These ice cream spots will take you back...
Ice cream kiosks! They’re a wonderful sight on a hot summer day with cold treats for everyone to enjoy. While some of them are static, others are mobile, travelling around Malta and Gozo. Some of these kiosks – especially the vans – have distinctive designs in order to catch our eye.
No matter where they are or what they look like, they’re quite a nostalgic symbol.
Here are seven of the most iconic ice cream trucks and kiosks around the Maltese islands:
Tony's Ice Cream
Situated in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Tony’s is easily one of the most popular ice-cream spots on the island. Many sweet-toothed patrons travel from as far as Kalkara, Bormla and even Marsaxlokk (!) for their ice-cream.
Malata Joe The Viking
This ice-cream van is set apart thanks to its detailed and nostalgic designs. Malta Joe The Viking is known to frequent various locations such as Rabat and Qrendi.
Tanti's
Tanti’s Ice Cream van can be found all around Malta, and it's owned by the same company that operates gelaterias in Mdina as well as San Anton.
Grezzju Caruana Special Ice Cream
The Grezzju Caruana Special Ice Cream truck mainly frequents areas in the South of Malta, such as the Three Cities, Żabbar, Fgura and Marsaskala.
The vehicle sports seemingly hand-painted designs, depicting classic cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck – definitely catching the eye of any child in the vicinity.
Champions Ice Cream
Champions Ice Cream was founded by a father and son team many years ago. The family business has three kiosks around Gozo – one in Ramla, one in Victoria, and one in Marsalforn.
Mr Whippy
This truck has a long history behind it. Mr Whippy’s current owner’s grandfather started the business in 1925, under name Carabott Ice-Cream, and would travel around with a cart and wagon.
In 1981, Joe took over the business from his father, Nenu, and has been running it ever since. Once while in Marsaxlokk, the kiosk and its ice-cream caught the attention of movie star Angelina Jolie, who was working on a film at the time. Mr Whippy ended up making five visits to Gozo where she was filming, upon her request!
Alfred’s Hamrun Kiosk
Situated in Ħamrun, Alfred’s Kiosk has been around since 1975 serving all sorts of food – including ice cream!
BONUS: Throwback to the old Imqaret Kiosk in Valletta
This might not have served ice cream, but it’s impossible not to mention it...
Prior to the renovation of Triton Square, Valletta was home to a flurry of kiosks, one of the most popular being ‘City Mqaret’. The kiosk has been around for over 38 years and relocated to Ħamrun following the square’s renovation.
What’s your favourite kiosk?
The People of Malta/Facebook, Riccardo Fabbroni/Flickr, La Gelateria Alex&Tony Tanti/Facebook, Maltese Food - ilovefood.com.mt/Facebook, @sahra_abdallah/Instagram, The People of Malta/Facebook, @alfreds_1975/Instagram, The People of Malta/Facebook