Now if you’re not singing Hey Ya by this point, you aren’t human. Anyway, it’s fair to say that summer has well and truly hit London. After all, it’s set to be hotter in London than Ibiza this weekend! And there’s only one way to cool down in this heat: by heading out to indulge in the best ice cream in London. Luckily, we know a thing or two about whipped-up sumptuous scoops.
These icily delicious spots are a godsend, particularly during this summer heat we’re getting at the mo!
1. Chin Chin, Camden & Soho
A rather dramatic selling point sees Chin Chin making their ice cream with liquid nitrogen, and that isn’t the only unique thing about them. They serve up an ever-changing selection of flavours that range from up-scaled basics like Tonka Bean and Valrhona Chocolate to experimentally delicious choices such as Pantyhose Thai Tea, Guinness & Marmite, Coffee & Olive Oil, Banana Miso, and more. Top that with outrageous toppings like grilled white chocolate, bee pollen honeycomb, cinnamon toast, or marshmallow fluff, and you’ve got one of the most delicious ice creams in town. Now you just have to decide what you’re ordering!
📍You’ll find it at 54 Greek Street, W1D 3DS (Soho) and
🚇 Nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road and Camden Town.
2. Mamasons, multiple locations
Image: @mamasonsdirtyicecream, via IG
London’s first “dirty ice cream” parlour sounds more suited to the backstreets of Soho than Kentish Town, doesn’t it? But Mamasons actually derives its name from the Filipino method of whipping up scoops in a drum using ice and salt – then giving it a naughty twist by serving it atop brownies or in pandan milk buns. Flavours such as black coconut and purple ube have proven to be a hit with Londoners as the group expands around London.
📍Find your nearest Mamasons here.
3. Fabulous Ice Fires, Dulwich
This unassuming gelateria in South London was last year recognised as one of the best gelato spots in the world. They’ve been consistently recognised throughout the years for their incredible gelato, and have built up a cult following for their delicious, cooling treats. If you’re after a dose of delicious Italian authenticity – look no further!
📍 You can find Fabulous Ice Fires at 54 East Dulwich Road, SE22 9AX.
🚇 The nearest tube stations are East Dulwich, Nunshead, and Peckham Rye.
4. Soft & Swirly, Hackney
Image: @soft_n_swirly, vi IG
For unique flavours and some of the best soft serve you’ll ever have in your life, you have to head down to Hackney’s E5 Bakehouse. Ignore the delicious baked goods inside (for now) and head straight out to the back garden for dessert first. At Soft & Swirly, they don’t have a gargantuan selection of flavours, instead, they keep the choices limited, but they change them constantly, so they can focus on making incredible and unique ice cream and sorbet completely from scratch.
One bite of their Lemon, Honey & Cardamom soft-serve and I was instantly in love. And with the flavours rotating constantly – a different soft serve every week – I’ll be back. Oh, yes, I’ll most definitely be back. Don’t be fooled, either, by their sometimes unassuming-sounding flavours – thanks to the absolute BEST ingredients, even their simplest flavours are top-notch.
📍 You’ll find it at E5 Bakehouse, Arch 395 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH.
🚇 Nearest station is London Fields.
5. Bake, Chinatown
IMAGE: @foodieinlondon, via IG
An iconic Insta snack when summertime comes around, Bake’s taiyaki ice cream cones are shaped into hungry fish with a mouthful of soft serve. You’re restricted to the choice of chocolate, vanilla, or (clear favourite) matcha, but think of the likes! Plus, it helps that they’re also rather scrummy.
📍You’ll find it at 9 Wardour Street, W1D 6PF.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
6. The Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project, Belgravia
This may only be a limited-time ice cream pop-up, but we couldn’t possibly leave it out. Every year, the Ice Cream Project returns with a selection of ice cream flavours inspired by “store cupboard essentials, vintage beverages, favourite biscuits and even classic condiments…” That means they make some pretty out-there choices. In past years, these have included the likes of Sarson’s Vinegar flavour, a Filippo Berio Pesto ice cream, and even Heinz Baked Beans. And yet, every year they somehow manage to win us over by making even the wackiest of flavours pretty damn delicious.
📍 You’ll find it at 11 Pont Street, SW1X 9EH.
🚇 The nearest stations are Knightsbridge and Sloane Square.
7. Soft Serve Society, Liverpool Street and Seven Dials
Image: @softservesociety, via IG
Now here’s a society I’d love to be a part of. Another champion of the soft-serve game, don’t expect a standard Mr Whippy at Soft Serve Society – flavours run from vivacious vanilla to a witchy charcoal coconut creation, and you can have ’em in cones, freakshakes, or cups.
📍You’ll find it at BOXHALL, 1-27, The Arcade, Liverpool Street, EC2M 7PN and Seven Dials Market, 35 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Covent Garden.
8. Nardulli, Clapham
IMAGE: @gourmet_guy, via Instagram
A weekend favourite amongst the Clapham crowd, gorgeous Italian ice creams sit very nicely inside the Art Deco building. Whether you have it in a cone, glass, or in the form of an ice cream cake, almost every flavour you can think of can be found at Nardulli.
📍You’ll find it at 29 The Pavement, SW4 0JE.
🚇 Nearest station is Clapham Common.
9. Badiani, various locations
Sprinkled around London are the iconic gelato hubs known as Badiani. They keep the flavours pretty simple, but they’re nonetheless unmissably delicious – ranging from pistachio to a rich yet delicate chocolate flavour, and tangy vegan sorbet. Given they date back to 1930s Florence, they evidently know a thing or two about the gelato game, and it shows from the first cooling taste.
📍Find your nearest Badiani location here!
10. Gelateria 3Bis, Notting Hill & London Bridge
Born in Rimini, on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Gelateria 3Bis’s pedigree and expertise is unquestionable. They maintain a presence in Rimini with two ice cream parlours, but more pertinently, you’ll also find them in Notting Hill and Borough Market, where you can pimp up your scoop with crepes, waffles, and milkshakes.
📍You’ll find it at 178 Portobello Road, and 4 Park Street, SE1 9AB (London Bridge).
🚇 Nearest stations are Ladbroke Grove and London Bridge.
11. Snowflake, multiple locations
Image: snowflakegelato, via IG
What better place for the “snowflake” generation than this cracking ice cream parlour? Amongst the standout flavours at Snowflake are Biscotto, Sea Salted Caramel, Kiwi and Banana, and a Pistachio gelato that’s widely trumpeted as one of London’s best. Plus, plenty of vegan flavours for the plant-powered crowd.
📍See all their locations here.
12. Gelupo, Soho
My favourite thing about Gelupo is that it was co-founded by a man named Victor Hugo, which is just japes. Coming a close second is the wide range of gelato flavours to be found at this offshoot of Italian joint Bocca di Lupo, from stracciatella to ricotta, and seasonal flavours that celebrate the best ingredients.
📍You’ll find it at 7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
13. Oddono’s, multiple locations
IMAGE: @moshimoshimaiko, via Instagram
Most unhelpfully for my waistline, there was an Oddono‘s down the road from my old flat – and judging by the ever-present weekend queues, I’m not the only one who bravely faced down temptation. Find them everywhere from Battersea to Stoke Newington: they’ve mastered over 130 flavours without a single trace of colourings or preservatives, so it’s as close to guilt-free as you can get!
14. Greedy Goat, Borough Market
Image: @greedygoaticecream, via IG
Deep in the heart of foodie paradise Borough Market, you’ll find a rather unique ice cream parlour. Greedy Goat is aptly named; their creations are all made from goat’s milk, which makes a scoop here lower in fat and calories than cow’s milk ice cream, and suitable for the lactose intolerant. Nope, we’re not kidding you…
📍You’ll find it at Borough Market, Bedale Street, SE1 9AL.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
15. Ruby Violet, Kings Cross
Image: @rubyvioletices, via IG
Organic ice cream and vegan sorbets are the order of the day at Ruby Violet, which brings serious dedication and craft to the ice cream game. Their strawberry sorbet is an absolute must-order in Summertime, and it’s the perfect pairing for a wander through Coal Drops Yard or along Regent’s Canal.
📍You’ll find it at 3 Wharf Road, N1C 4BZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Kings Cross St. Pancras.
16. Gelateria Romeo & Giulietta, Stoke Newington
Image: @gelateriarg, via IG
Stokey locals know this is the place to be when the temperature ticks upwards – and they’re usually there ahead of the crowds. A rotating line-up of 22 flavours means you’re spoiled for choice, but we’ve been told the pistachio is a strong choice.
📍You’ll find it at 137 Albion Road, N16 9JU.
🚇 Nearest station is Rectory Road.
17. Caliendo’s Gelato, Kentish Town
Image: @caliendos_gelato, via IG
Hailing from Naples, the team behind Caliendo’s has been making gelato now for well over a century, so you can understand why they’re such bloody maestros. They also do have a range of decadent desserts and gluten-free goodies here – plus the place is themed to The Italian Job! Winner, winner.
📍You’ll find Caliendo’s Gelato at 182 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2AE.
🚇 Nearest station is Kentish Town.
18. Udderlicious, various locations
Image: @udderliciousldn, via IG
Independent ice cream parlour Udderlicious makes all their sweet treats in-store. All the ice cream is organic and includes flavours like Banana Caramel and Raspberry Cheesecake. Because they’re so committed to only having what you want, they allow customers to vote for the next ‘flavour of the month’ – so go out there and bring that choco-pistachio-caramel-cookie-dough hybrid into reality. (Please.)
📍 Find your nearest Udderlicious location here!
19. The Real Fruit Ice Cream Co., all over London
Image: @therealfruiticecreamco, via IG
Head on over to Spitalfields Market pronto to try out these New Zealand-style ice cream delights. The Real Fruit Ice Cream Co. blends together your choice of frozen fruit and ice cream (with vegan options available) before dispensing it soft-serve-style into a cone or cup. Although, frankly, it’s so delicious we’d like it dispensed straight into our waiting mouths!
📍 The Real Fruit Co. is always moving, popping up here, there, and everywhere. Follow their socials to find their latest pop up.
20. Happy Endings, online
Image: @happyendingsldn, via IG
Happy Endings‘ motto is “Everybody deserves one”, and we can’t disagree when it comes to their moreish ice cream sandwiches and yummy soft serve. They provide their wares to loads of London restaurants, delis, and stockists, so they don’t quite operate as an ice cream parlour from their location. But you can order their wares online!
Wherever you do find them, you’re also likely to find unique flavours – since they love to collaborate with their partners on new offerings. So if you want to try all of their flavours, you might need to get to hunting. Gotta catch lick taste ’em all!
21. Venchi 1878, multiple locations
Image: @secret.london, via IG
Ending on a chic note, Venchi’s artisanal gelato brings a sumptuous luxury to the well-loved favourite. Last month, launched a handful of new flavours: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Caramel & Rosemary. Distinctly mediterranean and traditionally the ingredients are top-tier, premium, and limited-edition! Across 10 London branches, you’re sure to be in for a fancy treat this summer.
📍Find your nearest Venchi 1878 here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best spots to find ice cream in London. From flavoursome gelato to nitrogen-fuelled goodies (!), there’s something for everyone here, and when the sun’s shining what more could you ask for?
