Owned by an ice-cream obsessed couple with everything handmade in their cheery pastel painted store, this is the most popular spot for ice-cream in Angel. They offer copious wacky flavours, like avocado and stracciatella or chocolate and marmite, along with a range of ice-cream cakes. But what completely sells this colourful parlour is their excessive use of cloud laughter and unicorn tears in their products, as told by the owners themselves.
With a new branch just opened in King’s Cross and their original store straddling the border of Islington and Camden in Tufnell Park, this glitzy, bright pink and blue parlour is growing in momentum. Here you can get your hands on artisan, organic ice cream and sorbets that are all made by hand in store. Think spicy lime, salted caramel and purple pomegranate with the smell of whipped sugar and fruits floating about. The Ruby Violet mantra is ‘forget Botox, smiling is a free facial workout,’ and ice-cream is one of the best smile inducers.
Gelato al naturale! The menu boasts berry and orange flavours such as amarena and organic Sicilian citrus in the form of dolci, macaroons and sorbet drinks. As wholesome as the parlour itself is the story behind it; founded in 2002 by two childhood friends, Christiano and Paolo, both committed to providing traditional Italian gelato. From humble beginnings in the heart of Paris on Ile St. Louis to a worldwide franchise that eventually touched Islington, Amorino has crowds gathering outside in multiple cities. They promise absolutely no artificial colourings or flavours, just ice cream that’s churned everyday in a typical Italian fashion.
More obscure than the others on this list, this chocolatier serves the finest chocolate ice cream, on par with its bespoke chocolates. Snugly sat in Camden Passage, this store has a way with time, conjuring up thoughts of a time when chocolate was a luxury, afforded only to those with deep pockets. Also serving caramel and vanilla ice-cream, this award winning store – full of chocolaty delights and truffle treats – does not fail to impress.
A regular at Kerb’s Street Food Festival in King’s Cross, this vintage ice-cream parlour on wheels offers classic favourites with a twist, while also creating sherbets and granitas. They use the best of what’s in season, meaning right now they are creating spring specialities guaranteed to set the mood for sun soaking. It doesn’t get more spring focussed than orange blossom milk, apricot and pine nut praline! Brown butter, toffee and apple notes float in the air around Sorbitum while a tamarind and tequila granita sets the mood for pre-summer.
This artisan tea shop serves every exotic flavour imaginable, most importantly; their matcha ice cream is heavenly. Cold frozen green spheres of healthy greatness are served as part of their afternoon tea, along with truffles, cakes, sandwiches and four tropical Piacha teas of your choice. Founded by tea lover and ex-lawyer Pia, a passion for rich flavours is what drove Piacha into being. There is a blend for everyone in this teashop that pushes boundaries with flavour, creating interesting and varied tastes that pair perfectly with their matcha ice cream.
Another Kerb Festival favourite, these fro-yo enthusiasts promise the ‘yummiest organic frozen yoghurt in the spooniverse’. Committed to the correct treatment of animals and sustainability, Moto Yogo are very particular about where they source their dairy from, as well as using 100 per cent electric machines and a milk float to bring their yoghurt to you. Their retro vans covered in shiny turquoises and reds will brighten up anyone’s day, with their staff often dressed as classically as the vans, taking you back to a simpler time.
This gem is hidden away inside Exmouth Market, serving native mini treats from a far away land. As a Japanese café bar, Necco’s menu includes traditional daifuku and mitarashi dango. Their ice cream mochi – green tea ice-cream wrapped in a mochi rice cake sheet – is one of their most delightful summer desserts and is also available gluten free. Their name is Japanese for ‘cat’, the lords of laid back, easy and indulgent, which is the exact experience they want you to have.
Situated in the neighbouring borough of Camden, we just couldn’t leave out these creative geniuses! As experimental as it gets when it comes to ice cream, this parlour has their nitrogen lab on show to the public so you can see the greatness that goes into creating your bowl of happiness. Chin Chin Labs were Europe’s first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour, boasting technology that basically turns anything into a frozen ball of glory. Their ice-creams are the ice-creams of the future and look as if they’ve been polished to perfection – luminous spheres of rich flavour with a sheen better than a new pair of patent shoes. Their menu is ever-changing as one of the owners often wakes up in the middle of the night with new inspiration for possible flavour combinations. They even offer vegan ice-cream, such as their rose, lemon and Persian love cake option.
UBER DELIVERS FREE ICE CREAM!