K. Rustom & Co. Ice Cream Parlour

K. Rustom & Co. is not just an ice cream parlour—it’s a timeless Mumbai experience that perfectly blends nostalgia, simplicity, and great taste. Located near Churchgate Station, opposite the Ambassador Hotel, this iconic spot has been serving its legendary ice cream sandwiches since 1953, and it truly lives up to its reputation. The highlight here is undoubtedly their signature ice cream sandwiches—thick, creamy slabs of ice cream pressed between crisp wafer biscuits. The texture is rich and smooth, never icy, and the flavours are honest, balanced, and not overly sweet. We tried a variety of flavours including Walnut Crunch, Coffee, Kesar Pista, Pista, Vanilla, Choco Crunch, Candied Cream, and Chocolate Almond. Chocolate Almond and Walnut Crunch stood out as absolute favourites, while Coconut Pista felt slightly below average. Each flavour tasted true to its name, showcasing quality over gimmicks. What makes K. Rustom & Co. special is its no-frills, old-world charm. There’s no fancy décor or seating—just a simple setup where people from all age groups patiently queue up for a taste of nostalgia. The service is quick and efficient, even during peak hours, though it can feel a bit rushed due to the crowd. The place is often busy, especially in the evenings and on weekends, which only proves its enduring popularity. Prices are very reasonable considering the quality and legacy. Do note that the outlet accepts cash only, so it’s best to come prepared. There’s no parking, no photography allowed inside, and occasionally some flavours may be unavailable—but these minor inconveniences are easy to overlook once you take that first bite. Overall, K. Rustom & Co. offers simple, authentic ice cream with a strong emotional connect. It’s perfect for a quick dessert after a walk at Marine Drive or for introducing visitors to a true taste of Mumbai’s culinary heritage. Not fancy, not modern—just classic, comforting, and memorable. A must-visit for every dessert lover in Mumbai. 🍨✨

I visited K. Rustom & Co Ice Cream Parlour near Churchgate, and it was a delightful experience that felt both nostalgic and satisfying. The place has an old-world charm that immediately stands out. From the simple setup to the long-standing reputation, everything about it feels rooted in tradition rather than trends. The ice cream sandwiches are clearly the highlight here, and they did not disappoint. I tried a classic combination, and the thick, creamy ice cream paired with soft wafers tasted incredibly rich and fresh. The flavors are straightforward but very well done, without being overly sweet. You can tell that the focus is on quality rather than variety or presentation. What I really liked was the no-frills approach of the place. There is no seating or fancy décor, yet people patiently line up just for the taste. Watching customers from different age groups enjoying their ice creams made the visit feel warm and familiar. It is one of those places where the experience is as much about the memory as it is about the food. Overall, K. Rustom & Co is a must-visit if you are in Mumbai. It offers simple, honest ice cream and leaves you with a smile and a sense of nostalgia.

Unique concept of waffle ice cream sandwich. Tried coconut Pista and chocolate almond. Chocolate almond was outstanding while coconut pasta was below average. It's crowded as I walked by 3 to 4 times since evening. But service is fast, be prepared for queue. Make sure to carry cash they accept only cash. I did not had and borrowed from one sister and did UPI to her. Thanks to her as it was almost closing time and I could have not tasted it.

K. Rustom & Co. – A Mumbai Classic Ice Cream That Never Disappoints Location - Near Churchgate Station, opposite Ambassador Hotel, Mumbai Stepping into K. Rustom & Co. is like taking a trip back in time and every bite of their iconic ice cream sandwiches takes you even further. A true Mumbai institution, this old-school parlour continues to win hearts with its unique charm and legendary flavours. What We Tried We ate a delicious range of flavours: - Walnut Crunch – nutty, creamy, and perfectly balanced - Coffee – subtle, strong, and not overly sweet - Candied Cream – fun, nostalgic. Kids would love it - Pista – smooth and mildly flavoured - Choco Crunch – rich chocolate with bits of crunch that added great texture - Paan – surprisingly refreshing with just the right hit of paan essence All of them were served between their signature thin wafer biscuits, making it easy to eat (and very photogenic!). The texture is dense yet smooth, and each flavour felt true to its name. Price & Experience Prices are very affordable, especially considering how unique and satisfying the product is. Do note: it’s cash-only and no seating, but that’s part of the charm. Service is quick and straightforward. You queue up, pick your flavour, pay, and step outside most likely with a smile. Verdict K. Rustom & Co. is not just an ice cream parlour, it's a Mumbai experience. If you're near Marine Drive or Churchgate, make this a stop. Perfect for a post-walk treat or to introduce visitors to a taste of Mumbai's legacy.

Rustom Ice Cream is one of Mumbai’s most iconic dessert spots, known for its signature ice-cream sandwiches. It’s a heritage place with true old-Mumbai charm. What’s Great 👍 Their ice-cream sandwiches are legendary – thick slabs of ice-cream between crunchy wafer sheets. Wide variety of flavours including Mango, Kesar-Pista, Walnut Crunch, Coffee Almond, Paan, Sitaphal, Rose, Black Currant and many more. Pocket-friendly pricing considering the quality and legacy. Serving since 1953 – a nostalgic experience that feels very authentic. Great for a quick dessert followed by a stroll along Marine Drive. What Could Be Better 👎 No dine-in seating, very basic ambience. Service can feel rushed during peak hours. Only cash payment – No UPI or card accepted, so carry cash. Gets crowded on weekends and evenings. Must-Try Flavours 🍨 Mango Walnut Crunch / Coffee Crunch Kesar Pista Paan Sitaphal / Rose Final Verdict 🎯 A must-visit for anyone wanting to experience a classic taste of Mumbai. It’s not fancy, but the delicious ice-cream and vintage vibe make it totally worth it.

👍 What’s good The parlour is iconic and long-standing (founded around 1953) in South Bombay / Churchgate area. They’re well known for ice-cream sandwiches: thick slabs of ice cream between wafer biscuits rather than just a cone. Massive flavour variety: reviews mention dozens of flavours such as walnut crunch, coffee crunch, paan, coconut, black-currant, mango, kesar-pista, etc. Good value: many reviews mention “reasonably priced”, especially for a novelty/heritage spot. Great location for a treat while strolling: it’s near Marine Drive / Churchgate (Veer Nariman Road) in Mumbai, so you can grab and walk. Recognition: It ranked #49 on the global “150 best places for desserts” list by Taste Atlas, which speaks to its reputation. --- 👀 Things to watch / possible downsides No seating (or very limited). It’s more of a stop-and-go rather than a leisurely sit-down parlour. Some reviews mention you’ll eat outside. Payment: Many customers note they accept only cash (or at least preferred cash) and maybe no/limited digital payments. E.g., one review: “They still don’t accept online payments even in 2025.” Crowds / wait times: Given its fame, you might have to queue, especially during evenings or weekends. Flavour availability: Some flavours may be sold out or not available; one review says “most of the flavours were not available from the menu and they only had a few selected written on a white board”. Mixed reviews on taste: While many love it, some feel it’s more hype than exceptional. Example from Reddit: > “I ordered raspberry, chocolate roasted almond … found it to be more scented then flavourful.” Also from Zomato: “The ice creams are good but nothing so extraordinary about the taste.” --- ✅ My verdict If I were to summarise: yes — K. Rustom & Co. is worth a visit, especially if you’re in South Mumbai, exploring the area, or want to try a piece of local culinary heritage. The ice-cream sandwich concept, the flavour list, the setting near Marine Drive all add up to an experience. But: don’t go expecting ultra-luxury or high-end gourmet ice cream. It’s more about charm, nostalgia and novelty than being the ultimate ice-cream parlor in terms of the richest flavour or luxe ambience. So if you have limited time, go for it if you’re nearby; but I wouldn’t plan a long trip just for it unless you’re an ice cream enthusiast. --- 🎯 Tips for your visit Go during non-peak hours (early afternoon) to avoid long queues. Bring cash (or ask ahead if cards/UPI are accepted). Choose a few flavours you’d like (e.g., coffee crunch, walnut crunch, kesar-pista) and be flexible if some aren’t available. If you’re planning to enjoy it near Marine Drive (which is recommended), have tissues/napkins handy — the wafer sandwich can be messier than a cone. Since your interest is in ice cream (and you study Food Technology), you might want to note the unique format (wafer sandwich) and flavour variety — could spark ideas for study/analysis of formats or consumer appeal.

Tried the waffer sandwich DIY ice-cream for the first time. The experience was great as we had heard a lot about Rustom ice creams that it felt like a big item was ticked off. We tried few flavours, all of which were in the range of ₹ 100-120. Liked the chocolate almond and blackcurrant.

K. Rustom’s remains a nostalgic Mumbai landmark, but a visit does come with a few practical challenges. There is no dedicated parking, the shop is often quite crowded, and they operate on a cash-only basis. Additionally, photography of the shop is not allowed, which may disappoint those hoping to capture the experience. When we visited, the paan flavor wasn’t available, so we tried Walnut Crunch, Vanilla, Kesar Pista, and Pista — and the ice creams were pleasantly creamy, not icy. These are classic sandwich ice creams, served as a generous slab of ice cream pressed between crisp wafers. While the ice-cream sandwiches are delightful overall, it’s best to arrive prepared for these inconveniences.