Raffles Creamery

Ice cream made right in front of you on a frozen teppanyaki plate. Raffles Creamery is part of the Raffles Makkah Palace hotel — but let's be honest, the main draw is the outdoor terrace overlooking the Grand Mosque.

What to order

Teppanyaki Ice Cream — pick your base, toppings, and mix-ins. They chop and fold it on the cold plate. The show is half the experience.

Mango Passion — a popular combo if you want a recommendation.

The view

The outdoor terrace has direct views overlooking the Grand Mosque. This is the real reason people come. Sitting here after Isha with ice cream and a view of the Haram lit up at night is a memorable experience — especially with family.

Our take

Let's be upfront: the service quality is not the best, and the prices are high for what you get. There's sometimes a minimum service charge of upwards of 100 SAR per person. You're paying for the location and the view, not the service. If you go in expecting a premium dessert experience with Haram views and set your expectations accordingly on service, you'll enjoy it. If you expect the service to match the price tag, you'll be disappointed. Worth doing once for the terrace.

Good to know

• Located inside Raffles Makkah Palace hotel
• Open 4 PM to 11 PM
• Premium pricing — minimum charge of ~100 SAR per person may apply
• No reservations needed — just walk in
• 5 min walk from the Haram
• Outdoor terrace has the best views — request it specifically