As I write this, it’s raining in Lagos, but I’m not allowing myself to get carried away by this weather. Heat is just around the corner, and maybe the only thing that helps me navigate the hot days and warm nights is the promise of ice cream.

Everyone loves ice cream — particularly in sunnier climes like Lagos. Truthfully, even when it’s not hot, the heat from adulting in Nigeria alone constantly requires you to find ways to cool down. And what better way than with a good swirly, creamy cone of delicious childhood memories?

Lately, I’ve been on a mission to find the best ice cream spots, and boy did I find a lot. From favourites to hidden gems, I’ve got the scoop (😜😜) on some of the best places from all over the city. Yes, even on the Mainland too.

In no particular order, here we go…

Softs

where: 46b Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA | The Good Beach, Victoria Island

At Softs, a relatively newer spot with locations both on the Mainland and Island, the texture of the soft serve and the dope flavours work together so well. Their range of flavours is smaller compared to other spots on this list, as they have just four standard flavours and two weekend specials, but that kinda adds to its appeal because it feels like the menu is carefully thought-out and not mass pro.

As for the aesthetic, it is very pink — which is always a plus, in my opinion!

Damage: > N3000 

Chocolat Royal

where: 267a Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria island

Yeup, still exists and the ice cream here is still good 👍🏾

If you ask me, Chocolat Royal is a great spot for a date. It has a great aesthetic and a large variety of freshly made options, not to mention cakes, cookies, homemade chocolates, doughnuts and bread. They’ve been around for a long time and fortunately, they only get stronger and their selection continues to grow. It’s wild that they have over 90 flavours of ice cream and sorbets, and as far as budget-friendliness goes, this is a top tier choice.

 Damage: > N2500

Hans & René

where: 58c Isaac John street, Ikeja GRA | Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, 1a Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria island

Hans & René is the OG when it comes to quality gelato and sorbet. “The connoisseurs of the sweet life”, as they call themselves, have a range of flavours from agbalumo and zobo flavoured sorbets, to maybe the best pistachio gelato you’ve ever had. One thing Hans & Rene promises is range and fun experimentation with flavours, and we continue to be here for it.

 Damage: > N2000  

Coldberry Ice Cream

where: 28 Adeniran Ogunsanya street, Surulere | 13, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1 | 36 Airport Rd, Orile Oshodi

Like a needle in a haystack, Coldberry was a very welcome discovery. Now operating in 3 branches in Lagos, this not-so-hidden gem is an affordable ice cream, frozen rolls and yoghurt shop. Coconut, Bluemoon, Nutty Lover and Popcorn are just some of the standout ice cream flavours, and if you’re into chocolate mix-ins, there are KitKat and Oreos Mix frozen rolls that taste as good as they look.

 Damage: > N1500 

Ice Cream Factory

where: 5 Admiralty Way, Lekki phase 1 | 29 Isaac John street, Ikeja gra | Landmark Lagos Water Corporation Road, victoria island

The Ice Cream Factory remains one of Lagos’ biggest ice cream hits, with milkshakes, muffins, cakes and sundaes gracing the menu as well. It’s decent ice cream, and when you need a sugar hit, a scoop of something from their extensive list of at least 30 flavours will do the trick. Although my all-time favourites have to be Belgian Chocolate, Nutella Crunch and Madagascan Vanilla, sha. 

 Damage: > N1000

Frozen Rolls

where: 7 Bisola Durosinmi Etti Drive, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1

Frozen rolls is “proudly Nigeria’s first hand-rolled ice cream shop”. Hand-rolled ice cream, also known as Thai rolled ice cream or stir-fried ice cream, is a unique style of making this treat, where the liquid base of the ice cream is poured into an extremely frozen pan and then chopped, mixed, spread and rolled in front of you.

Similar to Coldstone, at Frozen Rolls, your options are seemingly endless because you get to pick what goes into your cup or cone from start to finish — the ice cream base, mix-ins and toppings.

Damage: > N2000 

Rubels & Angels

where: 52 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos

Another Mainland spot that serves up great soft serve, this is one of the few good ice cream spots in Surulere — all shade intended 👀 Although there aren’t a large variety of flavours here, the toppings are great and the taste and texture of the ice cream are top tier. Combine the vanilla ice cream with crepes and the general pleasant ambience, and it’s basically Lagos sunshine on a plate.

Damage: > N1500

Eric Kayser

where: 9 Osborne Road, Ikoyi | 864a Bishop Aboyade Cole, VIctoria island

You could say Eric Kayser is the Island’s staple bakery shop and you wouldn’t be wrong. Considering their large selection of on-display pastries, I think it’s only right that EK has gelato. The list of gelato flavours at this glorious establishment is endless, but I always gravitate towards the Bailey’s and the Stracciatella flavoured ones. Perfection 👌🏾

P.S. take it a step further and order their affogato on another day. Hea-ven.

Damage: > N1000

Kinglace Ice Cream

where: 274 Ajose Adeogun, Victoria island | 132, Block 10, Festac Link Road, Amuwo Odofin | 282 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba

The last place I expected to have my mind blown by ice cream was at Burger King 🤷🏾‍♀️ (they share a building — think of it like Domino’s and Pinkberry), but I’m still thinking about the scoop of Tiramisu with biscuits I had at Kinglace, which legit wowed me. This spot is a bit of a wild card because you’re not quite expecting the quality you get. With over 15 flavours and affordable pricing, it’s a really good option.

Damage: > N2000

Cream Slices Cafe

where: 109 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere | 7b Emma Abimbola Cole, Lekki phase 1

Given that they mostly sell cake, this shop’s ice cream doesn’t have to taste as good as it does... but it does, y’all. Pairing a scoop of their Amarena gelato and a slice of their glorious red velvet cake was a decision I am still very proud of. Again, another hidden Surulere gem worth checking out.

Damage: > N1200

Cactus

where: 20/24 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, VIctoria island

Cactus is known for many things but, unfortunately, not enough for its gelato. It’s not every day that you find a restaurant known for great pasta and sandwiches that has a dessert selection like the one Cactus does. I promise that their vanilla gelato scoop and a slice of carrot cake will change your life.

Damage: > N2000

Scoop’d

where: 33 Bishop Aboyade Cole, VIctoria island | 389 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba | Novare Mall, Sangotedo | Northwest Petroleum Station, Gbagada expressway

The selection of soft serve ice cream at Scoop’d definitely makes it a good dessert shop option. Wherever you are in Lagos, there’s a high chance you can find a Scoop’d around you and I encourage you to. You can taste the effort being made to churn out (it’s raining puns over here) yum ice cream, and the range of locations definitely helps.

Damage: > N1000

Hatlab Gelato

where: Jara Mall, 22 Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja

Hatlab Gelato is better known in Abuja, but now they have a Lagos store, its popularity is growing slowly but surely.

I love that they have fun promos and discounts on special days like Father’s Day, as well as yummy options to go with your gelato, like a box of muffins or cake slices. 12 scoops of gelato + a slice of cake for 8k? In this economy? Sign me up!

Damage: > N1000

Which hot spots did we leave out? Let us know!

Laura Onwuegbunam is a digital and content marketer, who spends an unhealthy amount of time watching sports. When she’s not screaming at athletes on TV, she’s reading, working out and trying to survive the chaos that is Lagos.