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Malai has a really cool concept and is probably a great intro spot for people who are just starting to explore more global-inspired ice cream flavors, but for me, the execution was a little mixed. The shop itself is small but cute, nicely decorated, with 2 mini tables and a couple of windowsill seats if you want to sit for a bit. Staff was super friendly and generous with samples, which I appreciated since some of the flavors are definitely outside the usual ice cream comfort zone. They also sell pints to take home. Flavor-wise, I tried the masala chai, black cherry cardamom, and the saffron soft serve. The saffron soft serve reminded me of the leftover milk from ras malai turned into soft serve, which was interesting and nostalgic. The masala chai and cherry cardamom were more subtle than I hoped. Some tasted unique upfront but left a slightly weird aftertaste that kind of lingered. I respect what they're trying to do and can see why people love it, especially if you're easing into more globally inspired desserts, but for the price, I wanted stronger flavor payoff and a cleaner finish. TLDR: Unique global inspired ice cream flavors, friendly staff, and free samples, but some flavors felt muted and had an odd aftertaste. Worth trying once if you're curious, but expensive for what it is.
Yes, Malai has some of the most deliciously creamy ice cream that you can find. Yes, they are using South Asian ingredients to produce interesting and tasty flavors that you never knew you always wanted. The Masala Chai is always on the menu, but they rotate many things through seasonally. Yes, I am boring and often would rather have a sea salt vanilla cone (or another simple, vanilla-based option like sweet cream and cookies). Yes, my wife told me that eating our cones in the comfy window seats made her feel like she was in a romcom. No, you can't have my wife's number. Yes, it was rude of you to ask.
Super cute place . I love the unique flavors . I tried the cilantro and mint and the guava chilli . I really liked the guava chilli and the cilantro mint was soooo intense so I didn't really care for it but it was nice to try . The workers here were sweet and helpful . I will def be back to try the vegan mango soft serve
Loved everything about this ice cream shop. It's different than your usual, with Southeast Asian flavors. I tried the Mango Lassi Swirl soft serve. It was so decadent and creamy and the flavor was perfect. As if you were enjoying a frozen Mango Lassi drink. I will definitely be back as the other flavors were incredible according to my friend who put me on to this place. Staff is nice. Place is clean but small and not many seating areas. They cater and provide service at any type of events.
Loved the classic flavors as well as the Diwali specials! The south asian inspired flavors are done very well here and worth a visit if youre in the area! Would definitely recommend taking a pint home! 5/5 Masala Chai 4.5/5 Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almond 4.5/5 Peda (Pistachio)
I love so many of their flavors that obviously leans toward south Asian flavors like the masala chai and the mango cream. My friends and I came Friday afternoon and sadly the soft serve machine was broken. I'll just have to come back! The service was so patient and friendly and currently you're only allowed 4 samples which was more than enough to make a decision. This day I indulged with a split scoop of mango and cream and the guava chili. Really interesting combo - both the fruits were so refreshing on such a hot summer day. Plus Carroll Park is very close to sit and relax to enjoy your ice cream as well
What a great little spot for unusual flavors scoop or soft serve! I say bring on the flavors dont be shy more rose in particular. I will definitely be back. Nice service not many seats take togo.
When you find a cute little ice cream shop called Malal which translates to Cream in Hindi , you expect something special. After a long walk along Dumbo neighborhood decided to drive back home and discovered this place on the way , Had to take a peek at what was on the menu . Walked in to a cozy little shop , bright and well lit with unique flavors on the menu. I tried the. Vegan flavors first and liked every one of them in the following order Pineapple coconut with pink peppercorn , Guvava chili and Cilantro mint with Serrano chilis . I could taste the ingredients individually in each flavor. The mix of heat from Red vs Green Chili's or Pink Peppercorns made it quite complex in taste , yet had a clean lingering finish on the palette . Pineapple coconut vegan ice cream was creamy tangy , slight sweet from the coconut with the subtle aroma and kick from the Pink Peppercorn that was a riot in my mouth. I tasted a few other flavors like Fig on Fig , Mango, Curry leaf and Chai . One tasted better than the other . This is truly an offbeat menu with a wide medley of wild ingredients pulled together in a perfect harmony of flavors . Need more spots like Malai to keep the food enthusiasts taste buds excited and guessing.
Got a delicious vegan ice cream sandwich to go but I'd love to try an ice cream scoop another time. The sandwich was delicious - chocolate chili cookie with spiced peanut crunch ice cream (all vegan). The combination of flavors and textures were so unique. I'd definitely buy this again and look forward to getting a scoop in the warmer weather.
An ice cream shop with flavors you don't commonly see in other places. Tried what was probably their most popular flavor, rose with cinnamon roasted almonds. What an amazing ice cream flavor. Great texture, subtle, the rose flavor was not overpowering, not too sweet, perfect! I really enjoyed the ice cream and will definitely come back to try the other interesting flavors they offer.
Went to try this South Asia ice cream and it was so good!! Loved the rose cinnamon ice cream !!will come come but to the new store at west village and try the saffron soft serve!!
SERVICE - located in carroll gardens near the bergen street metro station - store is spacious and has some seating areas for smaller groups inside - no restroom available - workers let you try the different flavors and are good about recommending which ones they like - large variety of flavors available as pints in the freezer MENU - south Asian inspired ice cream - vegan options available - average price ($6 per scoop) FOOD - chocolate chili cookie with spiced peanut crunch ice cream sandwich (9/10): this product came from the freezer. Although there was one vegan option as a scoop, I was more enticed to try the combination of chocolate and peanut butter enhanced by spices. It did not fail. The cookie was the star of the show, with a perfectly balanced combination of bitter chocolate and spicy chili powder. The peanut butter flavor in the ice cream was subtle but added just the right amount of creaminess and sweetness to tone down the spices. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes! I would love to see more of the vegan flavors when they rotate them seasonally.
Ordered: Trio Scoop (~$9): Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, Fig on Fig, and Guava Chili Soft Serve Swirl (~$6) on Waffle Cone (+$2): Vegan Mango and Cardamom Yogurt Aya's take: Places like Malai remind me that there is still innovation happening in the food space! We stopped by for a sweet treat and were completely enamored by the range and depth of their flavors. I could barely make a decision and ended up going with a Trio Scoop of Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, Fig on Fig, and Guava Chili. The Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds and Fig on Fig are outstanding! I'm a sucker for rose and this was done just right. It was creamy, florally, and nutty. Fig on Fig was somehow even better than the Rose! It's lightly sweet, earthy, and the dried fig jam swirls were so good. The Guava Chili was refreshing with a kick! It didn't go with the other 2 flavors but on its own, very solid! As if that wasn't enough, we got the Vegan Mango and Cardamom Yogurt Soft Serve Swirl. I don't think any other place in the city is offering a swirl with these flavor profiles. It was creamy, light, and each flavor complimented one another well. Great try!
I was super excited for this place because of their whole message about Indian flavored ice creams and have been waiting to check it out for months. Atmosphere: The place is quite small and with COVID picking back up they don't allow sampling or indoor seating. The inside is nice and well kept, spacious and simple. Staff was helpful and polite. Food: The ice cream itself fell quite short ... ended up getting 3 flavors and though they were unique, they lacked a real wow factor. I ended up getting the masala chai, fennel berry pie, and mango lassi flavor. My personal favorite was the mango lassi, chai and then the pie. All of the ice cream was almost freezer burned and had an icy few (vs creamy/smooth) and didn't have a strong enough flavor, they get very light on the palate. Long story short; I think if you like mellow and soft flavored ice cream this is a great introduction into Indian fusion sweets, but it fell short for me. I think I'd have to come by again to give it a try. read more
5 years ago
We had heard so much about this place and it definitely lives up to it's hype. We visited it on a Saturday afternoon, it's indoor dining was closed so we sat outdoors. The staff was super friendly in explaining some of the interestingly named flavors. They served mini scoops as samples next to our order which helped us try quite a few flavors. We ordered Madam Vice President, Cilantro Mint and tasted the pineapple peppercorn (the last two are non-dairy). Madam Vice President was my favorite!! It is a coconut, mango flavored ice cream with candied lotus root. The cilantro mint was refreshing, especially on a hot summer day, and next time would definitely consider getting the pineapple peppercorn flavor. There is a good selection of non-dairy/sorbet options. read more
5 years ago
I came to Malai upon hearing such rave reviews for the past year and I am very glad I finally decided to make the trek. Malai looks like an unassuming hole in the wall ice cream shop tucked away within Carroll Gardens, yet when you go in you're greeted by a wonderfully pastel ambiance. I love the little aluminum ice cream trolley they have inside the shop too; it really reminds me of how ice cream is sold in Asian countries (like the Philippines), and lends to the overall feel of the place. The flavors are so one of a kind; masala chai, royal cinnamon black sea salt, orange fennel, and baklava. Everything is south east Asian inspired and one would think that the spice would be over bearing yet each bite (or taste depending how you eat your ice cream!) offers such a smooth and flavorful indulgence. I would definitely recommend this place for those looking to satisfy a craving for something new, or for those who want to explore a more diverse palate when it comes to desserts! read more
4 years ago
Creamy and packed with flavor! Favorite was the masala chai- tastes exactly like the drink. Holi sweet milk was a little too sweet for me. Thandai has a lot of spices and might not be for everyone but interesting to try! read more
If I were to describe this ice cream in one word: Wow. This is a MUST visit for anyone who loves ice cream and one of the hidden gems of NYC. The shop's salmon interior and aesthetic logo may be what catches your eye initially. Once you walk in and glance at the menu, the flavor choices will may you stay. Malai's ice creams have unique combos of different Indian spices and flavors, like masala chai, rose with cinnamon roasted almonds, and orange fennel. My friend and I shared a split scoop of the rose + mango and cream, which was cheaper than buying two separate singles. It was love at first bite for me. The rose flavor was magical! The rose taste and fragrance was at a Goldilocks level and the roasted almonds added a nutty balance to it. A lot of rose flavored foods taste like perfume to me, but this was nothing like it. It was elegant, refined perfection. The mango and cream was just as good. It has a strong milky flavor as the name suggests. Very rich and indulgent. I couldn't stop sharing this shop with my friends and family after visiting, and will probably buy one of their pints next time I go. I'm so glad I got the chance to try it! read more
Loved the concept, there are no places like this in the city. The base of all ice creams is very creamy which makes them different. Also love the collection of the flavors. Wish there were more flavors available on display to eat. I was also excited to try the jalebi and Rabri icecream cake but the price was too steep($30 a piece) so I dint end up trying that. Overall, I recommend this place to ice cream lovers. Will definitely re-visit to try other flavors!! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
INSANELY AMAZING!!!! I love the cultural aspect and unique flavors of ice cream. Such a perfect creamy texture and wonderful level of sweetness. I chugged this down basically and could've eaten more. Sweet corn saffron was so unique and awesome read more
Scrolling through the streets of BK and saw a line outta the door so I had to visit, plus it was hellishly hot out. Rather than bombard me with 30+ flavors with names irreverent to their taste/ingredients, Malai had a good handful of selections. Do get the mango and cream and the pineapple! They also have different flavor cones. If you aren't satisfied or liv The server was very nice while working like a machine. I kind of feel bad for the staff at good ice cream places in the summer. read more
I absolutely love ice cream, and it's really hard to find a place that I would go out of my way to visit. Malai has some amazing ice cream! It reminds me of my childhood, the flavors and smells of afternoon tea/snacks; it was a very nostalgic moment for me. The ice cream is amazing and you can taste the quality of ingredients used to make this. I came here with my supervisor and we were blown away with all the options. I ended up getting a scoop of the rose with cinnamon with roasted almonds. The taste was clean and the amount of almonds used was generous. My supervisor ended up getting 3 scoops; the roti and ghee, sweet corn and fig on fig she loved the All the flavors, but these 3 were her top chose. We tried all the flavors and the gentlemen assisting us, Torrence, was amazing! He was so helpful and essentially gave us a little summary of the flavors. I read a few of the reviews about the pricing, and I think it's priced as all the other ice cream shops in nyc. I will definitely go out of my way to get this ice cream! read more
6 years ago
3 years ago
I have been wanting to try this place and Saturday I finally did. Now one of my favorite places are ice cream places. We stopped here after dinner and I loved it. First inside I like the decor simple and tables. Also the person was very nice and you could try as many flavors as you want. I tried a couple different flavors and so did my friend. I chose the cinnamon and Marsala chai. These flavors were delicious and I had the topping of shortbread. I look forward to coming back. Also the person who helped us was so nice and friendly. I really enjoyed this place and I hope they make a storefront in Manhattan. I live in Harlem so it is quite a commute but it was definitely worth it. I look forward to trying more flavors and returning. I liked the flavors because the combinations were different and this ice cream was very creamy without being overly sweet. My only suggestion would be for them to have a water jug. read more
2 years ago
Fantastic ice cream! I've always wanted to check out their Brooklyn shop but since it's so far away and not convenient for me to get to, I took advantage of a Gold Belly deal and ordered pints! Amazing and unique flavors. So very good!! Definitely highly recommended! read more
Incredible icecream and service. For AAPI month, we stopped by Malai icecream for a scoop on Yelp. The place was super cute- pink on the inside with a few table and seats for dine in service. There were so many fun flavors! I was especially interested in the masala chai, the rose, and cardamom pistachio crumble. I ended up getting the scoop of cardamom pistachio crumble and it was the best decision I could have made. The lady gave essentially a scoop and a half, so it was a super generous serving of icecream for one. The icecream was creamy, and so wonderfully spiced with the cardamom. There was some pistachio crumble on top, but it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, which made it easy to finish. The crumble also provided the perfect crunchy texture contrast against the creaminess of the milky icecream. This was probably one of my favorite scoops of icecream in NY, after having tried others like Morgenstern, Van Leeuwen, etc. Once sweet roti and ghee makes its way back, I will for sure be back! read more
This ice cream shop was absolutely amazing! I love the Indian flavors that were incorporated into the ice cream. I got the rose with cinnamon roasted almond and the mango & cream flavors in a cup. It was SO delicious and flavorful!! My friends got the masala chai and the orange & fennel which were also extremely impressive. I've never had fennel in ice cream before, but it was definitely not a disappointment. They have so many different flavors and the staff were extremely welcoming. They also had cute outdoor seating and the neighborhood itself is great! I'm definitely going to go back one day and would recommend this to anyone that loves ice cream! read more
Heavenly ice cream. I went to their new location at Pier 57 and had a scoop of their mango and cream ice cream in a cone. That first bite felt spiritual--the flavors are SO good and the ice cream is the perfect consistency. I'm not usually hungry enough to finish a full ice cream cone, but I was tempted to get a second one just so I didn't have to stop tasting this flavor. read more
5 years ago
M other India makes everything better A esthetically pleasing store decor and packaging L ots of exotically unique flavors A fraid you can't pick a flavor? I hear you I ce cream can be tasty without eggs @thedogtrine read more
2 years ago
The great Malai Ice Cream finally has its own storefront, even though it's still calling itself a "popup", as it is not yet fully built out. They have been selling their high quality ice cream for a few years at Smorgasburg, and also recently had a temporary space in the Gotham Market at the Ashland food hall, but just moved their cart indoors at this new space on Smith St. So it's still really just a cart with limited hours while they build out the rest of the space, but at least it's indoors and available 7 days a week. It seems they're only offering 4 rotating flavors at a time, but it's a good thing they're all great. I tried the Jaggery with Tamarind Caramel for the first time tonight and it was a great one. There's a lot of great ice cream in this neighborhood now, but make sure to add this to your list of regular stops for a delicious dessert. read more
4 years ago
Malai Brooklyn, NY Food: Rose with Cardamom and Almonds Strawberry pie Overall Rating: 3.8 Family Friendly: Yes Recommended: If you're in the area The favors are very settle. read more
Saffron soft serve was so yummy! The saffron taste wasnt too strong, felt like a creamy vanilla w a touch of saffron. Almost wished i didnt get it in a cone, so i can taste more of the icecream! Cute seating spots inside and outside of the shop. read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
Love love love this spot! Along with it being owned by a South Asian woman, I loved the quality of the ice cream. It's so rich and decadent you will want to come back for more. So far, I've tried the rose flavor, masala chai and sweet roti and ghee and they are absolutely delicious. Definitely recommend to anybody looking for an Indian twist on ice cream! read more
I popped in for some ice cream since it was so hot this weekend! It's a small storefront but the line moved quickly. Their flavors are really unique and I got the Turkish coffee and Mango & Cream flavors. The ice cream was super creamy and delicious. I would absolutely come back here again. read more
3 years ago
This is their idea of a fair portion for ice cream. Two small scoops for $8. Not very fair. read more
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Kim M.
Hi Tiramisuzy. We're so sorry that this happened. We'll make sure to…
4 years ago
Ice cream is fantastic. Five stars. Service is mostly terrible. Very long waits, people are allowed to spend 3.5 hours "tasting" every single flavor while the line just keeps growing. This is absolutely insane. One step in the right direction would be to serve a couple people who are in the store to actually buy something, while letting the gourmand super-tasters make up their intractable minds. Another thing is the wastefulness of their water bath behind the counter. This is used to clean the scooper. There has to be a less wasteful way to get this accomplished. read more
I had a double scoop...passion fruit and red chili chocolate. It was absolutely delicious. The ice cream might have been the creamiest I've ever tasted. The red chili had the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. I can't wait to go back and try some other flavors. read more
2 years ago
More info about Malai
268 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Carroll Gardens, Gowanus
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(347) 889-5789
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https://www.malai.co
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Ask the Community - Malai
Do they have dairy free options?
They always have two dairy free options that rotate from time to time!
Any vegan options?
Hi Chelsea, Thank you so much for reaching out. We try to always have at least two vegan options…
