Ice cream in Mexico is a deeply rooted tradition that combines indigenous heritage, European skills, and local creativity. Long before the arrival of refrigerators, the Aztecs knew how to chill drinks and prepare ice creams with ice brought from volcanoes. During the Viceroyalty, nuns added milk and fruit to these formulas, creating the country’s first creamy ice creams. And by the 20th century, artisanal ice cream parlors were already part of the urban landscape, from Guadalajara to Mexico City.
Each city has its own style: while in Michoacán, ice cream popsicles with regional flavors like soursop, corn, or avocado predominate, in the north, creamy ice creams are more popular; and in the capital, vanilla and strawberry classics never go out of style. April 12th, Ice Cream Day, becomes an opportunity to remember that, in Mexico, every cone tells a story.
La Especial de París – Mexico City
Specialty: Vanilla ice cream with natural vanilla pod
Location: Av. Insurgentes Sur 117, Col. Juárez
An old-school gem. La Especial de París started as a cart and was sponsored by Salvador Novo, who catapulted it to the status of “the best vanilla in Mexico.” Its formula hasn’t changed in over a century: milk, sugar, and natural vanilla pod, with no artificial colors or flavors. The establishment maintains a classic aesthetic with vintage display cases and original machines. A trip back in time without leaving the city.
Nevería Roxy – Mexico City
Founded: 1946
Specialty: Mamey ice cream
Location: Various locations, iconic: Tamaulipas 161, Condesa, and now also in Chapultepec Park
With nearly eight decades of history, Nevería Roxy was founded by a family from Jalisco in Condesa. Its Formic fuel display cases, artisanal ice creams, and unmistakable vintage atmosphere have shaped the childhood and adolescence of many generations. Its signature recipe, mamey ice cream, was recognized by Taste Atlas as one of the best in the world, and for good reason: it’s pure fruit, processed daily, with no shortcuts.
And now, the Roxy experience comes to one of the city’s most beloved corners: Kiosco Marieta, in Chapultepec Park. This kiosk, built in 1921 during the presidency of Álvaro Obregón, is a wrought-iron gem that represents one of the earliest examples of the Art Deco style in Mexico. Its design is inspired by the aesthetics that dominated the 1925 Paris International Exposition, and over time, it has become a cultural symbol of the forest and the city.
Originally conceived as a decorative gathering place overlooking Lake Maggiore, Kiosco Marieta has now been transformed into a Roxy store, making this fusion of architecture and ice cream history one of the most beautiful openings in recent years. Sitting down to enjoy an artisanal ice cream in a 20th-century architectural icon is, without a doubt, a new way to savor the city.
Chiandoni Ice Cream – Mexico City
Founded: 1939
Specialty: Rum with raisins and Italian cream
Location: Av. Coyoacán 1515, Del Valle
With an Italian spirit and a Mexican soul, Chiandoni is a classic that doesn’t need to be modernized to shine. Founded by Italian Mario Chiandoni, this place retains the charm of European cafes, with leather armchairs, iced cups, and artisanal wafers. Their rum and raisin ice cream is unbeatable, as is their cold brew coffee.
La Michoacana – Tocumbo, Michoacán, and all of Mexico
Founded: 1940
Specialty: Natural fruit popsicles
Location: Present in thousands of locations across the country
More than a brand, it’s a national phenomenon. La Michoacana began in Tocumbo as a small natural popsicle shop, and today there are thousands of locations under that name. Although they are not centrally located, they share a common identity: authentic flavors, local fruits, and affordable prices. Their solidarity model has helped transform the region’s economy.
The One of Memories… Bing Ice Cream – Guadalajara, Jalisco
Founded: 1963
Specialty: Strawberry, banana, and natural mango
Historic Location: Chapultepec Avenue, Guadalajara
An icon of the Pearl of the Tapatia, Bing was born with the promise of offering tasty, simple, and affordable ice cream. Its success was such that it left its mark on entire generations. Although it was sold in the 1990s, its legacy lives on in the memories of the people of Guadalajara and in ice cream shops that have revived its original recipes. The natural banana ice cream is a gem of simple and authentic flavor.
Source: eleconomista
