Great ice cream parlours around the world

Wherever you are in the world, ice cream is the quintessential summer treat. Whether you’re cycling in Copenhagen or temple-touring in Tokyo, exploring famous streets or keeping off the beaten track, we’ve scooped up a selection of fantastic parlours offering you respite from a sweltering day. All you’ve left to do is answer the all-important question: what’s your flavour?

Salt & Straw (image courtesy of www.saltandstraw.com)

Ruby Violet, London

We love the flavours over at this quaint, blue-tiled Tufnell Park hideout, where some extraordinary options include peach and rosewater, rice pudding, gin and tonic and lavender. If a few scoops of these won’t tide you over, you can also pick from a tantalising selection of sorbet chrysanthemums, beautiful bombes and ice cream sandwiches made with oat and raisin biscuits. The parlour was brought to life by Julie Fisher – who’s so good at crafting the creamy stuff, she’s even published her own recipe book, Ruby Violet’s Ice Cream Dreams.

Salt & Straw, Portland

Pear and blue cheese, strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper, and Stumptown Coffee and Burnside Bourbon are just some of the unique combinations that can be found at Salt & Straw, which brings both creativity and refinement to the table. Teamed with a rustic interior, where wooden floors and produce-lined furnishings glow in the sun, this little spot in Portland is perfect for whiling those summer days away.

Salt & Straw (image courtesy of www.saltandstraw.com)

OLUFs, Copenhagen

About as colourful as Copenhagen’s architecture, the ice cream bars over at OLUFs in Osterbro are treats to both the eyes and tongue. Each one is a work of art in its own right: whether chocolate-smothered, pistachio-flecked or coconut-covered, the homemade Italian gelatos and sorbets are dipped and sprinkled to perfection – they’re so pretty, they’re the kind of snack you’ll want to be seen eating as you amble down the city’s trendy streets.

Popbar, Jakarta

While we’re on the subject of popsicles, another parlour to try is the amazing Popbar, which has made the rounds in the United States and proves a refreshing option to beat the heat with in Jakarta. You can customise a selection of pretty pastel popGelatos and popSorbettos with hundreds of toppings. Some eye-poppingly fruity flavours here include guava, papaya, watermelon, kiwi, mandarin and banana.

Rocambolesc (image courtesy of www.marjalaguer.com)

Bac à Glaces, Paris

All journeys to the French capital should begin and end with a taste of its sweet snacks: for the best artisanal ice cream try Bac à Glaces, which makes its own creamy delights from natural produce and fresh fruit. Some stunning French flavours are just a scoop away: choose from chestnut, coffee and macaron, salted caramel, white cheese, and an exotic yuzu or passionfruit sorbet with fruit pieces.

Glaslyn Ices, Beddgelert

Far removed from bustling big cities, this little Welsh parlour comes as quite a surprise, with award-winning ice cream that’s irresistibly thick and served on a tasty waffle cone. You’ll find it in the picturesque village of Beddgelert, set in the gorgeous Snowdonia area of Gwynedd. Pick up a crème caramel, white chocolate or butterscotch and pecan snack, to savour on a leisurely stroll along the river.

Rocambolesc, Barcelona

This little treasure of a gelateria is a dream come true for every kid at heart. Imagined by Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca fame, its cute interior makes for an upscale Roald Dahl-esque experience – think giant candy-striped pipes, bicycle wheels and colourful illustrations straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We haven’t even mentioned the best part: freshly-churned, 100% natural ice cream, popped onto a long waffle cone and decorated with one of 34 great toppings. On less sunny days, try the unique and very tempting hot ice cream.

Gelateria Sincerita (image courtesy of www.sincerita.jp)

Giolitti, Rome

Giolitti is one to top your ice cream bucket list with: founded in 1890, this popular parlour is the oldest in the city and constantly buzzing with eager crowds. Try a rainbow of traditional and harmonious flavours, each perfected by years of experience and served in generous portions. Follow a cone up with a delectable white truffle or ice cream cake.

Gelateria Sincerita, Tokyo

Once you’ve finished tackling Tokyo’s savoury treats by their horns, head off to find this quiet, dainty and adorable hideout in Suginami. Everything here is coloured in feminine shades of pastel, making for a sophisticated Italian gelato experience in the heart of Japan. Get your hands on a scoop of tofu, watermelon and hojicha green tea, all served in a cute cup.

Gelato Messina (image courtesy of www.gelatomessina.com)

Gelato Messina, Sydney

Voted Australia’s best gelato by Good Food Guide, Gelato Messina serves whopping, mouth-wateringly messy portions to more than satisfy your sweet tooth with. Five new flavours are introduced weekly alongside the usual crowd favourites, which include panna cotta with fig jam, macadamia crunch, apple pie and pear and rhubarb. Gelato cakes are also available, from the fun Dr Evil’s Magic Mushroom to the more sophisticated Juliette and Bombe Alaska.

OddFellows, New York City

On your next trip to Brooklyn, make a stop at OddFellows Ice Cream Co. where the ice cream is pasteurised and made from scratch to guarantee a rich and flavourful snack. A bright vintage parlour with red and white striped interiors, it offers a different array of flavours each day – standouts include saffron passionfruit, chorizo swirl, buttermilk honey blueberry and pink lemonade sorbet.

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