8 indulgent ice cream parlours for a summer treat
Mouth-watering flavours and delicious toppings: 8 of the most indulgent ice cream parlours in your local area
Main image: Jefferson’s Ice Cream
1 Gelateria Danieli
Richmond
Brewers Lane is an intriguing little alley in Richmond that spectacularly opens out onto the green. It’s made up of charming independent shops and a couple of bars, but undoubtedly its crowning glory is the humble Gelateria Danieli. On sunny days, queues will form stretching all the way down to the green, made up of sweet-toothed sun worshipers desperate for a scoop of one of 20 flavours of supreme gelato plus 4 sorbets and 2 frozen yoghurts and special editions.
2 Jefferson’s Ice Cream
Balham
A stone’s throw from Balham train station, those with a craving for all things ice cream can jump off a train and make the pilgrimage to Jefferson’s, and it’s well worth it. The friendly local hot spot was set up by Celine and Christopher Thompson, who said goodbye to their corporate jobs and set out creating the brand which has quickly become a staple of the local community. They create and taste test amazing recipes using the best natural ingredients and welcome Balham residents with their beautiful and bright Art Deco interior. There is a visible kitchen which adds to assurance that ice cream is freshly made, and flavours include everything from peanut caramel swirl to early grey.
3 Nardulli
Clapham
This quaint little parlour sits right on Clapham Common, meaning it is fantastically situated for a leisurely passeggiata through the park on a sunny day, while enjoying some cold and creamy gelato. The style of the café is typically Italian, and this extends to the flavours which range from the traditional (stracciatella or fior di latte), to the exotic (cardamom or fig).
4 Bella del Gelato
Richmond
Award-winning Bella del Gelato strives to offer the best artisanal gelato in London. Offering a range of over 100 flavours of gelato and several flavours of homemade frozen yoghurt, the café freshly makes everything on-site. For a chance to cool down from the blazing sun, feel free to dine in and enjoy a French crepe or Belgium waffle.
5 Oddono’s Gelato
Wimbledon & other locations
So creamy and authentic is this gelato that the team at Oddono’s has won well-deserved awards. On the menu are a dazzling 130 flavours to pick from, ranging from the classic favourites to the not so classic, with basil or vodka even featuring on the menu. On a sunny summer’s day you can almost guarantee a queue, but the sheer number of people who venture through the doors of Oddono’s is a testament to the flavours and quality of the ice cream.
6 Badiani Gelato
Fulham & Chelsea
Bringing the craft of gelato making all the way from Florence to the streets of London, this Italian Gelateria pride themselves on being in “constant search the most satisfying and original flavours.” From the warm orange walls of the shop, the doors at the back open to a beautiful covered terrace with comfy chairs and vines creeping up the walls, offering a relaxing space mimicking a warm Italian square to enjoy your gelato in.
7 Venchi
Richmond
Bringing a touch of Art Deco glamour to Richmond, Venchi is a beautifully decorated parlour where the opulent interior reflects the rich flavours on the menu. The history of Venchi starts in the 1800s in Piedmont and this history is still prevalent to this day with gelato experts who know their thing when it comes to big flavours. There is also an in-house chocolatier with a tasty selection of delicious chocs if the ice cream hasn’t fulfilled your sweet tooth.
8 The Kingstonian Ice Cream Company
Kingston
The Kingstonian Ice Cream Company has been keeping the sweltering masses happy with its incredible ice cream for over 100 years with the firm being passed from generation to generation. The flavouring ingredients come directly from a specialist supplier in Italy that manufactures products specifically for artisan ice cream. New flavours are developed based on current trends and combined with ingredients to make flavours unique to them. See Facebook for its daily flavours and locations.
