Ice cream is always a good idea, whether or not the sun is shining it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. In London, where the summer days are hot (though not always reliably sunny), there are excellent spots to find ice cream in all corners of the city. Whether it’s a creamy scoop of a classic ice cream, a glossy gelato, a refreshing sorbet or a decadent sundae, the city has an ice cream for every appetite. Read on for the inside scoop on where to find the best ice cream in London.
Hackney Gelato
With gelato this good, it’s hardly surprising that Hackney Gelato has gained huge popularity and expanded to something of an ice cream empire in London and beyond. From humble beginnings in Hackney, you can now find Hackney gelato by the scoop at ice cream stands and restaurants across the city, as well as tubs to take home in shops and supermarkets – so it’s easier than ever to get a taste of why it’s so beloved. The range of appetising flavours includes classics like madagascan vanilla, clotted cream and strawberry, a range of vegan-friendly plant-based sorbettos, and seasonal varieties like gingerbread and mince pie.
Where to find it: Find a full list of stockists here
Udderlicious
All of Udderlicious’s ice cream is freshly made in their fun and friendly ice cream parlours, with locations in Highbury & Islington and Covent Garden. Vegans: don’t be put off by the name, you can usually find a delicious selection of plant-based options here as well. With around 20 flavours usually on offer every day, chocolate lovers will be spoiled for choice with options like Black Forest gateaux, chocolate peanut butter, coconut and chocolate, dark chocolate and sea salt sorbet, espresso and chocolate biscotti. Much loved by Londoners, Udderlicious also loves to hear from its fans, with a monthly vote to decide the next flavour of the month – leading to delicious featured flavours like apple crumble and custard.
Where to find it: 187 Upper Street, N1 1RQ (Highbury & Islington branch), 24 Earlham St, WC2H 9LN (Covent Garden branch)
Leila’s Shop
This beautifully rustic Shoreditch cafe and grocer is a hidden treasure in the city’s ice cream scene – serving up a special weekend soft serve, usually with a focus on luscious sorbets that hero fresh fruit flavours – like peach, strawberry and basil or blood orange.
Where to find it: 17 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP
Chin Chin
The home of liquid nitrogen-frozen ice cream, Chin Chin whips up some of the finest and most creative creations the city has to offer. Indulgent and Instagrammable in equal measure, Chin Chin highlights include an iconic tiramisu sundae, perfectly paired flavour combos like cheesecake ice cream with white chocolate and red velvet cake chunks, and showstopping servings like marshmallow lined cones or edible cookie bowls. If you’re looking to blow your sugar budget on something uniquely unforgettable, Chin Chin is the place for you.
Where to find it: 54 Greek Street (Soho branch); 49 – 50 Camden Lock (Camden branch).
Happy Endings
There’s simply no excuse not to try Happy Endings ice cream – since you can get your hands on it by ordering online as well as finding it in tasty London eateries like Koya, Pavillion Cafe, Snackbar and Yard Sale Pizza, Happy Endings crafts delicious soft serve as well as specialising in incredible ice cream sandwiches. Sandwich flavours include The Malty One, the Strawberry Shorty and The Naughty One (my personal favourite) which sandwiches miso salted caramel ice cream between two slices of chocolate Guinness cake. A must try.
Where to find it: Check the latest list of stockists here
Nonna’s
This pop-up vendor, run by Sophia Brothers, serves as a celebration of her dearest Nonna’s love for food and family. You can usually find Nonna’s at Broadway Market in Hackney on Saturdays throughout spring and summer – but best to check the website for up to date details, especially off season. You can feel especially good when you indulge here – as 10p of every scoop is donated to ‘Off Centre’ charity, who offer a counselling and therapy service to young people aged 16 to 25. New flavours are constantly created and rotated, so you may not know what you’ll find, but you can guarantee there will be something to get you licking your lips – with previous flavours including chocolate and Sicilian blood orange marmalade, pistachio stracciatella, and Amalfi lemon and rosemary.
Where to find it: Broadway Market, Hackney – check availability here
La Gelateria
Across three London locations, La Gelateria serves up modern Italian gelato using natural, organic ingredients and traditional churning processes. With a focus on seasonal flavours, the range of flavours rotates regularly. Its award-winning gelato is made with cream and milk from Jersey cows, as well as a selection of delicious plant-based alternatives. Former flavours of note include the dairy-free dark chocolate gelato spiced with a kick of chilli, a surprising savoury flavour of blue cheese studded with walnuts, and a zesty combination of honey, rosemary and orange.
Where to find it: 27 New Row, WC2N 4LA (Covent Garden branch), Unit G5 Barge House (Oxo Tower branch), 1 West Park Walk, E201DH (Stratford branch)
Soft Serve Society
If you’re on the lookout for ice cream in Shoreditch, head to Boxpark where you’ll find Soft Serve Society serving up an array of appetising cups, cones and sundaes. Choose between core flavours – vanilla, matcha or charcoal coconut, or try the rotating flavour of the week, with optional toppings like honeycomb chunks, berry candy floss, marshmallow fluff and drizzled sauces. For all out decadance, try the chocolate affogato, with layers of Rice Krispies, Oreo and Brownie chunks with vanilla ice cream and a splash of hot chocolate, or opt for one of the classics like a swirl of soft serve matcha.
Where to find it: Unit 35 Boxpark, 2 – 10 Bethnal Green Road (Shoreditch branch) or 35 Earlham Street (Covent Garden branch).
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