01-07-2025
The 41 best places for ice cream in the UK
Everyone knows the best way to finish a day by the seaside or an afternoon picnic is with an ice cream. Nobody knows this more than Iona and Rob Gore, who make Brickell's — some of the finest scoops in Britain, crafted with all-natural ingredients and milk from the family farm in Westcombe, Somerset. They have some simple guidelines on how to find top quality ice cream, from texture — 'If it's really easy to serve and not melting then there is probably a lot of air and stabilisers in there' — to flavour: 'Look for any references to ingredient origin on the menu, as this will be a good indicator that they think carefully about their sourcing.'
From retro parlours on the south coast to award-winning gelaterias in south London, these are our favourite ice cream shops in the UK.
London
1. Ice Cream Union, Chelsea and Bermondsey
Whisper it: Ice Cream Union is London's best-kept secret. For 18 years it has been whipping up ice cream and sorbets for some of the city's favourite restaurants, from the Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham to Fortnum & Mason. Now it has two shops where you can try its 50-plus flavours yourself — one in Sloane Square, open seven days a week, and another in Bermondsey, open on Saturdays.
2. The Dreamery, Islington
A parlour founded on a simple concept: ice cream is best served with wine. Since going viral on TikTok, this bar has had queues going out of the door for its pairings. There are always six scoops on the menu (past flavours have included oolong and prune, croissant, and mint chocolate chip) plus changing sauces and a small wine list.
3. Sundae, Brockley
All the gelato at this parlour is churned in batches in the kitchen out the back. It might be small, but the flavours are a big deal: summer berry cheesecake, Guinness, dark chocolate and orange, and (my favourite) fig and mascarpone, which appears some weeks as a special. @sundaegelato
4. Minus 12 Degrees, Herne Hill
Locals will groan that their neighbourhood favourite has been revealed, but it's well worth the trip to south London. Expect homemade gelato and sorbets, weekly specials such as chocolate, pistachio and kataifi, and tubs you can take home for your freezer.
5. Fink's, north London
There are two things you have to try when visiting a branch of Fink's: the chunky ice cream sandos and cups of velvety soft-serve. Flavours of the former include chocolate, cherry and pistachio and peanut butter caramel, while my favourite soft-serve comes with rhubarb and vanilla sauce.
6. Nardulli, Clapham
If you are patient enough to wait out the queues that form at this gelateria, you will understand why people line up day in, day out for the scoops here. Think classic flavours made using traditional Italian recipes.
7. Big Kid Ice Cream, Soho
ALAMY
8. Gelateria 3BIS, Borough Market and Notting Hill
At two central London shops you'll find deliciously authentic Italian gelato, which you can watch them whip up using traditional equipment through the window.
9. Soft & Swirly, Hackney
There are lots of reasons to visit the E5 Bakehouse, but the fact that Soft & Swirly now has a permanent hatch there is arguably number one. Go for the soft scoop (rhubarb and cream cheese is heavenly) and stay for sundaes, sorbets and ice cream cakes. @soft_n_swirly
10. Le Chocolat, King's Cross
If ice cream could win Michelin stars, French chef Alain Ducasse (who has 21) would get one for the gelato served at his chocolate shop. Buy a cup or cone of Peruvian chocolate or bread-flavoured gelato to eat while you browse the shelves stacked with his luxury chocolates.
11. Maison Pierre Marcolini, Marylebone
Made-to-order ice cream is worth trying just for the science. In one minute, using the latest turbine tech, the chefs here whip up ice cream that's soft, smooth and tastes amazing.
ALAMY
12. Gelupo, Soho
When Londoners think of gelato, they think of Gelupo — chef Jacob Kenedy's much loved gelateria that serves unusual scoops such as strawberry Eton mess, rice pudding, and chocolate, Earl Grey and biscuits.
13. Birley Bakery, Chelsea
The handmade ice creams are exceptional (look out for rose), but you can't miss the sorbets either — in particular the citrus and herbs flavour, a refreshing blend of lime, lemon and orange juice with mint, coriander and parsley.
14. Fabulous Ice Fires, East Dulwich
The outside of this gelateria is fairly unassuming, but inside you'll find some of the best scoops in the world. Yes, really. The award-winning gelato — made by a local hero, Taseer Ahmad — has picked up prizes around the globe. @fabicefires
Scotland
ALAMY
15. Nardini Cafe, Largs, North Ayrshire
If you're after nostalgia go to Nardini's, which has been serving ice cream made with Scottish milk and double cream since 1935.
16. Aunty Betty's, Aberdeenshire
On the promenade in Stonehaven, this shoreside ice cream and sweet shop is a wee local gem. Don't miss the homemade cakes either.
17. Alandas Gelato, Edinburgh and North Berwick
This award-winning Italian gelato is freshly made each morning with natural ingredients, including East Lothian milk and cream. Flavours include apple strudel, Belgian milk chocolate and indulgent chocolate fudge brownie.
Southwest
ALAMY
18. Rossi's Ices, Weymouth, Dorset
Run by the same family since 1937, this beachfront ice cream parlour is full of nostalgia. Scoops are served in kitsch little glass bowls, or drizzled with strawberry sauce on a takeaway tray. If you have time to sit in, try the famous banana split.
19. Brickell's Scoop Hut, Bath
If you love ice cream, you'll surely have bought a tub of Somerset's famous all-natural ice cream from Brickell's. Now it has a scoop hut in Bath serving all its flavours, including homegrown mint choc chip, roasted strawberries, ricotta stracciatella and — new for this summer — black bee honey.
20. Little Knuckles, Bristol
Sold from a hatch at Sonny Stores, Bristol's Italian neighbourhood spot, ice creams from Little Knuckles include flavours such as vanilla, honey and toasted almonds, or salted focaccia and butterscotch. You can even take out an ice cream subscription.
21. Moomaid of Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall
Explore the side streets of St Ives and it won't be long before you come across this luxury little shop. The ice cream is made on the family farm in Zennor and served at this parlour, plus three others in Cornwall.
22. Jelbert's, Newlyn, Cornwall
There's just one thing you go to Jelbert's for: the traditional Cornish vanilla ice cream, served with a dollop of clotted cream and a Flake. It's the only flavour on the menu, yet this family-owned business has been a must-visit for generations. @jelbertsicecream
23. Callestick Parlour, near Truro, Cornwall
There are lots of reasons to visit Callestick Farm in central Cornwall, but the most common is to try the ice cream — made at the parlour using milk from their own grass-fed dairy herd.
24. Roskilly's, Helston, Cornwall
This beautiful organic Jersey farm on the southern tip of Cornwall doubles as a campsite and music venue, but it also makes some of the finest ice cream in Cornwall.
ALAMY
25. Surfing Cow Gelato, Plymouth
Don't worry — no cows were asked to get on a boogie board to make this ice cream. Instead, what you'll find is luxury, award-winning gelato made with Jersey-cross cows who graze in fields on the south Devon coast.
Southeast
@GELATOFAMOSO/INSTAGRAM
26. Gelato Famoso, Eastbourne, East Sussex
A trip to Eastbourne's seafront means an essential stop-off at Gelato Famoso, which serves cones of Italian ice cream as well as sundaes and waffles to be enjoyed shoreside.
ALAMY
27. Morelli's Gelato, Broadstairs, Kent
Welcome to one of the grandest gelaterias in Britain. With its art deco interior, singing retro jukebox and fabulous choice of ice creams, it's no surprise this shop was used to film The Lady in the Van and an episode of Doctor Who. There is another branch in Whitstable.
ALAMY
28. Marrocco's, Brighton
You can't visit Brighton and not pop into the family-run Marrocco's. It's become an institution since it opened in 1969. Order one of the ice cream sandwiches or sundaes and eat it on Hove seafront.
Midlands
29. Henley Ice Cream, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
Made on local farms using milk from their own dairy herd, Henley's ice cream comes in more than 50 flavours — and it's been served for 91 years.
Wales
30. Two Islands, Abersoch
The small-batch ice cream on the menu is seasonal (everything is made on site using milk from Welsh cows) which means there is always something new and interesting to enjoy. Don't miss the raspberry ripple.
ALAMY
31. Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, north Wales
There are four Red Boat parlours in Wales, but the original — in a medieval grade II listed building in the seaside town of Beaumaris, on Anglesey — is by far my favourite. It's the perfect way to recover from the journey, with the best ice creams on the island.
32. Joe's, Mumbles, Swansea
Ask locals where to get ice cream in Mumbles and they'll all say Joe's. Go in for a quick cone or sundae, or plan ahead for one of its legendary ice cream cakes. There are three more shops in Swansea and another in Cardiff.
33. The Ice Cream Shop, Abergavenny
You might recognise the green and cream Shepherds ice cream van from the summer festival circuit. Now they've opened a shop where you can buy irresistible tubs, cones and ice cream cakes.
34. Honey Ice Cream, Aberaeron
The Hive café is home to Cardigan's Honey Ice Cream, including its famous honey salted caramel and honey chocolate flavours.
ALAMY
35. Parisella's, Llandudno
Just outside Llandudno, you'll find this retro cafeteria — one of four Parisella's outposts, plus there's a van. It has been serving Welsh ice cream since the Fifties.
ALAMY
36. Verdi's, Mumbles, Swansea
You can't beat Verdi's for its seaside atmosphere. This quayside Italian parlour has up to 30 flavours to choose from and unrivalled sunset views.
Northwest
37. Brucciani, Morecambe, Lancashire
Italian Bruno Brucciani opened this art deco ice cream parlour in the Thirties. Nearly a century later, it's still serving up its famous knickerbocker glory. @brucciani_of_morecambe
ALAMY
38. Nicholls, Parkgate, Cheshire
You won't get a more retro parlour than Nicholls of Parkgate, which has been making ice cream overlooking the Dee Estuary for 75 years.
East coast
39. Harris & James, Aldeburgh, Suffolk
The gelato served at this classic seaside parlour is so good it's been known to temporarily reduce customers to silence. Order the Jaffa Cake flavour or Bakewell tart gelato. They have five more shops in Suffolk and Norfolk.
ALAMY
40. Minchella & Co, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
The Minchellas have been manufacturing top quality ice cream on the northeast coast since 1942, so it's no surprise they've won awards for their scoops. Don't miss the pistachio.
Northern Ireland
@GRAHAMSICECREAMDROMORE
41. Graham's Ice Cream, Newcastle, Co Down
This vintage parlour is family-run, a local favourite and serves dozens of flavours — but the classic vanilla is hard to beat. @grahamsicecream
Life & Style Food & Drink
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