Aberdeen has welcomed a new independent café blending handcrafted ice cream with spice-inspired savoury favourites, as Ices N Spices officially opened its doors at 230 Holburn Street on 7 September.
Founded by Anita Harish, the café offers a distinctive mix of homemade desserts, indulgent bakes and bold curry subs – a concept born from Anita’s lifelong passion for cooking. After years of moving around with her husband’s career and raising their son, Anita says the timing finally felt right to launch her own business.
“We started Ices N Spices because we love the way food can change your mood,” she explained in an interview with Aberdeen Business News. “Sometimes you want comfort, sometimes you want a little adventure. Our handmade ice creams bring that pure, feel-good joy, while our spice-inspired subs and toasties bring warmth, depth and big flavour. Together, they let people mix and match how they feel – a rich Butter Chicken sub followed by a cooling scoop, or a light toastie with an affogato for a little treat. It’s playful, it’s satisfying, and it reflects who we are, serious about quality, never serious about taking the fun out of food.”
All of the café’s ice creams and bakes are made in-house, with customer favourites already emerging. The Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake has proven a hit on social media, while fusion subs such as Butter Chicken and Paneer Tikka Masala have been especially popular and are soon to be offered as wraps. Desserts such as gulab jamun with ice cream and affogatos showcase the café’s fusion ethos.
Speaking to Aberdeen Business News, Anita says Holburn Street was a natural choice for the location. “It felt right the first time we walked it – students, families, office folk, locals who all know each other by name. We wanted to be the kind of neighbourhood place where anyone can pop in for something delicious that doesn’t break the bank. We price as fairly as we can – aware of inflation and the cost of living – so people have a dependable, affordable option on the street.”
The café is also pet-friendly, aiming to be a welcoming hub for the community. Anita believes the atmosphere comes down to small but consistent gestures: “Warm hellos. Remembering regulars’ favourites. An inclusive menu with both gentle and bold flavours. Good value, great taste, no shortcuts.”
Ices N Spices is currently open seven days a week, 10am–6pm, although Anita says hours may be adjusted once they see which days prove quieter. The response from locals since opening has been strong, with steady footfall and encouraging feedback.
Looking to the future, Anita says the Holburn Street café is just the beginning: “Aberdeen is home – this is where our story starts and where we’re building our reputation. But yes, we do see room to grow. Once we’ve fully earned our stripes here, we plan to franchise carefully, with a focus on training, consistent quality, and that same neighbourhood feel in every location.”
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Aberdeen Business News visited Ices N Spices to sample the menu. We tried the Butter Chicken Sub, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake. All of which tasted fresh and fantastic. We also couldn’t resist trying a scoop of the handcrafted Cookie Dough ice cream, which was rich, creamy and indulgent. We wish Anita and her team every success as they continue to grow.
You can visit Ices N Spices on 230 Holburn from 10-6pm, seven days a week. You can also follow them on their Instagram account for more news and info about their menu
