(SPOT.ph) Someone wise once said, “Ice cream solves everything.” This statement may be highly debatable, but you have to agree that ice cream makes you feel way better whether you’re recovering from a tooth extraction, wallowing in sorrow after a breakup, or trying to cool down in the sweltering heat. With the sun shining intensely in the Philippines practically all year round, you can be certain that there’s an ice cream shop just around the corner.
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Drop by these best places for ice cream in Metro Manila:
Carousel Creamery
Offering 101 flavors of pure bliss, this local ice-cream hangout churns out unusual handcrafted choices such as Beer and Chicharon, Rainbow Lifesavers, and Milk and Roses. They even whip up seasonal flavors with pop culture references (A Song of Mango and Rice, anyone?) that can be enjoyed in a cup or cone (P95/single, P160/double, and P225/triple), or piled over waffle or crepe (P165).
Carousel Creamery is at G/F 8 Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan City.
Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream
A tribute to the owner’s father who whipped up handmade ice cream from the harvest of their farm, Papa Diddi’s is committed to making small batches of homemade ice cream with all-natural produce sourced locally from gardens, farms, and markets. Starting at P75 for a single scoop, Roasted Forbidden Rice and Backyard Farm Tarragon are pure hits, while Blue Butterfly and White Summer Lei from the summer collection are worthy additions.
Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream has branches at 168 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City; The Community Kitchen, G/F The Community Building, Metropoli Drive, Metropoli Residenza, Bagumbayan, Quezon City; Pobstacion, L11 B4 Valdez Street, Poblacion Makati City; and Puesto Manila, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila City.
Baskin Robbins
Founded in 1945 by ice-cream enthusiasts Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, this American frozen dessert franchise has concocted more than 1,000 flavors to date and is available in nearly 50 countries. Available in classic, seasonal, or BRight choices, their “scoops of joy” can be sampled in junior scoop (P100/P180/P250) or value scoop (P145/P250/P325) and upgraded to a freshly baked waffle cone or bowl (P35). Go on a Wednesday wearing pink to get P31 off your value scoop. You can never go wrong with their refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip or Fruity Rainbow Sherbet!
See a list of Baskin Robbins branches.
Sebastian’s Ice Cream
Creating imaginative ice cream concoctions seems to be owner Ian Carandang’s forte. From mouthwatering local flavors (sapin-sapin and ube champorado, to name a few) to addictive Poppits (ice cream balls coated in chocolate), Sebastian’s constantly surprises ice-cream aficionados with their delightful artisanal inventions and Instagram-worthy presentations.
See a list of Sebastian’s Ice Cream branches.
The Lost Bread
For people who want their ice cream with a touch of whimsy, The Lost Bread is the way to go! Their baby blue-colored vanilla soft serve ice cream is handed to you in a cone (P95) or a smoking sub-zero cup (P165) then topped with crunchy toppings (granola, fruit loops cereal, graham crackers, or chocolate and caramel popcorn) and sweet syrup (chocolate, strawberry, or caramel). Order the S’mores to get a stick of torched marshmallow on the side.
See a list of The Lost Bread branches.
Carmen’s Best
Including the word “best” in your name can put the pressure on some, but Carmen’s Best more than delivers by using only the finest ingredients mixed with fresh milk and cream from their farm. Their bestsellers Salted Caramel, Malted Milk, Butter Pecan, and Brazilian Coffee can be sampled at their Power Plant shop for only P150 (single serve cup), but it might be an even better idea to bring home pints for everyone to enjoy.
See a list of Carmen’s Best branches.
Farmacy Ice Cream & Soda Fountain
Since opening its doors in 2014, this ice-cream parlor from the Wildflour group has consistently delighted guests with their homemade ice cream (P150/single, P190/double, and P230/triple), ice cream sandwiches (P225), classic sundaes (P290), ice cream floats (P270), and alcoholic iterations (P320). The fun lies in customizing your order with your choice of flavors and toppings.
Farmacy Ice Cream & Soda Fountain has branches at G/F Net Lima, 4th Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City and G/F O’Square Building, Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills, San Juan City.
Mad Mark’s Creamery & Good Eats
Your visit to Mad Mark’s is never complete without ordering a cup of their handcrafted ice cream. Sold at P99 for a single scoop, P168 for a double scoop, and P295 for take-home servings, their icy treats perfectly round off Mad Mark’s hearty meals. Take your pick from 10 madly delicious flavors such as Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Javan Hot Chocolate, and Caramel Clover Cream. If you’ve still got space, order it on a buttery brioche bun (P120).
Mad Mark’s Creamery has branches all over Metro Manila.
Black Scoop Café
Milk tea fanatics should make a beeline for their nearest Black Scoop Café, which regularly serves heavenly milk-tea soft-serve ice cream in a cone (P80) or cup (P90). You even get the option of adding a topping (P105), a topping and a crunch (P135), or a topping and two crunches (P155). If you’re lucky, you can taste their limited-edition Yakult soft serve or White Rabbit soft serve (yes, it’s that soft chewy candy you couldn’t get enough of as a child!).
Black Scoop Café has branches all over Metro Manila.
Emack & Bolio’s
You’re in for a fun time inside Emack & Bolio’s psychedelic store! Deep Purple Chip, Grasshopper Pie, and Space Cake are just some of the outrageous options they serve (starts at P165), which you can opt to eat with over-the-top waffle cones (starts at P30). The funky chocolate dipped, sprinkled, or cereal-covered cones are sure to add a colorful twist to your ice cream eating experience.
Emack & Bolio’s is at G/F Ayala Malls The 30th, 30 Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City.
Update as of May 2, 2019, 6:45 p.m.: A previous version of this article stated that you can get a scoop of Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream for P69. This has since been updated.
