Where to find London's best ice cream parlours this summer 2024
London’s summer weather may be unpredictable, but its ice cream parlours are always ready for sunny days. From the return of Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream Project to delicious soft serve in Chinatown and neighbourhood favourite Udderlicious, here are some of our top spots to enjoy ice cream in London this summer.
The Ice Cream Project III
Anya Hindmarch ice cream project III. Photo by MTotoe.
#FLODown: Returning for its third year, The Ice Cream Project is back at The Village from 7 June to 18 August, offering unexpectedly delicious ice creams and sorbets inspired by Anya Hindmarch's favourite cult food brands. This year's offerings include new flavours, as well as baked beans, Jaffa Cake, peanut butter, and vinegar flavours. Additionally, you'll find popular branded caps, ice cream-inspired T-shirts, and an ice cream tasting menu!
Date: 7 June - 18 August 2024. Location: The Ice Cream Project, 11 Pont St, London SW1X 9EH. anyahindmarch.com.
Anita Gelato
Antia Gelato, St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden.
#FLODown: Anita’s boutique ice creams are 100% hand-made, and whatever your favourite flavour, Anita has you covered. You can pick from over 150 different kinds of frozen yogurt, sorbets, and organic sugar- free, fat-free, soy-based and real cream-based ice creams.
Location: 4 Upper St Martin's Ln, London WC2H 9NY. Instagram: @anita_gelato_london.
Parlour by the Ice Cream Union
Parlour by the Ice Cream Union, Pavilion Rd, Chelsea.
#FLODown: For the traditional flavours as well as an ever changing seasonal selection on the very pretty pedestrianised mews off Sloane Square.
Location: Parlour by the Ice Cream Union, 166 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0AW. Instagram: @icecreamunion.
Chinatown Bakery
Japanese Vanilla Fish Waffle with Green Tea Soft serve. Photo by Natascha Milsom.
#FLODown: Not an ice cream parlour per se, but a favourite for soft serve and matcha lovers, their adorable Taiyaki Ice Cream—served in a Japanese fish-shaped cake instead of a cone—is a must-try.
Location: Chinatown Bakery. 7 Newport Pl, London WC2H 7JR. Instagram: @chinatown.bakery.
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream.
#FLODown: Discover the exotic flavours of Filipino ice cream: Black Buko, a creamy coconut ice cream mixed with activated charcoal; Ube, a delightful purple yam; and Calamansi, a refreshing fruit similar to lemon.
Location: Kentish Town, Chinatown, Westfield London. Instagram: @mamasonsdirtyicecream.
Taiyakiya
#FLODown: Taiyakiya, located opposite Mamasons, is a haven for Instagrammers. Here, you'll find extravagant Taiyaki creations with names like The Little Mermaid, Rainbow Unicorn, The Dark Angel, and The Hungry Taiyaki.
Location: Taiyakiya 20 Newport Court, Central London WC2H 7JS. Instagram: @ilovetaiyakiya.
Duci
Photo by Rachael Gorjestani.
#FLODown: This one is for the West Londoners: a charming neighbourhood Sicilian ice cream shop that also offers cannoli. With the creamiest and most delicious ice cream, their pistachio flavour is a must-try. Close your eyes, and you'll feel as if you've been transported to Sicily.
Location: Duci, 8 Devonshire Road, London, United Kingdom W42HD. Instagram: @ducilondon.
Venchi
Venchi ice cream.
#FLODown: Venchi's ice cream shops throughout London offer a delightful journey through Italian gelato flavours. Made fresh daily with natural ingredients, their gelato has a silky-smooth texture and includes classic flavours such as pistachio, creamy stracciatella, and rich Chocoviar. For fruit lovers, their strawberry and lemon gelatos are recommended!
Locations: Covent Garden, South Kensington, King's Road, Canary Wharf, Battersea Power Station, Soho, Piccadilly, Richmond, and Hampstead. Instagram: @venchi1878.
Amorino
Amorino Gelato Rose.
#FLODown: Founded in 2002 by childhood friends Cristiano Sereni and Paolo Benassi from Reggio Emilia, this global ice cream brand never disappoints. Their ice cream is beautifully scooped onto your cone to create a gorgeous flower.
Locations: Various. amorino.com.
Gelupo
Gelupo, Soho.
#FLODown:Gelupo, located in the heart of London, has been crafting the finest gelato since 2010. Founded by Victor Hugo and chef Jacob Kenedy. Their offerings include a wide selection of sorbets, ice creams, granitas, and cocktails such as Prosecco, Spritz, Negroni, Amaro, Limoncello, and Averna for some serious day drinking. Don't miss their Ricotta & Sour Cherry flavour—it's a dream.
Location: 7 Archer Street, Soho, London, W1D 7AU. Instagram: @gelupogelato.
Happy Endings Ice Cream
Happy Endings Ice Cream.
#FLODown: If you love ice cream sandwiches, Happy Endings is the place for you! Just note that they are closed from Friday to Sunday.
Location: Happy Endings Ice Cream,Arch 437 Burdett Rd, London E3 4JS. Instagram: @happyendingsldn.
Udderlicious
Udderlicious ice cream.
#FLODown: Udderlicious, owned by married couple Raj and Raj, has over 35 years of ice cream experience. They opened their first shop in Islington in 2013 and expanded to Covent Garden and Crouch End. Their handmade ice cream and sorbets, including vegan options, are made in-store and are pretty delicious, which often explains the long queues outside their Islington branch on weekends.
Location: Islington, Covent Garden, Crouch. End. Instagram: @udderliciousldn.
Words by Natascha Milsom