Best ice cream parlours in the UK

This sleek Cambridge-based gelato parlour is renowned for its queues, but it's worth joining them. Serving inventive flavours made in small batches, ingredients are carefully considered, like coffee beans from Essex-based The Coffee Officina or Pump Street chocolate in the stracciatella. It's a constantly changing menu, but returning flavours include hazelnut brittle, sweet-salty treacle, alphonso mango sorbet, white peach, Greek yogurt and elderflower sorbet. In summer, enjoy rhubarb and rose sorbetti, or a mince pie flavour in winter. You can even buy a 1-litre tub of your favourite flavour to keep in your freezer at home. jacksgelato.com

2. Gelato Gusto, Brighton

Located in Brighton's North Laine, this parlour makes its own gelato using milk and cream from a local Sussex dairy. There isn't a simple strawberry or vanilla cone in sight; when we visited, flavour options included sea salt caramel and truffle & honey gelato plus alphonso mango, earl grey tea and vegan coconut milk sorbettos. Gelato die-hards should fill up on its latest invention, the ice cream burger (ice cream in a hot brioche bun). gelatogusto.com

3. Moomaid of Zennor, St Ives

Holstein Friesian ‘moomaids’ graze on Cornish cliffs before their milk is used to make ice cream on this family-run dairy farm. West Cornwall is a battleground for ice cream wars, but this classy parlour wins with its imaginative flavours. Order the espresso martini flavour for a coffee kick, or Shipwreck Extra Stormy, a heavenly concoction of salted caramel ice cream with chunks of honeycomb and chocolate. moomaidofzennor.com

4. Morelli’s, Broadstairs

This art-deco-style parlour and cappuccino bar has remained a seaside classic since 1932. A must-visit for ice cream aficionados along the North Kent coast, it sells gelato in many flavours, from vanilla and pistachio, to Kilimanjaro coffee. Or, if you're feeling extra-peckish, order retro sundaes, indulgent milkshakes and hot waffles with a scoop on the side. morellisgelato.com

5. Swoon, Cardiff

A south-west favourite for gelato, Swoon serves classic strawberry and vanilla, plus Italian-influenced flavours like neapolitan coffee, bacio (chocolate and hazelnut) and outstanding chocolate sorbet. Seasonal specials lure regulars back in, from stand-out panettone and hot cross bun, to peanut butter & chocolate and ricotta & blueberry. You can even order a swoon on a stick (think posh Magnum). ‘Bambino’ sizes are available for children, winning brownie points with parents. swoononaspoon.co.uk

6. Alandas Gelato, Edinburgh

Located on Edinburgh’s historic Forrest Road, the shiny gelato parlour combines Scottish ingredients with Italian craftsmanship, churning Scottish cream and milk from East Lothian into gelato in its on-site micro-factory. Alandas’s gelato is served in waffle cones, cups or shakes, and ranges in flavour from lavender & white chocolate ganache, to cranachan and Scottish whiskey & caramel. There's also hot Belgian chocolate on tap, supplying the creamiest hot chocolates around. alandas.co.uk

7. Morelli’s, Belfast

Opened in 1911 by Italian entrepreneur Peter Morelli, this family-run parlour spans five generations, making it Northern Ireland's oldest ice cream producer. It now sells gelato from five family-run outlets and 11 branded stores. It recently scooped the top prize at The National Ice Cream Competition, and also won a Great Taste Golden Fork award for its caramelised hazelnut ice cream in 2021. morellisices.com

8. Caliendo’s Gelato, London

Named Ice Cream Parlour of the Year by the Ice Cream Alliance in 2023, this artisanal Italian gelato shop in Kentish Town has inventive scoops with flavours like fig & walnut, marmite & toasted sourdough and pistachio macaron. Caliendo’s opened in 2019, but the Caliendo family has been making gelato for 150 years – owner Michelina’s great-great grandfather Donato Caliendo was a gelato vendor and confectioner in Naples in the 1800s. caliendos.co.uk

9. Darlish, St Albans and Hatfield

Sample English-style ice cream inspired by the flavours of the Middle East at this ice cream parlour. Try saffron, rose & pistachio or blackberry sumac, or the signature baklava ice cream stuffed inside a pistachio-filled baklava. With many vegan options available, like coconut raspberry sorbet, and five sites including Spitalfields in London, there’s something for everyone. darlish.com

10. Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, Manchester

An ice cream van (and diner in Afflecks, an emporium of independent stores in the city’s Northern Quarter), Ginger’s has creative flavours (mint & fennel; plum, gin & juniper; blackberry, rose & sage sorbet; pear & tonka bean) and legendary desserts like the French Elvis – hot French toast filled with salted caramel & peanut butter ice cream, Skippy peanut butter, fresh banana and homemade raspberry sauce. gingerscomfortemporium.com

11. Joe’s Ice cream, Swansea (and other locations)

A classic Welsh institution founded in 1922, this blue-hued parlour's must-try is its vanilla flavour, which is designed to be eaten fresh at the parlour. There are now several branches across South Wales, and it also makes eye-catching ice cream cakes to collect from store, with fun flavours like raspberry pavlova, caramel fudge and strawberries & cream. joes-icecream.com

12. Snugburys, Cheshire

This charming parlour is set on a cobbled courtyard on a family farm with three sisters at the helm. Its on-site kitchen means every element of the ice cream is homemade, including the parlour’s chocolate brownies, pavlova meringues and crisp crème brûlée sugar. Snugburys’ Tropical Twist (mango sorbet with vanilla ice cream) and Yum Yum (vanilla ice cream with pecans, chocolate, biscuits and toffee) are must-orders. Seasonal specials like a delicately spiced christmas pudding and sloe gin & damson are also on offer. snugburys.co.uk

13. Jolly Nice, Gloucestershire

Set in a former filling station, what was a mobile parlour is now a stylish shop and café. It's considered a must-visit in the local area for gourmet burgers to-go, but it would be remiss to visit without trying some of the chilled stuff. The ice cream is made with quality ingredients (Madagascan vanilla pods, artisan coffee, honey from owner Harriet’s own farm, Valrhona chocolate, forced rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle) and flavours are seasonal – look for the beetroot & raspberry. jollynicefarmshop.com

14. Cadwaladers, Cardiff (and other locations)

Founded in 1927 in Criccieth, a small seaside town in Wales, this family-run business offers traditional ice cream across six locations in Wales and England. Toasties, sarnies and light bites are also on the menu, as well as freshly brewed coffees made using its own Cadwaladers 28/3 espresso blend. The Cardiff Bay location is a particularly popular spot for visitors, situated in a bustling location by the waterfront with views over the marina. cadwaladers.co.uk

15. Ruby Violet, London

This North London favourite exudes old-school glamour with a modern twist. With a dedication to fresh, seasonal and local ingredients, you can expect inventive flavours such as peach & rosewater, damson, English strawberry, Seville orange marmalade ripple and Kentish Town honey. Or, push the boat out with an ice-cold tasting menu or ice cream afternoon tea. rubyviolet.co.uk

16. Harbour Bar, Scarborough

This beloved Scarborough parlour is celebrated for its commitment to all things kitsch, with the entire place decked out in original 50s decor (a nod to its beginnings when it opened at the end of WWII). It serves a lot of sundaes using its own ice cream, churned in the one-man factory out back, alongside classics like peach melba (made with canned peaches) and soda floats. It’s big and brash, but hugely fun and buzzy. theharbourbar.co.uk

17. Gelupo, London

A Soho institution, Gelupo churns out both classic and inventive flavours daily. Notable options include blood orange, honeycomb & hazelnut, ricotta & sour cherry and bonet (a combination of coffee, rum, chocolate, egg yolk and amaretti). The gelato here is famed for its silky-smooth texture and, thanks to the churning process used to achieve the perfect density, lower fat content. Bring on that third scoop. gelupo.com

18. Krum Gelato, Chester

A relative newcomer to the area but already making waves, this Italian-owned business offers authentic gelato made using traditional techniques and machinery. Flavours change daily and showcase local seasonal ingredients – the current range includes gianduja, cinnamon biscuit and lemon, lime & bergamot cheesecake. In the colder seasons, warm up with Krum's hot chocolates and Krumble pots. instagram.com/krumgelato

19. The Little Ice Cream Shop, Cumbria

This charming parlour in the centre of Hawkshead makes gelato on a local farm using milk from its own small dairy herd. Flavours include comforting classics like Jamaican rum & raisin, rhubarb & custard and various takes on familiar desserts – think grandma’s apple pie and New York blackcurrant cheesecake. It scores extra points for the logo-stamped wafers that are wedged into each scoop. Dogs can also join in on the fun with its dog-friendly ice creams made from lactose-free milk and dog-friendly sugars, topped with a gravy bone. thelittleicecreamshop.com

20. Romeo & Giulietta, London

Husband-and-wife team Ciprian and Iuliana Sumanaru churn traditional Italian gelato in their small Stoke Newington gelateria. Flavours range from ricotta with sticky caramelised figs, to extra-dark chocolate sorbet. Along with cones, you can order an affogato or gourmet milkshake. Alternatively, pick up a large tub to freeze at home. Queues stretch down the road on sunny Saturdays, so get there early to nab one of the pavement tables. gelateriarg.london

21. Heavenly Chocolate Emporium, Carmarthenshire

This artisanal chocolate shop in Llandeilo just happens to make exceedingly well-churned flavoured gelato. With over 300 recipes up their sleeve, you can never guarantee what flavours are in store, but previous combinations include cappuccino cheesecake, pomegranate & rose and jaffa cake. The boutique interiors set a charming scene to polish off your iced treats. heavenlychocolates.co.uk

22. La Gelatiera, London

La Gelatiera stands out from the crowd due to its unusual flavour combinations, such as blue cheese & walnut or basil & chilli. All ice cream is made with natural, seasonal ingredients and Jersey milk, pasteurised on site for optimum freshness. The honey, rosemary & orange flavour is a highlight due to its fresh, slightly savoury profile. You'll find permanent shops in Covent Garden and Stratford, but it can also be seen popping up at Brick Lane Market during the summer months. lagelatiera.co.uk

23. Glaslyn, Snowdonia

Situated in the scenic Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), this 55-year-old family ice cream parlour won the Cadbury Trophy award for its chocolate ice cream earlier this year. Locals and visitors flock to sample its buttery, silky-smooth ice cream and intriguing flavours, such as Turkish delight and Halen Mon salted caramel. It also offers delicious pizza – perfect for fuelling a mountain hike in the local area. glaslynices.co.uk

24. Minus 12° Craft Ice Cream, London

Founder Gavin James believes -12C to be the ideal serving temperature for Italian gelato, hence the name. Tucked within Herne Hill railway station, this busy gelateria uses high-quality ingredients, fresh milk and cream, 100 per cent nut pastes, single-origin chocolate and cocoa powders and real fruit, with gelato and sorbets homemade in small batches on site. Recent gelato flavours include malt & miso caramel and birthday cake – a delightful scoop of soft cheese frosting smashed with homemade birthday cake. minus12.co.uk

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