Chill Out: Where to Find the Best Ice Cream in Beijing This Summer

There are few better ways to take the edge off the heat on a scorching summer day than with a couple of scoops of delicious ice cream. As the summer sun intensifies, we take a look at the best places in Beijing to chill out with one of the world’s favorite frozen treats.

Across the globe, one of many people’s favourite way to beat the summer heat is to wrap their mouth around a scoop or two of delicious, creamy ice cream and devour it, one lick at a time. China has traditionally not had much of an appetite for frozen desserts, opting instead to consume the considerably healthier option of fruit after a meal, but with improved access to refrigeration techniques and a higher disposable income, China has embraced ice cream culture. Whilst well below the United States and other western countries average consumption of a whopping 40kg per person per capita, the appetite for ice cream in China is growing, and fast.

This is not surprising considering that the Chinese have often been credited as being the pioneers of this treat. Over 3,000 years ago, Chinese emperors enjoyed a mixture of crushed ice, fruit, honey and wine, and it has been speculated that when Marco Polo visited China in the 13th century he brought back with him the recipe that laid the basic foundations of what we now know as ice cream.

The rapid expansion of large American ice cream chains has corresponded with, and in some ways led to, an increasing demand for the product, and it is becoming easier to find a place to get your frozen sugary fix. With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to take the edge of the scorching summer heat with a dollop or two of ice cream, so come explore some of the best places to satiate your ice cream cravings in Beijing.

Made In China

1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, China

Located at the Grand Hyatt, Made in China is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Beijing, having forged a reputation for producing an innovative range of ice creams that incorporate indigenous ingredients. The result is a playful fusion between traditional Chinese culinary favourites and creamy homemade ice cream with a selection of distinctive flavours including jasmine, green tea, ginger, mango, rose and lychee flavours.

Gelarmony

Lufthansa Centre, No. 52 Liangmaqiao Road, Beijing, China

With origins in Italy, Gelarmony is passionate about producing authentic Sicilian gelato, a slightly sweeter and stickier version of traditional ice cream. Tucked in the upper floors of the Lufthansa Centre, it’s not the easiest establishment to find on this list, and the shopping mall environment somewhat detracts from the experience but Gelarmony more than make up for this with an almost unrivalled, ever changing selection of over 100 flavours of ice cream, gelato, sorbetto and yoghurts. Made with local, premium ingredients, Gelarmony is a flavour adventure that has to be experienced to be believed.

Switch! Grill

66 GongtI Bei Lu, Beijing

A contemporary Western style restaurant, Switch! Grill is the brainchild of chef Billy Kawaja and is located on the ground floor of the Regent Land apartment building in the Dong Cheng district. Clearly not opposed to pushing the envelope and creating innovative desserts, Kawaja and his team at Switch! are responsible for some of the more unusual ice cream flavours that can be found in Beijing such as cranberry granite and black pepper vanilla.

Dairy Queen

Various locations

If the rate of expansion is any indication of the Chinese public’s appetite for Dairy Queen’s frozen confections, then it is safe to say that China can’t get enough of Dairy Queen’s signature treat, the Blizzard. The company has opened more than 500 stores across the country, meaning that, outside the United States, there are more outlets in China then the rest of the world combined. Positioned at an affordable price point around 25RMB per cup, Dairy Queen’s flagship desert, the Blizzard features a range of toppings and flavours blended into a soft serve cup and has taken China by storm. A great example of an international company adapting flavours to suit local tastes, Dairy Queen’s most popular flavour in China is green tea and the sizes have been adapted to suit local preferences.

Wondermilk

Shimao Department Store, No.13 Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

With a focus on producing a nutritious product from cows free of hormones, additives or antibiotics, Wondermilk is committed to professional dairy farming with an ethical and sustainable focus. They have a wide range of gently pasteurised milks, yoghurts, cream puddings and of course, ice cream.

Wondermilk is served in a number of retailers across Beijing such as Jamaica Blue,  The Opposite House and Capital M, as well as having its own shop at the Shimao department store where they retail a variety of ice creams for around RMB8 per cup. These 30ml single serve portions are proving to be a hit with flavours such as chocolate, peanut, blueberry and rum, and are great for shoppers who love to take their treats on the go.

Häagen-Dazs

Various Locations

Another of the major international chains to aggressively pursue the booming Chinese market, Häagen-Dazs has been able to capture China’s attention and taste buds with their luxury ice cream offerings. Their selection of 25 flavours is not especially innovative or pioneering but familiar flavours such as Rum Raisin, Vanilla and Strawberries and Cream are a welcome taste of home for travellers and expats. Certainly not the cheapest, but equally not trying to be, Häagen-Dazs is pure indulgence for the discerning ice cream fan.