When thinking of our beloved childhood years, what brought us more joy than the simple pleasures of ice cream and surprises? Besides endless hours of responsibility-free activities and Tamagotchis, of course.
With age, our ideas of simple pleasures have morphed in much the same way that fine lines and wrinkles have taken over our youthful appearances.
On a mission to take us back to days where having one ice cream equalled a good day, two ice creams equalled a great day and three equalled a dream come true, Tadaa! Ice Cream shop founder Lena Sönnichsen has surprised Cape Town with just that – even if only for a ‘melt-y moment’.
While the city’s expanding array of ice cream shops is more than welcome, Sönnichsen has elevated the experience with her fresh take. Tadaa! is turning heads, blending all-natural ingredients with a playful, quirky setting, creating an ice cream haven that feels refreshingly different in a city already rich with sweet indulgences.
Tadaa! Ice Cream is made fresh – forgoing colourings, flavourings or additives – and on-site, using artisanal methods. With a focus on creative, indulgent and whimsical flavour combinations, ice cream enthusiasts can expect an ever-changing menu of up to 24 different flavours available at all times.
Next to fan favourites like vanilla, hazelnut, pistachio, mango and chocolate, visitors will be pleasantly surprised to see a marzipan pear sorbet with thick chunks of real marzipan among several other deliciously intense fruit sorbets, as well as a daring liquorice and white chocolate ice cream amid other nut and Belgian chocolate-based concoctions.
Investigating the scene, Cape {town} Etc popped in to get the inside scoop. Our standout flavours were the creamy Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk, the zesty G&T sorbet – both living up to the shop’s bold, eye-catching name – and Sönnichsen’s recommended must-try: the refreshing grapefruit sorbet with a spicy kick of added cinnamon.
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Having always had a love for ice cream, the idea to open up an ice cream shop initially began as a joke between Sönnichsen and her sister. Little did she know, that running joke would soon become Sönnichsen’s reality.
With a summer job as an ice cream scooper in Berlin, a course at an ice cream school in Werl am Rhein and her ideal Cape Town location becoming available; it seemed the universe was offering her a series of meant-to-be moments.
After everything fell into place with an added touch of elbow grease, Tadaa! Ice Cream opened its doors just as the spring sun started blooming in the Mother City.
Interestingly, her original plan was to name the shop ‘The Scoop’, reflecting her former background in marketing and PR. However, during a meeting with her concept designer, one name that particularly resonated with her was ‘tadaa‘.
Talking to Cape {town} Etc’s Tauhira Ajam and Jared Moorgas, Sönnichsen recalled how the word instantly grabbed her attention, perfectly capturing the shop’s theme of creating a brief yet unforgettable impression.
Beyond its vibrant pink walls and striking typography, this idea of transient, unadulterated moments of joy can be found in pockets throughout the shop, such as the cleverly designed melting tables, the soon-to-be-iconic melting disco ball and white scoop-shaped tiles – to name a few.
To delight parents on school runs, lunch break revellers, neighbourhood wanders, leisurely strollers and the after-dinner crowd alike, Tadaa! opens at 1pm and stays open long into the night, seven days a week. Catering to all, the ice cream shop also offers generous seating indoors and a small spot outside, creating a welcoming space for guests to savour their scoops.
Did we mention that some of the sweet treats on offer include vegan-friendly and halaal-friendly options, in addition to half-servings dubbed ‘almost-scoops’ to accommodate both little ones and grown-up nibblers?
And for those wanting to savour the joy just a little bit longer, Tadaa! offers its selection of flavours in 600ml tubs perfect for breakfast, lunch, supper or dessert – no judgement served.
Details
- Location: 17 Kloof Nek Road, Gardens
- Times: Monday to Sunday, 1 pm to at least 9 pm (longer on warm on sunny days)
- Cost: R30 (Almost scoop) | R45 (Single scoop) | R150 (Take-home tub)
ALSO SEE: Yococo: A guilt-free, vegan ice cream experience
Feature image: Supplied
Words: Tauhira Ajam & Jared Moorgas for Cape {town} Etc.
