Malai: clean, professional, and inviting shop interior

Malai: professional branding and interior display

Malai: clear product and storefront shot

Malai: clean, professional shop display photo

9 photos

Malai

★ 4.4 · 243 reviews Philadelphia Opened May 2025

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New York's Indian-inspired ice cream shop, now on 18th Street.

Malai made the trip from New York to Rittenhouse in May 2025. The format is familiar, with scoops, cookies, soft serve and pints to go, but the flavours are the reason to walk past three other ice cream shops to get here.

Lemon cardamom, masala chai, passionfruit cilantro. Order a two-scoop cup and split it with someone so you can try more of the list.

What guests say

Reviews by Google

Hazel McNibbens 10 reviews · Local Guide 18 July 2026

My go-to place for extraordinary flavors! The service is stellar and knowledgeable. I really enjoy the rotating soft serve flavors, and the combination swirl this trip - vegan mango and cardamom yogurt to make mango lassi - was not only refreshing but truly delectable. They have a freezer case of various ice cream pops and ice cream cakes that you can purchase. There are also comfy seats to enjoy your ice cream indoors to beat the heat.
Palanikumar Manoharan 153 reviews · Local Guide 21 June 2026

One of a kind ice-cream shop!!! Great flavor that you cannot get it elsewhere 😋 Gulab jamun (soft serve) Shahi Rose
Pil G 1,057 reviews · Local Guide 15 June 2026

Flavors are creative and well balanced. Passion fruit cilantro was a great Discovering. You can get up to 4 samples before ordering. It is a little pricy.
Austin Graff 4,501 reviews · Local Guide 13 June 2026

Born in NYC, this woman-owned ice cream shop is throughout the East Coast, including Philly and D.C. Walk inside and find one spacious room with plenty of tables and even more outside along the sidewalk. There's usually a line, but it moves quickly. All their ice cream is inspired by South Asian flavors like chai. They also have two soft serve options. The ice cream is pricey, but it's worth it. It's very good ice cream!
Chris Eyo 413 reviews · Local Guide 14 May 2026

SOOOOOOO GOOD! I sampled about 7 flavors before I decided 😂 the passionfruit cilantro scoop with cone crunch on top!???!!!! 40 million out of 10. I’ll be back. Bonus points for being a part of the inKind network. Beautiful, warm interior.