Ice Cream in Heidelberg: Eiscafés and Gelato Worth Your Time

Two Kinds of Ice Cream Shop in Heidelberg

Most ice cream in Heidelberg comes from Italian-style Eiscafés, where you buy scoops called Kugeln and eat them from a cone or a cup. A second, smaller category is a gelato company producing its own branded line, which is what That's Gelato does with BROZ. Knowing which kind of place you are headed to tells you what to expect: a quick scoop-and-go counter or a maker whose own line is worth seeking out.

The difference matters for planning. An Eiscafé rewards you for stopping in, while a gelato maker is a specific name to look for rather than a casual pit stop. If your day already has you crossing the river, the Neuenheim address is on the north bank; if you are staying near the Altstadt, the Brückenstrasse counter keeps things simple. Our guide to Cafés in Heidelberg maps the city's coffee counters.

That's Gelato in Neuenheim and the BROZ Vegan Line

That's Gelato is based at Steubenstrasse 34 in Neuenheim, on the north bank of the Neckar, and it produces its own gelato under the BROZ label. The BROZ range includes vegan scoops, with pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate among the flavors the maker lists. If you have been eating dairy gelato all week, this is a plant-based line worth knowing about.

The BROZ Naturale line goes further, with vegan varieties including cheesecake and salt caramel alongside classics such as chocolate and vanilla, made from regional and Italian ingredients. Pistachio is the clearest test of a gelato maker. Hazelnut and chocolate are the safer picks if you prefer a nutty, dark profile.

That's Gelato also runs a coffee brand, Coffe Sixty9, with espresso blends running from a balanced 50/50 Arabica-Robusta mix to a fruitier 80/20 and a dark, robusta-heavy roast. An espresso alongside gelato is a sensible pairing.

Eisdiele Amami on Brückenstrasse

Eisdiele Amami is at Brückenstrasse 22. It is open every day from 11:00 to 23:00, so it works as an after-dinner stop as well as an afternoon one. The shop takes cash only, so plan accordingly before you order.

The shop also does takeaway, so you can carry a cone with you rather than claiming a table. The long daily run from 11:00 to 23:00 means you rarely need to time your visit around opening. It is a straightforward Eiscafé, so expect the Italian scooping tradition rather than a branded line.

How to Order a Kugel

German Eiscafés sell by the Kugel, the scoop, and you decide how many you want before you choose flavors. A small cone usually takes one or two Kugeln and a cup takes a couple more, so order by count rather than by size name. Pointing at the display case works fine and is often faster than translating every flavor.

Cones are the default for walking, cups for sitting, and the trade-off is simple: a cone melts faster in summer heat, a cup lets you take your time. If you are heading off on foot, ask for a cup and a spoon rather than testing a cone on the move. Either way, eat the scoop from the top down so the base does not collapse.

The flavors Italian Eiscafés do best are the nut and dairy ones: pistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella (chocolate-flecked milk ice cream) and chocolate. Keep the order simple: two good Kugeln beat four mediocre ones.

Cash Versus Card at the Counter

Eisdiele Amami lists cash as its payment option, so a card-only traveler needs to carry euros before walking to Brückenstrasse. A small scoop is exactly the kind of purchase where a card minimum or a dead terminal causes friction, and cash removes the problem. Keep a few coins and small notes on you during the day rather than relying on a single card.

At any Heidelberg ice cream counter, ask before ordering if you plan to pay by card. German Eiscafés often run as small family operations, and payment habits vary by venue rather than by city. Carrying some cash covers a stop for two without discussion.

Neuenheim or the River: Choosing by Neighborhood

Choose Neuenheim if you want to seek out the vegan BROZ flavors from the Heidelberg maker, or if you are already on the north bank for a walk along the Neckar. Steubenstrasse 34 is That's Gelato's listed address in the neighborhood.

Choose the Brückenstrasse Eiscafé if you want a scoop in the evening, since Amami stays open until 23:00 every day. It is the easier option when you do not want to cross the river for dessert, and the takeaway option keeps it simple.

If the ice cream stop is one part of a broader café day, the same logic applies to coffee and cake. A pastry stop and a gelato can sit in the same afternoon without much travel. For a sit-down coffee alternative, our guide to Cake in Heidelberg covers the Konditorei side of the day.

Which Heidelberg Ice Cream Stop Fits Your Day

Look for That's Gelato's BROZ line if you want vegan gelato from a Heidelberg maker and do not mind heading to Neuenheim. Pick Eisdiele Amami on Brückenstrasse if you want a classic Eiscafé with long daily hours and you have cash in your pocket. Both are single-stop decisions rather than a tour, so build the scoop around where you already are.