Whilst Edinburgh might not be the sunniest city in the world, it certainly has its moments. And, when the sun does come out to play, there’s nothing better than strolling the streets with an ice cream cone in hand. In fact, given the cooler climate, you might be surprised at just how many great ice cream shops Edinburgh has.
No matter where you find yourself in the Scottish capital, there’s bound to be an ice cream shop nearby. You’ll also find quite the variety – from your classic vanilla to the more unusual olive oil and peach.
Here are the top 10 best ice cream shops Edinburgh has to offer.
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Best Ice Cream Edinburgh
The Little Parlour
You’ll find this wonderful luxury ice cream shop in South Queensferry.
The thing that sets The Little Parlour apart from other ice cream shops in Edinburgh is the toppings they offer. Make your ice cream extra delicious with brownie bites, cookie dough, rainbow meringues, and fudge sticks.
They usually have a whopping 62 flavours on offer, so you’re bound to find something you like. These include options such as cookie dough, Lotus Biscoff, banoffee, and even Iron Brew!
If you’re visiting during the Christmas period, make sure to try one of their festive specials. In the past these have been gingerbread, mince pie, and bailey’s cheesecake!
Address: 52 High St, South Queensferry EH30 9HN
Mary’s Milk Bar – Best Unusual Ice Cream Shop Edinburgh
Next up is the infamous Mary’s Milk Bar. You may have seen this one floating around on Instagram thanks to its pretty shopfront. You’ll find this in the beautiful Old Town of Edinburgh.
If you’re looking for some more unusual ice cream flavours in Edinburgh, Mary’s Milk Bar is your new best friend. They’re constantly swapping out flavours but you can expect to find fun and unusual options, including:
- Olive Oil and Peach
- Rose Chocolate Chip
- Lavendar and Honey
- Bergamont and Figs
- Blue Cheese and Walnut Butter
Mary trained at the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, Italy. Her flavours are super interesting and unique.
This is also one of my favourite spots for a hot chocolate in the colder months.
Mary’s Milk Bar has a special place in my heart because it’s right next to the Vennel – a set of steps with beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle. This is actually where I got engaged! And, of course, we celebrated with ice cream.
Address: 19 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS
S. Luca
S. Luca has two locations in Edinburgh – one at Musselburgh and one at Morningside.
This ice cream shop is very much a family affair. They’ve been making ice cream for over 100 years and they continue to use their grandfather’s original recipe.
You’ll find the perfect mix of classic and innovative flavours at S. Luca, including New York Lime Cheesecake and their famous Toffee Fudgy Wudgy. They also sell a variety of vegan ice creams and sorbets, so there’s something for everyone.
Address: 16 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh EH10 4DB
Crolla’s Gelateria
Crolla’s is a Scottish gelato shop with stores Dundee, Aberdeen, and Leith. If you’re looking for more than just your standard cone you should probably head to Crolla’s.
Of course, their ice cream cones are great! But you’ll find the real magic in their sundaes and waffles. Go classic with the banana split or Knickerbocker Glory. Or try something different with their Lotus Biscoff sundae.
Address: 1, The Shore, Coalhill, Edinburgh EH6 6RH
Considerit – Best Vegan Ice Cream Shop Edinburgh
Considerit is for all the vegan and plant-based ice cream lovers in Edinburgh. They’re the home of delicious cruelty-free sweets.
Although Considerit is most well-known for their doughnuts and chocolates, they also serve up incredible vegan ice cream. This forward-thinking ice cream shop in Edinburgh completely challenges the idea that dairy is a necessity. You’ll be surprised at how incredible their cones taste without it!
Address: 3, 5A Sciennes, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1NH
Toppins
Toppins is still the new kid on the block when it comes to ice cream shops in Edinburgh. They only opened in 2021 but are quickly building themselves a loyal following with their yummy ice cream and epic milkshakes.
The ice cream served here is actually S. Luca ice cream (so you know it’s going to be good!).
If you prefer to slurp your ice creams, grab one of their thick and creamy milkshakes. Each one is crammed full of ice cream, as well as some extra treats. Flavours include Reese’s peanut butter, Lotus Biscoff, and Oreo.
Address: 17 Causewayside, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1QF
Di Rollo
Di Rollo has been selling ice cream since 1899, meaning they’ve had plenty of time to perfect the process.
Like S. Luca, Di Rollo is an authentic Italian affair. It was started by Domenico Di Rollo when he moved to Scotland from Italy. Generations of Di Rollos kept the business running and grew it into the popular ice cream parlour it is today.
They’ve stayed true to their Italian roots with their flavours, like Mascarpone, and Fragolini (a strawberry flavoured red wine). But you’ll also find traditional ice cream flavours (raspberry ripple, rum and raisin, and mint choc chip). Some of their more experimental options include:
- Iron Brew
- Turkish Delight
- New York Strawberry Cheesecake
- Peach Yoghurt
- Espresso Croquant
Address: 14 South St, Musselburgh EH21 6AT
Bon Bon Gelateria – Traditional Gelato Edinburgh
Bon Bon Gelateria prides itself on its handmade gelato. The delicious swirls of soft gelato are hard to resist. As are the other Italian sweet treats on offer – cannoli, anyone?
Popular flavours include:
- Tiramisu
- Cinnamon and Apple Pie
- Pistachio
- Ferrro Rocher
The stand-out item on the menu though is their gelato-filled brioche buns: soft and pillowy brioche rolls stuffed with creamy gelato.
Address: 65 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AQ
Alandas – Prettiest Ice Cream Shop Edinburgh
Alandas is another spot for traditional gelato. This is a particularly pretty ice cream shop in Edinburgh i.e. if you’re looking for that perfect Instagram shot, head here. The place is decorated with neon signs, striped wallpaper and an ice cream cone chandelier.
They’re multi-award winners, being 3x Scottish champions in 2021, 2018, and 2017.
Some of their delicious flavours include:
- Sicilian Lemon and Blueberry Cake
- Snickers
- Rafaello
- Oreo
Make sure to check out their festive flavours at Christmas time, which last year included chocolate orange, panettone, and mince pies.
Address: 1 Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QH
Over Langshaw Farmhouse – Quirky Ice Cream Shop Edinburgh
In Edinburgh Old Town, you’ll find the Over Langshaw Farmhouse ice cream kiosk. This small but mighty spot serves up some of the best ice cream in Edinburgh.
If you look closely, you’ll see that the kiosk is actually an old police box!
It’s a popular spot amongst locals, thanks to the delicious flavours and friendly staff. All of their ice cream is made at, you guessed it, Over Langshaw Farm in the heart of the Scottish Borders.
Address: Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2AW
Artisan Gelato
Artisan Gelato does exactly what it says on the tin. They craft authentic Italian gelato every day with fresh ingredients in small batches.
Their gelato-maker Giorgio Meazza spent a year in Milan studying the art of gelato at Artico Gelateria before moving to Edinburgh.
My favourite thing about Artisan Gelato is that they serve up a lot of the traditional flavours that I love to eat in Italy! Look out for the Fior de Latte and the Straciatella.
The gelato here is high quality and completely delicious.
Address: 21 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP
Moo Pie Gelato
Moo Pie has to be the cutest ice cream shop in Edinburgh. They specialise in cookie sandwiches – a generous helping of soft serve ice cream sandwiched between two chewy cookies. It’s certainly a crowd pleaser and a must-try when you visit.
You’ll also find fun gelato flavours that are unique to Moo Pie, including:
- Cocopops
- Apple Tarte Tartin
- Cinnamon Toast
- Cereal Milk
- Brown Butter
- Chai Latte
Address: 26 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1SU
Sprinkles Cafe
Sprinkles Ice Cream Cafe offers all sorts of sweet treats, from cupcakes to cheesecakes. The star of the show though is, of course, the ice cream.
They sell Luvians ice cream. These award-winning cones are utterly delicious and include nostalgic flavours, like Maltesers and Pina Colada.
It is a little way outside of the city centre but if you’re in the area, it’s certainly worth a visit! This cafe is another family run, independent business.
Smoov
Smoov serve up two of their favourite things: gelato and coffee. They’re particularly well-known for their gelato-filled doughnuts.
If you really want to push the boat out, opt for one of their decadent waffles. Choose from flavours like cranberry and cinnamon pair, or bacon, blueberry and maple syrup.
You’ll find Smoov in Old Town, close to Holyrood and the Royal Mile. This makes it the perfect place to recalibrate after sightseeing.
Address: 244 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AB
Scottish Tablet Ice Cream Edinburgh
When you visit these ice cream parlours, or take a look at their websites, you might notice a recurring flavour – Scottish Tablet.
If you’re not from Scotland, you might be wondering what an earth this is! Tablet is a sugary confection similar to fudge. It’s made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, and is often flavoured with vanilla or nuts.
Tablet is a traditional Scottish sweet, which is why you’ll find it as a flavour in so many Edinburgh ice cream shops!
