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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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
Thanks to Yelp Elite Week, I got to try south Asian-inspired ice cream for the first time. The store was adorable and already bustling when I arrived. They had some ice cream cakes with flavors that intrigued me up front in the fridge. The staff kindly gave me a brief overview of Malai as it was my first time there. I sampled a few flavors with my mom and we both ended up getting mango and cream, the top flavor in our opinions. It was creamy and fruity at the same time! The other flavors were really unique with the different spices incorporated. Though they only had a handful of flavors. read more
3 years ago
Located in Brooklyn, this place is unique because of the indian flavors it provides in the ice cream range. The shop is a small one but with a cute ambiance, the servers are really friendly and happy to guide you through their menu whereas are really patient with their customers. I was surprised to see the Diwali special ice cream menu as they had made ice cream out of favorite Diwali sweets such as ghugra, peda, kaju katli, ras Malai. I tried these 4 flavors first, and settled for peda and ras Malai. The ice cream was really creamy as their name (Malai = cream) suggests. Overall it was a unique experience, also it was interesting to see they having unique flavors in the pint size and one which really caught my eye was red chilli chocolate. Hope to try more next time! read more
This place boasts a super adorable exterior of 2 larger than life windows, allowing a peek into the shop. The windows have white columns and there is pink lettering and pretty design. The writing spells out the following: MALAI ICE CREAM ~ A decadent blend of cream and culture. The first time I visited this ice cream shop was on Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. There were a couple dessert specials specifically for that occasion. The one I chose was chai cake with salted jaggery caramel sauce, along with roasted pecans. The ice cream it came with was Agate Candy and Saffron, which sounded interesting, but I went for the Rose ice cream with cinnamon roasted almonds. I absolutely looved everything about it! The chai cake was wonderfully spiced, perfectly moist, and satisfyingly chewy. The ice cream had a lovely delicate rose flavor and there were plenty of crunchy almond pieces. It was also oh so creamy. And the caramel sauce was delightfully sticky, rich, and sweet. I also got to try their Black Forest Sundae, which was offered through the month of March, featuring Black Forest, the shop's 2nd anniversary ice cream flavor. Along with the ice cream, this consisted of chocolate cake, fresh whipped cream, fudge, chocolate crunchies, and a cherry on top. Black Forest ice cream has a cardamom ice cream base with streams of hot fudge and cherry rose ripple folded throughout. That ice cream was my favorite part. The cardamom flavor was just exquisite, while the decadent chocolate fudge mingled with the fresh cherry rose sauce tasted simply divine. It was so delicious that I was tempted to buy a whole pint, but at $12 each, I restrained myself. The chocolate cake was decent as well. All the rest of the ingredients worked beautifully together and it was a nice mixture of soft and crispy textures. I decided to purchase a pint of Baklava ice cream, because they don't have that flavor as a scoop option. The base is honey ice cream and there are tons of actual bits of house made baklava. It was a nutty, buttery delight, as well as really unique and tasty. I would definitely return and am intrigued by many of their Indian-inspired flavors, especially Coconut Tahini with Date Caramel, Turkish Coffee and Hibiscus Chaat Masala Sorbet. read more
Been a year since I've come by so thought I'd update my review. Back when I came there was no indoor seating because of Covid but yay for the seats at the window and the table (tables? I don't recall) inside! The young lady at the register was kind enough to allow us to try a few samples before we ordered and we went with the masala chai (of course) and the mango and cream. The mango cream was beautiful. Smooth, silky, not too sweet ice cream with a sweet but slightly tart frozen mango pieces with every other bite. The masala chai admittedly tasted very different from the first time I had it. Maybe it didn't have the first time wow this time around but the flavor profile felt a little different to me, more muted almost. Still good but I actually preferred the mango cream. Split scoops are 7.50. 1 is 6. 3 is 9 and pints are 12.50. I still have more flavors to sample so YES I'll be back (hopefully not a year from now lol) read more
I'd previously tried Malai's ice cream via the frozen section at Kalustyan's. After realizing they had an actual ice cream shop, I made it my mission to stop by on a rare visit to Brooklyn for date night (I know, I know). Anywho, it was an unseasonably warm fall night and there was a line. Luckily I was purchasing a few pints before hopping in our Uber back to Manhattan so I didn't have to wait. Due to COVID precautions, they wouldn't allow me to open their freezer which I had no problem with. My favorites are the Masala Chai, Sweet Roti Ghee and Baklava. However, they have so many more flavors and I can't wait to try them all. An added bonus is that when I can't make it out to BK, since my local WF no longer carries it, I can get it delivered with Goldbelly. Win win! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
Amazing experience I always pass by and don't go in. After being awkwardly ignored at 2 bars looking for wings I found Malai. I was greeted with a smile and given an experience in trying different flavors. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and thoughtfully crafted. Will definitely be back! read more
To lovers of ice cream throughout NYC: You need to come here. I haven't come across any place that offers the variety that they've got and their potential is through the roof. Their flavors are so on point that I would consider this a lowkey favorite option for ice cream / dessert spot anywhere. Pooja Bavishi's vision of South Asian inspired flavors is truly impressive and I am so enamored with everything I've had so far. This little shop is located on Smith in the heart of Carroll Gardens, along a strip full of eateries and bars. When I first went there was no seating due to COVID, but an outdoor setup good enough for a couple of parties to enjoy a quick bite. The space is very minimalist with the counter of ice cream as the main attraction of the house. I went for a cup instead of the cone for fear of a messy summer melting, but the cones look like fire. My rose with cinnamon toasted almonds and masala chai was out of this world good. I've also enjoyed their lemon cardamom and was floored by the baklava and coconut tahini with date caramel. Suddenly the idea of vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream, etc. sound painfully boring when compared to masala chai, confetti sweet milk, pumpkin garam masala crumble, carrot halwa, or lemon cardamom. Supposedly their ice cream is completely eggless and handcrafted, resulting in a creamier blend with "purer and robust" flavors. I can't recommend this place enough. The prices are what I'd expect out of trendier ice cream spots in BK, but this place really makes all of it worth it. I am gunning for every flavor that I can get my hands on, but more specifically: Fig on Fig Ginger Root Golden Tumeric Sweet Corn Saffron Sweet Roti & Ghee And for those of you who are (rightfully) drooling from afar, know that they offer free shipping nationwide for a combined number of pints of whatever flavor they have on their website. I am already looking forward to the day I get to indulge in their ice cream again. read more
I was greeted by K as soon as I walked in. K was such a super hostess. She was very friendly and informative on the flavors. K also related the flavors to common things that she figured I try before. K knew her icecream flavors and what was inside of each flavor. K was helpful and patient with me while I was deciding what I would like to order. Love her energy and how informative and polite she was. Thank you so much K for everything. It was extremely clean and organized inside. A few seating area. Don't change for anyone keep that positive energetic attitude. read more
2 years ago
Omgggg so yummy -- got the thandai & the rose cinnamon almond & they were both delicious -- so flavorful, unique, & not too sweet read more
6 years ago
Malai Ice Cream is my new favorite ice cream shop in Brooklyn. The flavors are extraordinary. It's truly one of those places where I wish I could try every flavor, since each one, South Asian-inspired, sounds so unusual and appealing. We ordered the split scoop to try two of their bestsellers--rose with cinnamon-roasted almonds and masala chai. Both were fantastic. I loved the subtle flavor of the rose, as well as the complexity of the chai, which had a real spicy kick. Neither was overpoweringly sweet. The interior is bright, warm and inviting. We enjoyed our scoops outside, where there were two tables for outside seating. The staff was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, they are not offering samples during COVID. read more
6 years ago
Yum! I didn't personally visit the store. Hubs ordered some of their ice cream from https://www.goldbelly.com/malai-ice-cream. What unique flavors! Our order came packaged neatly with dry ice. The ice cream was in great condition when they arrived. Since I didn't visit the store, I can't comment on ambiance or service. The ice cream on the other hand is delicious. Smooth, creamy, made with quality ingredients and not overly sweet. Warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and saffron are used. My favorites were the Sweet Milk, Mango & Cream, and Masala Chai. So glad we got a chance to try out this flavorful ice cream spot. Thank you B :D read more
Aesthetic cute shop with amazing ice cream! I wanted to get the sweet corn but they were out of it the day I came :( I ended up ordering 2 scoops in a cup: masala chai and rose with cinnamon roasted almonds. Masala chai was super delicious and so was the rose. Rose was pretty subtle in case you're looking for a strong rose taste. Between the two I liked the masala chai better, but both were yummy and light. Loved the almonds in the rose flavor! read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Kim M.
Oh no, we are so sorry to hear this! We have quality control…
It's great to see more variety in ice cream. Malai does it right by having indian-inspired flavors for the ice cream and it really shines here. The flavors are so unique and are great. My biggest gripe were that the flavors just weren't as deep as I would have liked. They were all very fragrant though so I'd definitely have to come back. read more
2 years ago
I wanted to like this place so much but unfortunately it fell short...by a lot. The service was great, super helpful person working behind the counter. She let us sample whatever flavors we wanted. The flavors though....thats where it disappointed. For something named "Rose with cinnamon roasted almonds" there was no rose flavor at all. You got a ton of almonds but that's it. For the "orange fennel" unless you absolutely love a mouth full of fennel, thats all you got- no orange. For the turkish coffee...there was no coffee flavor. All the "secondary" flavors were the ones that came out way too strong and left me not wanting anything but feeling terrible about having the girl scoop samples, I bought a prepackaged rose kulfi and it was just as disappointing. It was all condensed milk flavor- where's the Rose?? For $6 (one scoop or this sad prepackaged one) or $7.50 (split scoop) I would definitely not recommend and would not go back. read more
Business owner information
Kim M.
Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know about your…
4 years ago
Been wanting to try ice cream from here for a long time. They only have a handful of flavors but they all sound very interesting. U can sample some before deciding. I tried the mango cream and rose with cinnamon roasted almonds. I liked both of them but decided to go with the rose one since it's not a flavor I'll encounter often. It's not overly sweet, perfect level of sweetness for me. The only downside is that its $6 for just 1 scoop, pricey... but it can be a once in a while treat. Wouls like to try other flavors though read more
4 years ago
Really great ice cream shop! Loved the South Asian-inspired flavors, definitely worth trying as there were many flavors of ice cream that I hadn't had before and it was fun to see the ice cream twist on the classic flavors. They also let you sample as many as you want! read more
2 years ago
Somewhat long lines on Friday evening, but worth the hype. We sampled some of the hard scoopable ice cream, which were all interesting flavors. Among those, the red chili chocolate and the strawberry cilantro were my favorites. Ultimately, we chose the pistachio and saffron soft serve after sampling. These were just out of this world. If you are from the Midwest, specifically Michigan, and you are a fan of blue moon ice cream the saffron is so close to the flavor of the elusive blue moon. The space is far too crowded to sit down and enjoy. We took our waffle cones around the block and ate them. $16 for two plus a tip. read more
2 years ago
Sizeable scoops and great tasting ice cream. Helps that the staff is friendly and helpful. read more
Stumbled upon this cute spot after brunch at Ugly Baby around the corner. It's so adorable and it's such a fun concept. Personally I don't think the Indian flair is for me. I got the mango one but it just has this spice flavor that I'm not sure into. I like my ice creams richer and more creamy. But definitely check it out if you're in the area. It's something super unique and different, definitely not something you'd find in Manhattan. There's lots of space so it's stroller friendly for all the families out there :) From what I was told, the rose flavor is a fan favorite. read more
4 years ago
Looking for unique flavors and creamy taste? Look no further. This place is not only super cute on the inside but the servers are so nice! They let me try like 3 different flavors before I settled on one, actually 2. I got the split scoop on a cone of masala chai and pumpkin garam masala. Both were freaking amazing. Not super sweet but jussstt right. If I lived in New York I would be coming here literally all the time. I'm so glad there's finally a south Asian ice cream store!!! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
It was a cool experience to try their ice cream. They were good too... We had: 3 scoops Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds Orange fennel Masala Chai 2 scoops Red Chili Chocolate Cilantro and mint read more
My friend and I went to Malai Ice Cream around 9pm on a Saturday. There is seating inside for about 3 small parties. The interior is clean and modern and they also sell their own merchandise. I got the Tulsi Chocolate Chip in a cup ($5), and my friend got the Spiced Peanut Crunch in a Dark Chocolate cone ($7). I tried a few of the other flavors, and they are true to their name. For example, I was expecting the Ginger Root to taste like a sweet ginger (like candied East Asian ginger) but it was just straight-up ginger. That being said, I highly recommend trying the flavor because it has to be your cup of tea. The Tulsi Chocolate Chip was like chocolate chips in basil ice cream, which I wish I tried before getting it because it tasted like toothpaste. My friend's ice cream tasted better but was nothing special. I thought the texture of the ice cream was decently creamy and tasted homemade. Customer service was nothing special. The guy that helped us had a neutral personality. I kind of wish he was more excited about the flavors or the ice cream, especially for a shop with such unique flavors. I think the ice cream is a bit overpriced, but comparable with similar NYC places. I believe they do flavors well, but it just didn't work for me personally. I would like to go back and try a sweeter flavor and will edit my review accordingly if that ends up tasting better. read more
I have heard rave reviews about this place and was excited to try it but unfortunately it missed the mark for me. I got the pistachio and rose ice cream which were both good, sure, but for the price I expected to be wowed. In addition to that, the pistachios tasted a bit old which was quite off-putting. I'm not opposed to trying different flavors (the date looked really good) but the ones I had were a let down. read more
This place offers Indian flavor infused ice cream flavors and it's different from normal ice cream place. I enjoyed their soft serve and I recommend to people who are in the area. Unfortunately, not everything I had purchased fit to my taste (some were too sweet) which is why I give 4 stars. read more
Malai is an exceptional ice cream shop that lives up to its name (cream of the crop), offering a unique blend of South Asian ingredients and aromatic spices expertly curated by its founder, Pooja Bavishi. Their eggless, handcrafted ice creams are churned with minimal air, resulting in remarkably pure and robust flavors with an incredibly creamy texture. Pooja's childhood passion for spices and flavor experimentation is evident in each scoop, where familiar South Asian spices like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and saffron take center stage. Malai's menu not only pays homage to Pooja's cultural roots but also captures the enchantment she felt in the kitchen as a child. A visit to Malai is a journey into a world of creativity and flavor, and it's clear that Pooja Bavishi's dedication to bringing joy through her ice cream is at the heart of this delightful experience. If you're seeking ice cream that's both unique and delicious, Malai is an absolute must-visit. They offer more than just scooped ice cream, which is very good (Rose and almonds is one of my favorites.). You can also purchase yummy ice cream cakes, sandwiches, and pops...dairy or vegan. The staff was very nice and regardless of whether there's one person in line or 20 people you'll get the same superior customer service. read more
Can't believe I waited so long to visit this spot. I tried the passionfruit cilantro, which was incredible, along with the Masala chai, which tasted like a delicious chai tea latte. Pistachio soft serve was also fire; the saffron soft serve went with it nicely, but the pistachio was the star. Will be back!! read more
4 years ago
I've been wanting to try this ice cream for a long time! The flavors are unmatched! I was able to try almost every flavor thanks to the wonderful woman working that day. I walked in with no particular choice in mind and she gave me the flavor profiles of the ice cream and compared it to traditional flavors. So helpful! I thought the ghee and roti flavor was very interesting. Crunchy and savory, reminded me of cornflakes. I loved the soft serve pistachio. Probably the best pistachio I've ever had. I landed on the Carrot Hawla and Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds. The carrot could be comparable to a carrot cake like flavor but less cake more spice. And the rose was sweet with a bit of floral and crunch. So delicious can't wait to try more flavors. read more
7 years ago
Are you tired of generic flavors? While chocolate ice cream can be delicious, you can get it just about anywhere. If you want something special and worthwhile, make the trek out to Carroll Gardens to go to Malai Ice Cream. These are the flavors that you have always wanted and can now access. Rose, Turkish coffee, saffron, chai -- what else could you possibly ask for in delicious South Asian flavors in ice cream? Located on the cute, neighborhood vibes of Smith Street, Malai Ice Cream is absolutely something you should check out. It might just be one of my favor ice cream places in New York. Forreal. With summer still around, you need to go right now. Well, even when it's snowing, I will want all of the ice cream here... read more
Malai Ice Cream offers something unique that I haven't really seen much of in NYC, which is ice cream infused with South Asian ingredients. I was intrigued by their flavors, so I knew I had to try some when I was in the area. I ended up getting a split cup for $7 to try 2 different flavors, which ended up being Masala Chai and Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds. Both flavors tasted exactly as advertised, as the Masala Chai was sweet with a hint of spice and honestly tasted like a creamier version of a Chai tea while the Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds was fragrant with the smell of rose, yet tasted sweet along with a hint of spice as well. I think I liked the Masala Chai better, but I do drink my fair share of Chai, so that is probably my bias. Regardless, I thought both flavors were well done and really captured the South Asian ingredients, as you can feel the spices on your taste buds as you make your way through the ice cream. It really is a unique ice cream experience even when compared to other ice cream shops with atypical flavors, as the spices really shine at Malai Ice Cream, reminding you of the spices you taste when you eat South Asian cuisine. I definitely will be coming back to try some of their other intriguing flavors! read more
Very cute ice-cream shop with very unique flavor combo nations. I stop by just recently and I can say. I will be back. The staff was fun and knowledgeable. I played it safe my first time I got the Red Chili Chocolate. It was sooo delicious a good chocolate flavor and the slight heat off the peppers awesome combo. It was $12 for a pint so if want to treat yourself try this. read more
Spontaneously went here with my friend while we were in the area and it was super good! Definitely love the Indian inspired flavors. Got the rose with cinnamon almonds and the chai ice cream $7.50 for 2 scoops. The chai was definitely my favorite. Both were super creamy and flavorful and the portion size was perfect. Definitely gonna come back to try the others!! read more
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…
