Classic Jerusalem or Hipster Tel Aviv: The Ice Cream Parlors with the Best Sorbet
When the heat becomes unbearable, even dairy ice cream can feel too heavy. We've selected five of the best spots in Israel to cool down with a refreshing and delicious sorbet.
When it's hot—so hot that even dairy ice cream starts to feel too heavy—it's the perfect time to finish with a sorbet. It's a wonderful, light solution that almost feels healthy. There isn't a single ice cream parlor in Israel without sorbet, so we've chosen the most special, interesting, and refreshing ones to help you beat the current heat wave.
The Surprising One: Emilia
The new Emilia ice cream parlor on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv shines from afar with its vibrant colors. Inside, a certified Italian gelatiere awaits, offering tributes to the best desserts, from Madagascar vanilla to salted caramel pretzel. In the sorbet department, you'll find 75% dark chocolate, mango, passion fruit, watermelon-mint, limoncello, and even an amazing acai sorbet. Don't miss the Rimonada sorbet, a charming tribute to the lemon-pomegranate drink from the HaKosem falafel shop. Prices range from 19 to 30 shekels.
The Newcomer: Gelalucci
Gelalucci is an ambitious boutique competitor to the Golda chain, featuring Italian gelatiere Sergio Colalucci. While they have excellent dairy flavors, we are here for the sorbets: the 80% chocolate is truly wonderful, the tart mango is excellent, and the lemon is insanely refreshing. Everything here is classic and high-quality. Prices: 22–31 shekels for 1–3 scoops.
The Veteran: Mousseline
The legendary Mousseline at the edge of the Mahane Yehuda market has been Jerusalem's best ice cream parlor for years. Beyond the classics, they offer surprising departures like basil, Arabica coffee, chai masala, or cinnamon and marzipan. Their sorbet variety includes mango, strawberry, raspberry, classic lemon-mint, grapefruit-basil, and cherry. Prices: 17–27 shekels.
The Hipster: Cassata
Cassata in HaMesila Park is the project of chef Eyal Shani and has become the most sought-after spot in Tel Aviv. It's an exceptionally hipster place that pairs ice cream with natural wines. In the sorbet category, you can find coconut, nectarine, or raspberry, as well as true masterpieces like sesame, cinnamon-almond, and the highlight—roasted rice, one of the weirdest and tastiest sorbets I've ever encountered. Prices: 16–26 shekels.
The Classic: Stefan
Stefan Macher, the charming Austrian on Tchernichovsky Street, creates some of the best desserts in the area. While his audience tends to prefer dairy ice cream, his sorbets are not to be missed. Try the strawberry, mango, or dark chocolate, and especially the lemon-ginger, where small pieces of fresh ginger will blow your mind. To make it even better, Macher suggests pairing a scoop of sorbet with a glass of Campari. Prices: 16–29 shekels.
