Malai, Brooklyn
24 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn, r/AskNYC30 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Most people recommend Malai, and several name flavours such as masala chai, cardamom, saffron and pistachio. Two praise the soft serve, and one says it is probably among the best ice cream they have tried. Two commenters place it in Cobble Hill, which is the address given. Views are mixed in places: one says it has strong ideas but only adequate execution, one never warmed to its flavours, one found the sweet corn saffron flavour subtle, one found a portion small, and one found the soft serve an afterthought.
Address
Malai, 268 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Saffron, Cardamom, Masala chai
- Best for
- Ice cream
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Malai, Brooklyn, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Infinite_Carpenter in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2024taste
Says Malai is better, in the same reply that prefers Caffe Panna.
- Caveatu/OKalrightOKAYalright in r/Brooklyn · Jul 2024variety
Says the shop is sold out or too adventurous for a plain vanilla-chocolate craving.
- Recommendsu/PreciseParadox in r/AskNYC · May 2024
Names this among their favourite ice cream places so far.
- Mixedu/haribobosses in r/FoodNYC · May 2025taste
Describes the shop as inventive but says they have never warmed to any of its flavours.
- Recommendsu/hunneybunny in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026taste
Says Malai's corn flavour is very good.
- Recommendsu/Toeknee_F in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026
Calls Malai the answer to the question.
- Recommendsu/PorkProofPrion in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026variety
Says Malai has Indian-style flavours.
- Recommendsu/cellodanceparty in r/FoodNYC · May 2025variety
Awesome South Asian fusion flavors and rotating soft serves.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Mixedu/TheForgottenLlama in r/FoodNYC · May 2025taste
Says the shop has strong ideas, but its execution is merely adequate at best.
- Recommendsu/Ok-Succotash-2139 in r/FoodNYC · May 2025
Lists this Brooklyn shop among recommended places.
- Caveatu/sha256md5 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024portion
Good ice cream but the portion served was miniscule.
- Recommendsu/scrubjay98111 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025variety
Says this shop has a rose-based flavor paired with cinnamon and almonds.
- Recommendsu/jesperusa in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025taste
Highly recommends the Brooklyn Malai, probably among the best they have tried; pistachio is their favourite.
- Recommendsu/sillypenguin8 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024taste
Says Malai's saffron pistachio flavour is a highlight, with enthusiastic emoji.
- Recommendsu/riddled_with_bourbon in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025taste
Says they would have made the same pick; a visit's swirl, with cardamom and mango, was excellent.
- Recommendsu/lolaonbigmouth in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025
Says they are a fan of this Cobble Hill spot.
- Recommendsu/Quezta85 in r/FoodNYC · May 2025
Named as an answer to the inventive flavors question.
- Recommendsu/DIVA711 in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2025taste
Says the masala chai flavor is wonderful.
- Recommendsu/bkhalfpint in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2024taste
Recommends one of its ice cream flavours.
- Recommendsu/supericakr in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Also rates Malai as very good, echoing an earlier comment.
- Mixedu/jewree in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026taste
Found the sweet corn saffron flavour fairly subtle and picked something else on a visit.
- Recommendsu/Traditional-Swan-130 in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2025taste
Recommends Malai's small-batch vanilla saffron, saying it would spoil grocery store ice cream.
- Recommendsu/typicalbiscotti15 in r/AskNYC · Aug 2025taste
Praises this shop's spiced ice creams and names several spice flavours.
- Recommendsu/Konflictcam in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025taste
Says Malai's soft serve is excellent and similar in flavour to its hard ice cream.
- Recommendsu/geniekins in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024variety
Says this shop usually has some pistachio flavor available.
- Recommendsu/Downtown-Driver-6122 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024
Recommends Malai in Brooklyn.
- Recommendsu/quikfrozt in r/FoodNYC · May 2025
Named as an answer to the inventive flavors question.
- Mixedu/JuanJeanJohn in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024variety
Great hard ice cream, but calls the soft serve an afterthought.
- Recommendsu/GimmeBooks in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024
Recommends Malai in Cobble Hill.
- Recommendsu/Lippeachy in r/Brooklyn · Jul 2024variety
Notes its flavors are usually not classic, but says it has soft serve.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.