The best ice cream in London

Milk Train apparently doesn’t believe in such a thing as too much sugar, enveloping their ice cream cones in fluffy clouds of candy floss. The highly photogenic creations are not only deliciously cool, they’re sure to make your feed pop, especially if you snap a photo against the café’s pretty, floral-printed backdrop. Afterwards, devour your treat in gloriously messy fashion in one of the snug booths.

A fixture of summertime in the city, Chin Chin Ice Cream pioneered using liquid nitrogen to hand-churn their ice cream. Add in fearless experimentation with unusual flavours such as coffee and olive oil or tahini halva, plus a flair for presentation, and it's easy to understand the hype. In addition to classic flavours and an array of toppings, each location has exclusive flavours and desserts too.

Gelupo is a sister business to Bocca di Lupo across the street, using quality ingredients to whip up fresh daily batches of authentic gelato and sorbet. Flavours are inspired by the regions of Italy, with the Etna showcasing Sicilian pistachios or the Torino recreating the rich coffee textures of Turin's bicerin drink. Refined takes on classic choices like raspberry or bitter chocolate are available too.

The Parlour at luxury store Fortnum & Mason was the first place to introduce the Knickerbocker Glory to the UK. It's a bright and playful spot with a colourful mural adorning the walls. Visit to indulge in an ice cream sundae, with the option to build your own with a choice of ice creams, sauces, and toppings. Sweet and savoury light bites are served too.

Caliendo's Gelato in Kentish Town is a multi-award-winning ice cream parlour. This fuss-free and old-school destination is known for its friendly service and large range of delicious gelato flavours, from raspberry ripple to Jamaican coffee. Belgian waffles with tasty toppings are also served here, plus you can get your ice cream delivered.

Pan-n-Ice serves authentic Thai ice rolls in the UK. The journey began in 2015, when the owner embarked on a transformative trip to Thailand with a friend and was mesmerised by the artistry of rolled ice cream. He eventually brought the concept to his homeland, where they now serve the ice cream at more than 300 events annually.

Indulge in Japanese mochi, expertly crafted and freshly baked daily by a skilled baker at Japan Centre, conveniently located in Central London. Sink your teeth into an enticing selection, including mochi doughnuts, mochi ice cream, mochi cookies, mochi daifuku, and mochi dango. To complement the mochi, they also serve refreshing bubble tea.

Snowflake Gelato made headlines with its expensive “billionaire's soft serve”, with Persian sea salt, edible gold pearls, a macaron and edible 24-karat gold. Aside from such decadence, the artisanal brand uses natural, locally-sourced ingredients to craft 50+ flavours, including award-winning classics and more unusual choices. Many of the boutiques also offer other tempting treats like gelato pastries.

Mamasons serves “dirty ice cream”, a nickname for the ice cream sold on Manila's streets. It's whipped up in a steel drum and features flavours that are seldom seen in the West – this is a place for adventurous scoops of purple ube yam, black coconut, and even cheese. Alternatively, try the award-winning toasted ice cream sandwich.

Oddono's has been a fixture in the city for nearly two decades, making authentic Italian gelato and sorbet from globally-sourced ingredients. The company has made more than 130 flavours during its existence. These include classic bestsellers such as chocolate, mango, or coconut, as well as more unusual choices along the lines of lemon vodka or basil. The ice cream parlours also serve hot drinks.

The Romeo and Juliet behind this gelateria are a Romanian couple whose time living in Verona inspired them to open their dream ice cream parlour. They make fresh, creamy gelato to an artisan recipe from Rome, with a variety of classic yet intense flavours to choose from.

Queues out the door have been a constant here ever since Lorenzo Nardulli first opened his ice cream parlour in 2009. A bastion of Italian authenticity, the tubs of creamy gelato at the shop are crafted to traditional recipes, using carefully-sourced ingredients from around the world. The gelateria relies on a comprehensive range of classic flavours, with highlights including fig and coffee.

The hip, Instagram-friendly creations at Soft Serve Society attract attention with striking, charcoal-coloured milkshakes, black cones, and green matcha sundaes. Complement one of the ice cream flavours with toppings like Oreo crumbs, salted caramel sauce, or butter-cookie crumbs. They also do bubble tea and hot drinks.

At Udderlicious, you get to have your say on the monthly flavours. Vote for your favourites online, choosing from more than 140 options. These include classics such as salted caramel and lemon sorbet, as well as original contenders like builder's tea & digestive, Bakewell pudding, and seaweed. Check the website ahead of a visit, as the flavour selection varies according to location and month.

Greedy Goat eschews the cows' milk preferred by most ice cream vendors in favour of British goats' milk, advocating increased calcium and magnesium, as well as high vitamin A and potassium levels, among its benefits. Their peppy Borough Market stall offers scoops of Cherry Bakewell, banana and pecan and other classic favourites.

The Ice Cream Union emphasises production techniques and conscientious sourcing of ingredients in its artisanal ice cream, striving to break conventions and redefine people’s perceptions of ice cream. Flavour-wise, this is also reflected in options such as Pimm’s, Aperol spritz and sunsweet melon sorbet. In addition to such seasonal highlights, you can choose from over 50 other flavours of the small-batch frozen delights.

Using organic milk, free-range eggs and fresh fruit, Ruby Violet brings out the flavours of British summertime through ice cream and sorbets at its charmingly vintage King’s Cross parlour. Of the more than 150 flavours created by the founder so far, best-sellers include fresh mint & cucumber, lavender and hot cross bun. If you’re finding it too difficult to choose, you can even order a tasting menu.

Supercharged by the scientific creativity of co-founder and ice cream maestro Antonio, the fresh, all-natural artisan ice cream at La Gelatiera comes in a vast array of classic and bold flavours. Their shops serve a selection of best-sellers and new or unusual arrivals like the aromatic pine nut gelato or the tingly basil & chilli.

Chinatown Bakery is an institution and one of the sources of the ever-popular taiyaki, golden fish-shaped cakes with custard or other fillings. Especially in summertime, Bake's taiyaki ice cream cones are a common sight on Chinatown's streets and Instagram feeds, with the fish packed with refreshing vanilla or matcha soft serve.

At this minimalistic café in Covent Garden, you can get award-winning gelato made using carefully-sourced produce and traditional techniques, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture. The ice cream is available in a variety of flavours. You can go for the classics or more international choices like Earl Grey or New York cheesecake, or pick one of the fruit-based sorbets.

Gelateria 3Bis originated in Rimini, moving into London in 2012. More than ten years later, their parlours offer a range of authentic Italian flavours made according to traditional techniques and from carefully-sourced ingredients. In addition, you can get crêpes, cakes, waffles, and other treats, including the Chocoshot – a short cone with coffee or chocolate at the bottom.

The ice cream sandwiches at Happy Endings are on another level, with tasty ice cream slathered onto crunchy pastry and dipped in chocolate. The Happy Endings sandwiches are also stocked by shops and restaurants around London - check their website for the full list of suppliers.

A family-run Richmond mainstay, Gelateria Danieli serves a changing selection of 24 flavours, with classics as well as various specials and one-offs. In summer, a further 18 flavours can be found at their chocolate confectionery spin-off down the street. They also serve proper Italian coffee.

Japanese dessert shop Tsujiri is loved by London's matcha fans. This modern and minimalist venue specialises in ice cream and hot and cold drinks. Sample soft serve cups and cones, sundaes, and ice cream floats in inspiring flavours like matcha and black sesame. Ice cream lovers can customise their treat with toppings like green tea power, red bean paste, and crunchy crackers.

Festok is the only producer of Lebanese ice cream in capital. Having started at local food markets, it now offers city-wide delivery and operates a  parlour in Marylebone. Using natural ingredients, Festok offers a range of flavours spanning both traditional and innovative options, with classics like pistachio and rose sitting alongside bespoke creations like halva and date. Vegan flavours are available.

A long-standing favourite in Kent, Morelli's Gelato is open in London in Covent Garden. The venue has a bright appearance and offers indoor and outdoor seating. Gelato is freshly made on the premises each day. Guests can try it along with sundaes, sorbet, and vanilla soft-serve. Prosecco and coffee are also available here.