Every summer London sees a wave of limited edition gelatos, soft serves and experimental frozen desserts arrive across the capital, but Pierre Marcolini’s latest ice cream collection feels entirely different. Thoughtful rather than trend driven, luxurious without becoming excessive, the Belgian chocolatier’s new summer offering approaches ice cream with the same precision and ingredient obsession that made his chocolates internationally acclaimed.
Available now at the brand’s London boutiques in Marylebone and Notting Hill, the collection transforms ice cream into something far more elevated than a seasonal sweet treat. This is ice cream designed for tasting, for slowing down, and for appreciating flavour with the same attention usually reserved for fine pastry or wine.
The Difference Is in the Churning:
What immediately separates Pierre Marcolini’s ice cream from most premium parlours is the preparation itself. Every serving is churned to order, an artisanal process that preserves freshness, texture and aromatic clarity in a way pre frozen tubs simply cannot replicate.
The result is remarkably soft, airy and delicate. Rather than dense or overly sweet, the texture melts slowly and cleanly on the palate, allowing subtle ingredients to fully reveal themselves. There is an obvious technical precision behind each scoop, but the experience never feels clinical or overworked.
Like the Maison’s chocolates, ingredient sourcing sits at the centre of the concept. Origins matter here. Flavours are built carefully and intentionally, prioritising balance and purity over gimmick or excess.
My Journey Through Japan:
At the heart of the summer collection is “My Journey Through Japan”, a nine piece range inspired by Pierre Marcolini’s decades long connection with Japan. The collection includes six ice creams and three vegan sorbets, each exploring Japanese flavour profiles through a distinctly refined European lens.
The standout flavour is arguably Hazelnut and White Miso, which balances creamy nuttiness with a subtle savoury depth that lingers unexpectedly on the finish. It is unusual without becoming challenging, and perfectly captures the collection’s restrained creativity. The Matcha ice cream delivers exactly what serious green tea lovers want: vegetal intensity, slight bitterness and a clean freshness that tastes authentic rather than overly sweetened for Western palates.
Black Sesame is another highlight, rich with toasted depth and a gentle smokiness that feels deeply comforting and sophisticated at the same time. Meanwhile, the Mango Yuzu sorbet offers brightness and acidity, balancing tropical sweetness with sharp citrus notes that cut through beautifully on warmer days. Alongside the Japanese inspired flavours are several returning favourites, including Grand Cru São Tomé and Príncipe chocolate, Vanilla Grand Cru, Pistachio, Raspberry sorbet and Grand Cru Congo sorbet.
Presentation Feels Quietly Luxurious:
Everything about the experience feels considered, from the packaging to the final presentation. The ice cream is served in either a compact sky blue cup or a larger orange cup, each designed to enhance the tasting experience rather than simply function as takeaway packaging. There is also a vegan cacao infused cone that adds a crisp chocolate richness without overwhelming the ice cream itself.
One particularly memorable detail is the signature chocolate disc placed on top of each serving. As it cracks under the spoon and slowly melts into the ice cream, it adds texture, bitterness and an extra layer of indulgence that subtly reinforces the brand’s bean to bar heritage. Soft serve is portioned carefully with a spatula immediately after churning, maintaining a texture that feels fresher and more delicate than standard soft ice cream.
More Than Ice Cream:
What makes Pierre Marcolini’s summer collection stand out is its discipline. In an era where many dessert launches lean heavily into spectacle and social media gimmicks, this collection feels confident enough to focus purely on flavour, texture and craftsmanship.
The bean to bar philosophy that defines Marcolini’s chocolates translates naturally into frozen desserts. Every scoop reflects attention to sourcing, technique and precision, elevating the experience far beyond novelty.
Rather than trying to overwhelm with sugar or extravagance, the flavours feel elegant, restrained and quietly complex.
The Details:
The collection is available now at Pierre Marcolini’s London boutiques: Marylebone: 37 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QE and Notting Hill: 97 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UW. Prices range from Small Cup: £5.50, Large Cup: £7.00 and a Cone: £7.00
The Verdict:
Pierre Marcolini’s summer ice cream collection is one of the most refined dessert experiences currently available in London. Combining Japanese inspired flavours, meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional ingredient sourcing, it offers something far more thoughtful than the average luxury ice cream launch.
For those who see ice cream not simply as refreshment but as a genuine tasting experience, this collection is absolutely worth seeking out this summer.
