The shop’s chocolate-covered gelato bars are available in flavours such as mango and pineapple, and cookies and cream.
As well as serving gelato by the scoop, TeemToneFai also offers gelato cakes that can be pre-ordered; the bombe Alaska is filled with raspberry and pistachio gelato and has a torched meringue exterior.
B1, Hysan Place, Causeway Bay
3. Messina, Central
Since opening in Central in 2021, this Sydney import has garnered a following with its gelato made the traditional Italian way.
The more gelato you order, the better the deal – two scoops cost HK$85 (US$11) while three cost HK$95 – making it a good place to visit with friends.
G/F, Car Po Commercial Building, 37-43 Pottinger Street, Central
4. Gelato Go, Tsim Sha Tsui
Gelato Go has a nostalgic interior reminiscent of Italian gelato shops.
The classic pistachio and salted caramel flavours are stand-outs; the texture is smooth and silky. The shop also offers tiramisu and other classic Italian desserts.
Various locations including 174 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
5. XTC Gelato, various locations
Various locations including G/F, 45B Cochrane Street, Central
6. Hello Molly, Central
Hello Molly Gelato is known for its unique flavours such as hojicha, bean curd soup and “Milo dinosaur”.
The shop’s co-founder is a certified gelatiere who graduated from Italy’s Gelato University.
Shop 241, 2/F, Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central
7. So Coco, Causeway Bay
With its ice cream made from coconut milk rather than cow’s milk, So Coco is perfect for vegan dessert lovers.
The store serves coconut, black sesame, and chocolate soft serve in addition to a rotating daily special. There are various toppings available, including toasted vegan marshmallows and candyfloss.
So Coco’s ice cream is free of preservatives and artificial colourings and flavourings.
9A Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay
8. Weeds Gelato & Coffee, North Point
Weeds Gelato & Coffee supports local farmers by using Hong Kong-grown seasonal fruit and vegetables in its gelato.
Menu highlights include corn and milk, and carrot and tomato – both are unusual and delicious.
Despite being located on the basement level of Worfu mall in North Point, the shop’s interior is bright and eye-catching, and features a reading section where customers can sit down with a selection of pre-read books.
Shop B50, B/F, Worfu, 21-53 Wharf Road, North Point
9. Owl’s Choux, Tsim Sha Tsui
Owl’s Choux is known for its gelato choux sandwiches, for which customers can choose flavours such as popcorn and rocks, praline noir, red velvet and mango tango.
The crispy choux pastry complements the gelato to create an explosion of flavours that is not too sweet or heavy.
32 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
10. Am.pm, Yau Ma Tei
The Hong Kong branch of this fun contemporary Japanese-style dessert shop, which also operates shops in Thailand and the Philippines, has a facade that resembles a food truck.
Its signature crème brûlée and black sugar soufflé pancakes are served with soft serve ice cream made from premium Hokkaido 3.6 milk – which perfectly complements the pancakes’ melt-in-the mouth texture.
Shop B, G/F, Grand Place, 560 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei
11. Exotica Gelatea, Causeway Bay
After enjoying a burger at Exotica Gelatea, in Causeway Bay, why not dig into one of its gelato offerings? Flavours include Valrhona dark chocolate, and rose mulberry cream, as well as Southeast Asian-inspired pandan lemongrass blue pea, and Musang king durian.
The gelato is served on a wooden plate, which adds a rustic touch.
49 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay
12. Ganto, Kwun Tong
Ganto, which reopened its doors in Kwun Tong earlier this year, introduces a new flavour theme each month. This year, the July theme is tea.
The matcha gelato, offered at varying levels of intensity, and pistachio gelato are particularly popular.
Shop 2, G/F, Two Harbour Square, 180 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong
13. Via Tokyo, Causeway Bay
Long a favourite among matcha lovers, Via Tokyo serves traditional Japanese desserts, cakes and its signature soft serve ice cream at reasonable prices.
The ice cream flavours include matcha, Hokkaido milk, and hojicha, with toppings including mochi balls, puffed rice and red beans available. We recommend the combination of three ice cream dollops served in a waffle bowl.
Shop 1A-1B, G/F, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
14. 10 Out Of 10, Tsim Sha Tsui
Organic honeycomb ice cream from New Zealand is the signature of this new ice cream shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, and it comes served with gooey runny honey and a big chunk of honeycomb.
Other flavours, such as Kit Kat crumbs, Oreo crumbs and caramel popcorn, are available in a vanilla or chocolate waffle cone or a box.
Shop 15, G/F, New Mandarin Centre, 14 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
With additional reporting by Kylie Knott