With three new ice cream shops having opened in Stellenbosch this year, this student town now is home to up to seven stores dedicated to ice cream in all colours and flavours.
MatieMedia made their way around the town to give our readers the inside scoop on the ice cream shops in central Stellenbosch.
Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream, Church Street
After opening its doors in February, Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream welcomed customers with their colourful atmosphere, said Wilma van Wyk, the shop’s Winelands regional general manager.
The store updates its flavour combinations on a monthly basis. Current flavour combinations include coffee with dark chocolate, coconut fudge and banana nutella.
Wilma van Wyk, Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream’s Winelands regional general manager, boasts about the shop’s consistent, friendly and welcoming service, and hopes to become a landmark and have future generations still enjoy their ice cream. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
“We are in the fortunate position to be part of a beautiful and high-end street café culture; almost continental,” said Van Wyk. “In this, the enjoyment of ice cream comes with the territory.”
The shop aims to create a community where customers feel welcome to “come have a moment” regardless of who they are or in what state they are in, according to their website.
Moro Gelato, Andringa Street
Moro Gelato is the newest ice cream shop on the block.
“Our Moro gelateria exudes an old-world charm that fits into the Stellenbosch historical vibe, but with its pastel-coloured roots firmly grounded in Italian heritage,” said Heine van Wyk, the co-owner of the shop.
Moro Gelato’s gelato is stored in traditional Italian sinkhole counters called “pozzetti”, which keeps the gelato safe from light, temperature fluctuation and air, explained Heine van Wyk, the co-owner of the shop. “Our goal is to be a valuable addition to the neighbourhood we find ourselves in and attract a new kind of customer here to enjoy our gelato,” said Van Wyk. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
If you are looking for light and fine quality gelato, Moro Gelato prides itself on being obsessed with quality and avoiding shortcuts, Heine added.
The shop uses high quality ingredients and avoids artificial colourants and flavourants that is often found in regular ice cream, he claimed.
Gelato Mania, Andringa Street
Gelato Mania’s Stellenbosch branch mirrors the town’s fun and quirky atmosphere, said Andrianna Kappatos, Gelato Mania’s head of marketing.
For the plain Janes and Johns, Kappatos claimed it’s their traditional flavours, such as vanilla, pistachio and dark chocolate, that set them apart from other ice-cream shops.
“We wanted to create something different to our other stores when we opened in Stellenbosch,” said Andrianna Kappatos, Gelato Mania’s head of marketing. “What sets us apart [from other ice-cream shops] is definitely our variety of traditional flavours, whilst providing dairy-free, sugar-free and vegan products for our customers.” PHOTO: Karla de Bod
“What sets us apart is definitely our variety of traditional flavours,” she said. “We believe gelato is something nostalgic, and we aim to create memories with every scoop.”
While there is strong competition amongst all the ice cream shops in town, Kappatos stated that Gelato Mania welcomes the challenge by “continuously striving to deliver the highest quality products, using the finest ingredients and a lot of love”.
Crumbs and Cream, Neelsie Student Centre
The chain shop Crumbs and Cream’s Stellenbosch branch is located in the Neelsie Student Centre. The store’s philosophy is centred around “outstanding service and exceptional quality”, according to Ori Lahat, owner of the shop.
If you’re looking for more than just ice cream, Crumbs and Cream offers a variety of cookies and ice cream sandwiches, served with Terbadore coffee.
Crumbs and Cream is a one-of-a-kind experience from beginning to end, whether you’re creating a limited edition Crumbs and Cream sandwich, sharing a ready-made selection with friends or enjoying your sweet treat while swaying on the swings at the store, said Ori Lahat, owner of the shop. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
“Every single cookie is made with love. Operating like a boutique, every ingredient must be to the highest standard,” said Lahat. “If it isn’t exactly what it needs to be, you won’t find it on [our] counter.”
With a variety of order options, customers are bound to find something new during each visit, Lahat stated.