Caffè Panna

Caffè Panna is an Italian-inspired ice cream and coffee shop based in New York City, founded by lifelong ice cream lover Hallie Meyer. The brand operates two shops: its original location at the corner of Irving Place and 19th Street in Manhattan's Gramercy Park neighborhood, and a second shop at 16 Norman Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The name "Caffè Panna" references the Italian word for cream, and the shop is known for topping every scoop and sundae with a pillowy dollop of lightly sweetened, freshly whipped cream imported from a producer in Piemonte, Italy. The menu centers on ice cream churned in-house and spun fresh in onsite kitchens, with a rotating selection that changes daily. The Manhattan shop features seven classic flavors plus five scoops that rotate weekly, two sundaes showcasing current inspirations, and a selection of daily pints. The Brooklyn shop additionally offers granita. Caffè Panna highlights local producers and ingredients from the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket alongside specialty ingredients imported from Italy, such as pistachios and olive oil from Sicily. The affogato sundae of the day—ice cream doused in espresso and topped with drizzles, crunch, and panna—is a signature item. The brand has been noted by New York Magazine for its sundaes, described as "Extra. Extra sweet, extra salty, extra rich, extra fresh, extra crunchy but somehow just a millimeter shy of too much." Caffè Panna maintains an active presence on Instagram (@caffepanna) where daily specials are announced. The company is privately held and operates as a small, chef-driven dessert brand with a focus on artisanal production and Italian culinary tradition.

Caffè Panna was founded by Hallie Meyer, a lifelong ice cream lover, with the aim of bringing Italian-inspired ice cream to New York City. The brand's original shop opened at the corner of Irving Place and 19th Street in Manhattan's Gramercy Park neighborhood, where it continues to operate. The concept draws on the Italian gelato tradition, with a menu of ice cream churned in-house and spun fresh in onsite kitchens. A defining feature is the use of panna—the Italian word for cream—imported from a producer in Piemonte, Italy, which is used to top every scoop and sundae. The shop quickly gained a following for its inventive flavor combinations and daily-changing menu. The Manhattan location offers seven classic flavors plus five scoops that rotate weekly, two sundaes that change based on seasonal inspiration, and a selection of daily pints. Ingredients are sourced from local producers and the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket, as well as specialty imports from Italy such as pistachios and olive oil from Sicily. In 2023, Caffè Panna expanded to Brooklyn with a second shop at 16 Norman Avenue in Greenpoint. The Brooklyn location introduced granita to the menu alongside the existing offerings of scoops, pints, affogatos, sundaes, and soft serve. The brand has been recognized by New York Magazine, which praised its sundaes as "Extra. Extra sweet, extra salty, extra rich, extra fresh, extra crunchy but somehow just a millimeter shy of too much." Caffè Panna maintains an active Instagram presence (@caffepanna) where daily specials are announced, and the company remains privately held and independently operated.

• Original Caffè Panna shop opens in Gramercy Park, Manhattan.

• Caffè Panna expands to Brooklyn with a shop at 16 Norman Avenue, Greenpoint.

Artisanal, Italian-inspired ice cream and coffee shop emphasizing in-house production, high-quality ingredients, and inventive daily-changing flavors.

• Ice cream (scoops and pints)

  Churned in-house and spun fresh in onsite kitchens, with seven classic flavors plus weekly rotating scoops.

• Sundaes

  Two sundaes that change daily, showcasing seasonal inspirations and topped with panna.

• Affogato

  Ice cream doused in espresso, topped with drizzles, crunch, and panna.

• Soft serve

  Available at both shops.

• Granita

  Available at the Brooklyn shop only.

• Coffee

  Espresso-based drinks and coffee service.

1. 1Caffè Pannacaffepanna.com
2. 2Our Story — Caffè Pannacaffepanna.com