Penang does heat like nowhere else, and there is no better way to survive an afternoon wandering George Town than with a cold scoop in hand. Over the last few years the island has quietly grown into one of the best places in Malaysia for proper gelato and artisan ice cream, with tiny shopfronts tucked between the heritage shophouses churning small batches daily. You will find classic Italian-style gelato, Japanese-inspired soft serve, fruit-forward sorbets built around local produce, and playful flavours you simply will not see anywhere else.
We did the walking so you do not have to. Every shop on this list holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher, pulled from thousands of real reviews, and we have left out the wholesalers, the closed-down spots, and the big chains to keep this list to genuine artisan makers. From long-queue favourites on Lebuh Campbell to hidden lanes off Chulia Street, here are the 10 best gelato and ice cream shops in Penang to cool down your next weekend.
What Makes Penang Gelato Worth the Trip?
The pull is the small-batch, made-on-site approach. Most of the shops here churn their gelato and ice cream daily in tiny kitchens, which means denser texture, cleaner flavour, and rotating specials you will not find in a supermarket tub. The island’s produce helps too, so expect local twists like durian, gula melaka, sea salt, teh tarik, and tropical fruit sorbets sitting next to the pistachios and stracciatella. Because George Town is so walkable, you can easily hit two or three spots in an afternoon and compare, which is exactly how the best gelato crawls happen.
Gelato, Soft Serve or Ice Cream: What Should You Order?
They are close cousins, but each has its moment. Gelato is churned slower and served a touch warmer, so it tastes intense and silky, which is why spots like Ciao Gelato and Project Gelato lean into bold single flavours. Soft serve, the star at Ludwig, is lighter and airier, perfect for eating on the move. Classic scooped ice cream and fruit-based versions, like the ones at Mimiya and Frozen Love, tend to be richer or more refreshing depending on the day. Our tip: order a double scoop, mix one local flavour with one classic, and see which shop wins your vote.
Table of Contents
- 1. Mojo Ice Creams Gelato & Cafe
- 2. Mimiya (by Fruitmade)
- 3. Ludwig Softserve
- 4. The Ais & Hani (Ice Cream & Coffee)
- 5. Ciao Gelato Penang
- 6. Hema Hema Ice Cream
- 7. Project Gelato
- 8. Frozen Love Ice Cream
- 9. Glace Artisans
- 10. Shin Shin Gelato
1. Mojo Ice Creams Gelato & Cafe
Mojo has become the name locals throw out first when you ask where to get gelato in George Town, and the crowds outside its Jalan Sungai Ujong corner tell you why. The draw is a rotating cabinet of dense, house-churned gelato that runs from dependable classics like dark chocolate and pistachio to local heroes such as gula melaka and sea salt. It doubles as a proper cafe, so you can settle in with a coffee and a waffle rather than eating on the pavement. Friendly staff will happily let you taste before you commit, which makes it a great first stop on any island gelato crawl.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 5, Jalan Sungai Ujong, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-745 0373
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Mimiya (by Fruitmade)
Tucked along Lebuh Cannon near the famous street art, Mimiya built its following on ice cream made with real fruit rather than syrups and powders. The signatures are the fresh mango and durian creations, often served with generous chunks of the actual fruit piled on top, so each cup tastes like the thing it is named after. It leans more towards a bright, refreshing style than a heavy custard base, which suits Penang’s climate perfectly. The shop is small and gets busy with tourists doing the heritage trail, so expect a short wait at peak hours. A solid pick if you want your dessert to double as your fruit fix.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 6, Lebuh Cannon, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 018-400 3829
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. Ludwig Softserve
If you prefer your ice cream light and airy, Ludwig on Lebuh Armenian is the spot to beat. This little shop specialises in silky soft serve with a rotating cast of flavours, from a clean Hokkaido milk to seasonal specials like matcha, black sesame, and local fruit. The swirls come neatly on cones or cups and photograph beautifully against the Armenian Street backdrop, which is half the reason the queue never seems to shrink. Service is quick and the price is friendly, making it an easy grab-and-go stop while you explore the heritage core. Come for the milky classic, stay to try whatever limited flavour they are running that week.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 37, Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 017-451 7587
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. The Ais & Hani (Ice Cream & Coffee)
The Ais & Hani on Lebuh Campbell pairs house-made ice cream with a proper coffee menu, which makes it a favourite for an afternoon break that is more sit-down than takeaway. The flavours skew towards comforting, well-balanced classics and a few local twists, all scooped generously and served in a cosy, character-filled corner shop. Because it doubles as a cafe, it is a good shout when half your group wants dessert and the other half wants caffeine. Do note it closes on Thursdays, so plan around that. A relaxed, unhurried spot for when you want to escape the George Town heat for a bit.
Operating Hours: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Closed Thursdays)
Address: 65, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-424 8496
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Ciao Gelato Penang
Ciao Gelato takes the Italian approach seriously, churning proper gelato in small batches with a texture that stays silky rather than icy. The cabinet on Lebuh Victoria rotates through rich chocolate, nutty pistachio, and fruit sorbets, alongside local-leaning flavours that give it a Penang identity. It stays open late, until 11pm, so it is one of the few spots you can rely on for a post-dinner scoop when everything else has shut. The space is bright and modern with room to sit, making it comfortable for families and couples alike. Ask the staff what was churned that morning and you will rarely go wrong.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 171-B, Lebuh Victoria, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 018-909 1710
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Hema Hema Ice Cream
Hema Hema is the kind of small, personality-driven shop that Penang does so well. Also on Lebuh Campbell, it churns creative, small-batch ice cream with flavours that change often and lean adventurous, so regulars keep coming back to see what is new in the cabinet. It only opens Thursday through Sunday, which gives it a bit of a cult, catch-it-while-you-can appeal. The scoops are rich and the vibe is casual and friendly, with the makers usually happy to talk you through the day’s line-up. If you like discovering flavours you have never tried before, put this one high on your weekend list and check its opening days first.
Operating Hours: Thu – Sun 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Closed Mon – Wed)
Address: 88, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: Not listed
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. Project Gelato
Project Gelato on Lebuh Chulia is a favourite among the gelato purists, turning out intensely flavoured scoops that let the main ingredient do the talking. The line-up rotates through deep chocolate, fruit sorbets, and inventive specials, all churned in small batches so the texture stays smooth and the flavour stays bright. It is a compact spot in the thick of the Chulia Street action, ideal for a mid-crawl refuel between cafes and bars. Opening hours shift a little through the week and it closes on Wednesdays, so a quick check before you go saves disappointment. For serious gelato lovers, this is one of the island’s most rewarding stops.
Operating Hours: Mon – Tue 1:00 pm – 9:30 pm; Thu – Sun 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Closed Wednesdays)
Address: 442, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: Not listed
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
8. Frozen Love Ice Cream
Down a quieter lane at Kampong Malabar, Frozen Love has earned a devoted following for homemade ice cream that feels genuinely handcrafted. The flavours run from comforting classics to local specials, and the makers are known for putting real care into each batch, which shows in how consistently people rate it. It is a small neighbourhood spot rather than a tourist magnet, so it makes a lovely detour when you want to step off the busier streets. Late Friday and Saturday hours mean you can swing by after supper. Closed on Thursdays, so plan accordingly, and go in ready to be talked into a second scoop.
Operating Hours: Mon – Wed 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Fri – Sat 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm; Sun 1:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Closed Thursdays)
Address: 35, Kampong Malabar, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-438 8577
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. Glace Artisans
Glace Artisans on Beach Street brings a more refined, dessert-shop sensibility to the island’s ice cream scene. As the name suggests, it treats each scoop as a crafted product, with smooth artisan gelato and a presentation that feels a notch dressier than the average street-side stop. The flavours balance familiar favourites with a few thoughtful surprises, and the setting suits an evening treat when you want to sit down properly. It keeps late hours towards the weekend but closes on Tuesdays, so time your visit. A good choice for couples or anyone who likes their gelato served with a bit of polish.
Operating Hours: Mon, Wed – Thu 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Fri – Sun 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: 380, Beach Street, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-269 8678
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. Shin Shin Gelato
Rounding out the list, Shin Shin Gelato sits on the ever-popular Love Lane and has quickly won over the after-dark crowd with its long opening hours. It churns gelato in small batches with a rotating menu that mixes rich, creamy classics with lighter fruit options, so there is something for every mood. Because it stays open late into the night, it is one of the most reliable spots for a scoop after dinner or drinks in the Love Lane area. The space is casual and easy, making it a natural stop while bar-hopping. A newer name that is already earning its place among Penang’s gelato regulars.
Operating Hours: 1:30 pm – 11:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 71, Love Lane, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-551 3067
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Penang gives you the full spectrum of frozen treats, and the right pick really comes down to what you are craving. For a dependable all-rounder with a huge following, Mojo is the safe first stop, while Ciao Gelato and Project Gelato reward anyone chasing proper Italian-style intensity. If you want something lighter, Ludwig’s soft serve is made for walking the heritage streets, and Mimiya’s fruit-packed scoops double as a refreshing pick-me-up. Every shop here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can wander into any of them with confidence.
Opening days and flavours change often, and several of these spots close one or two days a week or run limited hours, so a quick check before you head out always pays off. Now grab a friend, map out a short George Town scoop crawl, and make a proper weekend of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best gelato in Penang?
Most of Penang’s best gelato and artisan ice cream is concentrated in George Town, within easy walking distance of the heritage core. Mojo Ice Creams Gelato & Cafe is the most reviewed and a strong first stop, while Ciao Gelato and Project Gelato are favourites for a more classic Italian-style scoop.
Is the gelato in Penang halal?
It varies by shop, and not all of these spots hold formal halal certification. Many artisan gelato makers use ingredients that are broadly Muslim-friendly, but a few flavours may contain alcohol or non-halal additions. If halal status matters to you, always check directly with the shop and confirm the specific flavour before ordering.
How much does a scoop of gelato cost in Penang?
Prices vary, but a single scoop at most George Town artisan shops typically runs from around RM9 to RM16, with double scoops and specials costing a little more. Fruit-forward and premium flavours such as durian can sit at the higher end. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide only.
Which Penang gelato shops are open late?
For a late-night scoop, Ciao Gelato on Lebuh Victoria and Shin Shin Gelato on Love Lane both stay open until around 11:00 pm or later, while Glace Artisans and Project Gelato also run late towards the weekend. Always double-check the day’s hours, as several shops close one or two days each week.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
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