Berthillon

Yummy ice cream, I would definitely recommend getting their cream based flavours over their sorbets. I've tried their salted caramel and wild strawberry, and I must say the former is really delicious. It's not too sweet and has a very fragrant caramel taste. The strawberry flavour wasn't as impressive, it tasted a bit artificial to me. Queues can get pretty long, so I wouldn't bother to get the ice cream here if that's the case. I do think it's worth a try if there is a short queue though!

Suggested by a local, I had wanted to visit this place for a long time and now was finally the time! The wild strawberry ice cream is a must-try, but you can only order it during its season. We ordered it with whipped cream that should have been topped with fresh wild strawberries. However, they only serve those on certain days, so we received raspberry on top instead, but it was still good and fresh! If you have time, I recommend dining in, as you won't need to wait in line.

Some of the best ice cream I've ever had, and the very best in recent memory. We tried the mango, coffee, and salted caramel flavors and everything was exceptional. So rich and natural, each bursting with heavenly goodness in each bite. We waited for maybe 5 minutes and were seated inside, avoiding the perpetually long queue outside for the takeaway. Service was brisk and friendly, making for a lovely experience. Absolute must try if you're in Paris.

I came here with high expectations after reading so many glowing reviews, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. The place does offer an impressive variety of flavors — probably around 20 — which is great if you like options. However, beyond the wide selection, the ice cream itself was not particularly special. The texture and taste were just okay, nothing that stood out or felt memorable. It’s not a bad spot, but definitely not the must-try experience I was hoping for.

Every time I travel to France, a stop at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis is a non-negotiable part of my trip. It had been 18 years since my last visit, and I’m thrilled to say the quality is just as exquisite as I remembered it—perhaps even better. This time, I indulged in a fondant au chocolat noir that was perfectly rich, followed by an unforgettable ice cream cone stacked with pistachio, vanilla, and strawberry—each scoop a masterpiece of flavor. I topped it all off with a cozy cup of cappuccino, the ideal finish to a dreamy late morning dessert (they open at 10:00 and it is 10:30). The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, answering questions and guiding customers through the many mouth-watering choices. One of the things I love most about Berthillon is the layout: there's a take-out counter where you can quickly grab ice cream, fondants, and other treats, and then there’s a sit-down area where you can relax and savor everything at your own pace. Interestingly, the storefront is actually on both sides of the street, adding to its unique charm. The exterior, decorated in classic wood paneling, gives off a warm, traditional vibe, almost like stepping back in time. You can feel the legacy of Monsieur Berthillon, who began it all in 1954 with a humble café and hotel named Le Bourgogne. They continue to uphold his dedication to excellence by using only the freshest ingredients and guarding their secret recipes closely. This ice cream is truly next level—so much so that I’ve even heard of celebrities having it flown in overnight (cannot confirm this although that was what was told to me when I first came here years ago). Whether you're visiting Paris for the first time or returning after years (like me), Berthillon is a must. It’s the perfect treat on a hot summer day or simply a lovely way to enjoy a quiet moment in the heart of the city. Pro tip: The best time to go is early in the day. I’ve been here when there was a line stretching out the door, but arriving early means you can avoid the crowd and enjoy the experience at your leisure. I sincerely hope Berthillon becomes your favorite ice cream spot too—because it has truly been mine for two decades. Bon appétit! 🍨🇫🇷

Decent ice cream, but not the best I’ve ever had. The salted caramel tasted more burned than I would prefer, so I wouldn’t recommend it. The vanilla was decent & they have many flavors to choose from.

Christmas ice cake I bought was simply amazing! So fine taste! Price was also really reasonable. I also made a small break at the cafe, nice experience, interiors are a bit too dark to my taste, and it’s too pricey I think. But little desserts we tried were great.

This remains the best ice cream I’ve ever had. The salted butter caramel flavour is to die for. The queue is for take out. The tea salon typically has shorter lines and you get a seat

I loved the ice cream here. Even though it was a cold day, my wife and I made the trip and sat inside the little cafe to get 2 scoops. The place provides ice cream to many shops in the area, so you will see their logo all over the place, but this is the main location -- I think. Looking at the other reviews, we were lucky since there was no line when we went. OK, it was probably before noon on a cloudy day and who eats ice cream for breakfast? US, that's who! The flavors are very bright (I had the mango) or deep (my wife had the chocolate and I had a scoop of pistachio), so you know that they care about the ingredients that they're putting into the product. I am glad we made it here on this trip. Highly recommended.

Berthillon was on my bucket list of places to try on my recent trip to Paris, and I'm so glad that I made the special trip out to Île Saint Louis. I was a bit intimidated by the line out the door; however, it moved faster than expected, and getting to sitting down in this posh ice cream parlor was absolutely worth it. Berthillon offers an assortment of ice cream and sorbets that are perfect for mixing and matching. I selected the pear sorbet because I've never seen that flavor on a menu before and paired it with the salted butter caramel ice cream. The pear flavor was sublime--imagine a canned pear, but way better. It paired perfectly with the rich and smooth salted butter caramel ice cream. My friends opted for the fig and melon flavors and were just as pleased with their choices. The whole experience felt like a nostalgic trip back in time and made eating ice cream feel like a luxury experience.

Berthillon is the best ice cream on the planet. Okay - there is a 400 ice cream shop tie for number one on the planet because ice cream making has gotten so good in the last forty years. This has not diminished the quality of Berthillon one bit. Berthillon is simply amazing. Don't get your Berthillon at a stupid tourist cafe. Go to the real Berthillon. They have a walk in take out ice cream cone place ... And a full formal tea room. You can't go wrong either way but I vote for the tea room. They have baked goods and hot drinks in the tea room to go with your ice cream. Plus it is a nice room. Just for the record - the baked goods are just as amazing as the ice cream. Still, if you are visiting Paris and don't live here - you really want to have the ice cream. My most recent visit there took me on a daring experiment. Having had their bold amazing flavors many times ... And having absolutely adored them all .. This time I changed the plan. I intentionally ordered the two most boring flavors possible on the menu. Vanilla and Honey Nougat. In many outstanding ice cream places - you have to order the bold flavors. If you order the nothing flavors, you end up with nothing. * * * I can tell you with great happiness - That the boring flavors at Berthillon are absolutely positively NOT boring. Not one bit. They were just as amazing as the bold flavors. The vanilla was the most vanilla-y thing I have eaten in my life. I don't know how many vanilla beans went into my ice cream, but I would guess it was probably more than two boatfuls. (The Number two most vanilla-y thing I have eaten in my life Is my own homemade vanilla blancmange. I have never had a better vanilla dessert ... Except at Berthillon.) * * * The Honey Nougat was an eye opener. Usually as Americans our only experience with nougat is as a bad filler in commercial candy bars. Baby Ruth bars are one of the reasons Americans avoid nougat. So are stale nougat wrapper candies. French candy stores sell fresh good nougat. You can also buy it at open air markets. Berthillon's Honey Nougat Ice cream is Honey and Nut flavored. There is a strong and distinctive mixed nut taste. (Almost as distinctive as a walnut taste although I don't think walnuts are in here.) The honey plays off it wonderfully. Which did I prefer - the Vanilla or the Honey Nougat? I preferred both of them. * * * If this is what Berthillon can do with mild restrained flavors, Use your imagination to imagine what they do with stronger stuff. Their bittersweet cacao is an ice cream never to be forgotten. * * * Don't pick a tourist attraction and eat around that tourist attraction. Go to Berthillon for ice cream. Hold out for the tea room if you can because you want to make this last. You can see tourist stuff after that. There are plenty of things to see on the Ile-de-Saint-Louis. You will have an absolutely outstanding day.

While in Paris with my mother, we made our way to Berthillon for dessert one night after dinner. It was located within walking distance of our hotel near the Cathedral of Notre Dame. I love that they offer both a take-away storefront and a sit-down option. We opted to sit down and enjoy our dessert. I'm not gonna lie, we ended up loving it so much that we came three nights in a row. Each time we ordered something different and each time it was incredible. The service was always friendly and engaging, not to mention fast! I would say my favorite dessert that I tried was the macaron ice cream sandwich. You got to choose the flavor of your macaron as well as your flavor of ice cream. My favorite combination was the chocolate macaron with salted caramel ice cream. Do yourself a favor and come check Berthillon out for yourself.

Good, but a little disappointing. I visited the shop nearly 10 years ago in the Spring and had the most amazing wild strawberry ice cream. This week I got to try it again, but it was not the same. First off, it was really more of a sorbet and the forest strawberries were frozen solid and bland. I also had some peach which was good, but not memorable. It was, however, nice to sit in the tea room and enjoy the treat in a relaxing setting. If I had time for a repeat visit, I would have enjoyed trying one of their sundaes.

Before my first ever visit to Paris, a friend recommended I go to Berthillon for ice cream. I managed to not make it here over 2 visits, but the 3rd time is the charm and I finally got to try this famous ice cream on Île Saint-Louis. Do not be deceived by the empty storefront that is across the street, as I was when I walked up to the darkened windows and felt so much despair until my partner turned me around to see the very much open ice cream shop just across the way. (Not sure what this other space is, if it's a former space or a planned future space.) There is a walk-up line and then next door a sit-down cafe, so you can choose your experience. We lucked out and happened upon Berthillon when there wasn't a huge line, although the crowd outside did worry me at first -- it was a crowd of people just enjoying their ice cream outside on a nice day and not queuing to buy it. Berthillon has a lot of unique flavors that I don't see much elsewhere, and I really really relished my pear and strawberry scoops (which I believe may both actually be sorbets and not ice creams?). Strawberry is one of my classic favorites but I don't get it much out and about unless I trust they will have that real strawberry fruity essence and Berthillon certainly delivered. EXACTLY what I was hoping it would be after a long and unseasonably warm day, much like the pear was as well. It was just so so refreshing, I was thinking about my Berthillon treat long after we left and I'm so grateful I was finally able to visit after 10 years of waiting.

An incredible ice cream and sorbet spot that's always busy, right in the center of Paris. If you're looking for the best ice cream and sorbet around, you've found it here. It's a classic place that has been around for ages, and deserves to be. There's absolutely always a line out the door, and it's completely warranted. The main part of the shop is essentially just a walk up, and there's also a second room now that had table service. The design and ambiance is upscale traditional, with beautiful wooden walls. The staff is extremely friendly and let you take your time, even when they're busy. They have an extensive list of extremely high quality flavors that are all delicious. From fruity flavors like grapefruit to rich caramels and nuts, they've really mastered it all. Everything is so flavorful, creamy, and smooth, and absolutely not too sweet. Scoops are small, but prices are reasonable for the quality. I make sure to always swing by whenever I can, and you should too!

They have good ice cream. The line is really long and you can't taste. Very touristy.

I read about this ice cream shop in "The Bourne Shadow", a Jason Bourne novel by Brian Freeman. I looked up Berthillon on Yelp. If I ever visit Paris, I'm willing to stand in line, sit in the tea room, and then order ice cream. Perhaps reading does enlighten your psyche.

This is my favorite ice cream shop in Paris since they have interesting flavors that you probably cannot find anywhere else. I always come here before or after going to Notre Dame Cathedral since it's nearby. They do sell their ice cream at restaurants in the area as well but the shop has the most flavors. I usually get their fruit flavors (melon is amazing!) but decided to try something more for fall since I came in October. I like that their ice cream is creamy and not too sweet. I ordered a chestnut and rum ice cream cone. There were huge chunks of chestnut. Also, the rum flavor was subtle and more of an aftertaste. Service is always fast and friendly. I will definitely be back!

So delicious. Great ice cream/gelato. The flavors really taste like the actual thing. For example, the flavor melon tasted like biting into a cantaloupe. I tried a few flavors but Framboise (Rasberry) was my favorite. I give it a 10/10. From most to least favorite flavors: rasberry, peach, pear, melon (not a fan of cantaloupe), and citron verveine menthe aka lime, verbana and mint (usually like lemon/lime flavors but I didn't like the aftertaste). Definitely reccomend! So many of these shops in the area, but we chose the sit down location.

Ok how about this... haven't been to Berthillon since before there was yelp. But the ice cream is SO memorable (I can still taste my cassis and passion fruit cone) I send anyone I know who is going to Paris there to try it! Cannot wait until I have the chance myself again.

Fun fact - we visited Paris and "went to Berthillion again", except that I had never been here before. It was great...the ice cream was wonderful. But my previous comment about hot chocolate was about another place in Paris

Visiting in June, we stopped in for a snack. I felt awful I didn't speak French (I'm learning) but one of the attendants spoke english and was very kind. We sat and were not rushed. It was a pleasant and tasty experience. Merci

This ice cream was great even in the pouring rain. The flavors taste how they should and the textures accordingly matched.

Simply the best sorbet and ice cream! The chocolate is sublime. Not far from the Seine if you want to enjoy your cone on a stroll. Too good to miss!

The ice cream here is absolutely delicious and the location is also perfect - definitely worth a visit if you are in the area

A long line but it moved quickly. We did the to go line and got the sorbet. Really strong flavors and I found the smaller size was good for that.

Um, yeah. Pretty speechless. I don't use the term "next level" or "best" often. If there is better let me know, but this is serious stuff. Remarkable. After countless frozen treats in my many years, I've never had better. Not to be missed. If Michelin gave out stars for ice cream, I'd be interested in the results.

The most amazing ice cream. Got coffee, chocolate, raspberry, and salted caramel. So rich and creamy, not too sweet, and all the flavors complemented each other well. Truly one of the best things we tried while in Paris.

I was expecting a traditional ice cream shop, but was pleasantly surprised that it is a nice sit-down cafe where you can not only enjoy ice creams and sorbets, but also have a glass of wine. I liked my honey nougat ice cream and basil-lemon sorbet -- both are flavors that I have never had before. The scoops are on the small side, but I still enjoyed them. The staff were incredibly nice to us. Most of our group did not speak English, and the staff still accommodated us the best that they could. Now if I could just bring some of that ice cream back to the U.S...

Excellent sorbet for an extremely hot day in Paris. We walked around the Ile Saint-Louis after a visit to Sainte-Chapelle and the damaged Norte Dame. Apparently there were several establishments that carry Berthillon. The cream lemon, peach and pineapple basil were all excellent. But, the cream lemon stood out. I guess it was the fresh citrus flavor that cured the high 90s temperature. Recommend others to hop over from Ile de la Cite and give it a try.

This is the first place I go to in Paris when I arrive. Delicious and ever changing flavors. Do yourself a favor and order several yummy flavors. Plus wonderful tarts! Yummy!

The only ice cream I've had in Paris so I'm not sure what to compare it to. Small scoops but big in flavor. Black sesame and hazelnut praline ice cream?

The menu does not show which flavors are water based (sherbet) and which are cream based (glace). Better ask before they serve (all servers speak English). Unfortunately when I visited they were out of most flavors so go take a peak before standing in line for half an hour. Berthillon ice cream is sold at many other joints as well so no need to stand in line here.

Disappointed this time around as hubby wanted to get his Berthillon fix towards the end of our trip. We both received gelato that had ice crystals built into it. The gelato was not smooth whatsoever and it tasted like very old ice cream. Shame on Berthillon to serve such gelato. This is not what they're known for.

Really great flavors in a very smooth and creamy ice cream. It's worth seeking out and the hype.

I have been to Berthillon ice cream shop multiple times over the years and have never been disappointed. It's my favorite ice cream place in the world - flavor, texture and variety is amazing. Yes, it's a little pricey and there can be a line, but when in Paris I always try to visit!

Cool spot clearly very popular 4.50 euro's for a very very tiny scoop, pricey but if walking and it pops up by all means give them a try, just dont go out of your way. The ice cream was nothing special.

A must stop when you visit Paris, this place always reminds me of what should be the standard for good ice cream. The yuzu yogurt ice cream is always so delicious and nobody can ever stop at a single scoop! We also tried a few different flavors and I will admit that every flavor is a surprise and leaves you wishing you could eat more!

Worth standing in line at this institution in ice cream. My family has been coming for 18 years and it's still as delicious as I remembered from childhood. Today, I ordered two scoops, one chocolate and vanilla. There's a tea room next door that they have, and next time we visit I'm definitely going to make reservations!

Still shockingly good ice cream! (Honestly the best that I have ever, had which is high praise from a fat lady who lives in WI) I stopped for a mid-afternoon cold treat break, and was greeted by the nicest staff ever. Know that the scoops are pretty small but when you have a taste you'll be in flavor heaven! I had a 2 scoop cone for €5, with fresh pear and raspberry rose as my picks. I am not kidding when I say that the concentration and depth of the flavors here are incredible. It was like eating the most perfect, fresh, juicy pear alongside perfectly ripe just slightly tart raspberries. They have a small salon to sit in, but why not take your cone and wander the beautiful Ile St Louis, or sit near the river?

Love this ice cream place! Such unique flavors and so many to choose from. My favorites are the salted caramel and raspberry rose. Great service as well.

Great ice cream and fantastic service!! Can't get better ice cream anywhere!! The mango made me swoon!!!

Come on a hot afternoon and oh, you will wait for that table. We came on a stormy rainy afternoon and got the last available table without any wait. Kids had the signature peach + vanilla ice cream served with an actual peach and a ton of whipped cream. I loved their classic vanilla ice cream which had crunchy vanilla beans and the extremely smooth and rich chocolate. Passion fruit ice cream was refreshingly tart and not too sweet. Be ready to order when they come by your table.

My husband said this was the best glacé/ice cream of the entire trip! I agree. I thoroughly enjoyed my plum flavor and he enjoyed his tangerine and green apple glacé in a cone. The tangerine won out as best flavor for him. The service was good and prompt. We received our ice cream from a cute cart located outside of a cafe and walked and ate it. Perfect snack for a warm day.

Went there and they were closed. They had a sign on their door which of course, I couldn't read. A local said they were on vacation. Walked to a different location to taste their ice cream and it was delicious! A perfect treat while walking around the cute shops in a nice cobblestone lined neighborhood. Tried their salted caramel, pistachio and cookie butter flavors.

Berthillon was another must-visit when planning the itinerary, but after visiting this shop, I think its hype is well deserved, although a bit too sweet for my taste. While the flavors change on a daily basis, I think the charm to Berthillon is the amazing mix of flavors and how each ice cream brings out a unique burst of fruits or sweetness that you would have never expected. The texture of the ice cream was more chalky than creamy, but it definitely tasted unique and freshly made just a few hours prior. Food: 5 stars Cost: 4 stars Service: 4 stars

I think the main draw to Berthillon are not only its plethora of flavors, but the number of flavors you may have never seen before. They work well. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and of course tasty. Highly recommended.

Caramel nougatine... mic drop. Amazing. The caramel flavor was exquisite and pronounced. Chunks of nougatine added a subtle crunchy nutty texture and was a perfect compliment to the burnt (in a good way) caramel flavor. The French know their flavors and how to bring out the best from high quality ingredients. Berthillon makes amazing ice cream and is not to be missed. Do yourself a favor and grab a cone, walk over to the adjacent Seine river, and take it all in.

Amazing ice cream! Definitely worth a visit. As others have mentioned there are other restaurants selling "Berthillion" ice cream and I don't know if they are legit or not. But we went to the original location. You'll know you're at the right now because there's a like outside. Flavors that we tried included: chocolate, strawberry, nougat, apricot, and passion fruit. All flavors were great! I wish I had a chance to try all their flavors. They rotate flavors so if something is there one day, it might be there the next. And fortunately, they have a sign with flavors in English. The cone is also tasty.

I looked up Spoon University's list of must-eat desserts in Paris and Berthillon was part of the list! I was lucky to have not been stuck in a long line. I opted for just a scoop of salted caramel in a cone. The gelato was sweet and creamy, with a lot of salted caramel flavor packed into it. Berthillon seems to have multiple locations throughout Paris, so make sure to keep an eye out for them/research beforehand where they are!

For the best ice cream in Paris, you must stop at Berthillion. A short walk or Uber ride from Notre Dame. Also saw several Lime scooters here. They have a take-away shop and a sit-down shop right next to each other. Across the street is another Berthillion I believe for special pre-orders cakes, etc. We were in the sit-down section where we ordered: raspberry & vanilla w/whipped cream; chocolate with whipped cream; and salted butter caramel. Each came with a fresh cookie served in the ice cream dish. Lovely presentation, nice atmosphere, and delicious ice cream!

Why 5 stars? Because it's possibly the best ice cream I've had in my life. --- --- --- I've long been a huge advocate for Bi Rite Creamery in San Francisco as being home to the best ice cream in the world... but I they have company with Berthillon. We stopped here on the Fat Tire Bike Tour, which made the Fat Tire Bike Tour even more amazing than it already was. I definitely would have come here on my own, because the reviews were so great, but stopping on the tour was perfect! This is a very short review for a place I declare as the best or 2nd best ice cream I've ever had, but I'm short and to the point with this: Order the caramel. Do not even consider not ordering the caramel. If you read this and then decide to not order the caramel, remember that you did this to yourself. Ironically, the Salted Caramel is my go-to order at Bi-Rite in SF. For anyone reading this review who has had both of these gems from opposite sides of the world, I'd love to know which you like more!

This place is the real deal. Innovative flavors, great service, fancy, romantic, indulgent. OMG! You know when people say "now I can die" after something that was 'that' good? This is that place. If you are looking for a cool, creamy treat when in Paris, make your way to this place, and the takeaway is right next door. It may seem slightly more expensive, but don those extra sheckels here my friends, well worth the extra. I had a hard time selecting flavors but landed on scoops of white chocolate and basil/roasted pineapple. It was perfectly heavenly. Enough superlatives for you? Just go!

"Absolutely the best," my Parisian friend would say. "Everybody says so." Although I could simply take her word for it, I had to try myself. Berthillion earns every accolade. Located on the Île Saint-Louis, and suddenly famous in 1961 when French restaurant guide Gault Millau wrote about "this astonishing ice cream shop." The ice cream is marvelous. But you should also try their hot chocolate, which is served in a pitcher of melted dark chocolate, another of frothy hot milk, and a bowl of whipped cream. You can mix the hot chocolate exactly how you like it!

I don't like ice cream. Let's get that out of the way right from the start. I don't like it. It's gross and creamy and makes my mouth feel all weird. If I never have ice cream again in my life, I'll be fine. But on a hot summer day in Paris when my wife and daughter really want ice cream and the supposed "best ice cream in the word" is about 100 meters down the road from our hotel, I guess I have to at least give it a try, right? Let's just say if I could eat this ice cream every day. Maybe it's good I don't live in Paris because I would be at Berthillon a lot. I ordered the blackberry and it had a deep, intense flavor without all the gross creaminess. My wife had salted butter caramel that I wanted to try, but it was gone three steps after leaving. My daughter had chocolate and she loved it. The line can be long, but it is worth every minute of waiting.

We were near Notre Dame and I heard this was nearby. I already knew before getting to Paris that I wanted to try the ice cream here. I've never had a proper rum raisin before so I knew I wanted to try that with pistachio. I'm a sucker for good freshly made whipped cream and the whipped cream here was so delicious. The rum raisin was strong but delicious and the pistachio paired well with it. The ice cream was creamy and rich. A little pricey but well worth it. Definitely understand why it's considered the best ice cream in Paris. If you're near Marais or Notre Dame neighborhood it's worth it to stop by (especially in off-season when the line is short).

On a quiet afternoon, I stopped at Berthillon which was across the street from my hotel. There were a few people in line but not like I had seen for several days. I asked the woman for 2 scoops of banana in a cup using both French and English to indicate two. They were out of the banana so I went with the noisette. When I went to give her the money, she gave me change back. She had given me one scoop not the two I ordered and she said I had overpaid her. I took the change and walked a bit away and ate the ice cream. It was good but it was ice cream taht I didn't think was anything special. I'd rather have some gelato from here or any of the ice cream I had with dessert in restaurants in Paris. It was a disappointment.