London's Best Ice Cream

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No British summer is complete without one (or five) ice cream cones and while answering the call of your local Mr Whippy van's music will satisfy many an urging, sometimes you fancy something a little bit more luxurious.

Over recent years there has been a surge of ice cream parlours opening in London (proving those who adamantly protested that there would be no market for ice cream in winter wrong), so we've put together a guide to the capital's best ice cream purveyors:

Think we've missed any good'uns? Let us know in the comments below.

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London's Best Ice Cream

Riley Ice Cream Cafe(01 of06)

Coffee and ice cream is a match made in heaven - especially when "enjoying" London's changeable summer weather - and Riley's excels in both offerings.

The ice cream is all made on the premises, so there is always a new flavour to try. If you have a sweet tooth the rich caramel with sea salt is a must-try, while those who prefer things a bit sharper will love the blood orange sorbet, which is the creamiest sorbet we've tried.

Riley Ice Cream Cafe
32 Crouch End Broadway, N8 9SU
Phone: 020 8347 7825

Chin Chin Labs(02 of06)

The ice cream is awesome because they make it fresh in front of you with liquid nitrogen, which makes it smoother than anything you've ever had.

The Killer Cone comes with whipped marshmallow inside and a huuuuge scoop of the nitro ice cream, making it just the best concoction ever.

Chin Chin Labs
49-50 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
Phone: 07885 604 284

Häagen-Dazs(03 of06)

With more than 25 flavours of creamy ice cream and refreshing sorbets available, the Häagen-Dazs branch in Leicester Square really does have something for everyone.

Go for waffles with one scoop salted caramel ice cream and one scoop vanilla caramel brownie, topped off with chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings for an indulgent treat that will not leave you disappointed.

Sit inside Häagen-Dazs' tranquil parlour or head to the speedy take out next door, where you can try samples of flavours before making your final decision.

If you opt for take out, grab a seat outside and enjoy the hustle and bustle of one of London's most popular tourist locations. Even Londoners will be impressed with the talent of street performers in the area.

Häagen-Dazs
14 Leicester Square, WC2H 7NG
Phone: 020 7287 9577

Barnyard(04 of06)

Barnyard is an intimate restaurant on Charlotte Street with a rustic feel - there's a wooden bar and high-top tables.

Set up by chef Ollie Dabbous the menu features Dabbous' take on British food, but the ice cream is a standout.

The signature flavour is popcorn ice cream with smoked fudge sauce. They infuse milk with toffee popcorn to create the flavour, blend in, then run the final base through a soft serve machine.

Although it might look like you're just getting a vanilla soft serve ice cream, as soon as you try it the distinct popcorn taste comes right through.

The ice cream is topped with actual toffee popcorn and you're given a separate small jug of the smoked fudge sauce that adds the wow factor to this dessert. The smoked flavour is not too strong and works well with the fudge.

They make the sauce with smoked butter and the contrast of a hot topping on the ice cream works really, really well.

Barnyard
18 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LZ
Phone: 020 7580 3842

The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason(05 of06)

Quintessentially British, The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason embodies everything brilliant about eating ice cream in one of the world's rainiest countries.

The decadent seated setting means ice-cream seems perfectly acceptable all year round, while the flavours from the zesty gin & tonic, to the childhood favourite raspberry ripple) make you feel all at home.

Along with ice cream sundaes as big as your head, they also serve up a beautiful afternoon tea.

But really, you'll probably be too busy getting lost in the dreamy, pastel, Wes Anderson-esque surroundings to even notice.

The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason
First Floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, SW1A 1ER
Phone: 020 7734 8040

Marine Ices(06 of06)

This authentic Italian joint used to be a restaurant but has recently reinvented itself as an ice cream parlour.

Focusing on ice cream was definitely a good move as whats on offer is incredible. And it's so rich and filling that it's wise to go for one less scoop than you planned.

We'd highly recommend the coffee and banana flavours.

One thing to note - word about this place has got out, so the queues there in the summer are crazy.

Marine Ices
Old Dairy Mews, 61 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN
Phone: 020 7428 9990

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