Take a Central London Ice Cream Crawl

Ice cream.

It’s so hot right now.

Why? Because, well, it’s so hot right now. So take advantage by taking a flavoursome stroll through the best central London ice cream haunts, picking up some of the best, weirdest, coolest, most mind-blowing ice creams known to our species as you go. You may want to skip a step or two, should your blood-sugar levels spike a little too hard, but rest assured, you’ll be having an exceptional day either way.

Our journey is going to start in Covent Garden’s south side, at…

Milk Train | 12 Tavistock St, London WC2E 7PH

Choo choo, the first stop is Milk Train. These guys score a solid 9.0 on the Instagram Richter Scale thanks to cones that come with huge collars of candy floss, sat with swirls of soft-serve atop them. Flavours come in interesting, globally inspired varieties (rose, coconut, matcha, etc. – they change with considerable regularity), and you can get all manner of interesting sundaes, milkshakes, and toppings. And if you really want to push the boat out? You can get a cup of ice cream with a flake ‘tree trunk’ planted in it, and its own candy floss ‘foliage’. Whatever you spring for, boastfully post it to social media, then move onto the next stop…
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Udderlicious | 24 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LN

This independent ice-creamery make all their scoops fresh in store, and choose their flavours via an incredibly democratic voting system. Log onto their website, and you’ll get to cast three votes for their next lineup of ice creams. It means that if you head into their stores, you’ll find everything from blueberry mojito sorbet, to malt & crushed Maltesers, to dark chocolate & seal salt sorbet. Grab something interesting, start strolling, and in five minutes you’ll be at Soho’s ice cream spot…
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Chin Chin Club | 54 Greek Street, W1D 3DS

This is where things get REALLY interesting. All their ice cream is made using liquid nitrogen, so it’s smooth and crystal free. And the coolness doesn’t stop there; they’re also serving things like the flame-scorched lemon Pie Baked Alaska, and the griddled cookie dough sandwich (which, remarkably, is completely vegan). Get something mind-blowing, and take a sunny, 5 minute jaunt to…
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Bubblewrap Waffle | 24 Wardour Street, W1D 6QJ

They caused a minor sensation when they launched. Probably because bringing London ice cream wrapped inside bubble waffle is an idea so good, it’s up there with the wheel and the alphabet. You can get flavours like Oreos, berries and Nutella, matcha & red bean, strawberry cheesecake & salted caramel, and loooots more. Take a deep breath, grab a cone, and start your short, 3 minute journey to…
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Bake | 9 Wardour Street, W1D 6PF

Almost literally next door you’ll find Bake, who’ve taken the classic fish shape of Japanese taiyaki cakes, recreated them in waffle, and filled them with soft-serve matcha ice cream. Your heart, stomach, and mind may be rebelling at this point, but pay them no heed. They don’t know what’s best for you. Now, fish-cone in hand, start trekking towards…
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Gelupo | 7 Archer St, W1D 7AU

Steven Joyce

Run by the people behind Bocca Di Lupo directly opposite, Gelupo serves up very Italian gelato in very interesting flavours, including the likes of ricotta sour cherry, kiwi, and bitter chocolate. They do normal flavours too, don’t worry. Get a (small) scoop, and take one last 7 minute stroll in the direction of…
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BAO | 53 Lexington St, W1F 9AS

At last, we’re at a destination that does takeaway and eat in. You might have to wait in a queue (while finishing your ice cream), but don’t worry. It’s worth it for a seat, and a fried Horlicks ice cream bun. Now sit down, take whatever diabetes medication you pre-packed, relax, and think about what you’ve done.

If you’re after something else while you’re in the neighbourhood… check out our Soho Guide.