The most unique ice cream combinations in KL

A cone’s throw away from Table & Kitchen, IDC is a required stop if you’re in Damansara Kim. Serving Kapiti’s inspired range of  lavours, IDC isn’t your usual ice cream parlour where you go for classic chocolate and vanilla flavours. Make sure you try their  affogatos with a twist – we got the vanilla affogato which comes with rosemary-infused EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), and topped with smoked sea salt flakes and cheese peppercorn biscotti. The combination may sound intimidating, but surprisingly, all the flavours balance each other out. Even though the olive oil doesn’t taste of rosemary, its clean flavour goes well with vanilla while the  saltiness balances the creaminess. Strangely compelling.

From 15.

No longer just available at McDonald’s, soft serve has seen a renaissance as of late. While the not-too-sweet flavours at Hail’s Soft Serve are quite interesting (there was Gula Melaka Blue during our visit), we harbour a soft spot for the unique toppings, especially the slightly piquant pink peppercorns. If your kids turn up their noses at anything remotely spicy, they can top their ice cream with chocolate balls, lemon curd, green tea marshmallows, sago pearls, Japanese red beans and more. Enjoy your soft serve in a cup or a cone, or on top of a rice doughnut or waffles. Don’t forget the toppings.

From RM9.

Foo Foo is a charming little place all about premium ingredients and innovative flavours. Helmed by an alumnus of Sydney’s Le Cordon Bleu, Foo Foo’s finely tuned recipes will impress with unusual ingredient combinations. Freshly made ice cream is served daily from the ever-changing menu; think flavours like salted caramel coffee, balsamic vinegar, Guinness stout and basil berries sorbet. We went for balsamic vinegar – it sounds bizarre but the smooth texture and sharp flavours mingle in perfect harmony. The first bite might puzzle you, but the aftertaste will leave you wanting more. Tip: have it with the strawberry tart.

From RM9.

Classic Italian gelato gets a very local twist at this popular dessert café where exotic Malaysian flavours take centre stage. Famed for their nasi lemak gelato (yes, it really does taste of that perennial breakfast favourite), Whimsical does offer classic flavours like Rum & Raisin, Dark Chocolate and Pistachio too. But it’s the off-kilter flavours that must be tried. Made in small batches with flavours changing often, we were lucky enough to indulge in their Tau Fu Fah and Teh Tarik efforts – both were good and tasted like the real thing. Although the comment of ‘It’s a bit weird eating tau fu fah cold,’ rang true, it was still a welcome respite on a hot day and an interesting combination with the charcoal cone.

From RM8.50