Inspired Taste - Inspired Living SA

Top Ice Cream Shops in Cape Town

Summer in Cape Town is a glorious thing: stunning beach weather, beautiful sunsets, dinning outside and the most important summer essential – Ice Cream! Ice Cream is one of those things that you can enjoy come rain or shine but it tastes particularly good on a hot summers day!

We all need a bit of indulgence in our lives! So I thought I would share my Top Ice Cream Shops in Cape Town, including a few recommendations from my readers.

The Creamery

I had the pleasure of sampling their delicious ice cream, for the first time, at the Constantia Food & Wine Festival last year and all I can say is yum! My all-time favourite was the Lime Curd flavour! Their ice cream is handmade; most of the ingredients are sourced locally and organic. I actually got to meet Kate the lady behind the Ice Cream and was treated to my own private tasting.

Although The Creamery is in essence not a retail shop, you can pop into their kitchen to pick up a pint (cash only) from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, or even better you can order on the webshop if you have a specific flavour you would like them to keep aside for you. You can collect your order from; either their kitchen in Mowbray, or any one of the markets and pop up shops they stock.

Unit 22A | corner of Weymouth and Wyecroft Road | Mowbray | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 7690

Häagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs is a family favourite! Whenever we visit the V&A Waterfront we pop in to their shop, the girls love the Raspberry Sorbet and I am quite particular to their Vanilla Caramel Brownie. Their ice cream has an incredibly rich flavour, smooth texture and creamy taste, because it contains less air, Häagen-Dazs is denser and richer than other luxury ice creams, creating its signature slow-melting creaminess.

Shop no. 129 | Lower Level | Victoria Wharf | +27 (0)21 421 0744

Sinnful Ice Cream Emporium

We usually frequent the shop in Muizenberg but they also have an outlet in Camps Bay. Sinnful is a Cape Town favourite and very popular with my readers. They give new meaning to the term gourmet ice cream with their interesting blend of flavours like Heavenly Hash, a blend of marshmallow, chocolate chips, fudge and vanilla ice cream or Koeksusters and Amarula!

Shop 5 | The Promenade Centre | Victoria Road | Camps Bay | +27 (0)21 438 3541

Gelato Mania

Gelato Mania, situated in Green Point Cape Town, is a unique gelateria, which specializes in Artisan gelato (traditional home-made Italian style ice cream).Using an age-old traditional recipe, Gelato Mania offers taste sensations, which are refreshing bursts of exceptional flavours, leaving you craving more!

Every scoop of Gelato Mania is a unique blend of quality, flavour and an unforgettable experience, bringing to life their promise of “memories you can taste.”

65 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 2074

Ice Café

This was another reader recommendation and her favourite flavour is Blueberry and Fudge, two separate flavours that are combined and it must be in a served in a sugar cone!!

Situated in Kalk Bay, you can buy your ice cream and enjoy it while taking leisurely stroll, taking in the sights. Other delicious flavours you can try include blueberry and cream, rum and raisin or ginger and cinnamon.

Main Road | Kalk Bay | +27 (0)21 788 4816

The Venezia Ice Cream Parlour

A quaint little Italian spot where you can indulge in gloriously creamy gelato. With an array of gorgeous flavours this ice cream parlour never fails to impress.
92 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 930 2952

Lecca il Gelato

Lecca il Gelato, situated in the picaresque town of Stellenbosch, was the first real Italian ice cream parlour in South Africa and opened its doors in February 2006. It is owned and managed by an enthusiastic team of Italians, who are committed to creating an authentic top quality ice cream. They only use fresh, individually selected ingredients from across the globe and do not add any preservatives, additives, vegetable fats or artificial colouring to our ice cream.

Their flavours include exotic taste experiences such as Champagne ice cream, Portofino (chocolate and whiskey) and they even have Soya gelato for those that are dairy intolerant.

15 Church Street | Stellenbosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 886 4694/5

Marcel’s

Marcel’s is the home of delectable frozen yogurt, which is great, if like me you like to watch your calorie intake! It was established in 1989 and now has 12 outlets. A family favourite in our house is the English Toffee or you can try exciting new flavours like Lemony Cheesecake and Rich Espresso.

Lower level| Victoria and Alfred Waterfront| Cape Town | +27 (0)21425 2633

Wakaberry

Wakaberry is the new kid on the block and is very quickly becoming uber popular! Wakaberry is the first South African frozen yoghurt brand to offer a unique self-serve concept that allows each customer to be the boss of their own creation.

The froyo flavours vary from store to store, but customers can expect a wide variety including classics like Strawberry, Vanilla, Mixed Berry and English Toffee and quirkier taste sensations like Green tea, Pomegranate, Kiwi and Watermelon. Toppings wise, for the fit and healthy we offer fresh fruit, nuts, and cereals, and for the downright wicked there are deliciously decadent desserts such as sweets, chocolates and sauces.

To find a store near you click over to their Store Locater or call the Head Office +27 (0)31 572 4971

Please a comment below if you think I have left any out or tell me what your favourite flavour combos are!

Entertaining, Food, My Family Table, Recipes, Taste

Lamb Rogan Josh Curry

I love cooking and always aim to put a great-tasting, nutritious meal on the table for dinner. Sometimes when I am feeling a bit adventurous, I can be known to whip up a gastronomic midweek-feast. There are also those occasions, after a busy day, that even I have a bit of a “cheat” day. My “cheat meals” are by no means boring or tasteless; they merely involve a few shortcuts. A tasty example is my Lamb Rogan Josh Curry, the perfect winter warmer recipe.

The Foodbarn Noordhoek Village

For those of you who don’t know me I am a local Cape Town girl who likes to live the simple life but enjoys the finer things life has to offer. I love food and it has always been an important part of my life and Cape Town certainly has a great deal to offer gastronomically. Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview a local food legend, certainly in our quiet seaside suburb of Noordhoek, not to mention the greater foodie community, Franck Dangereux.

Although now a local man Franck was born in France (Cannes). He grew up in a family where, despite not being foodies themselves, food and eating was always at the heart of the home. In Franck’s words, his passion for cooking was “born out of a love of eating”. Languishing family feasts were always a strong tradition and trips to the local markets, a childhood adventure. Franck does feel that in modern society we might be in danger of missing these fantastic opportunities, of families being united by sharing in delicious food and making precious memories.

He started cooking at the age of 14 and began studying at the Nice Hotel School, the following year. By the age of 18 Franck was working in 3 Michelin Star restaurants in Paris. In 1987 while on holiday, Franck visited South Africa for the first time, only to fall in love with this magnificent country. He also happened to meet up with a local South African, Pete de Bruin, and despite their language barrier, (aided by the power of Tequila) they formed a friendship that would ultimately see them reunited through a joint vision in the future.

After a few more years spent honing his skills aboard, Franck officially immigrated to South Africa and made Cape Town his home. His first job in Cape Town was working for Franck Swainston at the esteemed Constantia Uitsig, where he worked as Head Chef for two years. In 1996, after taking some time off from the intensity of the kitchen, Franck returned to the gastronomic world and started La Colombe. He was given carte blanche to create a lavish fine dining experience, which would go on to achieve numerous accolades, including being voted as one of the top 50 Restaurants in the World in 2006.

A few years later, after discovering that the Noordhoek Farm Stall was up for sale, Franck and Pete realised the dream that their shared passion for food had ignited years previously, and The Foodbarn was officially born.

As a local Noordhoek – lass I have had the opportunity of eating at The Foodbarn, Noordhoek Village, many times, but what you may ask, is so special about this restaurant? The vision that Franck had for this eatery was to have a fine dining experience with great food and wine but a relaxed ambience and The Foodbarn certainly lives up to this expectation. Patrons are treated to a wonderful dining experience and great seasonal specials.

Franck believes that cooking is an experience that should excite all your senses, that food should be both visually appealing as well as taste good, with sauces being his forte, from a simple vinaigrette to a fragrantly spiced jus. Wine is also an integral part of your dining experience at The Foodbarn, with food and wine pairing recommendations being a feature of their menu.

Together Franck and Pete run The Foodbarn, Franck bringing his exceptional food skills and Pete his astute business knowledge, from years spent working in the corporate world. Not to forget Pete’s role of as the charming host at the Foodbarn, as well as looking his “baby” The Foodbarn Deli & Tapas, a more relaxed and rustic eatery. To find out more about Pete see a recent article featuring him as the Village Personality for March, on the Noordhoek Village website.

The Foodbarn Noordhoek Village is currently running a seasonal special, where diners can enjoy 50% off food ordered from the restaurant ala carte menu, Monday to Friday, lunches only. A few days ago I was lucky enough to be invited to photograph and sample two of these amazing dishes. The food did indeed taste as good as it looked! Below you will see the two dishes which I tasted and I would highly recommend that you visit The Foodbarn. (See the bottom of the page for contact details)

The 1st Dish was De-shelled prawns tempura served on confied tomato, aubergine and avo tian, finished with a chilli & red pepper syrup and basil salsa. “this dish was delicious, the tempura prawns(one of my favourite things to eat) where lovely and juicy, with a light-crispy exterior – balanced by cool and refreshing tangy tomato & red pepper flavours, with a hint of chilli.”

The 2nd dish was Rack of Karoo lamb roasted in a bread crust, served with a chickpea “panisse”, finished with harissa mayo and Moroccan spices scented jus. “the lamb was perfectly cooked, medium rare the way I like it, there was a slight heat from the harissa mayo and the rich intense jus complimented the dish beautifully.”

I would just like to thank Franck and Pete for this great opportunity and for bringing such a great dining experience to the area! I wish them continued success with both of their restaurants!

Contact Details: Email info @ thefoodbarn.co.za – contact the restaurant+27 (0)21 789 1390 – contact the deli+27 (0)21 789 1966 – address Noordhoek Farm Village Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road Noordhoek 7979

FAR Photography, Food, Healthy Living, Recipes

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