I don’t naturally gravitate towards ice cream because I’m not a huge fan of sweet things, but Birds of Paradise took my breath away. The reason is simple: it has an array of refreshing flavours that aren’t jam-packed with copious amounts of sugar. My personal favourite? The white chrysanthemum, which has a fair mix of floral fragrance from the yellow flower and cacao nibs for texture. For something punchier, go for the earl grey and lemongrass. This local gelato company has plenty of parlours in Singapore, but I’ll recommend nesting at its Mandai Wildlife West outlet—at least you’ll have an excuse to visit the new bird park.

—Sean Tham, social media editor

Birds of Paradise
Address: 20 Mandai Lake Road, 02-03, S(729825)

Ice cream shops are dime-a-dozen but good ones that leave you yearning for more are hard to come by–yes, I said it. But ever since I’ve had gelato from Catkin by Huishan, the above statement might need some tweaking. Cosied up along Wilkie Road, the 12-seater dessert bar is the brainchild of Singaporean pastry chef Soh Hui Shan, who churns out gelato, inspired by flavours of nostalgia that simply hit the spot. As a self-indulgent pistachio lover, I dare declare that Soh’s ingenious signature melon seed gelato could rival some of the best Sicilian pistachio gelato there is.

The young chef is also not one to rest on her laurels. On Instagram, she often shares her playful gelato experiments with her followers, teasing upcoming seasonal flavours. I’ve taken down notes: expect combinations like tie guan yin tea, soy beancurd, and sour plum using umeboshi shiso. Gelato is available by the scoop if you’re looking to dine in, but know that the modest lineup of flavours rotates on a weekly basis. And if you decide that you want them in pints, you’ve got to pre-order since Soh is insistent on freshly churning them.

—Dawson Tan, assistant dining editor

Catkin by Huishan
Address: 28 Wilkie Road, 01-06, S(228051)

Whenever I crave a refreshing scoop of ice cream, my mind goes straight to Salted Caramel. Tucked amidst the streets of Upper Thomson, this ice cream cafe has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Personally, nothing quite compares to their signature Salted Caramel flavour. It boasts a velvety texture and strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and saltiness. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, its rotating flavours are equally enticing. Take the Lemon Cheesecake, for instance, with its subtle hint of lemon curd paired with creamy cheesecake ice cream. Then there’s the Gold Digger, a personal favourite when I’m in the mood for a sweeter treat. It features dark chocolate ice cream with homemade chocolate-covered honeycomb mixed in. Salted Caramel is definitely my go-to spot for beating the heat.
 
—Nadra Nichols, social media assistant

Salted Caramel
Address: 17 Lor Kilat, 01-08 Kilat Court, S(598139)

When it comes to ice cream, I try looking for unique flavours that scream “yum”. Tom’s Palette, located on Victoria Street, is where you’ll find an attractive host of 27 unique flavours. The store is jam-packed every evening on the weekends with customers looking to get away from the heat with an ice-cold scoop of ice cream. There are many flavours including Chocolate Sorbet (dairy-free), Parmesan Cheese & Cream Crackers, and Yuzu.

My go-to is their rich and smooth Granny’s Favourite, which consists of a scoop of childhood nostalgia with a dash of Horlicks and malty flavours. To spice things up, the shop changes up their flavour menu every week. And if you’re debating between two flavours, opt for a combination of the two in one cup.

—Gabrielle Chua, writer

Tom’s Palette
Address: 51 Middle Road, 01-01, S(188959), +65 6977 9749

Read more: Where to find the most indulgent milkshakes in Singapore

If I’m craving a good cone of gelato, I know that Venchi will satisfy all my needs. The Italian luxury chocolatier takes its gelato very seriously, from storing it in closed metal containers to keeping the natural shades of the flavours it offers. My classic order is always the Sicilian pistachio, which I love for its earthy and nutty profiles that never comes across as artificial or overly sweet.

Other than that, it doesn’t make sense to ignore Venchi’s Cuor Di Cacao dark chocolate, which is deliciously rich and just bitter enough. And sure, it can be enjoyed in a cup, but where’s the fun in that? One of life’s greatest pleasures is nibbling down a cone with its top coated in chocolate and nuts while walking down Orchard Road, fortified against the hot sun by a refreshing scoop of premium gelato.

—Ethan Kan, writer

Venchi
Address: 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, S(238873)

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