Best Ice Cream Places in the North & Scotland

5 of the best ice cream places in the North and Scotland

Who doesn’t love an ice cream in summer? Whether you like a classic 99 or want to go out there with some crazy flavours, the summer months are the time to indulge.

Here we’ve got five of our favourite ice cream places from across the North of England and Scotland. Take a look and add a couple to your list.

1. Mary’s Milk Bar, Edinburgh

   Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Mary’s Milk Bar is famous for its beautiful shop front (you’ll probably have seen it on Instagram) and its amazing flavours.
   
   This is definitely one to visit if you want to try something that’s a little out there. Mary makes all the ice cream every morning and the flavours are seasonal, so no day is the same. Some of the crazy flavours she’s made in the past include rose chocolate chip, lavender and honey, and olive oil and peach.
   
   You can also pick up decadent hot chocolate floats and beautifully handmade chocolate. Everything about Mary’s is sustainable too. The stools in the shop are made from 100% recycled milk bottles and they only use compostable packaging.
   
   Where: 19 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS
   Type of ice cream flavours: A little crazy
   Vegan-friendly: Yes
   Gluten free: No
   
   

2. Loopy Scoops, York

   Right in the centre of York, this independent ice cream parlour adds a sprinkle of creativity to their ice creams, with plenty of unusual toppings and sauces on offer. Who doesn’t love flying saucers, white chocolate stars or Haribo hearts?
   
   Alongside soft serve whipped ice cream, Loopy Scoops serves a selection of dairy ice cream from Brymor, an award-winning dairy farm in Wensleydale. You’ll find classics like 99s with flakes as well as Taiyaki, a cake style cone filled with ice cream. Gluten free and vegan options are available too.
   
   As well as ice cream cones, you can pick up thick shakes with flavours including crème egg, Ferrero Rocher and Oreo cookies. Don’t miss the fizzy ice cream sodas either – the Percy Pig and salted caramel ones are amazing.
   
   Where: 3 Church Street, York YO1 8BA
   Type of ice cream flavours: Out there
   Vegan friendly: Yes
   Gluten free: Yes
   
   
   

3. Mark Toney Ice Cream, Newcastle

   With cafes on both Grainger Street and Percy Street in the centre of Newcastle, Mark Toney Ice Cream is a North East institution.
   
   The family-owned business has been making ice cream in the city for over 120 years, all based on the Italian family’s original recipe. You can, of course, get all the classic flavours you want, but their specialties include amaretto, Belgian white chocolate, caramel praline and banoffee swirl. They pride themselves on combining the best locally sourced dairy products with natural fruits and flavours.
   
   If you’re really hungry, you can pick up classic Italian paninis and deep filled Italian sandwiches too.
   
   Where: 53 Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JE & 91 Percy St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RW
   Type of ice cream flavours: Classic Italian gelato
   Vegan friendly: Yes – sorbet
   Gluten-free: Yes
   
   
   

4. Paolo & Donato’s Italian Deli, Liverpool

   Just down the road from the Cavern Club, Paolo & Donato’s is the place to go in Liverpool for authentic Italian gelato. It was founded by two brothers, Paulo and Donato, over 10 years ago and is still going strong.
   
   You won’t be able to walk past the deli’s window without coming inside to satisfy your sweet cravings. The window is packed with so many flavours of ice cream, it’s just like being in Italy. You can pick up an ice cream lollipop, enjoy three flavours on one cone or even buy a 1kg tub of your favourite flavour.
   
   And with plenty of other mouth-watering Italian delicacies available inside too, this is a true taste of Italy in the centre of Liverpool.
   
   Where: 24 Tarleton Street, Liverpool L1 1DS
   Type of ice cream flavours: Classic Italian gelato
   Vegan friendly: Yes – vegan gelato
   Gluten-free: Yes
   
   
   

5. Deesserts, Glasgow

   Love an ice cream sundae? Deesserts in Glasgow is not to be missed. There are two locations in the city, one in the centre on Sauchiehall Street and another further out in Hillhead.
   
   A trip to Deesserts is all about trying something a bit over the top. For a taste of summer, opt for a Tropical Paradise sundae – a mixture of banana, coconut and mango ice cream with fresh strawberries, banana and kiwi slices, finished with peach and kiwi sauce. If you’re a chocoholic go for the Kinder Bueno sundae, with chunks of Bueno, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and a flake. Delicious!
   
   If they don’t catch your fancy, don’t worry. You’ll find 30 different flavours of ice cream on the menu!
   
   Where: 287 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3HQ & 404 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8AS
   Type of ice cream flavours: Over the top ice cream sundaes
   Vegan friendly: Yes
   Gluten-free: No
   
   

Keen to try out some of these amazing ice cream places? Just hop on a train and you’ll be enjoying a piled-high ice cream cone in no time. To book your tickets in advance just go online or on the TPExpress app.