Mount Made Ice Cream is a creamery and cafe at 262 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui, rated 4.9 from 210 Google reviews. Its website says it makes small-batch, handmade ice cream, with dairy-free and gluten-free options, alongside sourdough toasties, baked goods, salads, soups and locally roasted organic coffee, open six days a week. It also serves ice cream at events, and you can phone 07 572 0992 to order a toastie or coffee for pickup. Reviewers mention homemade ice cream, coconut cream, black hokey pokey, cinnamon buns and a very good flat white.
Good ice cream is made from fresh, local ingredients in small batches, so the flavour is clear and the texture smooth rather than icy. To judge a shop, try a classic flavour first, then something seasonal or unusual, and ask for a taste if you are unsure. Dairy-free and vegan scoops have improved a lot, so they are worth trying even if you do not avoid dairy. Cones and cups suit hot days, but eat quickly, since ice cream melts fast, and combining a scoop with coffee or a toastie turns a stop into a meal. Summer afternoons are busy, so mid-morning is quieter.
For Mount Maunganui locals and visitors near the port, it is a friendly place