British summers and ice cream have always gone hand in hand. One scoop or two, cone or tub, vanilla, chocolate or even raspberry ripple, here are some of the best places in Essex to get your iced dairy delights…
1. Rossi Ice Cream Parlour, Westcliff-on-Sea
A visit to Southend is never complete without stopping off at Rossi’s Ice Cream Parlour. They have been serving their delicious Italian ice cream to the people of Essex since 1932 and are beloved by generations. They serve a huge array of flavours from classic vanilla to salted caramel, rum and raisin and even coconut. Such is its popularity that Rossi ice cream is even available in tubs from your local retailer! Look for it on the shelves at ASDA, Morrison’s and the Cooperative.
2. Poco Gelato, Leigh-on-Sea
Specialising in small batch, organic milk ice cream and frozen yoghurt Poco Gelato in Leigh-on-Sea is well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy challenging your taste buds with quirky and imaginative flavours. The charming little parlour has made nearly 1,000 different flavours of handmade ice cream and they’re still experimenting. Choose from Catalan Cream, Thai Peanut, Raspberry Buttermilk and even Custard Cream Biscuit. They also serve wonderful cakes and waffles should you be in the mood for something more substantial.
3. YAYA, Brentwood
Treat yourself to an incredible selection of award winning deserts, smoothies and milkshakes at YAYA in Brentwood. With everything on their menu being custom made as and when you order it, you can create what you want, how you want. Using the freshest ingredients and the best techniques YAYA’s is the perfect destination for an evening with friends or even as a quick stop off when you’re nursing a sweet tooth.
4. The Saffron Ice Cream Company, Saffron Walden
This luxury handmade ice cream is made fresh on a daily basis using seasonal, local flavours. Produced on a family farm in the beautiful Saffron Walden, The Saffron Ice Cream Company supplies ice cream to several local pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars and cinemas etc. They can also cater for events, making appearances at weddings and festivals in the area.
5. Hadley’s at Lavenham, Sudbury
From its humble beginnings on a family farm in Colne Valley, Hadley’s has gone on to win a variety of awards for their fabulous ice creams with their unique and intriguing flavours. Everything is made from scratch, by hand, with a small team putting in the hours to crack, stir, whisk, zest and juice everything that goes into the final product. The ice cream can be bought from a selection of shops throughout Essex such as Lathcoats Farm Shop, Blackwells Farm Produce, and Buntings Fine Foods. Recently they have acquired premises in a wonderful spot in Lavenham where they have opened their very own parlour.
6. Café Gelato, Upminster
A charming little café on Corbets Tey road in Upminster, Café Gelato is the perfect place to stop for lunch, a snack or even an ice cream on the go. Tuck into bacon baguettes, freshly made panini’s and finish with a few scoops of their glorious homemade gelato in either a tub or waffle cone. They are also dog friendly and as long as your pooch is well trained they will be welcomed with a drink and a dog treat.
7. Creamery Twist, Romford
Creamery Twist is a dessert company based in Romford that specialises in making and serving authentic gelato, scrumptious waffles and crepes, marvellous sundaes and wonderful coffee. Their team of expert gelato makers are passionate about creating the very best desserts and use only the best ingredients. Sample the vast array of gelato and sorbet in a cone or a tub or be extra naughty and try their new soft scoop for just £1.
8. Sprinkles Gelato, Basildon
Sprinkles Gelato has rapidly grown to become one of the most popular gelato parlours in the area. They specialise in serving freshly made, authentic gelato that can be enjoyed on its own, with waffles or alongside a barista made coffee. They also serve milkshakes, smoothies and superb cakes.
