Top 10 Best Ice Cream Brands Around the World

Dairy Queen is a popular fast-food chain known in various regions across the globe, offering a wide selection of ice cream. Established in 1940, Dairy Queen has become a leading name in frozen treats, particularly with its signature Blizzard (a blend of ice cream with candy or cookies) and its iconic tagline “Turn it upside down, or it’s free.” The company, which is part of Warren Buffett’s investment portfolio, entered the Vietnamese fast-food market via a franchise partnership with QSR Vietnam, helping to energize the country's fast-food scene. Dairy Queen's premium ice cream serves as the base for the flavorful Blizzard desserts, topped with crunchy snacks or fresh fruits. Dairy Queen offers a variety of ice cream flavors and combinations, with endless possibilities for mixing in popular candies and cakes. Known for its signature “upside-down” ice cream cups, Dairy Queen’s ice cream stays in place even when the cup is flipped, thanks to its smooth and creamy texture. Expanding into Asia, Dairy Queen has added local ingredients like green tea and red bean to cater to regional tastes.

Nestlé is a globally recognized Swiss multinational corporation, primarily operating out of Switzerland. It is known as the world’s largest food company by revenue, offering a diverse range of products including cereals, bottled water, baby food, tea, dairy items, and pet food. While many Vietnamese consumers are familiar with popular Nestlé brands like MILO, MAGGI, and NESCAFÉ, fewer may know that the company is also the largest ice cream producer globally, with renowned brands such as MILO, Kit Kat, Edy's, Mövenpick, and Nestlé Super Chocpop.

Imported directly from Thailand, Nestlé’s ice cream is available in over 450 convenience stores like Circle K, Family Mart, and Mini Stop, along with more than 1,000 retail locations nationwide. According to Nestlé Vietnam, the ice cream market in Vietnam is growing at an annual rate of over 10%. However, compared to Thailand, a country with similar climate and culture, the per capita ice cream consumption in Vietnam is much lower—12 ice creams per person in Thailand versus just 5 in Vietnam. As a result, the company believes the Vietnamese ice cream market holds significant potential, especially in the premium segment.

One of the most famous ice cream brands in the United States is Ben & Jerry's. The secret to Ben & Jerry's success lies in its ability to craft unique and adventurous flavors. The brand was founded by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who grew up together in Brooklyn, New York.

What made Ben & Jerry's quickly popular and beloved is its innovative combination of flavors. New and exciting flavors were able to naturally attract customers daily, without the need for traditional marketing campaigns.

By 1987, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sales reached $32 million, and by 1997, the company saw its revenue grow to $174 million.

Häagen-Dazs is a world-renowned ice cream brand known for its signature flavors, including coffee, chocolate, and vanilla. The company operates stores across the globe and has expanded widely throughout the United States and other major countries. It is recognized as one of the most prominent commercial ice cream brands worldwide.

Founded in New York City in 1961, Häagen-Dazs is a premium ice cream brand that has expanded to 50 countries, with over 900 stores globally. The brand’s ice cream is crafted with high-quality ingredients such as fresh cream, non-fat milk, pasteurized egg yolks, natural sugar, and natural flavors—without preservatives or artificial coloring. This dedication to quality has earned the brand worldwide admiration. The success of Häagen-Dazs is not only due to its exceptional ice cream but also its excellent customer service. Despite its higher price point compared to ordinary ice cream brands, many customers continue to favor it. Since its debut in Vietnam in 2012, Häagen-Dazs has expanded its presence in prime locations in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing the world’s premium ice cream to Vietnamese consumers, though its journey has been challenging yet rewarding.

If you ever get the chance to try Helado from Argentina, you’ll never forget its rich, creamy sweetness and the variety of flavors it offers. It's one of the best ice creams in the world, and it's a must-try!

This delicious ice cream is on par with Italy’s Gelato in terms of taste and texture. With its rich, smooth, and indulgent flavor, Argentine Helado comes in a wide array of options, with “dulce de leche” being the most popular. Each scoop is decadently creamy and soft, with layers of flavor stacked high. If you ever visit Argentina, don’t miss out on a Helado treat—it’s an unforgettable experience.

Milk-covered ice cream is a famous treat from Cornwall, England. Made from fresh cow’s milk, the ice cream is gently steamed and then cooled, causing it to thicken and form a rich texture on the surface. The result is a sweet, creamy dessert that melts effortlessly in your mouth.

Typically, Cornwall's milk ice cream is served in a crispy cone, similar to the ice cream cones in Vietnam. The rounded scoop is topped with a bit of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, or fruit for extra flavor. Another popular variation is placing the ice cream between two crispy wafers, drizzling it with chocolate, and enjoying a delightful treat. When paired with fruits that offer a balance of sweetness and a hint of tartness, the combination of rich creaminess and refreshing chill creates the perfect summer indulgence.

Don’t miss the chance to try Halva ice cream made from finely ground sesame seeds and honey if you ever visit Israel. This dessert is extremely popular and loved by both locals and tourists, especially on hot summer afternoons in Israel.

Halva ice cream is crafted from a unique ingredient—sunflower seed candy. After roasting, the seeds are mixed with sugar, honey, or coffee, and sometimes ground sesame seeds are added. When you taste it, the flavors of sweetness and creaminess blend together perfectly, offering a treat that you could enjoy endlessly.

Gelato Italia is one of the few ice cream brands that absolutely refuses to use preservatives, artificial colors, or flavorings. Crafted by skilled Italian gelato makers, the natural ingredients imported from Italy blend seamlessly with the unique flavors of the region, resulting in a rich and smooth gelato that is also influenced by Southeast Asian tastes. Unlike many other ice creams, Gelato is not made with flavorings but with fresh fruit and pure, high-quality nuts. That’s why only the best ingredients make for the best gelato. Gelato is less sweet than many other ice creams, and its sweetness fluctuates with the seasons, thanks to its reliance on fresh, natural ingredients.

Gelato's origins run parallel to the history of ice cream itself. Its distinct characteristics, shaped by both the Italian climate and culinary culture, have made it a unique dessert, nearly a whole new category of its own. The modern recipe for ice cream first appeared in 1718 in *Mrs. Mary Eales's Receipts*, published in London, introducing techniques similar to those used today. Similarly, Italy's Gelato began to take shape around 1680, thanks to Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, a fisherman who perfected the first gelato-making machine. Despite its basic techniques, Gelato quickly became recognized for its distinctive taste and its prominent place in the world of desserts.

Magnum is a globally renowned ice cream brand owned by the British company Unilever. Known for its indulgent ice creams, Magnum offers a wide variety of flavors worldwide. The brand is particularly famous for its Belgian chocolate coating, a taste that has won fans around the globe. Magnum's distinctive, high-quality ice creams have garnered a loyal following since their launch in 1989. Notably, the brand was the first to target adult consumers with premium offerings, including limited-edition collaborations with famous fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Magnum quickly became a top-tier brand in the ice cream industry, selling one billion products annually and becoming Unilever's largest ice cream brand.

Magnum is a treat for connoisseurs, crafted from only the finest ingredients – a smooth ice cream center encased in luxurious Belgian chocolate. The ice creams are also complemented by delectable sauces like caramel and chocolate. Dolce and Gabbana's collaboration created a unique flavor: a rich vanilla ice cream coated in dark chocolate with crushed pistachios. These special edition Magnums are presented in elegant packaging featuring floral patterns and colorful horse-drawn carriage designs. This iconic ice cream continues to dominate global markets, appealing to a discerning audience.

Fanny is a renowned French-style ice cream brand produced in Vietnam, created by Jean Marc Bruno and Taurin. To maintain its high standards and reputation, the brand imports key ingredients from France and exclusive regions. Fanny's ice creams are crafted using a wide range of tropical fruits and local Vietnamese specialties, making it a popular choice at upscale events and gourmet parties. Known for its vibrant colors and rich flavors, Fanny boasts a diverse menu of ice creams and beverages.

Fanny’s ice creams are made following traditional French recipes, with no artificial additives, resulting in a naturally sweet and authentic taste. The colors are all-natural, without any artificial dyes. At Fanny, you have the freedom to choose your favorite ice cream, or if you’re dining with a group, you can opt for their ice cream hotpot or buffet options to sample a variety of flavors. However, the ice cream buffet is only available on the first Friday of each month, so be sure to check the schedule if you plan to visit!