10 Of The Best Ice Cream Parlors In London

While London might not have the ideal weather for a cold treat, it does have an excellent range of places to consume the icy dessert. A more important consideration is what’s better: ice cream or gelato. I personally prefer gelato as the flavors are more intense and the texture is creamier. And believe it or not because gelato is made with milk, it has less fat and calories. Gelato is creamier because ingredients are mixed in much more slowly to avoid the creation of air bubbles and ice particles. And, because gelato is served less cold than ice cream, the flavors literally “bloom” in your mouth. With my gelato bias in mind, here are ten parlors to enjoy the world famous dessert, most of which have seating and all of which have a great range of flavors.

1.Gelupo, Soho

Established in 2010 by Victor Hugo and chef Jacob Kenedy of Bocca di Lupo, one of the best Italian restaurants in London, it’s no surprise that the duo has created delicious gelato that is sold in a cute parlor across the road. Made from the finest ingredients, fresh every day, my current favorites include rich White Chocolate; light and delicate Mascarpone, raspberry and rose; and refreshing Blood Orange. I’m also tempted by Ricotta Sour Cherry and Salted Caramel and Pecan.

2.Le Gelatiera, Covent Garden, Oxo Tower, Stratford

La Gelatiera co-founder Antonio’s grandfather used to make ice cream in a small village in Calabria. And when Antonio and friend and co-founder Stephane decided to launch their own gelateria they first took a year travelling around Italy for inspiration. Their award-winning handmade gelato is made in small batches, daily, on-site with unusual flavors like Kentish cobnut sorbet. But best of all is the most creamy and flavorful pistachio “gelato” I’ve ever tasted. And surprisingly it is vegan. This “innovative” dairy-free delight is made with pure Bronte pistachios and Maldon sea salt flakes.

3.Anita Gelato, Covent Garden

Anita Gelato offers over 150 flavors of gelato, frozen yogurt and sorbet, including a good range of vegan options, topped with optional fresh fruit, syrups, chocolate, or house-made jams. This season’s new flavors to choose from include Matcha, Mango and White Chocolate, Coffee and Banana Split. Anita Gelato has 15 branches around the world including in Sydney and New York and most recently, London.

4.Pierre Marcolini, Marylebone

Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini has added a gelato bar to his chic patisserie in London’s Marylebone. His delicious collection of artisan ice creams and sorbets is freshly churned right in front of customers, creating an extraordinary texture and creamy, smooth taste. Flavors include Vanilla Grand Cru, Chocolate Grand Cru, Piedmont Hazelnut, Pistachio, Caramel, Coffee and Mascarpone.

5.La Gelatiera 3bis, Borough and Notting Hill

Originating in Rimini in 1987 where they still operate, Gelatiera 3Bis decided to open in London in 2012, in Borough Market, the oldest market in London. The daily production of gelato includes a delicious range of flavors including a fine pistachio with moreish pistachio cream dribbled on top, Eton Mess and peanut butter.

6.Badiani, Elephant Castle plus 14 other locations

The first Badiani shop opened in the centre of Florence, the birthplace of gelato, in 1932. Fast forward to 2015 when this popular Italian gelato made its debut in London. Buontalenti, named after Bernardo Buontalenti, the Florentine inventor of Gelato, is Badiani’s world famous trademarked flavor with the shortest ingredients list on the gelato market: milk, cream, sugar and eggs. Also good is La Dolcevita, layered with cocoa and Piedmont hazelnut sauce and a vegan chocolate sorbet made with Venezuelan dark chocolate.

7.Chin Chin Ice Cream, Camden, Soho

In 2010, when founders Ahrash and Nyisha Akbari-Kalhur started making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, in Camden market, it created quite a buzz. They were certain that hand churning with liquid nitrogen was better than any other method of creating ice cream and the accolades they’ve regularly received appear to bear that out. The tasty flavors range from burnt butter caramel and coffee and olive oil, to unusual flavors like dragon fruit custard. Toppings are also available as well as desserts like tiramisu and sticky toffee pudding.

8.Milk Train, Covent Garden

Home to the UK’s first candy floss ice cream cones and candy floss milk shakes, an excellent range of ice creams are available on their own too. The flavors, which include matcha and cherry blossom, were inspired by the owners’ travels around Asia. They’re served up in a pretty, pastel-colored parlor with a few booths to enjoy your treats.

9.Venchi, Hampstead plus 9 other locations

Italian brand Venchi is well known for its creamy smooth chocolates so it’s no surprise that the gelato is delicious too. Made in each London location fresh every day using Venchi’s own chocolate and other top Italian ingredients, the gelato is totally free from artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives and palm oil. The range of flavors is impressive including Cremino, Nougatine, Stracciatella, Tiramisu, Mango, Cappuccino and many more.

10. Oddono’s, South Kensington plus 5 other locations

Celebrating 20 years in London in 2024, this is one of the London’s oldest and best gelato brands. The original store opened in South Kensington and the gelato for all six locations is still made here daily. Italian founder Christian Oddono’s grandmother was the gelato-making inspiration and today they rotate are over 130 flavors through their shops. Favorites include chocolate, nocciola (hazelnut), bacio (milky chocolate and hazelnut), and of course pistachio. Vegan options are also available.