Ruby Violet’s ice-cream van may be old-school, but the flavours
on offer? Ice-cold contemporary. From sorbets like British
blackcurrant and Day-Glo blood orange and Campari, to creamy
classic gelato flavours made with organic milk and free-range eggs,
everything is handmade in small batches and available per scoop or
by the tub. Get summer started with a cone of raspberry rosewater
and prosecco sorbet. Trust us, it’s good.

Crafted in a family-run kitchen in Highbury, Nonna’s Gelato is a
British-Italian hybrid we’re very much there for. Find it on
Saturdays at Broadway Market in Hackney and Sundays at Church
Street Market in Stoke Newington (look for a vintage bicycle with a
freezer on the back) and feast on nostalgic flavours like salted
toffee apple, and Amalfi lemon with a touch of rosemary.

The sister establishment to Soho’s chicest Italian bistro, Bocca di Lupo,
Gelupo is famed for its rich, creamy gelato just like mamma used to
make. Chef-patron Jacob Kennedy has put some serious effort into
reproducing a classic Italian parlour, from perfecting old-school
flavours to hanging Italian film posters on the walls. Expect
queues as you await your generously filled cone – bitter chocolate
and the heady tiramisu sell out fast. Our advice? Don’t ignore the
sorbets. Beat the Soho heat with a combo of blood orange and
blushing melon, or upgrade to a sumptuous sticky black fig
scoop.

Mr Whippy ain’t got nothing on this place. Soft-serve ice cream
gets an upgrade at Boxpark, Shoreditch, with four flavours –
vanilla, matcha, charcoal and coconut – crowned by Insta-worthy
toppings, including an incredible affogato mash-up. There’s a
reason Soft Serve Society has a cultish status. Try the salty
popcorn and smashed Pocky sticks for a delectable pairing.

We admit, we’re the first to parrot the phrase “stick with what
you know”. After all, there’s nothing more disappointing than a dud
ice-cream flavour. But on visits to the Frankenstein-esque La
Gelatiera, we always make an exception. Flavours might be wholly
unorthodox, but the result is a freezer of godly creations: pear
and parmesan; peppery watercress and lime; Cornish blue cheese and
caramelised walnuts. They shouldn’t work, but they really, really
do. If you’re stuck with what to choose, try the earthy porcini
mushroom and chocolate combination, swirled through with a generous
glug of coffee cream.

Ice cream fit for a queen – no, really. Gelateria Danieli did
its duty on Her Majesty’s 80th birthday by serving up scoops at
Buckingham Palace. The Richmond parlour isn’t quite so palatial,
but its wood-panelled interiors add an authentic Florentine feel to
the place. Head here to gorge on custard and cherry, and pistachio
and amaretto-flavoured delights.

Ice Cream Union puts only the best ingredients in its
cutting-edge churns. Supplier to London’s top restaurants, the
Union opened this space-age Chelsea space in 2019. Expect over 20
flavours on the board at the Pavilion Road parlour at any one time,
each made with top-class, single-origin ingredients. There are no
purées or concentrates around here: strict regulations mean that
only fresh, raw fruit makes it into these sumptuous sorbets and
churns. Our order? A three-scoop bonanza of mango (made from
Alphonso fruits), Sicilian lemon and the coral-hued watermelon
(sourced from a one-family farm in Mantua).

Sure, Italy claims to be king of the gelato court, but have you
ever tried the Filipino version? Say hello to Mamasons’ “dirty” ice
cream, the pastel-hued parlour’s tribute to the sorbet sold by
Manila street vendors. The top seller at their Chinatown joint?
Vivid violet ube (purple yam) ice cream, whipped up daily and
served over doughnuts or gooey yam brownies. Pile up the
distinctively nutty purple stuff with other fantastic Filipino
flavours: zesty calamansi, black-as-night coconut, and salty queso
(cheese). There’s a second Mamasons branch in Camden, too.

Iceland has an unexpected ice-cream culture for
a country so close to glacial landscapes. Head to Reykjavík and
you’ll likely spot the frozen skyr stores and soft-serve stations
beloved by city inhabitants. The latter is the inspiration behind
north-west London’s Bears, an airy, park-side parlour specialising
in mountainous creamy peaks of the soft stuff. Swing by to pick up
a salted pumpkin-seed nougat whip or a pyramid of cloud-soft
vanilla, finished with a sumptuous selection of toppings. Pick from
runny lemon curd, berry coulée, fresh fruit, honeycomb crumb,
meringue kisses and chocolate dips.

Can’t find an Italian in London on a balmy summer’s day? Swing
by Marine Ices and they’ll all be there. Founded in 1931 by Gaetano
Mansi, the north London spot is where to find the classics,
perfected. Rich chocolate, sweet vanilla, roasted pistachio, dulce
de leche, cinnamon, honey… Is it bad if we ask for five scoops?