Special ice cream parlors in the Netherlands
From parlors serving only vanilla ice cream to parlors with hundreds of flavors or old-fashioned ice cream sausages: all these ice cream parlors have something that makes them special. Perfect places to satisfy your ice cream cravings on hot days (or simply all year round).
Also craving an ice cream but not in the mood for the standard ice cream parlor around the corner? Then try these ice cream parlors:
For the vanilla fan
In Alkmaar and the surrounding area, ‘Laanijs’ from ijssalon W. Laan has been a household name for years. Struggling to choose? You won’t have that problem here: they have been scooping only vanilla ice cream for 77 years. Deliciously creamy vanilla ice cream, to be precise. And for those who still want a little variation: you can add a chocolate dip or a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Worth the detour
People from Eindhoven know: ijssalon Kees in Geldrop is worth the detour. The ice cream parlor has been there since 1950 and was awarded the title of Best in the Country in 2005; in 2017, 2018 and 2023, this ice cream parlor was also nominated as one of the best in the Netherlands. By now, people from Eindhoven no longer need to make the detour; since 2017, there has also been a branch in Eindhoven itself and one in Helmond.
A little piece of Italy in the Netherlands
Another old-timer: ijssalon Garrone in Haarlem has been there since 1949 and has been run by the Italian Garrone and Giraudi families since the beginning. ‘We can do two things: make good ice cream or make bad ice cream. I’m in favor of good. And you?’ the cousins said to each other. ‘Yes, I’m also in favor of good.’ And so good, traditional gelato was born. Both classic flavors such as lemon and Malaga, and more experimental flavors such as popcorn and New York cheesecake.
Ice cream with a special experience
At Da Vinci, there are around forty different flavors to choose from, and the best feature is that their Amstelveen branch has an open kitchen. Here, you can see how they make the ice cream. You can also get a reminder via a flavor subscription on the website when your favorite flavor is in their display case. There are also branches in Amsterdam (Stadionplein 251) and Heemstede (Jan van Goyenstraat 6).
For adventurous ice cream eaters
Do you enjoy an experiment? Then pay a visit to David’s Gelato in Gouda. They have a monthly changing selection with a wide range of ice cream flavors. They take pleasure in coming up with unusual—or, well, let’s just say bizarre—flavors such as Jägermeister, Christmas stollen and, yes: Gouda cheese with sambal. A recommendation: the white asparagus gelato made with Dutch asparagus from Limburg, topped with homemade strawberry compote and sprinkled with white Valrhona chocolate.
A little wait
When my friend dragged me to Van der Linde in Amsterdam, I was skeptical because of the large group of people queuing outside. But honestly: the buttery, creamy whipped-cream ice cream more than made up for the wait. You can find Van der Linde next to Primark on Nieuwendijk.
Even better than whipped-cream ice cream
Massimo from Massimo Gelato (with four locations in Amsterdam) is a true Italian, and making ice cream runs in the family. His uncle used to make ice cream with milk from his grandmother’s dairy shop. In terms of flavors, you’ll find all the classics here, from pistachio (with nuts from Sicily) and hazelnut (from Piedmont) to chocolate and my all-time favorite fior di latte. Fior di latte is a very creamy cheese, in the style of mozzarella. That may sound strange for ice cream, but the flavor is very mild. A kind of whipped-cream ice cream, but even more delicious. They also make more unusual flavors such as ricotta with figs, and there are always a few vegan flavors as well.
From ice cream sundaes to ice cream cakes
Let’s end our list with another good old classic: Florencia IJs in The Hague has been around since 1932. In summer, you can come here from 7:30 in the morning; breakfast with ice cream, in other words. But all year round, you can get ice cream cakes, sundaes and, a true throwback, ice cream sausages. Ice cream sausages were sliced, and the slices were then placed between round cookies.
Craving an ice cream too? According to our readers, these places are also well worth a visit:
More favorites for special ice cream
Our previously published article received so many responses, including tips from readers who pointed out that we had really forgotten some top spots. So here they are, in no particular order: even more delicious addresses for lovers of more-than-delicious scoops of ice cream. Vanderpoel IJsmakers (with locations in Enschede and Hengelo), IJssalon IJskoud de Beste (Amsterdam-Noord), Ghiani in Nijmegen, IJssalon ICE AT SEA (formerly Geleijnse, in Renesse) and Di Fiorentina in Heiloo; all with divine ice creams on the menu. For anyone who can’t get enough of the famous Dubai chocolate bar: at Nelis IJssalon in Weesp, they are temporarily selling ‘heavenly chocolate ice cream’, inspired by… you guessed it.
And finally: don’t forget IJssalon De Hoop in Blaricum, named Ice Cream Parlor of the Year 2025.
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