Updated on 5 May 2026
Original article published on 7 July 2018
The warm weather has arrived! The desire to enjoy a refreshing ice cream has led us to bring you the story of five classic ice cream parlours in Avenidas Novas.
The historic centre of Lisbon is full of modern ice cream shops, of national and foreign brands. They serve ice creams in which the variety of flavours, shapes and concepts surpasses the limits of the imagination.
However, it is not about flavours or formats that we will be speaking, nor about the ice cream shops in the city’s most touristy areas. We have chosen a different approach.
Did you know that ice cream shops were in vogue in the 1970’s and 1980’s and there were many of them in the new neighbourhoods of Lisbon?
Of the five classic ice cream parlours in Avenidas Novas that we present here, most emerged precisely at the height of this demand. Today, four remain in operation, and Lisbon residents still cherish their delicious and refreshing ice creams, especially in the warmer months.
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Sorbets and Ice Creams
We won’t be rambling about who invented or how this delicious temptation reached Europe. For some it was brought in the 13th century by Marco Polo from China where snow was mixed with fruits and honey. Others defend that its introduction was made by the Arabs from the Middle East. Since the 12th century that they consumed a drink made of fruit, spices and snow from the Himalayas, the sharbat or sberbeth that derived the word sorbet.
Either way, they’re both the combination of fruits and snow, having milk been added in the recipe later on in Europe, the ice cream. The truth is that the ice creams were presented as a Florentine specialty in the wedding of Catherine de Medici and Henry II of France in the 16th century.
Learn more in our article The Story of Neve and the Royal Factory of Ice.
The artisanal ice cream shops in all times and places state that they use Italian recipes as a guarantee of quality or at least use names with an Italian touch which on its own gives them a certain charm.
The Consumption of Ice Cream in the 1970’s and 1980’s
If 40 or 50 years ago the ice cream was a treat of the hot weather, and on the beach the sellers preached the varieties “fruit or chocolate”, today the consumption of ice cream has become common during the entire year. Ice cream lovers enjoy them whether it is summer or winter, and the artisanal ice cream shops even sell them for take away, for us to enjoy them while in the comfort of our home.
In the 70’s and 80’s the consumption of ice cream in Lisbon was in vogue. In summer, after a stroll in the park or after a cinema session, the families liked enjoying a generous ice cream in a terrace.
At the time, the most fashionable area of the city was Avenidas Novas, particularly along the axis of Avenida da Igreja, Avenida de Roma and Praça de Londres. It is precisely here that we find the five classic ice cream shops we now present.
5 Classic Ice Cream Shops in Avenidas Novas
A Veneziana – La Fabbrica
This ice cream shop is located on Rua de Dona Filipa de Vilhena, next to Arco do Cego Garden.
Although recent, its history dates back to the former factory on Avenida de Berna, founded in 1933 by Arcangelo Sala, Luigi Sala and Giovanni De Luca, which began with the simple street sale of ice cream from pedal carts.
In 1940, they opened their first ice cream shop, A Veneziana, at no. 8 Praça dos Restauradores, in Downtown Lisbon, which remains in operation to this day. Their ice creams were produced at La Fabbrica — the name they gave to the former factory — until the 1990s, when it closed.
The histories of the two Italian families then followed different paths. The De Luca family continued the ice cream shop business, while the Sala family, in 2014, opened La Fabbrica, reviving the family memory of the old factory, where making ice cream was a true art.
In 2025, the two brands were brought together once again, adopting the name A Veneziana – La Fabbrica. It is here that the ice creams for both spaces are now produced, following the principles of the recipes brought from Italy to Portugal.
Be sure to try one of their specialities, spaghetti, made with whipped cream, pressed vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce and crumbled meringue.
Address: Rua de Dona Filipa de Vilhena, 14 A/B, Lisboa
Gelados Conchanata
Conchanata has been situated since 1948 in Avenida da Igreja, in Alvalade. Although its original name Gelados Itália was changed, it is still owned by the same family of Italian roots.
All the ice creams are produced by the current owner and according to original recipes of his grandfather. The star of this ice cream shop is the Conchanata, constituted by four ice cream scoops, three of which are of your choice and one which is cream flavoured, everything glazed with a homemade strawberry sauce.
Summer is the season of ice cream but, if by chance, you like eating ice cream independently of the season, know that Conchanata is closed during winter.
Address: Avenida da Igreja, 28 A, Lisboa
Geladaria Surf
This is a classic ice cream shop founded in 1978, right when the ice cream shops in Avenidas Novas were in vogue. Located near Praça de Londres, it has a spacious terrace so that their clients can enjoy outdoors the 50 or so flavours that are available.
From the classic fruit flavours to the ones of different types of nuts, but the one that is considered to be the most original is the flavour of Kinder Egg. The ice cream bowls served with flavours of your choice, whipped cream and sauce are the most appealing, not to mention the crepes and waffles that are specialties of the house.
Address: Avenida Manuel da Maia, 56 C-D, Lisboa
Casa do Gelado
It opened in 1981 in the so fashionable artery of the zone of Avenidas Novas, the Avenida de Roma. It is known for its crepes and for the famous cassata. There aren’t just traditional flavours of ice cream. Here you can taste more exotic fruits, such as the physalis and the kumquat, and even flavours that remind us of traditional Portuguese desserts.
It has a pleasant and well decorated terrace where you can take your time to taste these delicious artisanal ice creams made of high quality ingredients.
Address: Avenida de Roma, 28 H/I, Lisboa
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Gelataria Pindô
NOTE: In the original publication of this article in July 2018, we highlighted 5 successful classic ice cream shops in Avenidas Novas. However, unfortunately, Gelataria Pindô did not withstand various challenges and closed its doors in October 2022. The significant historical importance of this commercial space will be documented in this article for future reference.
This is a memorable ice cream shop inaugurated in 1976, situated in Avenida das Forças Armadas in Entrecampos. This ice cream shop retains clients with sympathy in their service and with their artisanal ice creams of classic flavours. Those who prefer bolder flavours, elect the ginger ice cream as their favourite.
The variety of ice cream bowls dazzle those who visit this place, particularly the Taça Mangia e Bevi, consisting of ice cream, fruit salad and whipped cream. Dare to try it in the late afternoon and skip dinner!
Address: Avenida das Forças Armadas, 51 D, Lisboa
Despite the numerous modern ice cream shops spread across the city, including in the Avenidas Novas area, the classic shops, in addition to offering high-quality and flavourful ice creams, also preserve the story of Lisbon’s transformation over time.
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