National Ice Cream Day is the perfect excuse to indulge, and London’s restaurants, gelaterias and dessert destinations are celebrating in style. From free gelato giveaways and luxury Italian creations to viral soft serves and inventive ice cream flavours, these are the sweetest spots to visit this summer.
Whether you’re searching for the best gelato in London, a show-stopping dessert near Harrods, or a unique ice cream experience worth travelling for, here’s where to cool down this July.
1.Kitchen at Holmes x Hackney Gelato: Free Gelato in Marylebone
The Lowdown: To celebrate Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day on 19th July, Kitchen at Holmes and Hackney Gelato are teaming up to give away 500 free scoops of handcrafted gelato from their summer terrace. On Friday 17th July from 12pm, guests can visit the Hackney Gelato trike on Kitchen at Holmes’ Baker Street terrace and enjoy a complimentary scoop, with flavours including Clotted Cream & Strawberry, Pistachio and Alphonso Mango Sorbetto. For those looking to linger longer, the Kitchen at Holmes x Hackney Gelato terrace is open throughout the summer, serving indulgent creations including a gelato brioche sandwich, a signature sundae created by Hackney Gelato co-founder Enrico Pavoncelli and Kitchen at Holmes Executive Chef Stefano Motto, and a DIY Affogato experience with optional splashes of Amaretto, Frangelico or Baileys. The frozen cocktail menu is also worth exploring, featuring the refreshing Classic Sgroppino made with Hackney Gelato’s Sicilian Lemon.
Where:108 Baker Street,London,W1U 6LJ, United Kingdom
When: Free scoop giveaway Friday 17th July from 12pm (first come, first served)
2. Santa Nata Launches Pastel de Nata Soft Serve
The Lowdown: Portugal’s favourite pastry has been transformed into one of summer’s most exciting new desserts. Santa Nata, known for its authentic pastel de nata, is launching the UK’s first pastel de nata-flavoured soft serve ice cream this July. Inspired by the iconic Portuguese custard tart, the new creation combines creamy pastel de nata custard-flavoured ice cream with vanilla soft serve, delicate pastry flakes and a dusting of cinnamon. To celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday 19th July, guests can enjoy a special 2-for-1 offer on the new soft serve all day. Available across Santa Nata’s bakeries in Battersea, Covent Garden Piazza and Oxford, this is set to be one of London’s most unique ice cream launches of the summer.
Where: Santa Nata – Battersea, Covent Garden Piazza and Oxford
3. Chop Chop x Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream: Asian-Inspired Ice Cream in London
The Lowdown: Award-winning Cantonese restaurant Chop Chop at The Hippodrome has joined forces with cult Filipino dessert brand Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream for a limited-edition menu celebrating National Ice Cream Month. The collaboration brings together some of Mamasons’ most loved flavours, including the famous Ube, made with Filipino purple yam, alongside a selection of Asian-inspired creations. Expect flavours including Hojicha, the roasted Japanese green tea with rich nutty notes, Milo, inspired by the nostalgic Asian chocolate malt drink, White Rabbit, a creamy tribute to the iconic Chinese milk candy, and refreshing Mango Sorbet. The standout dessert is the Chop Chop Espresso Melt, a playful twist on the classic affogato, where hot espresso is poured over scoops of White Rabbit or Milo ice cream.
Where:Hippodrome, Cranbourn Street, London WC2H 7JH, United Kingdom
4.Sucre Soho’s Chimichurri Margarita Ice Cream
The Lowdown: Known for its creative cocktails and bold flavours, Sucre Soho is turning one of its most popular drinks into a summer dessert. The restaurant’s famous Chimichurri Margarita, originally created by Head Chef Jack Godik, has become a customer favourite thanks to its unique combination of flavours and social media appeal. For summer, the team has transformed the concept into a non-alcoholic ice cream inspired by the cocktail, offering guests a completely new way to experience one of Sucre’s signature creations. The limited-edition flavour is expected to launch around National Ice Cream Day, with potential pop-up events planned throughout the summer.
Where: 47b Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7JP, United Kingdom
5.MELT Chocolates’ Luxury Artisan Ice Cream Collection
The Lowdown: For those looking for something more indulgent, MELT Chocolates has launched a collection of luxury artisan ice creams made using premium A2 milk from Jersey cows. The rare milk creates an exceptionally creamy texture, which is combined with MELT’s award-winning chocolate to create a collection of gourmet frozen treats available throughout summer. The range includes: Giant Strawberry Fruit Ice Cream – strawberry ice cream covered in real strawberry chocolate, Passion Fruit Sorbet – coated in rich dark chocolate, Golden Sesame Bun – white sesame ice cream dipped in blond chocolate and finished with sesame seeds, Pistachio & Kataifi Crunch Meltie, Caramel & Coffee Meltie, Hojicha Meltie and Matcha Meltie. Available until September 2026, the collection can be found exclusively at MELT’s Notting Hill and Holland Park boutiques.
Where: Notting Hill – 59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA, London. Holland Park – 6 Clarendon Road, W11 3AA, London.
6.Haute Dolci Opens London’s First Dolci Mono Kiosk
The Lowdown: Dessert destination Haute Dolci is bringing its signature dessert theatre to Brent Cross with the launch of its first London Dolci Mono kiosk. Opening on 11th July 2026, the new concept introduces the brand’s famous Dolci Bar experience, allowing guests to customise their own dessert from start to finish. Visitors can choose their ice cream bar, watch it being dipped in flowing Belgian chocolate, add toppings and finish with a signature drizzle. Alongside the Dolci Bars, the kiosk will serve waffle bites, matcha drinks, luxury hot chocolates, mono pâtisseries, chocolate-covered strawberries and mini versions of Haute Dolci favourites including Matilda and San Sebastian cakes. A special launch event on 25th July will see the first 500 guests receive a complimentary Dolci Bar experience.
Where: Haute Dolci Dolci Mono, Brent Cross
7.ALBA London’s 8kg Giant Gelato Sphere
The Lowdown: Forget a single scoop ALBA London is taking gelato to another level with its spectacular 8kg Giant Gelato Sphere. Available exclusively at the Knightsbridge Italian restaurant, moments from Harrods, the dessert is theatrically sliced and served tableside, creating a memorable finale to any meal. Available in two flavours Hazelnut Praline Ferrero Rocher and seasonal Coconut Raffaello the giant gelato combines Italian craftsmanship with dramatic presentation. Served with warm chocolate drizzle, it is designed for sharing, although keeping it all to yourself is certainly understandable.
Where:1st Floor, 70 Brompton Road, London SW3 1ER
8. Bar Etna’s Seasonal Soft Serve
The Lowdown: Alongside East Coast-style slices and refreshing spritzes, Bar Etna in Newington Green has become a summer favourite thanks to its silky soft serve. Guests can choose the classic Sweet Cream flavour or try the regularly changing seasonal special, currently featuring Elderflower. Perfect after pizza or paired with a summer drink, it’s a simple but seriously satisfying way to cool down.
Where:47 Newington Grn, Newington Green, London N16 9PX, United Kingdom
9. Cicoria’s Homemade Strawberry Gelato
The Lowdown: Covent Garden restaurant Cicoria by Angela Hartnett is celebrating summer with its homemade Strawberry Gelato, created using the season’s finest ingredients. The smooth and refreshing gelato balances sweet and slightly tart flavours, served alongside a crisp butter biscotti for the perfect contrast of texture. Best enjoyed on Cicoria’s sun-drenched terrace overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, it’s a simple, elegant dessert that captures the essence of summer in London.
Where:5th Floor, Royal Opera House, Bow St, London WC2E 9DD, United Kingdom
10. Puffy
The Lowdown: Parisian cookie favourite Puffy is cooling things down this summer with the launch of its new Scoopable Cookie – a warm, freshly baked cookie served in a tub and topped with silky soft-serve ice cream for the ultimate hot-and-cold dessert. Alongside the new treat, Puffy has also introduced a refreshing Iced Matcha range, featuring flavours including Strawberry Matcha and Coconut Matcha Mango Cloud, perfectly paired with its signature cookies.
Where: Closest location here
From free scoops and creative collaborations to luxury Italian gelato and nostalgic flavours, London is proving there has never been a better time to celebrate ice cream.
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