The Scoop : The Top 10 Ice Cream Spots in Central London

From velvety-soft gelato churned the Italian way to quirky, cheffy soft serve experiments, Central London’s frozen dessert scene is nothing short of deliciously diverse. Whether you're a classic vanilla purist or a pistachio-snob turned miso-caramel convert, these ten spots are the crème de la (ice) crème.

1. Gelupo – Soho

Taste of Rome in the heart of Soho

You’ll find Gelupo just off Archer Street, tucked behind the cult Italian restaurant Bocca di Lupo—so you know it’s serious about flavour. This isn’t your average gelateria. Think ricotta and sour cherry, or blood orange granita with an intensity that rivals Sicily. Their pistachio? Deep, nutty, and unapologetically rich. Everything is made in small batches daily, with seasonal ingredients and not a drop of artificial anything.

Must-try: Ricotta & Sour Cherry Gelato in a freshly baked waffle cone.

2. Chin Chin – Soho & Camden

The Heston Blumenthal of ice cream

Chin Chin is where science meets dessert. Famous for flash-freezing their ice cream with liquid nitrogen, this is the ultimate spot for texture nerds and flavour maximalists. Their signature burnt butter caramel is criminally smooth, but it’s their OTT sundaes—served with torched marshmallow or hot brownie lava—that really bring the drama.

Must-try: Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream with torched marshmallow.

3. Badiani – Covent Garden & Mayfair

Florentine royalty with London flair

A gelato institution born in Florence, Badiani brings its signature Buontalenti flavour (a tribute to the 16th-century inventor of gelato) to London. The Covent Garden shop, with its sleek pastel interiors, offers a full spectrum of Italian classics: hazelnut, stracciatella, tiramisu—all churned daily and impossibly silky.

Must-try: Buontalenti Gelato (you'll dream about it later).

4. Snowflake Luxury Gelato – Soho & Selfridges

Where luxe and lactose collide

Snowflake does everything a little extra—and that’s exactly why we love it. Their award-winning luxury gelato is churned daily in-store using organic Jersey milk and ingredients like single-origin cocoa and Amalfi lemons. They also offer gelato macarons, vegan options, and edible gold leaf if you’re feeling bougie.

Must-try: Salted Caramel Gelato with a mini macaron on top.

5. La Gelatiera – Covent Garden & Oxo Tower

Where flavour goes off-script—in the best way

La Gelatiera doesn’t play it safe. This award-winning gelateria is where you’ll find wildcards like basil and chilli, porcini chocolate cream, or even saffron and pistachio. Everything is slow-churned in small batches for intensity and depth, making this the spot for adventurous palettes.

Must-try: Honey, Rosemary & Orange Zest.

6. The Ice Cream Project – Belgravia (seasonal pop-up)

Cult classics turned couture scoops

Created by fashion house Anya Hindmarch, The Ice Cream Project is part ice cream parlour, part conceptual art installation. Housed in their Belgravia Village space, this annual summer pop-up reimagines classic British cupboard staples—from Heinz baked beans to Bird’s custard—as surprisingly delicious ice cream flavours. Experimental and wildly nostalgic, it’s a limited-edition must-visit for the bold-hearted.

Must-try: Ambrosia Rice Pudding Ice Cream (yes, really).

7. Morelli’s Gelato – Covent Garden

British-Italian heritage with a Riviera soul

A seaside legend since 1907, Morelli’s has brought its retro glamour and old-school gelato to central London. Think baby-pink interiors, whipped cream-topped sundaes, and cherry-topped cones served with a side of vintage charm. Their gelato is made fresh daily, and the affogato? Chef’s kiss.

Must-try: Amarena Cherry Gelato with double cream.

8. Amorino – Soho, Covent Garden & Mayfair

Flower-shaped scoops, Instagrammable decadence

Yes, it’s touristy—but let’s be honest, Amorino’s famous floral gelato cones are a visual and edible treat. The French-Italian chain offers consistently high-quality gelato with organic ingredients and a dizzying array of flavours. Bonus: you don’t have to choose just one—every scoop becomes a petal in your personal gelato bouquet.

Must-try: Mango Sorbet and Pistachio in a cone, shaped like a rose.

9. Soft Serve Society – Seven Dials Market

Whipped, whirled, and wildly fun

This isn't your nostalgic Mr. Whippy. Soft Serve Society is reimagining the soft-serve experience with a grown-up (and Instagrammable) edge. Charcoal coconut? Check. Matcha madness? Absolutely. You can have your soft serve topped with Oreos, bubble waffles, popping candy, or all of the above.

Must-try: Charcoal Coconut Soft Serve in a bubble waffle cone.

10. Matter at Hand – Soho (Inside Arcade Food Hall)

The artisan rebel in the soft-serve game

The brainchild of acclaimed pastry chef Terri Mercieca, Matter at Hand is redefining soft-serve with top-tier ingredients and bold, cheffy pairings. From sea salt caramel swirled with miso and sesame to rotating specials that are anything but ordinary, this spot is a hidden gem inside the bustling Arcade Food Hall.

Must-try: Dulce de leche soft serve with miso sesame crumble.