Quick answer: Singapore’s ice cream scene runs on two speeds: the heartland stalwarts who have been churning for over a decade, and a newer wave obsessed with botanicals, vegan bases and house-made burnt cones. Creamier still writes the book on waffle pairings in Toa Payoh; Birds of Paradise makes gelato that tastes like walking through a garden; and Kind Kones proves dairy-free can be properly shiok. The rest of this list earns their spot just as solidly.
Creamier
Creamier has been a fixture in Toa Payoh long enough that the queue outside Blk 131 is practically a neighbourhood landmark. They churn small batches from natural ingredients and the menu reads like a love letter to local flavours, reinterpreted without losing their soul.
Sea Salt Gula Melaka is the one everyone talks about, but regulars know to watch for seasonal drops like Tau Huay. The Earl Grey Lavender pulls its weight too, floral without tasting like soap. Everything from the Tahitian vanilla beans to the Speculoos gets the same careful hand, and the waffles—crisp edges, soft inside—are exactly what you want a scoop to land on.
The space itself is nothing fancy, which is the point. You are here because someone you trust told you the waffles are worth the wait, and they were right.
Address: Blk 131 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-02, Singapore 310131 (other branches available)
Contact: +65 9387 6136 (Whatsapp)
Price signal: Mid-range, with waffle sets that feel like a small weekend reward
creamier.com.sg
Go when you have time to linger. It suits the friend who plans a catch-up around dessert rather than the other way round, or a family looking for something a little more thoughtful than the usual mall kiosk scoop. For a deeper dive into places that take their waffles seriously, our Finest Waffle Ice Cream Experiences in Singapore guide has you covered.
Birds of Paradise
Birds of Paradise builds its gelato around real botanicals—fruits, flowers, herbs, spices—and the result is a scoop that feels clean rather than heavy. Located along East Coast Road among other outlets islandwide, it has been in the Michelin Guide Singapore since 2018 for good reason.
The White Chrysanthemum with cacao nibs is the signature, delicate and a little bit unexpected. Strawberry Basil leans bright and savoury-sweet, while Sea Salt Hojicha lands somewhere between roasted comfort and a cool finish. Even the cone gets attention: a thyme-infused base that adds a whisper of herbaceous warmth. Pints are available to take home if you are the sort who likes to stock the freezer for a random Tuesday night.
The gelato is not overly sweet, which means you can work through a double scoop without that slight regret. It suits an after-dinner stroll along East Coast, or anyone who wants their dessert to feel considered rather than indulgent.
Address: 71 East Coast Road, Singapore 428781 (multiple outlets)
Contact: 9862 3260 (Whatsapp)
Hours: 11am–8pm (Mon–Thu), 9:30am–8pm (Fri–Sun & PH)
Price signal: Premium, reflecting the ingredient sourcing
birdsofparadise.sg
Udders
Udders has been around long enough that a whole generation of Singaporeans grew up on their Mao Shan Wang durian scoop. The brand wears its local identity comfortably—Asian-inspired flavours, a halal-certified kitchen, and a willingness to get a bit playful.
Their Emperor Mao is the real deal if you take your durian seriously: intensely creamy, unmistakably MSW, and one of the reasons The Straits Times has named them among the best. On a different wavelength entirely, Snickers Honeycomb scratches the candy-bar itch with proper crunch. The New York Times once took note of a Kimchi flavour experiment, which tells you they are not afraid to try things. Fresh waffles round out the visit, soft and sturdy enough to hold a double scoop.
This is the one to bring out-of-town visitors who want to eat something that tastes like Singapore, or a group with mixed dietary needs—vegan options are available alongside the full-dairy classics.
Address: 17 Lorong Kilat, #01-09, Kilat Court, Singapore 598139 (multiple locations)
Contact: +65 6466 1055
Price signal: Accessible mid-range, good value for the quality
udders.com.sg
This is an editorial round-up, not a paid directory. Think we have missed somewhere? Tell us what you do and why it belongs here.
Tom’s Palette
Tom’s Palette has clocked over 180 flavours since it started, and the menu rotates weekly, so even the most regular regulars get something new. The Middle Road shop near Bugis keeps things simple—no elaborate fit-out, just a counter and a chalkboard—but the gelato does all the talking.
Granny’s Favourite will hit if you grew up on Horlicks; it has that malted warmth that feels like a hug from someone who remembers your childhood order. Parmesan Cheese & Cream Crackers sounds like a dare, but the savoury-sweet balance works surprisingly well. Yuzu cuts through when you want something bright. They actively encourage combining flavours, so you can build a cup that bounces between rich and zesty.
Late-night types note the Bugis outlet stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays—useful when a dessert craving hits after dinner in town.
Address: 51 Middle Road, #01-01, Singapore 188959 (second outlet at Hougang)
Contact: +65 8815 8054
Hours (Bugis): Mon 6pm–10pm, Tue–Thu 12pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–12am
Price signal: Mid-range, they are free with samples
tomspalette.com.sg
If you are the kind of person who reads a menu and immediately asks “can mix?”—this is your spot. Also a strong pick for Hougang dwellers who do not want to travel far for something special. Our Homemade Ice Cream Destinations in Singapore round-up has more names for the scratch-made loyalists.
Apiary
Apiary on Neil Road is the kind of place you stumble upon after a walk around the Duxton area, drawn in by the promise of ice cream made without shortcuts. Everything is handcrafted from scratch, no artificial additives, and the focus is on letting the base ingredients speak clearly.
Dark Chocolate is properly deep, Caramelised Strawberry has a jammy intensity, and Blue Pea Flower with sea salt looks as striking as it tastes. The Ferrero Rocher flavour gets a lot of love from regulars—hazelnut-rich and surprisingly faithful to the gold-wrapped original. Waffles are available, and they do take-home tubs if you need to stock up for a gathering.
It is the right pick when you want something that feels clean and uncomplicated but still tastes like a treat. The Jubilee Square outlet in Ang Mo Kio brings the same ethos to the heartlands.
Address: 84 Neil Road, Singapore 088844 (also at Jubilee Square, Ang Mo Kio)
Contact: +65 8490 2009
Hours: 12pm–10pm daily
Price signal: Mid-to-upper, reflecting the ingredient quality
apiary.sg
This is an editorial round-up, not a paid directory. Think we have missed somewhere? Tell us what you do and why it belongs here.
Kind Kones
Kind Kones set out to make vegan ice cream that does not taste like a compromise, and judging by the queues at their Forum, Paragon and i12 Katong outlets, it is working. Everything is dairy-free, built on coconut and cashew bases, with superfood ingredients woven into flavours that feel indulgent rather than penitential.
Black Forest brings the cherry-and-chocolate combo without any of the heavy dairy aftertaste. Blue Planet, coloured naturally with Butterfly Pea Flower, is the one that photographs beautifully and tastes bright and earthy. Baklava channels the honey-nut pastry in gelato form. For something simpler, the Matcha has a clean, grassy depth that holds up on its own. Beyond scoops, the shop does vegan cakes, donuts and bliss balls—useful if you need a whole spread that everyone at the party can eat.
This is the go-to for anyone managing dairy intolerance, committed to plant-based eating, or simply curious whether vegan ice cream can actually taste shiok. (It can.)
Address: B1-27, 583 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238884 (multiple locations)
Contact: Forum branch: 90108557; Main office: +65 96178413
Hours: Generally 11am–10pm, check individual outlets
Price signal: Slightly premium, in line with specialty vegan products
kindkones.com
If you are planning a meal around Orchard Road and need Halal-friendly options nearby, we have a broader guide covering Halal Places To Eat in Singapore that pairs well after dessert.
Burnt Cones
Burnt Cones started in Clementi and has spread across the island on the strength of one simple idea: a cone with a bit of char tastes better. The slight bitterness from the house-made burnt cones offsets the richness of the gelato, and the whole thing comes together more memorably than a plain wafer ever could.
Pistachio is the one to order first—smooth, nutty, and deeply flavoured. Ube offers a gentle purple sweetness, and Dark Gianduja arrives like a grown-up Nutella with proper cocoa weight. The buttermilk waffles are worth adding on; they have that Maillard browning that gives a crisp, almost caramelised edge. Scoops start at $5, which feels fair for the level of care that goes into the cone alone.
Bring someone who says they are “not really a dessert person” and watch them change their mind halfway through the first scoop.
Address: 105 Clementi Street 12 #01-02, Singapore 120105 (more branches available)
Contact: +65 9711 1097
Price signal: Accessible, starting at $5 per scoop
burntcones.com
How to choose
Different shops solve different cravings—knowing which one matches your mood saves you queueing at a place that cannot deliver what you actually want.
Decide what the centrepiece is. For some, the ice cream is the star; for others, the waffle or cone matters just as much. Creamier and Burnt Cones both invest heavily in their baked accompaniments. If you lean botanical and light, Birds of Paradise gives you a gelato that stands happily on its own in a cup.
Check dietary needs early. Vegan, dairy-free and halal certifications are not evenly distributed. Kind Kones is entirely plant-based. Udders operates a halal-certified kitchen. Several others offer select vegan or dairy-free options, but the full menu may not apply—confirm with the specific outlet if this is a dealbreaker.
What does the price get you? Most scoops land between $4 and $7, with premium ingredients and handcrafted processes pushing the upper end. A single scoop at Burnt Cones starts at $5, while a waffle-and-scoop set at Creamier runs a little higher but reads as a full dessert experience rather than a quick fix. All the shops on this list justify their price with what goes into the product; none are charging for hype alone.
Location matters more than you think. If you are in the east, Birds of Paradise and Udders have you covered. Central and Bugis favour Tom’s Palette and Apiary’s Neil Road outlet. The west is Burnt Cones territory. Kind Kones is the easiest to slot into an Orchard shopping run. Choose based on where you will actually go, not just the menu.
| Shop | Best Known For | Base Price (per scoop) | Vibe | Standout Flavour | Dietary-Friendly Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creamier | Waffles with small-batch ice cream | Mid-range | Heartland weekend queue, worth the wait | Sea Salt Gula Melaka | Halal-certified for select items |
| Birds of Paradise | Botanical gelato, thyme cones | Premium | Polished, nature-inspired, good for a date | White Chrysanthemum | Check with the business |
| Udders | Local and Asian-inspired flavours | Mid-range | Playful, unpretentious, group-friendly | Emperor Mao (MSW durian) | Halal-certified kitchen, vegan options |
| Tom’s Palette | 180+ rotating gelato flavours | Mid-range | Creative, experiment-friendly, late-night Fri–Sat | Granny’s Favourite (Horlicks) | Check with the business |
| Apiary | Scratch-made, no artificial additives | Mid-to-upper | Clean, honest, neighbourhood gem | Dark Chocolate | Check with the business |
| Kind Kones | Fully vegan, plant-based ice cream | Slightly premium | Guilt-free treat, health-forward crowd | Black Forest | Vegan, dairy-free |
| Burnt Cones | House-made burnt cones, rich gelato | $5 and up | Casual, a bit of drama from the char | Pistachio | Check with the business |
Summary
Singapore’s ice cream shops punch well above their weight, and the seven here cover almost every craving: old-school waffle mornings, botanical afternoon treats, late-night gelato experiments and fully plant-based indulgences. Creamier, Birds of Paradise and Kind Kones are the three most people name first, but the rest have their own loyal followings for good reasons. Pick based on your corner of the island, who you are bringing, and what kind of scoop you actually feel like today—there is no wrong answer here.
Disclaimer: All details were accurate at the time of writing. Operating hours, prices and menu items can change—please confirm directly with the business before making a special trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which ice cream shop has the best waffles in Singapore?
Creamier is the name most people mention first—their waffles are crisp on the outside, soft inside, and hold up well under a double scoop. Burnt Cones is the other strong contender, with buttermilk waffles that get a deep, even browning.
Are there fully vegan ice cream shops in Singapore?
Kind Kones is entirely vegan and dairy-free, using coconut and cashew bases across all their flavours. Udders also carries vegan options alongside its regular menu, but check with the specific outlet.
Which ice cream places are halal-certified?
Udders operates a halal-certified kitchen. Creamier has halal-certified options for select items. For the other shops, confirm directly as certification status can vary by outlet and product.
What is the best durian ice cream in Singapore?
Udders’ Emperor Mao, made with Mao Shan Wang durian, has been praised by The Straits Times and is widely considered the benchmark. It is intensely creamy and tastes unmistakably of fresh MSW rather than artificial flavouring.
Can I buy ice cream by the pint to take home?
Yes—Birds of Paradise and Apiary both sell take-home tubs, and most other shops on this list offer pint-sized options for their signature flavours. This is useful for parties or just keeping the freezer stocked.
Which ice cream shop is open latest?
Tom’s Palette in Bugis stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Udders outlets also typically run until late. Check individual outlet hours before heading down, especially on public holidays.