We’re never guaranteed a scorching summer in London — but when the sun does show up, making the most of it is practically obligatory. For many of us, that means rounding off a warm afternoon with a great ice cream. Whether you’re after something classically creamy, wildly inventive, or simply the best gelato you’ve ever tasted, London has you covered. Here’s our guide to 7 of the best ice cream spots in London right now.
The Best Ice Cream in London: Our Top Picks
1. Gelupo, Soho — Best Gelato in London
This Soho gelateria comes highly recommended — many consider it the best ice cream parlour in London, and it’s hard to argue. Gelupo’s flavour list goes well beyond the usual suspects, with exciting combinations like blood orange, black pepper, and ricotta all making regular appearances. Equally worth noting, the seasonal menu brings limited-edition flavours like mulled wine and Christmas pudding in the colder months, so it earns a visit year-round.
🕐 Mon–Thu noon–10:30pm | Fri–Sat noon–11:30pm | Sun noon–10pm
📍 7 Archer Street, Soho, London W1D 7AU
🌐 gelupo.com
2. La Gelatiera, Covent Garden
La Gelatiera is an artisan gelato destination that takes its ingredients seriously — every flavour is made with the freshest seasonal produce, resulting in genuinely unusual combinations like basil and chilli, Cornish blue cheese with walnuts, and Japanese black sesame. Beyond the ice cream, the coffee is excellent, making it a natural place to linger. You can even tour the ice cream “laboratory” to see where the magic happens.
🕐 Mon–Wed 10am–11pm | Thu–Sat 10am–11:30pm | Sun 11:30am–10:30pm
📍 27 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LA
🌐 lagelatiera.co.uk
3. Chin Chin Labs, Camden
If conventional gelato feels too straightforward, Chin Chin Labs is the answer. Part gourmet ice cream parlour, part science experiment, this Camden Lock institution makes ice cream to order — freezing the mixture in front of you using liquid nitrogen. The flavours match the drama: strawberry and hay, candied carrot with cream cheese, and rotating specials that change with the seasons. It’s a must on any warm day in the area.
🕐 Daily noon–7pm
📍 49–50 Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF
🌐 chinchinlabs.com
4. Black Vanilla, Greenwich
If unusual flavour combinations aren’t really your thing, Black Vanilla in Greenwich is worth knowing about. This gelateria keeps things classically delicious — think Turkish delight, maple and pecan, and stem ginger with honey — without trying to be clever for its own sake. After a scoop or two, moreover, you can head to the bar for a glass of champagne or an artisan coffee, which makes it an ideal spot to round off an afternoon in SE10.
🕐 Mon–Fri noon–6pm | Sat–Sun noon–7pm
📍 5 College Approach, Greenwich, London SE10 9HY
🌐 black-vanilla.com
5. Ice Cream Union, Chelsea
Ice Cream Union spent nearly two decades supplying gelato to some of London’s top restaurants before finally opening their own parlour on Pavilion Road in Chelsea. As a result, the quality here is exceptional — and noticeably different from a typical high street scoop shop. Nuts are roasted in-house and turned into pastes on the same day, fruits are juiced fresh, and ripple sauces are made from scratch. Standout flavours include cornflake and coffee, pistachio, and blackcurrant sorbet. Vegan options are available too.
🕐 Daily 11am–10pm
📍 166 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London SW1X 0AW
🌐 icecreamunion.com
💡 Bonus tip: If you’re in Bermondsey on a Saturday, Ice Cream Union also runs a market stall with the same exceptional product in a brilliant street food setting. Check their Instagram for confirmed dates before making a special trip.
6. Udderlicious, Islington
Udderlicious is an independent ice cream parlour with three London locations — Islington, Covent Garden, and Crouch End — and an almost absurdly extensive flavour list. Over 140 varieties rotate through the shops, ranging from classics like mint chocolate chip to inventive combinations like builder’s tea and digestive, jam on toast, Pimm’s, and dandelion and burdock. Customers even vote on which flavours appear each month. Everything is made on the premises, and the Islington shop’s cheerful decor — swing seats, colourful bunting — makes it a genuinely fun place to visit. Strong vegan options throughout.
🕐 Mon–Thu & Sun 11am–11pm | Fri–Sat 11am–midnight
📍 187 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1RQ (also Covent Garden and Crouch End)
🌐 udderlicious.co.uk
7. The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly
Few ice cream experiences in London feel quite as special as The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason. Situated on the first floor of the iconic Piccadilly store, it’s the place that famously introduced the Knickerbocker Glory to the UK in the 1950s — and that dish remains on the menu today. Flavours include Fortnum’s own orange marmalade ice cream, G&T sorbet, and red velvet, alongside elaborate sundaes and floats. Additionally, the menu extends to artisan coffee, hot chocolate, Welsh rarebit, and savoury options, so it works just as well as a proper lunch stop. The whimsical David Collins interior is a stunner in its own right.
🕐 Mon–Sat 10am–8pm | Sun noon–5:30pm
📍 1st Floor, 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
🌐 fortnumandmason.com/the-parlour-restaurant
FAQs: Best Ice Cream in London
Where is the best ice cream in London?
Gelupo in Soho is widely considered the best gelato in London, with an exceptional rotating flavour list. For a more theatrical experience, try Chin Chin Labs in Camden, where ice cream is made to order with liquid nitrogen. If you’re after something classic and indulgent, meanwhile, The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason is hard to beat.
What is the best artisan ice cream in London?
Ice Cream Union in Chelsea is one of the most craft-focused makers in the city — they supplied top London restaurants for nearly two decades before opening their own parlour. La Gelatiera in Covent Garden is equally impressive, using only fresh seasonal ingredients for every batch.
Where can I find unusual or creative ice cream flavours in London?
Several spots stand out. Chin Chin Labs in Camden makes ice cream to order with liquid nitrogen, with flavours like strawberry and hay. Udderlicious in Islington, meanwhile, rotates over 140 varieties including builder’s tea and digestive, Pimm’s, and jam on toast. Additionally, La Gelatiera offers combinations like Cornish blue cheese with walnuts and Japanese black sesame.
Is there good vegan ice cream in London?
Yes — Udderlicious has a strong vegan range across all three London locations, with flavours made using oat milk. Ice Cream Union also offers vegan-friendly sorbets and options at their Chelsea parlour.
What is the most iconic ice cream experience in London?
The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly is the most iconic. It introduced the Knickerbocker Glory to the UK in the 1950s, and that dish remains on the menu today — alongside exclusive house flavours like Fortnum’s orange marmalade ice cream and G&T sorbet.
