Crunch, Snap, or Melt: A Look at All Types of Ice Cream Cones

November 30, 2025

A quick guide to the different types of ice cream cone — from classic wafer styles to crunchy waffle cones — and why Anita Gelato NZ champions its freshly made waffle cone as the perfect partner for gelato lovers across Aotearoa.

Controversial opinion: the cone often makes the moment. Gelato is the star, sure – but the cone is the stage. It’s the crunch you hear before the flavour hits. The edible frame around your masterpiece scoop. And when you’re exploring the many types of cones for ice cream, that choice shapes the whole experience.

Around the world, cones come in all shapes and crunch levels – but at Anita Gelato, we’ve perfected one: the freshly made waffle cone. Still, it’s fun to look at all the different types of ice cream cones out there before you pick your favourite way to enjoy our creamy gelato.

A Quick Stroll Through Cone History

The ice cream cone’s origins are a little hazy (and slightly sticky). The most famous story takes us back to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, where an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes. His neighbour, a waffle seller, rolled one up – and the rest is dessert history.

From there, cones became a worldwide staple, evolving in texture, size, and shape to suit every scoop.

Waffle, Sugar, and Cake Cones: What’s the Difference?

Waffle cones

– Golden brown, deep grid pattern, and a big, satisfying crunch. Slightly sweet and sturdy enough for multiple scoops.

Sugar cones

– Crunchy with a tighter weave, these hold their shape well and offer a caramelised sweetness.

Cake cones

– Light, airy, and pale in colour, these have a delicate crispness and a more neutral flavour.

At Anita Gelato, you’ll find our signature freshly made waffle cone – because nothing beats the warm, toasty flavour and crunchy texture alongside smooth, churned-in-store gelato.

When to Choose a Cone (and When to Go for a Cup)

Cones give you that perfect contrast – creamy meets crispy – and they’re easy to enjoy on the go.

Cups (and Anita’s dessert cups) keep things neat, make room for extra toppings, and are great for flavours that melt quickly.

The good news? At Anita, you can choose whichever fits your mood.

Anita’s Perfect Pairings

We take our waffle cones seriously – and we love matching them with flavours that show them off:

Waffle cone + Pistachio gelato
– Nutty crunch + creamy pistachio = always a classic.
Waffle cone + Mango sorbet
– Sweet, tangy, tropical.
Waffle cone + Chocolate hazelnut gelato
– Rich, silky, and balanced by the cone’s toasty edges.

Whichever flavour you choose, you’re getting gelato made with high-quality ingredients, churned in-store for that smooth-as finish that pairs beautifully with any cup or cone.

Taste the Difference Yourself

The best cone isn’t the one that looks good on Instagram (though ours do) – it’s the one that makes every bite better. Visit your local ice cream shop and try our freshly made waffle cones filled with any of our beloved gelato flavors – from silky chocolate hazelnut to tangy passionfruit sorbet.

One bite, and you’ll see why Anita is La Mamma del Gelato — and why Kiwis love our waffle cones as much as the gelato inside them.

FIND

STORE

Want something sweet? There’s a gelato shop close by – Anita’s is available worldwide!

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