A Complete Guide to Czech Ice Cream with Prague Ice Cream Map

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

But of course, that hasn’t always been the case – it’s only in recent years that Prague has become an extraordinary ice cream capital (although true Czech ice cream fans know that you may need to leaving Prague to try some of the most delicious licks).

We’ve put together a guide to the Czech ice cream scene that introduces newcomers to the important words, tasty history, latest openings, and must-try scoops across the country.

In recent years, ice cream trends around the world have shifted towards 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 more common.

Globally, Czech ice cream got its biggest recognition yet when Martina Březinová, who runs a family-run cafe at Velká Dobrá in Kladensko, reached the finals of the Gelato Festival World Masters with her pear sorbet from summer.

Several summers ago, Czech ice cream also made international headlines when a café in Loštice near Šumperk presented the world with its first ice cream made from Olomoucké tvarůžky, a pungent cheese produced in Czech lands since over 500 years.

Other modern flavors inspired by Czech culinary tradition include goat’s milk, beer, poppy seed, plum, semolina porridge, strudel, classic Horalky wafer bar, and even sausage.

Despite the availability of a plethora of flavor choices and varieties ranging from Rolled Ice Cream to Mochi Ice Cream, in terms of Czech flavor preference, Vanilla (35%), Chocolate (25%), Pistachio (men) and strawberry (women) always lead the way.

What’s new on the Prague ice cream scene this year? Local favorites Crème de la Crème, Angelato and Puro continue to dominate with the freshest quality ingredients and most consistent ice cream. But a number of new, smaller ice cream makers are doing innovative things, while this year the list of outliers worth traveling for grows longer.

Now with four locations around town, Angelato has put gelato on the map in Prague. Its characteristic flavor is rice, but the flavors change monthly depending on the season. All sorbets are gluten-free and vegan. Beyond the sorbet, vegans can try a host of unique gelato flavors (in the past, we’ve tried the Cucumber Mojito, Date & Ginger, and Strawberry Balsamic). Angelato now has an e-shop with free delivery in Prague. www.angelato.cz.

Amato gelateria has two locations, in Prague 1 and Prague 7, and is a Czech-Italian family-run ice cream parlor. Top sellers include the salted caramel, but the sundaes and milkshakes are also worth trying. All their flavors, whether milk-based or sorbets, are gluten-free and the sorbets and granitas are also vegan and lactose-free. Of all the ice cream parlors in Prague, Amato is perhaps the one that takes coffee the most seriously. This is where to go for an affogato. www.gelateriaamato.cz.

With locations in Prague 1, 2 and 10, and newly in Prague 6, 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 poppyseed sea buckthorn, five kinds of chocolate, turmeric, and vegan options like salted peanuts. They also have a way with ice cream and spirits. Try the variety of slivovice plum brandy at the old-fashioned “salon” in Národní. as well as Mojito, Campari or Baileys. www.cremedelacreme.cz.

Newly opened this year under Prague Castle on Nerudova Street in the Mála Strana district, Gelatology offers a rotating menu of just eight flavors, including blueberry with kefir, ruby ​​cream, cinnamon and vegan peanuts. At 80 CZK, a spoon is also one of the most expensive cones in Prague, although half a spatula costs 40 CZK. www.gelatology.cz.

Grom Gelato opened in Turin, Italy, and in 2020 opened its first branch in Prague next to Starbucks at the top of Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square). This summer, she opened a Gelateria Mánes branch, in Masarykovo nábřeží. In addition to the signature, ‘Perfect Green’ pistachio and other classic ice cream flavors, try the sorbet popsicles. www.grom.it.

This little ice cream parlor in Karlín, now in its second year of operation, does fun things with ice cream, including flavors of black and white sesame, rooibos, Czech blue poppy and salted cashew . Served in black or white cones or gluten-free cones or cups. Follow on Instagram.

Puro Gelato exudes a farm-fresh dairy vibe. With white walls, cottage shelves, and pastel accents, there’s a lovely country feel to this boutique. Among the four locations: the original in Výtoň and the outposts in Na Prikope, Vinohrady and Dejvice. In addition to mouth-watering flavors such as Apricot Greek Yogurt, Lavender or Macaron Mascarpone, try a range of vegan flavors such as Vegan Peanut Ice Cream. Watch their websites for discounts. www.purogelato.cz.

Vanilla near the Náměstí Míru metro and tram center has been around for a long time but is worth revisiting especially with rising prices. Try the cucumber ice cream with mint and gin, as well as the Mozart (chocolate, marzipan, pistachio) or walnut ice cream. Vanilla is also vegan and gluten-free and has one of the most affordable scoops at 35 CZK. www.vanilla.cz.

A new boutique ice cream parlor has sprung up in Prague’s Žižkov district this year with some truly unique flavors including semolina porridge, vanilla strudel and Horalky. Vegan popsicles and sugar-free and lactose-free ice cream are available. Good portions for an affordable price: an ice cream sandwich costs 45 CZK (it’s almost double at the Parlor in Karlín). Follow on Instagram.

From tart gooseberries and Malaga rum to strawberries, oranges, kiwi bananas or fan-favorite blueberries, Vinohrady’s Zmrzlinář is at its best when it’s fruitiest. Mint chocolate chips and Aperol are also standout scoops. They also excel in sorbets: half of their menu is made up of vegan and gluten-free sorbets. This is the Prague outpost of the 2AD ice cream family (see “Ice Cream Worth Seeing” below). www.zmrzlinar.cz.

Conveniently located on the Modrany cycle path from Mánes to the Zbraslav bridge, this little glacier has a big fan base. Inventive flavors ranging from pear with gorgonzola ice cream to a refreshing cucumber sorbet can be enjoyed at this cream parlor in Braník. www.zmrzlinarna.com.

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 famous film character made with cream, Kahlua and vodka. Owner Jaroslav Šabat learned the art of ice cream making in Bologna and brought his expertise and precision to the Czech Republic where he won top honors at the Prague Ice Cream Festival for his vanilla. Šabatovo has used egg yolks in some of its ice creams which are usually absent from ice cream.

Many Czechs swear that the best ice cream in the Czech Republic is not in Prague but in Kačica in the Kladno region where the 2AD ice cream parlor sees winding queues on weekends for pistachio, sea buckthorn, poppy, blueberry, peach, punch, cinnamon, tvaroh, and strawberry.