We. Are. Not. Ready. To. Let. Go. Of. The. Glorious. Summer. Of. 2013. Fight the autumnal chill with a scoop from some of the best ice-cream parlours in London…
1. Freggo
For a straightforward ice-cream cone, Freggo is a great bet. Classic flavours like banana, chocolate, strawberry and lemon are on the menu, alongside a few more unusual choices like Malbec & berries and the curiously named “Temptation”. Groups (or the very hungry) can also order an egg carton-shaped tray and try six different scoops at a time.
2. Gelupo
From the owners of Bocca di Lupo comes Italian-style gelateria Gelupo in Soho. Gelupo experiments with a wide variety of flavours; for the Queen’s Jubilee, they created a Coronation Chicken ice cream that surprisingly turned out to be a hit (though we’ll take their word for it). Other choices include pine nut and fennel seed, a simple pistachio, and ewe’s milk ricotta with sour cherry.
3. La Gelateria
La Gelateria’s artisan gelato makers source their ingredients from around the world, providing fresh, seasonal and often organic flavours – you can almost kid yourself that it’s healthy! All of La Gelateria’s ice creams are made at their shop in Covent Garden, and you can even visit the laboratory to see the gelato being churned. Uncommon flavours include sheep’s milk ricotta with Sicilian candied oranges and white or black Japanese sesame.
4. Zucono
At this quaint little ice-cream parlour in Angel you can chill out (sorry!) with a cone on the café’s small balcony. Serving up traditional gelato, Zucono is a London favourite, especially given its very generous portion sizes. The traditional Italian setting, complete with background jazz music, makes for a welcoming ambiance. Those after an affogato can also rest assured that, as the café serves Monmouth Coffee, the result is sure to be delicious.
5. Chin Chin Labs
At this laboratory-styled ice-cream parlour in Camden, weird-and-wonderful flavour bases are transformed into ice cream via a quick liquid nitrogen dip. Past flavours have included watermelon and dill, strawberry and hay, green grass (which does indeed smell and taste exactly like freshly cut grass) and birthday cake and jelly. Staffers wear lab coats to complete the mad scientist vibe. Leave your expectations at the door.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose London guide covers the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
(The featured image is by tulpahn)
