Ice Cream Shops Better Than Your Fave (Yes, Even That One)
Let’s be real. You have a go-to. That trusty tub you grab from the supermarket, or that solid spot around the corner that never lets you down. It’s comfortable. It’s reliable. It’s… safe. But London is a city of glorious, gut-wrenching discovery, and that extends to its ice cream scene. Why settle for a simple scoop when you could be having a full-blown, soul-stirring experience? Consider this your intervention. We’re breaking up with your boring fave and introducing you to its far more interesting, sophisticated, and downright delicious cousins.
Here are 5 ice cream shops in London that are about to ruin all other ice cream for you.
Chin Chin Labs: The Mad Scientist of Dessert
Forget: Your standard chocolate-vanilla-strawberry trio.
Embrace: Liquid nitrogen-frozen creations that look like they’re from the future.
Walking into Chin Chin Labs in Camden or Soho feels less like visiting an ice cream parlour and more like stepping into a chemistry lab. They use billowing, theatrical liquid nitrogen to freeze their custards instantly, creating a texture so unbelievably smooth and creamy it has to be experienced to be believed. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Each flavour is then finished with mind-blowing “dusts” and “textures”; think caramelised white chocolate with a burnt honey caramel swirl, or a dark chocolate sorbet with hazelnut praline and sea salt. This isn’t just ice cream; it’s edible theatre.
The Order: Check their ever-changing menu, but you can’t go wrong with their iconic Viennese Marshmallow.
Oddono's: The Italian Nonna You Wish You Had
Forget: Gelato that’s more air than art.
Embrace: The authentic, intense taste of Italy in every single spoonful.
With locations dotted across the city (South Kensington is the original), Oddono’s is a masterclass in doing simple things perfectly. This is proper, artisanal gelato made with passion and the finest ingredients. The flavours are classic but executed with a purity that will make you weep. The pistachio is nutty, savoury, and profound. The stracciatella is a perfect ballet of rich milk base and delicate, bitter chocolate shards. There are no gimmicks here, just flawless technique and respect for the ingredient. It’s the taste of a summer in Sicily, right in the heart of London.
The Order: A piccolo cup with Pistachio and Crema (their incredible egg custard flavour).
Ruby's of London: The Plant-Based Powerhouse
Forget: The sad, icy sorbet that’s the only option for your vegan friend.
Embrace: A dairy-free revolution that’s creamier than most dairy ice cream.
Located in the iconic Old Spitalfields Market, Ruby’s is a game-changer. Specialising in 100% plant-based and gluten-free ice cream, this place proves you don’t need cream to create decadence. Their base, made from cashew and coconut milk, is luxuriously rich and provides the perfect canvas for wildly inventive flavours. From the classic Salted Caramel to the more adventurous Biscoff or Lemon Cheesecake, every scoop is a revelation. It’s so good, you’ll have dairy-devotees doing a double-take.
The Order: The Cookies & Cream will make you question everything you thought you knew about vegan desserts.
Gelupo: The Midnight Sinner's Sanctuary
Forget: The 24-hour supermarket soft-serve machine.
Embrace: A slice of authentic Southern Italy, open late into the Soho night.
Tucked away in Archer Street, Soho, Gelupo is the younger, hipper sibling of the legendary Bocca di Lupo restaurant. It’s a tiny, classic gelateria that serves some of the most authentic and vibrant gelato in the city. Their flavours are seasonal, bold, and often boozy. Think blood orange sorbet so sharp and fresh it makes your jaw tingle, or a dark chocolate and rum that feels like a very adult indulgence. It’s the perfect place for a post-dinner scoop or a late-night treat that feels infinitely more sophisticated than a kebab.
The Order: Whatever fruit sorbet is in season, or the ricotta, coffee and chocolate chip if you need a richer fix.
Soft Serve Society: For the 'Gram and the Soul
Forget: A plain vanilla cone.
Embrace: A towering, technicolour masterpiece that’s a feast for your eyes and your stomach.
Based in The Arcade, Liverpool St, Soft Serve Society has made a name for itself by turning soft serve into an art installation. This is where you go for the “wow” factor. Their signature swirls are topped with everything from crunchy honeycomb and sprinkles to entire slices of cake, fresh fruit, and flavoured powders. The flavours are as inventive as the presentation, think Black Sesame, Matcha, or a stunning Bubblegum. It’s fun, it’s playful, and yes, you should absolutely take a picture before you dive in. But beneath the Instagram-friendly exterior lies a seriously delicious, high-quality soft serve.
The Order: The “Sundae Best”, because sometimes, you really do need to eat the whole menu in one go.
So, there you have it. Your old favourite had a good run, but it’s time to level up. Your taste buds will thank you. Now, go forth and scoop.
What are your favourite ice cream places? Share with us in the comment section below⬇️