Real Fruit Ice Cream in the Bay

In the summertime Hawkes Bay is known to produce an abundance of the best fruit around whether it be boysenberries, plums, strawberries or blueberries. While these fruits are absolutely delicious on their own; they taste even better in an ice cream! Luckily,  Hawkes Bay is also home to some of the best real fruit ice cream in New Zealand, and it would be a crime to go through the summer without indulging in at least one of these sweet treats.

Bay Blueberries

As well as selling the best blueberries in the bay, Bay Blueberries also makes some incredible real fruit ice creams. Ice creams are served from their trailer stores, based on Railway Road in Hastings as well as at both the Napier and Hastings Farmers Markets. The Railway Road store is the perfect place to stop for any hungry travellers on their way up State Highway Two. They serve a few different flavours of ice cream but I generally can’t go past their blueberry flavour which is to die for!

Icecream Spots Bay Blueberries

 

Strawberry Patch

A trip to The Strawberry Patch in Havelock North is a quintessential activity during the Hawkes Bay summer. Whether you want to enjoy picking your own strawberries in the fields or relax under the vines outside with an ice cream, this is the place to be. The Strawberry Patch grows arguably some of the best strawberries in the Bay and these strawberries contribute to making delicious real fruit ice creams available year round. I’m always a big fan of their strawberry flavour with yoghurt based ice cream - it’s a little bit tangy and completely delicious!

Icecream Spots Strawberry Patch

 

Birdwoods

You’ll take a step back in time at Birdwood’s retro style real fruit ice cream store in Havelock North. Nestled in between the Birdwoods Cafe & Gallery and the old fashioned Summer Sweet Shop, the ice cream shop is the perfect place to stop for a treat in the sunshine. Sticking with the old fashioned theme, Birdwood’s provides a selection of outdoor games and activities to keep the kids entertained including stilts, ring toss and hopscotch. Birdwood’s ice creams include unique flavours like Pink Banana, Golden Queen Peach and Black Doris Plum as well as classics such as strawberry and boysenberry. There really is a flavour to suit even the most fussy palate!

Icecream Spots Birdwoods

 

The Fruit Shop

During early summer local residents in Hastings wait with great anticipation for The Fruit Shop to reappear and throw open the gates for the summer months. From mid October though till mid March the fruit shop becomes a hive of activity and is sorely missed during the rest of the year . As well as selling a huge selection of fruit and vegetables, The Fruit Shop has a purpose built real fruit ice cream container store on site. With flavours such as boysenberry, raspberry and feijoa, these ice creams are the perfect summer time treat! 

Icecream Spots The Fruitshop

Credit

Story and Photography by Ruby Major

Where to find them

Bay Blueberries
1116 Railway Road, Hastings

The Strawberry Patch
96 Havelock Road, Havelock North

Birdwoods
298 Middle Road, Havelock North

The Fruit Shop
1010 Pakowhai Road, Hastings