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Time Out Abu Dhabi
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
13 of the best ice cream spots in Abu Dhabi
Forget lunch and coffee dates – we want our summer catch-ups to be conducted exclusively over ice cream only. After all, there's no better antidote to temps of 40°C and up than a scoop or two of the cold stuff. Thankfully, the capital spoils us with its choice of ice cream parlours. From authentic gelato Italiano to Emirati-inspired soft serve, these are the best places in the city to satisfy your ice cream cravings. Where to get ice cream in Abu Dhabi Antonia While it's all too easy to feast on Antonia's unreal beef carpaccio, cacio e pepe and sourdough pizza squares until you're full to bursting, believe us when we say that you need to save room for dessert, or more specifically the gelato Italiano. Like everything else on the menu, all the exceptional flavours are made fresh in-house with premium quality ingredients, and they're just as silky and creamy as any you'll find on the streets of Rome. Offering a rotating menu, you'll find pistachio (yes please), coconut, vanilla, gianduja and mixed berry being served up this season, while the ultra-zesty Amalfi lemon and Sorrento orange sorbets are like summer in a bowl. Open daily noon-11pm. Various locations, including Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, @ (02 667 2554). Central Abu Dhabi (Credit: Central Abu Dhabi) Filled with old-school arcade machines, games and even a bowling alley, bright, loud and funky Central Abu Dhabi invites you to let loose and enjoy being a big kid for a while. Completing the throwback experience, the choice of different ice cream flavours is truly tremendous, while the classic soft serve vanilla and chocolate keeps many (including yours truly) coming back for more. Or, if you're really in the mood for a sugar hit, the outrageous (and aptly named) monster shakes are just the treat-day blowout you've been looking for. Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-midnight. Yas Bay, Yas Island, (04 423 8311). Episodes Gelateria (Credit: Episodes Gelateria) Few hotels in the UAE (or even the world), are as opulent as Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Covered with glittering gold, crystals and mother of pearl, it's the very definition of palatial decadence. Whether you've got visitors in town or you're just looking for something different to do on the weekend, popping in to admire its jaw-dropping, 72m-tall domed lobby is the perfect summer day out, while stopping for ice cream at Episodes is an essential part of the experience, too. Made with ingredients from the palace's gardens and bee hives, the summer menu stars tempting variations like hazelnut, mango, raspberry, fig ricotta and peach sorbet, while the decorations include whipped cream, fresh fruits, cool branded wafers and – wait for it – 23-karat gold leaf. Well, this is Emirates Palace after all… Open daily 10am-11pm. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Corniche Road, @mo_emiratespalace (02 690 7999). Gelateria La Romana (Credit: Gelateria La Romana) Born in Northern Italy in 1947, Gelateria La Romana is one of the most authentic Italian gelato brands in the UAE and one of the most vegan-friendly. Offering caramel macchiato, cinnamon roll, iced milk pistachio and countless other quirky options, the menu changes with the seasons, while the dedicated Ve' range ensures that those on a plant-based diet don't miss out on the fun either. Spanning 'stuffed' ice creams with tasty hidden fillings, thick ice cream shakes, and warm waffles and crepes with yes – you guessed it – more ice cream, we won't judge you if you happen to fall in there everything you need to 'pop into The Galleria' for something. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island, @gelaterialaromana_uae (02 442 0080). Ice Cream & Juice Station (Credit: Instagram @ Made from all-natural ingredients and free from added sugar, you never have to feel guilty about indulging in a trip to the Station. Presenting Emirati dessert-inspired soft serves flavoured with kunafa, talbena and qatayef, alongside gelato infused with saffron, salted caramel, mastika rose and other enticing ingredients, there's always something new and interesting to try. The signature 'coffee in a cone' is just as fun as it sounds, while the pecan pie ice cream is so good we could eat it daily and not get bored. If you're still yet to explore the thriving and up-and-coming area of Souq Al Mina, the Station's epic ice cream is the ideal excuse to get there ASAP. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am-midnight, Sat-Sun 10.30am-2am. Souq Al Mina, Zayed Port, @ (052 111 0528). (Credit: Following its successful pop-ups at BRED Abu Dhabi and the Al Hosn Festival, the whole city seems to be obsessed with incredible homemade ice creams, and there are many good reasons why. While the amazing pistachio, tiramisu and gianduia are the best sellers, it's the Snickers-like mix of chocolate, caramel and peanuts in the peanut butter flavour that really gets our heart racing. The dolce and banana is another winning combination, and we're sure we don't need to explain how wonderfully the raspberry basil and exotic mango passionfruit sorbets go down on a hot summer's day. Offering new options daily, the cute and cosy cafe is a masterclass in classy and minimalist style. Open Mon 2pm-11pm, Tue-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sun 11am-midnight. Souq Al Mina, Zayed Port, @ (02 550 4446). Mina Creamery (Credit: Instagram @minacreamery) Mina Creamery's ever-changing menu is the gift that keeps on giving. Offering regionally inspired variations like olive oil with zataar and halwa salted saffron, plus unique and creative varieties such as the 'Cheeseboard' with cream cheese, cheddar, and apricot, almond croissant (featuring actual croissant chunks, just FYI), scones with jam and clotted cream, and American-style s'mores, it's possibly the most exciting ice cream shop that Abu Dhabi has ever seen. Previously only available for delivery and at various pop-ups, it's opening its first shop at Mina Port very soon. We'll be first in the queue come opening day. Coming soon. Madar_39, Al Rutam Street, Zayed Port, @minacreamery (050 191 4698). NAC Abu Dhabi (Credit: NAC Abu Dhabi) Scroll through NAC's tagged Instagram stories and you'll quickly notice a common theme… The chic French bistro has gone viral for its crushed milk chocolate cookies with Frosties soft serve, and the hype is very, very real. Brimming with the nostalgic malty taste of Horlick's (the ultimate childhood bedtime treat), the sweet cereal flakes add the most satisfying crunch. As Tony the Tiger would say, it's absolutely 'grreat!'. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11.30pm. Marina Mall, Al Kasir, @nacdubai (02 681 1708). Ripple Credit: Aasiya Jagadeesh/ITP Experts at silky, swirly and ever-so-dreamy soft serve, Ripple's exotic choice of ice creams is like nothing you've ever seen before. Constantly revamping its menu to keep things fresh and interesting, it offers everything from pink lemonade, cotton candy and blueberry, to special Emirati-inspired blends and exclusive fruity summer additions, too. If you simply can't decide, you can have two swirled together, or pair it with one of the icy fresh-fruit slushies for an extra boost of vitamins and refreshment. Open daily 11am-midnight. Al Anwar Street, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, @ripple_icecream (050 266 0509). SOLE Ristorante (Credit: SOLE Ristorante) Ranging from fresh passionfruit to rich chocolate and much more, SOLE Ristorante serves up a truly magnificent selection of Italian gelatos. Overlooking the pool and private beach of the iconic Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, every visit feels like a holiday and it's a gorgeous setting for a summer-afternoon pick me up. Oh, and don't even think of leaving without trying one of the equally excellent Italian coffees. They're absolutely deliziozo. Open Sat noon-11.30pm, Sun-Friday noon-3.30pm & 7pm-11pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road, @ (02 811 5666). Taparelle (Credit: Taparelle) Tucked away inside Manarat Al Saadiyat, Taparelle is one of Abu Dhabi's best-kept secrets. Along with offering some of the finest stone-baked pizzas and homemade pasta in the city (don't even get us started on the oxtail ragu), it also takes the art of gelato making to a whole new level of fabulous. Offering Mediterranean-inspired creations like sweet fig, fruity peach and apricot, uplifting lemon and thyme and classic tiramisu, every batch is low in sugar and freshly made daily. Open Mon-Sun 7.30am-11pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, (02 657 5832). Ting Irie Abu Dhabi (Credit: Ting Irie Abu Dhabi) Home to the best beach views and coolest vibes in Abu Dhabi, nothing finishes off a day at Mamsha Beach like a serving of 'Wash Off Yuh Hart' at Ting Irie. Light and refreshing, it features an exotic fusion of tropical coconut mousse, rich dark chocolate shell and vanilla ice cream, all served with a scattering of caramelised coconut crisps. Open Mon-Thu 11am-11.30pm, Fri 11am-midnight, Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, @tingirieauh (02 886 7786). Vasa Vasa Credit: Aasiya Jagadeesh/ITP Credit: Aasiya Jagadeesh/ITP Credit: Aasiya Jagadeesh/ITP Shortlisted for the Best Dessert gong at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2025, it's impossible to walk past Vasa Vasa without popping in for a couple of cheeky scoops. Located on the pretty waterfront boardwalk of Al Muneera, it's one of the few places in the city where you can sample authentic Sicilian-style gelato, and there are so many options it's almost overwhelming. However, whether you go for a coffee, fruity strawberry or classic vanilla, believe us when we say that you can't make a wrong decision. Away from the waffle cones, there are also cakes, crepes, frappes and Sicilian cannoli, plus takeaway mix-and-match ice cream tubs that are made for lazy Sundays in front of your latest series. Open daily 8am-10pm. Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach, @vasavasaabudhabi (02 555 6484). 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Time Out Abu Dhabi
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Will Disney Abu Dhabi be indoors or outdoors?
We've got three words for you: Disney. Abu. Dhabi. The happiest place on Earth is making its Middle East debut and while our inner child is spinning in teacups with joy, one (very valid) grown-up question remains: will the Disney theme park be outdoors or indoors? Because, let's face it – as much as we love Mickey-shaped ice creams and singing Let It Go under the sun, Abu Dhabi's summer doesn't mess around. With temps soaring past 50°C, even Olaf might reconsider his eternal love for summer. So… what's the plan? Will Disney Abu Dhabi be outdoors or indoors? It's (sort of) outdoors – but also indoors. Basically, it's magic. The answer, like any good Disney plot twist, isn't so straightforward. According to Disney Parks boss Josh D'Amaro, the new Yas Island mega-project will be a hybrid, combining the best of indoor comfort with outdoor charm. They're being very ambitious, architecture, tech and water are all coming into play – which sounds like there might be a splash of Moana inspiration involved. Here's the kicker: the park is being built right up against the water. Think cool breezes, waterfront vistas and, who knows – maybe even an indoor-outdoor castle that literally lets the sea into the storyline. Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi added that, like other Yas Island hits (hi, Warner Bros. World), Disney will be indoors, but he also called it the most advanced park in the Disney portfolio. So expect something completely new – and 100 percent air-conditioned. So, when can we go? Not tomorrow, unfortunately. With a timeline of up to two years for design and another four to six for construction, we're looking at a 2030 to 2032 opening. But we've waited 100 years for Disney to come to the UAE – what's a few more? Until then, we'll keep dreaming of those castle selfies, futuristic rides and Emirati-inspired storylines (yes, those are happening too). One thing's for sure – whether indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between – Disney Abu Dhabi will be cooler than cool. Literally. All about Disney Abu Dhabi 7 things we know about the new Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi It's going to be magical – and massive This is when Disney Abu Dhabi is likely to open A Disney official has shared a rough timeline Three key ways the new Disney theme park will change Abu Dhabi A whole new world indeed
