One thing is certain, there is no shortage of gelato and ice cream shops in Shanghai. Looking for the best scoops of ice cream or takeaway tubs for all occasions? This list will have you sorted.

From Italian gelato to classic American style, featuring single origin chocolate, matcha, funky flavors, froyo, and more. Plus, plenty of new flavors from old favorites.

Gelato Dal Cuore
Gelato Bello
Azabuya
Luneurs
Mimilato
Dip In Gelato
Bonus
Gracie’s
Buco
Spoooon
Dallatte Gelato

Gelato Dal Cuore

Address: 600-9 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Xinzha Lu 陕西北路600-9号, 近新闸路
Tel: 61481388
Hours: 12pm-9pm

Dal Cuore, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Gelato Dal Cuore’s excellent quality gelato has garnered some serious fandom from gelato addicts. It’s known for inventive seasonal flavors, one-day specials (like the Durian Musang King), and Singaporean/Malaysian-inspired creations, all of which are made on-site. It’s my favorite gelato place, and I order them by the tub as often as I can.

Dal Cuore, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Dal Cuore, Matcha and Pumpkin flavor.

They do some truly creative combinations with flavors that really pop like the Shanghai Scallion Noodle (holey moley, does it taste like 葱油拌面) as well as classics of Salted Caramel, Amarena Cherry, and Chocolate Fondant 72%. This season’s must-try new flavors include Avocado Coconut Gula Melaka, Rice Wine, and the savory Mozzarella.  

Dal Cuore, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

How Much: ¥38 for a double scoop, ¥48 for a triple scoop, to-go tubs are ¥160/500g, ¥240/800g. Available on Eleme.

Dal Cuore, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Gelato Bello

Address: 126 Yongkang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu 永康路126号, 近襄阳南路
Tel: 15692192026
Hours: 11am-9:30pm

Gelato Bello, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Newly opened on the quieter end of Yongkang Lu is Gelato Bello, a tiny hole-in-the-wall serving some pretty darn good gelato. It’s run by husband and wife team, Alberto Lova (Italy) and Gabbrielle Wang (China), who’ve set aside time from their day jobs to pursue the joy of gelato making.

Gelato Bello, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

There are 10 flavors available; the house favorite is the coffee liquor and Sicilian pistacchio. The eye-popper is the 97% dark chocolate, which I really like. It’s bittersweet, and I could eat a tub of it. You should also try the salty butter & caramel. It’s different than other salted caramels in town, and you can really taste the butter in each bite. 

Gelato Bello, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

How Much: ¥40 for two flavors, ¥50 for three, available in a cone, takeaway cup, or chilled glassware (if you’re finishing your gelato in-store). Takeaway tubs are ¥148 for 500g, two flavors.

Azabuya

Address: 313-315 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu 乌鲁木齐中路313-315号, 近复兴中路
Tel: 16621383917
Hours: 10am-10pm
Address: LG2, Taikoo Hui, 789 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Weihai Lu 南京西路789号兴业太古汇LG2层, 近威海路
Tel: 62242207
Hours: 11am-10pm

Azabuya, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Azabuya is a Japanese cafe and ice creamery that’s all about MATCHA! It’s possibly the best matcha ice cream I’ve had in Shanghai.

Azabuya, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

If you like matcha ice cream, you’ll be pleased that to find that they have 3 intensities of matcha on offer. Level 1 matcha is good, but Level 3 matcha is amazing. Though, one whole serving of Level 3 matcha is lot to handle. They also have flavors of cookies and cream, black sesame, black chocolate, raspberry, etc. 

Azabuya, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Azabuya actually opened its first location in 2017 at Kerry Parkside Pudong. But this is the first I’ve heard of it! They have two locations, the tiny cafe on Wulumuqi Lu location where they have ice cream, crepes, and galettes, and a bigger space in Taikoo Hui, where they serve a full menu of noodles, soups, and rice dishes. 

Azabuya, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

How Much: ¥34 for a double, ¥38 for three, and ¥40 for two in a cone.

Luneurs

Huashan Lu: 888 Huashan Lu, near Wukang Lu 华山路888号, 近武康路
Tel: 18221541460
For other locations, check their WeChat official account or mini-program.

Luneurs, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Luneurs Boulanger & Glacier is an uber-popular French bakery and ice cream shop. The counter display of baked goods, streams of strong quality coffee, and artisan ice creams are all cause for their success. That, and their devotion to providing quality products. They now have 13 locations! I like going to the Huashan Lu location, especially when I can get a seat on the terrace. 

Luneurs, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Their signature flavors are salted caramel, chocolate, and vanilla. New flavors coming soon: coconut pandan, banana lychee sorbet, and cherry sorbet.

Luneurs, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

How Much: ¥35 for a single scoop, ¥50 for double scoop. Plus, you can order tubs for delivery, ¥168/438g via their mini-program.

Mimilato

Address: 1251 Changle Lu, near Huashan Lu 长乐路1251号, 近华山路 
Tel: 17317619656 
Hours: 12pm-9pm

Mimilato, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Mimilato is a hole-in-the-wall shop on Changle Lu that specializes in flavors that utilize ingredients sourced from around China. They have about ten ice creams and sorbets that rotate seasonally, including Wanpee (a fruit from Guangxi), fermented tomato sorbet, fig and Tokaj Hungarian sweet wine, porcini (mushrooms from Yunnan), stracciatella with mint and chocolate, and more. 

Mimilato, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

How Much: ¥35 for two flavors, ¥50 for three, add ¥10 for a cone. Boxes are ¥180.

Dip In Gelato

Address: 205 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu 富民路205号, 近巨鹿路
Tel: 18901970512
Hours: Tue-Sun, 12:30pm-10pm
Address: 644 Weihai Lu, near Maoming Bei Lu 威海路644号, 近茂名北路
Tel: 18041104119
Hours: 12pm-9pm

Dip in Gelato, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

In addition to their tiny store on Fumin Lu, Dip in Gelato has now expanded to include a second location on Weihai Lu.

Dip in Gelato, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

They do small batches of often funky combinations and obscure flavors that rotate seasonally, including green apple and dill, baobab, Hokkaido white wine and white chocolate, black sesame and ginger, and pineapple-lime-cactus. They have the standards, too (pistachio, pistachio, chocolate) and also do sugar-free and vegan sorbets. 

How Much: ¥35 for two flavors, ¥45 for three in a cup; ¥40 for two flavors in a cone. Takeaway tubs are ¥120/350g, ¥135/380g, and ¥160/500g.

Bonus

Address: 243-3 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu 乌鲁木齐中路243-3号, 近五原路
Tel: 17316580877
Hours: 11am-9:30pm

Bonus, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Cornerstone ice cream shop Bonus does some inventive and bold flavors, mixing in things like peppercorn, salted egg yolk, coconut and papaya, and cheese with fig. Some also have a touch of alcohol. Flavors rotate.

How Much: Single scoops start at ¥25/single scoop, two scoops from ¥40.

Gracie’s Ice Cream

Address: 204 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu 新乐路204号, 近东湖路
Tel: 54651259
Hours: 9am-10pm

Gracie's, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Gracie’s does American-style ice creams, stocking classic flavors like Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough, and Mint Chocolate Chip, and Banana Speculoos Cookie, as well as London Fog and Black Sesame. Get it in-store at Al’s Diner.

How Much: ¥30/single scoop, ¥50/two, ¥90/pint.  Also available via delivery.

Buco

Address: 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu 东湖路20号, 近淮海中路
Tel: 33565118
Hours: 11:30am-midnight

Buco, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Buco is an ice cream window attached to Alimentari Grande. There are eight flavors, including pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate (non-dairy), blueberry or Amarena. Single scoop for ¥25, two for ¥40. Favorite: pistachio.

Pro-tip: Sign up as a Popolo Group member on WeChat, the restaurant group does kickbacks with their point collection system.

Spoooon

Address: 59 Yongjia Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu 永康路59号, 近襄阳南路
Tel: 54109870
Hours: 8:30am-10pm

Spoooon, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Located on Yongkang Lu, Spoooon does frozen yogurt, plain yogurt and fresh Greek yogurt with all the toppings of nuts, sweets and fruits. I actually like their Greek yogurt the most—it’s way cheaper than the store bought variety, and according to them, it’s made fresh. Their frozen yogurt is pretty good, too.

How Much: Froyo is ¥18 per cup sans toppings, tubs of 250ml for ¥39, 500ml for ¥73, and 1L for ¥142. Available via delivery.

Dallatte Gelato

Address: 170-3 Jiashan Lu, near Yongjia Lu 嘉善路170-3号, 近永嘉路
Tel: 13918063862
Hours: 10am-10:30pm

Dallate Gelato, one of the best ice cream and gelato shops in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

A small gelateria serving up to a dozen flavors at any given time. Among their best sellers are pistachio and hazelnut. I tend to go for the lemon sorbet.

How Much: Tubs are ¥180/500g. Available via delivery.