Get the scoop! Prague's best ice cream in 2023 with a mouthwatering map

This is an updated version of a 2022 article.

Praguers are spoiled for choice when it comes to world-class ice cream offerings. From gelatos to sorbets to froyo and artisan creations on a stick, there’s no shortage of heavenly ways to beat the heat.

But of course, this hasn’t always been the case – only in recent years has Prague become an ice cream capital extraordinaire (though real Czech ice cream fans know that you might have to leave Prague to try some of the most luscious licks).

Over the last few years, ice cream trends worldwide have shifted toward complex and adventurous flavors – and the Czech Republic is no exception. Czechs are also opting for healthier ingredients with gluten-free vegan and plant-based options becoming increasingly common.

Now with four locations in town, Angelato put gelato on the map in Prague. Its signature flavor is rice, but flavors rotate monthly according to the season. All sorbets are gluten-free and vegan. Beyond sorbet, vegans can try a host of unique gelato flavors (in the past we've tried cucumber mojito, date and ginger, and strawberry balsamic). Angelato now has an e-shop with free delivery in Prague. Visit their website: angelato.cz.

A family-owned Czech-Italian ice cream parlor, Amato has two locations, Prague 1 and Prague 7. Best sellers include salted caramel but also worth trying are the sundaes and milkshakes. All of their flavors, whether milk-based or sorbets, are gluten-free and sorbets and granitas are also vegan and lactose-free. Of all the ice cream shops in Prague, Amato may be the one that takes coffee the most seriously, making it the place to go for an affogato. Visit their website: www.gelateriaamato.cz.

Antoninovo pekařství has six different locations around Prague, with soft-serve on offer from spring to autumn. Chocolate, vanilla, and mixed flavors in the rotation include curd, apricot, black currant, lemon, strawberry, and mango. Try three different sizes, including a "stroller size" made especially for kids. Visit their website: www.antoninovopekarstvi.cz.

BB Gelato has the perfect pink aesthetic and delicious gelato that will enhance your Barbie Girl summer. The gelato is handcrafted daily by the two owners of the shop using only the freshest ingredients, which makes this the perfect mom-and-pop ice cream parlor. Visit their website: bbgelato.com.

Cafe La Torta offers unique ice cream flavors you will have a hard time finding anywhere else. From poppy seeds to plum, this shop has a wide selection of cream-based ice cream as well as providing a variety of cakes and other small desserts. Located in Prague 1, Cafe La Torta makes for a convenient stop. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Located in Prague 1, Chocafe specializes in Belgian Chocolate. In recent years, the cafe has branched out to serve high-quality ice cream, with flavors such as vanilla, raspberry, and salted caramel that complement their very diverse selection of sweet treats. Visit their website at www.chocafe.com/cz.

With locations in Prague 1, 2, 6, and 10, Crème de la Crème has long dominated the ice cream scene thanks to owner Jan Hochsteiger aka "Mr. Ice Cream's" menu of nearly 60 flavor variations that include sea buckthorn, poppyseed, five kinds of chocolate, turmeric, and vegan options like salty peanut. They also have a way with ice cream and spirits. Try the slivovice plum brandy variety at the old-timey Národní "salon," as well as Mojito, Campari, or Baileys. Visit their website: www.cremedelacreme.cz.

Hailing from Turin, Italy, Grom Gelato opened its first branch in Prague in 2020 next to the Starbucks at the top of Wenceslas Square. This summer it has opened another branch, Grom Gelateria Mánes, at Masarykovo nábřeží. In addition to the signature "Perfect Green" pistachio and other classic ice cream flavors, try the sorbet popsicles. Visit their website: www.grom.it.

This tiny vegan storefront ice cream parlor in Karlín, now in its second year of business, does fun things with ice cream including both black and white sesame flavors, rooibos, Czech blue poppy, and salted cashew, which are served in black or white cones or gluten-free cones or cups. Follow them on Instagram.

Myšák offers cream-based ice cream, and their classic flavors include vanilla and pistachio. The latter is made from the finest quality pistachios, which are imported from Sicily. Seasonal recipes are part of the mix, as sorbet types depend on what great fruits they can get from Ondra Svoboda in the Holešovice market during the summer. Follow them on Instagram.

Ovocný Světozor focuses serves up both scoops and sot serve; their banana and strawberry ice cream is probably the most famous. Feeling particularly decadent? Go for a slice of cake or an ice cream sundae. Of their numerous locations around Prague, the shop in the Světozor passage connected to the Franciscan gardens is the most scenic. Visit their website: www.ovocnysvetozor.cz.

Puro Gelato exudes a farm-fresh dairy vibe. With white walls, cottage shelving, and pastel accents, there is a pleasant country feel to this shop. Its locations are the original in Výtoň and outposts in Na Příkopě, Vinohrady, Vršovice, and Smíchov. In addition to mouthwatering flavors such as Greek yogurt with apricot, lavender, or mascarpone with macaroons, try a range of vegan flavors such as vegan peanut gelato. Watch their website for discounts: www.purogelato.cz.

An outlier in the Prague suburbs of Jesenice and Kunratice, Šabatovo Zmrzlinářství has made a name for itself with bold flavors such as Vietnamese Coffee and The Big Lebowski, an ode to the famed film character made with cream, Kahlúa, and vodka. The shop has recently opened a new location at náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad. Šabatovo uses egg yolks in some of its ice cream, an ingredient usually absent from gelato.

Moreno Faganello was an ice cream pioneer in Prague, opening his shop in the Arkády Pankrác shopping center in 2008. Faganello comes from a long line of northern Italian gelato makers. In 2017 he won the title of best ice cream in the Czech Republic in the Gelato World Tour. Try Sani's award-winning pink grapefruit sorbet scented with star anise and fresh mint leaves. Visit their website: sanigelato.com.

Tucked away amid a clutch of shipping-container food vendors behind the Kotva department store, Taiyaki Bar offers Japanese ice cream with new flavors weekly. Previous flavors have included brown sugar, mango green tea, and melon. You are able to mix the two flavors and can choose up to three toppings. Check them out on Instagram.

Located near the Náměstí Míru metro and tram hub, Vanille has been around for a long time but is worth revisiting, particularly given its prices. Try cucumber ice cream with mint and gin, as well as the Mozart (chocolate, marzipan, pistachio), or walnut ice cream. Vanille is also vegan and gluten-friendly. Visit their website: www.vanille.cz.

A boutique ice cream parlor sprung up in Prague's Žižkov district last year with some truly unique flavors including semolina porridge, vanilla strudel, and Horalky, all coming with generous portion sizes. Vegan popsicles and sugar-free and lactose-free options are available. Follow them on Instagram.

From tart gooseberry to Malaga rum raisin or fan favorites strawberry, orange, banana, kiwi, or blueberry, Vinohrady's Zmrzlinář is at its finest when it's at its fruitiest. Mint chocolate chip and Aperol are also stand-out scoops. They also excel at sorbets: half of their menu is comprised of vegan and gluten-free sorbets. This is the Prague outpost of the 2AD ice cream family (see Ice Cream Worth Traveling For below). Visit their website: www.zmrzlinar.cz.

Conveniently located on the Modřany bike path from Mánes to Zbraslav Bridge, this small ice cream parlor has a big fan base. Inventive flavors from pear with gorgonzola gelato to a refreshing cucumber sorbet can be sampled at this Braník cream parlor. Visit their website: www.zmrzlinarna.com.

Many Czechs swear that the best ice cream in the Czech Republic isn't in Prague but in Kačice in the Kladno district where the 2AD ice cream parlor sees winding weekend queues for pistachio, sea buckthorn, poppy, blueberry, peach, punch, cinnamon, tvaroh, and strawberry.

Other ice cream emporiums worth a visit include these winners of the 2022 Prague Ice Cream Festival: Cukrárna U Moučků (winner and the jury favorite) located in the town of Strančice, Cukrárna Karkadé in Čelákovice (second prize) and Brno's Cukrárna Tutti Frutti (third prize).