wiser... Merry Cream is only in Lebanon and Wikipedia confirms it. Better known as Soft Serve, this kind of creamy ice cream is dispensed from a machine and usually enjoyed in only two flavors, milk and chocolate, until recently.
Bachir New Oreo Ice Cream is a Must Try
It's just great! Bachir, the historic Lebanese ice cream manufacturer has created a "non-Lebanese" flavor and it works! Try it, you'll understand. Lightly creamy, softly sweet, smooth and full of taste. I personally loved it.
Bouzet Jeddo: Traditional Ice Cream Flavors on Bliss Street
Beirut's newest Ice Cream parlor has opened on Bliss street. A family shop which prepares closely-kept secret artisanal recipes. While preserving traditional values, Boozet Jeddo is about traditional ice cream flavors in an upscale modern setup. Check out the photos while I plan another visit for a detailed review. The vanilla and chocolate are both recommended!
Helado Ice Cream: Grab a Cone on the Jounieh Highway
Ice cream, the latest trend around Lebanon has invaded the Jounieh highway. Coming from the north, you will notice a dozen of ice cream shops open between Casino du Liban until Nahr el Kaleb's tunnel selling a variety of cold treats. Gelato Show, Le Cremier, Booza Bashir, Surgel, Awad, Helado among others. Check out my personal favorite choice.
Azrak Ice Cream: Famous and Now Open for Summer
People come to enjoy Azrak's unique pastries and ice cream… Driving the distance from Beirut to the beautiful hills of Baabdat in Al Metn is not a problem. They are so popular that a street in Baabdat was named after them... Riri and Robert, the Azrak brothers, have followed their family's footsteps to create ice cream and sweets, using the best and most natural ingredients, loved and devoured by many.
Oslo: Lebanon's Famous Ice Cream and Cakes Parlor!
Who doesn't know Oslo by now, the famous ice cream maker who took Lebanon by storm, offering one of the finest one-liter tubs found in the country. For the last decade or so, I have been waiting yearly for the summer season to indulge in some of Oslo’s fine ice cream creations. I, like many of us, have been intrigued over the origins of their name, and now they’ve opened their first shop, in Mar Mikhael, I had a chance to find out.
Frooza: Your Unconventional Ice Cream Shop
Yes, you can now enjoy and experience Frooza everyday in Mar Mikhael. This new ice cream concept is inspired by the street food markets of Asia and is a concept that was first introduced at "Souk el Akel" more than a year ago by Elias and Lea. Frooza just opened a pop up shop for the upcoming season on the road facing Trainstation's lower entrance.
Al Zahlawi Ice Cream, Douma
You would think that it would only take a few lines to describe an ice cream experience… But no matter what I say here, words are not going to be enough to describe this ice cream that left me amazed. What I had in Al Zahlawi in Douma is an ice cream that combines everything one could dream of.
Al Hallab's New Summer Collection of Oriental Sweets with Ice Cream
I read a 'tweet' saying that Al Hallab has introduced a number of new desserts to their menu. Of course I rushed to check it out… My sweet tooth was craving for something new and one of the mouthwatering items “Hallab Bassma” caught my attention.
Awad: Kashta Ice Cream Logs and More
The place is small, unwelcoming, and the staff doesn't smile, but they do have nice ice cream. Fruit or Kashta, the ice cream is rich, flavorful, feels natural and isn't too sweet.
Babel Bay: Unconventional Lebanese Seafood with a Classy Twist
“Ashta b Ashta”; Imagine fresh ashta on a bed of ashta ice cream, a silky top and a cold bulk embraced with rose jam. The Tamriyeh: Pain d'epices, almond ice cream, tamer. Spices on a spongy dough, rich, flavorful ice cream and chewy tamer paper decorated with walnuts. Simple Lebanese sweets twisted and revisited, keeping their original taste with an upscale quality and freshness.
Cold Stone Creamery, Now Open in Lebanon: The First Pictures
Founded in 1988 in Tempe, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. Cold Stone Creamery is now open in the M1 building downtown Beirut. Loved the vibes, how the staff smiles, the songs they shout, the welcoming and the ice cream culture you feel!
Deli.co: I Love this Place!
Deli.co is where salads and sandwiches are given a new meaning. With every bite comes the feeling like you're travelling around the world... London, New York and back. Lunch at Deli.co is like no other. It's one of my 'coup de coeur' places in Lebanon where I make it a point to visit every other week. I'm in love with their rich and tasty sandwiches, their coffee, their soft serve ice cream, their presentation and professional service. Read the first review, enjoy the photos below and make sure to give Deli.co a try!
Gusti Gelato; Now Open in Kaslik
Check out the pictures and make sure to try their one-of-a-kind merry cream! From Gelato to the rock ice cream bomb, this gelateria has many surprises to offer.
MAG Gelato: From Italy to Lebanon, The Authentic Italian Tradition
Very, very good ice cream can be found at MAG, the newest gelato shop to open in Hazmieh next to Tiger’s Diner. MAG is an Italian franchise with a recipe imported all the way from Italy. Very good quality ice cream with a reasonable quantity of sugar, no ice crunch and pleasant after notes of fruits and dark chocolate. I was not expecting it to be as good because, unfortunately, Gelato in Lebanon tend to be commercial and sweet.
Gelato Show: A Very Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
I've always been a big fan of chocolate ice cream but never found the one I've been dreaming of in Lebanon. The reason is simple: most commercial chocolate ice creams (even Haagen Dazs) is far too milky and far too sweet for my taste. Like my bars of good chocolate, I like my chocolate ice cream dark and strong.
Le Flocon, Glace Artisanale: Now Open in Antelias
Le Flocon is an artisanal atelier specialized in gourmet ice cream flavors created by pastry master chef Charles Azar. The Ice Cream parlor now opens facing "Maison M" on the Naccach road is a hidden gem you must try. Ask for flavors like the caramel toffee, single malt, framboise Tulameen, Citron de Sayda, mangue Alphonso, mandarine among others. Check out the first photos.
Al Mandaloun Dbayeh has a Cachet of its Own
Best for last, Al Mandaloun's soft chocolate ice cream is better known in Lebanon as Merry Cream. I'm a fan, a big fan and make it a point to always order this ice cream after my meal. If you haven't had one of those yet, know that you're missing a lot. Served in a glass bowl and decorated with three fresh, crunching cones, the ice cream is a favorite during both summer and winter. I love its real chocolate flavor and low sugar levels.
My Latest Discovery: OrsoBianco Gelato
We often ask ourselves... Which is better and why? And this is about everything around us... Since it's summer and we're all craving something cold, let's talk about ice cream. Creating good ice cream is not as easy as you might think. My latest discovery is Orsobianco, a product which started in a small kitchen in Bsalim back in 2007. Since 2009, they have been researching and traveling back and forth to Italy, France and the US in order to come up with the best recipes for the renowned gelato. They have grown out of the kitchen and into a professional ice cream factory. This brand has become the latest talk of the town and I wanted to try it. Choose from their daily produced flavors that include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, cheesecake, and more, or some of their more innovative creations like pineapple-basil, lemoncello, port-fraise, etc. The passion that goes into every step of the production process is reflected in the taste of each one of their products.
Popcity: Ice Pops Like No Other!
Popcity are not your regular ice pops. Popcity are not like any ice pops you find at your local grocery store, not the usual “bouza talej” you have enjoyed since childhood. It's a whole new approach to ice cream. The Popcity stand at Souk el Akel cannot be missed. Stop by the stand and look at customers' faces and expressions... some get nostalgic, some smiling, while others look at their popsicle with amazement.
