Nothing beats a scoop of velvety gelato or a swirl of creamy soft-serve on a warm afternoon—or even a chilly one, if you’re truly British about it. Whether you’re craving artisanal small-batch flavors or quirky Instagram-worthy cones, the UK’s ice cream scene is seriously underrated. After traveling across cities, taste-testing dozens of cones (tough job, I know), and chatting with locals and ice cream experts, here are my 25 favorite ice cream shops in the UK for 2025, ranked for their taste, quality, creativity, and experience.
1. Gelupo – London
Best for: Authentic Italian gelato in the heart of Soho
If you want real Italian gelato without the airfare, head to Gelupo. This Soho gem serves silky-smooth gelato churned daily on-site using fresh ingredients. Standout flavors include ricotta and sour cherry, blood orange, and hazelnut gianduja.
Why it stands out:
No artificial flavors or colors
Seasonal menus
Gorgeous interiors and takeaway boxes
2. Swoon – Bristol, Bath & Cardiff
Best for: Award-winning gelato and sustainable sourcing
Multiple-time Great Taste Award winner, Swoon is a West Country favorite. Their pistachio gelato is intensely nutty and smooth, and their salted caramel has a cult following.
Why it’s loved:
Ethical sourcing of ingredients
Vegan options like chocolate sorbetto
Clean, minimalist café vibe
3. Giovanni’s – Cardiff
Best for: Classic Italian flavors since 1983
Cardiff’s oldest Italian café and gelateria, Giovanni’s, is a local institution. Their gelato is still made with family recipes passed down through generations. Try the Stracciatella or the Ferrero Rocher flavor—yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
Highlights:
Over 30 gelato flavors
Old-school charm
Central location near Cardiff Castle
4. Jannettas Gelateria – St Andrews, Scotland
Best for: Generational charm and Scottish flair
Serving scoops since 1908, this fourth-generation Italian-Scottish gelateria is legendary. You’ll find everything from Scottish tablet gelato to mango chilli sorbet.
What makes it special:
Over 50 rotating flavors
Traditional & experimental menu
Cozy café and takeaway counter
5. Udderlicious – London (Islington & Covent Garden)
Best for: Creative flavors you won’t find anywhere else
This indie favorite lets customers vote on new flavor combos each month. Past hits include peanut butter & basil, matcha and white chocolate, and cherry bakewell.
Top reasons to visit:
Super quirky flavor lineup
Made daily on-site
Great for families & kids
6. Moo Moos – Oxford
Best for: Over-the-top milkshakes and indulgent scoops
Located in the Oxford Covered Market, Moo Moos is your go-to for OTT dessert creations. Their freakshakes are loaded with cookies, brownies, and ice cream.
Why it’s worth it:
Ice cream + milkshake hybrid heaven
Tons of flavor choices
Instagrammable presentation
7. Morelli’s Gelato – Broadstairs, Kent
Best for: A seafront treat with history
Founded in 1907, Morelli’s is Britain’s oldest gelateria—and the Broadstairs flagship still retains its retro charm with pink booths and sea views. The banana split sundae is timeless.
Why people love it:
Classic 1950s ice cream parlor
Made fresh daily
Family-friendly vibe
8. Boho Gelato – Brighton & Hove
Best for: Vegan gelato and funky flavors
Brighton’s favorite for bold, unexpected flavors and some of the best dairy-free ice cream in the UK. Try roast beetroot & horseradish or Thai green curry if you’re feeling adventurous.
Highlights:
Over 400 flavors created over the years
Vegan-friendly
Brighton’s creative spirit in every scoop
9. Alba Bar & Deli – Liverpool
Best for: Gelato cocktails and cool vibes
Not your typical ice cream stop—Alba blends the line between deli and dessert bar. Don’t miss their gelato negroni or affogato with local espresso.
What’s unique:
Adult-focused ice cream experience
Trendy, stylish location
Cocktail pairings
10. The Ice Cream Farm – Tattenhall, Cheshire
Best for: Family fun and dairy delights
More than just an ice cream shop—it’s a full day out. Home to the world’s largest ice cream shop (yes, really), this Cheshire destination offers farm animals, play zones, and over 50 flavors of handmade ice cream.
Perfect for families:
Farm-to-cone ice cream
Interactive experiences for kids
Great for birthday outings
11. Ice Cream Architecture – Glasgow, Scotland
Best for: Bold, small-batch flavors with an artistic twist
Don’t let the name fool you—this is a serious gelato studio. Based in Glasgow, Ice Cream Architecture creates micro-batch gelato using local ingredients and quirky flavor combinations like cranachan, heather honey, and blue cheese & pear.
What sets it apart:
Collaborations with artists & chefs
Handcrafted, experimental batches
Scottish-grown ingredients
12. Joe Delucci’s – Various UK Locations
Best for: Smooth Italian gelato in shopping centres & airports
You’ve probably seen Joe Delucci’s at places like Westfield or major train stations. Don’t let the kiosk-style fool you—their lemon sorbet and coconut gelato are incredibly fresh and flavorful.
Why people love it:
Convenient locations
Gluten-free and vegan flavors
True Italian techniques
13. Affogato – Edinburgh
Best for: Coffee + gelato pairings in a cozy café
Nestled in Edinburgh’s West End, Affogato is a local favorite for combining artisan gelato with great coffee. Try the Affogato al Caffè, or explore flavors like white chocolate raspberry and whisky-infused vanilla.
Highlights:
Great espresso bar
Seasonal flavor rotation
Intimate atmosphere
14. Franco’s Ices – Whitby, North Yorkshire
Best for: Traditional seaside ice cream with a vintage vibe
Established in the 1920s, Franco’s serves classic whipped ices and scoop ice cream on the Whitby promenade. It’s a proper British seaside experience with flavors like rum raisin, toffee apple, and mint choc chip.
Why it’s nostalgic:
Family-run for over 90 years
Traditional ice cream vans and stalls
Authentic Northern charm
15. Dolly’s – Salcombe, Devon
Best for: Coastal charm and Devon cream ice cream
Tucked away in the picturesque town of Salcombe, Dolly’s is known for its creamy, locally-made ice cream. Their Devon clotted cream & fudge flavor is a crowd-pleaser.
Top reasons to go:
Family-run with homemade recipes
Sea views and summer atmosphere
Dog-friendly!
16. Northern Bloc – Leeds
Best for: Bold, modern flavors and plant-based options
Northern Bloc brings a sleek, urban vibe to the world of ice cream. Based in Leeds, they’re known for their plant-based range and flavors like roasted strawberry, salted caramel & almond butter, and chocolate & orange blossom.
What makes it unique:
100% natural ingredients
Ethical packaging & delivery
Huge vegan following
17. Rossi’s Ice Cream – Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Best for: Historic Italian ice cream by the sea
Rossi’s has been a Southend legend since 1932. Their signature vanilla is a smooth, creamy recipe passed down from the original Italian founder. You’ll find lines around the block during summer weekends.
Why it’s iconic:
Time-honored recipe
Fresh cones made daily
Seafront nostalgia
18. Two Sisters – Felixstowe, Suffolk
Best for: Quirky flavors in a tiny, family-run shop
This small-batch ice cream parlour may be tiny, but their flavors pack a punch. Two Sisters offers combos like honeycomb & lavender, spiced plum, and gin & tonic sorbet.
What to expect:
Limited daily batches
Coastal Suffolk charm
Friendly service and local ingredients
19. Snowflake Luxury Gelato – London (Selfridges & Soho)
Best for: Luxurious gelato and award-winning creations
This posh gelato brand has won multiple Great Taste Awards and even launched a gold leaf gelato dessert for Selfridges. You’ll find rich, decadent flavors like caramelized fig & mascarpone or pistachio from Bronte, Sicily.
Why it’s next-level:
Premium ingredients
Upscale presentation
Famous “avolato” (avocado gelato)
20. The Cream O’ Galloway – Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Best for: Organic farm ice cream and eco-tourism
Based on an organic dairy farm in southwest Scotland, Cream O’ Galloway crafts ethical, creamy ice cream in a wide range of classic and adventurous flavors. Their whisky & honey or mint choc chip are local favorites.
Why you’ll love it:
Farm-to-cone experience
Family fun with nature trails
Organic and sustainable practices
21. Happy Endings – London (East London & Markets)
Best for: Ice cream sandwiches with a gourmet twist
Forget the cone—Happy Endings specializes in artisan ice cream sandwiches that are wildly creative and seriously addictive. Flavors like miso salted caramel and peanut butter parfait with miso fudge have earned them cult status at street food markets and indie cafés.
Why it’s unforgettable:
Chef-led recipes
Perfect texture contrast: gooey, chewy, creamy
Eco-friendly packaging
22. Treats of Yarm – Yarm, North Yorkshire
Best for: Beautifully presented artisan gelato & waffles
A charming boutique dessert café, Treats of Yarm is known for its flower-topped gelato cones, waffle sundaes, and rich Belgian chocolate sauce. The aesthetic is as pleasing as the flavor.
Top reasons to visit:
Gorgeous artisan displays
Indoor & outdoor seating
Great stop during a Yorkshire Dales road trip
23. DÁPPA – London (Hackney)
Best for: Vegan, nut-based soft serve with attitude
DÁPPA is revolutionizing soft serve with their creamy, indulgent plant-based ice cream made entirely from cashews and almonds. No dairy, no compromise. Flavors include dark chocolate brownie, banoffee, and vanilla maple swirl.
Why it stands out:
100% vegan and allergen-aware
Super-rich texture (like dairy!)
Located in cool food markets
24. Spaghetti Ice Cream Co – Various Pop-Ups Across the UK
Best for: Retro German-style ice cream spaghetti
Yes, really—this unique treat looks like a plate of spaghetti but is made entirely from ice cream and toppings. The vanilla “noodles”, strawberry “sauce”, and white chocolate “cheese” are a viral hit.
Why people love it:
Totally Instagrammable
Pop-up events across the UK
Nostalgic German dessert brought to life
25. Callestick Farm – Cornwall
Best for: True Cornish dairy ice cream on a working farm
Nestled in the Cornish countryside, Callestick Farm produces traditional Cornish clotted cream ice cream using milk from their own cows. Visitors can enjoy flavors like blackcurrant cheesecake, toffee apple, or lemon meringue while watching cows graze nearby.
Highlights:
Open visitor centre & café
Authentic local ingredients
Great for families and farm lovers
Final Thoughts
The UK is full of delightful surprises when it comes to ice cream. Whether you prefer traditional gelato or avant-garde sorbets, these 25 shops prove that Britain is scooping up serious talent in the frozen treat game.
If you’re planning a foodie trip in 2025, bookmark these spots—and maybe pack a cooler bag.
FAQs About Ice Cream in the UK
Q1: What’s the difference between gelato and regular ice cream?
Gelato uses more milk and less cream, making it denser and silkier than typical ice cream. It’s also served slightly warmer, enhancing flavor.
Q2: Are there vegan options at these shops?
Yes! Shops like Boho Gelato, Swoon, and Udderlicious offer a wide range of vegan flavors.
Q3: When is the best time to visit UK ice cream shops?
Summer is peak season, but many shops operate year-round and offer cozy indoor seating—even better with a warm espresso.
Q4: Do these shops offer delivery or online orders?
Several of them do, especially in London. Check individual websites for options.
Q5: Can I book a party or tasting session?
Shops like The Ice Cream Farm and Jannettas offer family-friendly packages, events, and group visits.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
