Review Polar Dessert Bar - Tauranga

Food is served in biodegradable cardboard but just not enough rubbish bins to dispose of them. They need to put a big bin outside. Also, water should be available as most if not all of the food they serve is just loaded with sugar. Good place to get that sugar high or just simply go for desserts.

The store was so busy on the day we visited. The staff was helpful and friendly. Their cold plate ice cream looked beautiful. The real fruit ice cream was quite average, with little fruit. It was made with 2 scoops of base ice cream (maybe vanilla) and 4-5 small strawberries. Therefore I could not taste the strong flavor of strawberries. Cold place ice cream - classic cookie and cream was okay.

Egg bubble waffle is highly recommended. Brownie in the ice cream taste yummy too. Hoping for more brownies and fresh fruits as topping next time 😀 Fried ice cream is special to see in New Zealand. Yummy combo with Lotus biscuit. Hope to see more new flavours next time I visit.

Amazing little dessert spot on the strip! Highly recommend We got the english toffee ice cream and the So Berry Shake. Both were good. We didnt get the bubble waffles but saw several and they looked really tempting. Service was great. So many options. Like a ridiculous amount of options for a place this size. They did a good job keeping the area clean. Note to Americans: If you havent noticed yet, NZ uses far less sugar in their sweets than we're used to. Just a heads up.

Polar Desert Bar has been a go to for about a year now! Amazing every time, nothing negative to say about this little gem :) Love that you guys have revamped the menu for summer as well, and doing polls on your socials to allow for customer input! Will always come back here for a reliable, yummy, sweet treat 😄

A great place if you enjoy a late coffee! The waffles are delicious, I had the one with banana, bacon and cream and was excellent (even better for the price, around $19). Super friendly staff!

Such a great little ice cream shop!! The berry brownie bomb waffle was the bomb! Just the right amount of chocolatey and fruity without being overwhelming. Would definitely go back, as I have my eye on the crème brûlée cold plate 😍

It is my new favourite place to have ice cream. The mint ice cream with kisses was delish, loved my waffle cone. My daughter had a rolled ice cream/cold plate. I had never heard of it but was such a cool process to watch. You can create your own or order from the menu. The staff were friendly and they were just waiting to help the next person in line. The line was out to the door but went very fast with 5 staff members. Would have given 4.5, but can’t seem to add half a star. Our only negative comment was I wish they would have worn gloves when breaking the chocolate biscuit pieces into the cold plate ice cream. It was my young daughter who noticed that but she still said give them a 5:-)

Didn't know this place existed! What a great surprise. The owner (i think)super friendly and nothing was a bother. Good on ya mate. Selection was just amazing. We will be back definitely 👍

Got there just before the rush, pretty quick service and tasted soo goood!

One of the most entertaining, creative and delicious ice cream shop. If you love ice cream, this not something you want to miss! 😋 What you see in the photos use the cold plate ice cream

The banoffee kai is the best ice cream I've ever had in my life. Unreal natural flavour. Would recommend to anyone.

Old management, service and waffles great, new management, ditto. Less options but I think that is better for them to focus on the options that are available on the menu. All the best to the new owners.

Don’t “ MISS OUT” Tauranga’s Best Dessert shop. Amazing Bubble Waffle cone and Ice creams & shakes. Just look up the timings before you plan to visit.

The owner is just the loveliest man and the staff are wonderfully accomodating/hospitable. I’ve ordered the nutella hot chocolate & nutella crepe with the chocolate ecstasy ice cream topped with warm belgian chocolate sauce, seconds were definitely a consideration 🤤

Great ice cream. We came here to drown our sorrows in ice cream after our dolphin tour ended early due to weather without seeing dolphins. We got way too much ice cream and ate it all.

Absolutely fantastic waffles!! Very delicious and presentation is amazing! It was an enjoyable experience, really recommend this place! I would say it is the best place in Tauranga to go for waffles!🤩🤩

While they do have gelato and fresh mini donuts, Polar's main focus is something called "cold plate ice cream." You chose your base (chocolate, vanilla or yogurt) and then one of eight flavor combinations (things like mango and mint plus chocolate; strawberries and cookies; etc.). After that there's a choice of sauce, and whether or not to have whipped cream. The base, in cream form, and flavorings are then poured onto a cold stone which freezes it as your server mixes it together, then scrapes the now-frozen mixture into scroll shapes and puts them in a cup. Topping is added, and there you have it. While I can't say the ice cream is the best we've ever had, it's delicious and fun to watch it being made. We haven't sampled the gelato, but we can say the little donuts are amazing. For a unique ice cream experience, get the cold plate creation, but for a truly outstanding item, try the donuts.