Best Ice Cream and Dessert Deals in South Africa
By Luna Harper. Prices last verified: 2026-11-06.
Ice cream is the cheapest treat in South Africa, and the dessert menu is the cheapest part of any fast food menu. A cone can cost less than R20, a sundae rarely passes R40, and a dessert deal can make the sweet end of a meal cost almost nothing. This guide covers the best ice cream and dessert deals in the country: what they cost, which ones are worth it, and how to finish a meal well for less.
The dessert price ladder
Desserts fall into three clear price bands. At the bottom is the cone, generally between R11.90 and R20: a simple soft-serve cone, the cheapest treat on the menu, and the easiest way to finish a meal for under R20. In the middle is the sundae, generally between R20 and R40: soft serve with a sauce and sometimes a topping, the most popular dessert, and the best balance of price and pleasure. At the top are the larger desserts — a sundae with extra toppings, a dessert box, or a sharing dessert — generally between R30 and R60.
The ladder matters because the deal is usually on one rung. A discounted cone is the cheapest treat of all, and a two-for-one sundae is the best deal for two people. Knowing the ladder tells you whether a deal is really a deal: a R10 saving on a R40 sundae beats a R5 saving on a R15 cone.
Cones: the cheapest treat
The cone is the simplest dessert and the best value. Soft serve in a cone, no toppings, no sauce, no fuss — and it costs less than almost anything else on the menu. A cone is the dessert to order when you want something sweet without spending much, and it is the dessert children ask for most, because it is theirs to hold and eat.
The cone is also the lightest dessert. A simple cone carries roughly 150 to 250 calories, far fewer than a sundae with toppings, which can reach 300 to 500. If you are watching calories, the cone is the obvious choice, and it is also the cheapest, so it wins on both counts.
Sundaes: the best balance
The sundae is the most popular dessert for a reason: it is the best balance of price, size, and pleasure. Soft serve with a sauce — chocolate, caramel, or strawberry — and sometimes a topping, generally between R20 and R40. It is bigger than a cone, richer than a cone, and still cheap enough to add to any meal without thinking twice.
The sundae is also the dessert with the best deals. Two-for-one sundaes, a sundae with a meal at a lower price, and a discounted sundae on a weekday are all common, and they make the sundae the best value dessert for two people. A sundae shared between two children is the cheapest dessert for two.
Dessert deals: how to find them
Dessert deals are the smallest deals on the menu, but they are the easiest to use, because they need no planning. A discounted cone, a cheaper sundae with a meal, and a two-for-one dessert are the three common types, and they appear on the specials page and on the menu board. The best time to look is after the meal, when the dessert is an addition rather than a decision — a discounted sundae is an easy yes when the meal is already ordered. The full dessert menu, with the current prices, is at https://kfcmenuu.co.za/kfc-ice-cream-menu/.
The best dessert deal is the one that comes with the meal. A sundae added to a box meal at a lower price is cheaper than a sundae bought alone, and it is the deal most people actually use. The second-best is the two-for-one, which suits two people or a parent and a child. For the day-by-day deals, see Food Deals Calendar: What's Cheap Every Day of the Week in South Africa.
Desserts and the meal: what pairs well
A cone pairs with anything, because it is light and simple. A sundae pairs best with a light meal — a wrap or a small strips meal — because a heavy box meal plus a sundae is a lot of food. A dessert after a family bucket is a shared pleasure, and a sundae split between two children is the cheapest way to finish a family meal.
The rule is to match the dessert to the meal: a light meal takes a sundae, a heavy meal takes a cone, and a family meal takes a shared dessert. A large sundae after a large box meal is too much food and too many calories. For the calories behind the menu, see Fast Food Calories in South Africa: What You're Really Eating. For the healthiest choices, see Top 10 Healthy Fast Food Choices in South Africa.
How to save on dessert
The first rule is to order the cone when you want the cheapest treat, and the sundae when you want the best balance. The second rule is to share: a sundae split between two people costs half as much per person and is still a proper dessert. The third rule is to add the dessert to the meal rather than buying it alone, because the bundle price is lower.
The fourth rule is to check the specials page for the day's dessert deal. The fifth rule is to order dessert after the meal, not before, so you know how hungry you still are. For what each item costs, see How Much Does Fast Food Cost in South Africa in 2026?. For the best wraps to pair with a light dessert, see Best Wraps and Sandwiches in South Africa: Quick Lunches Compared. For the full set of guides, see South Africa Food Guides Hub: Deals, Menus and Eating Out.
Desserts at a glance
| Dessert | Typical price range | Calories (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cone | R11.90–R20 | 150–250 | Cheapest, lightest |
| Sundae | R20–R40 | 300–500 | Best balance |
| Sundae with toppings | R30–R50 | 400–600 | Treat day |
| Sharing dessert | R40–R60 | Sharing | Family, two people |
| Two-for-one sundae | R20–R40 for two | 300–500 each | Best deal for two |
Prices and calories are approximate, and they vary by branch. The table is a guide, and the menu page lists the current figures.
FAQs
**What is the cheapest dessert in South Africa?** A simple cone, generally between R11.90 and R20. It is the cheapest treat on most fast food menus.
**How much is a sundae?** Generally between R20 and R40, depending on the size and the toppings. A sundae with extra toppings can reach R50.
**Are dessert deals worth it?** Yes, especially the two-for-one sundae and the sundae added to a meal at a lower price. Both are easy savings.
**Is a cone healthier than a sundae?** Yes. A cone carries roughly 150 to 250 calories, while a sundae with toppings can reach 300 to 500.
**Can I share a dessert?** Yes. A sundae split between two people is the cheapest dessert for two, and it is still a proper dessert each.
**When is the best time for a dessert deal?** After the meal, when the dessert is an addition. Check the specials page for the day's dessert deal.
Prices last verified 2026-11-06.