Melting in the summer heat? Cool off with more than just plain vanilla! From secret ice cream stories and wild flavors to the best spots in Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, and Budapest — plus insider hotel tips — here’s your ultimate chill guide.
Ice Cream in the City Heat — Secret Facts, Weird Flavors & Where to Get the Best Scoops in Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw & Budapest
It’s hot, you want ice cream. But not just any ice cream — we’re talking about those crazy, weird, sometimes delicious, or totally out-there flavors, plus the best local spots where our hotel folks swear by their favorites.
A Quick Ice Cream History Lesson — With a Twist
Did you know ice cream’s been around since medieval China? Back then, they mixed ice with soy milk — basically the OG vegan dessert. Arabs spiced things up with saffron and fruit syrups when they brought it to Europe. And around 1500 in Syria, someone got the bright idea to make Booza — a stretchy, chewy ice cream that’s basically the ice cream version of bubble gum. Pretty cool, huh?
Oh, and if you think sweet is the only way, think again. In the 1800s, people actually made oyster ice cream. Yep, oysters. You might want to skip that one.
Wild & Weird Flavors That Actually Exist
Forget your vanilla and chocolate, here’s some real talk:
Spaghetti & cheese ice cream? In Venezuela, the famous Heladería Coromoto even serves pasta in your ice cream — including a “spaghetti & cheese” flavor. No joke. Yes, that means actual pasta mixed into ice cream. It’s one of those creations that completely ignores the usual rules of dessert… and somehow still exists.
Garlic ice cream? If you like vampires to stay away, this one’s for you — popular in Gilroy, USA. After a break of a few years, the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival was back this July 25–27, 2025, at Gilroy Gardens! Known as the “Garlic Capital of the World,” Gilroy was ready to welcome garlic lovers with all their favorite crazy treats — including the infamous garlic ice cream. So if you’re a fan of bold, weird flavors or just want to experience one of the quirkiest food festivals in the US, this is the perfect summer event to add to your bucket list for the upcoming year.
So if you have a weakness for bold, slightly crazy flavors, or simply want to experience one of the quirkiest food festivals in the US, this is exactly the kind of summer event worth adding to your bucket list.
- Wasabi ice cream? For those moments when you want your ice cream to really pack a punch.
- Durian ice cream? A dessert made from Southeast Asia’s “stinky king” fruit — one of those flavors you either love or can’t stand.
- And yes, there are even wilder varieties out there: squid ink, lobster, charcoal, curry, hummus, or even crocodile egg ice cream. How people come up with these ideas is sometimes a mystery in itself.
Our local ice cream picks — because you deserve the very best
Prague
- PuroGelato — just a short walk from Mamaison Hotel Riverside. You’ll also find a self-service ice cream station where you can scoop your own favorite flavors and customize them with toppings of your choice. Their philosophy? Pure cream, natural ingredients, and no unnecessary additives. And the pistachio? Absolutely legendary.
- Crème de la Crème — founded by Honza Hochsteiger, a passionate artisan gelato maker and a strong advocate of using only honest, high-quality ingredients, without so-called “bases” — pre-made mixes that are simply flavored during production. Their location on Národní třída is almost always buzzing with fans, while the branch on Francouzská Street, near our Mamaison hotels, is equally popular. They serve traditional artisanal ice cream with a focus on simplicity, quality, and pure flavor — no compromises needed.
Bratislava
Arthur Gelato — located at Rybárska brána 9, this stylish spot offers homemade ice cream made from natural ingredients, without eggs, including sorbets and vegan options. Known for their striking black ice cream and black cones, they serve generous portions packed with original flavors. Their specialties include Belgian chocolate, salted caramel, and coconut shell charcoal powder ice cream. The elegant interior even features 24-carat edible gold chandeliers, making your ice cream break truly special.
Warsaw
Magia d’Italia Gelati Café — an exceptional spot serving ice cream made according to traditional Italian recipes. Their menu includes original flavors like roasted almond and plum-in-chocolate. For adults, they offer whiskey or fig-in-rum flavored ice cream. The flavor list is impressively long and changes seasonally based on fresh ingredient availability. Every effort is made to make your visit extra special!
Pracownia Kuncer — for fancy cakes and ice cream that locals swear by.
Cukiernia Luka — classic local joint with flavors you won’t forget.
Budapest
Ko Fagyi — known for using fresh, local ingredients without artificial additives, Ko Fagyi offers unique flavors like elderflower, blackberry, rum and fig cream, and sugar-free pistachio or rose flavour. Their cozy spots are favorites for locals seeking bold, natural ice cream with seasonal variety.Perfect for those who like their ice cream with a twist.
Insider Tips From Our Hotel Team
Pavel from Mamaison Prague says: “If you haven’t tried PuroGelato’s pistachio, you’re missing out.”
Jana in Bratislava swears by the paprika-basil combo at Luculus — “It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spicy.”
