An ice-cream parlour — any ice-cream parlour — is the stuff of childhood dreams. A well-designed one is the stuff of the adults’. Long the realm of whimsical kitsch, where pastels reigned supreme, the next generation of gelaterias and creameries is bringing a more sophisticated aesthetic to the table. From pared-back vintage charm to laboratory chic, today’s go-to spots are reframing the appeal of the scoop. Still nostalgic, still joyful, just a bit more… grown-up. With temperatures finally on the rise across Europe after a wet spring, here are five design-led ice-cream parlours to make your summer’s day.
Miuz Gelato, Amsterdam
Proof that candy stripes aren’t the only way to evoke nostalgia, Miuz’s understated palette of, appropriately, coffee and cream takes a more refined approach. A sculptural wood counter anchors the elegant parlour near Vondelpark. Rippled to echo the texture of gelato and handcrafted in dark timber, it stands out against an interior that’s simple but not dull, fun but not gaudy. A corresponding table is dressed in the same rippled wood and complemented by Fritz Hansen High Dot stools. Every gelato here — ranging from classics like stracciatella and pistachio to more unusual flavours like buckwheat, basil and burrata — is made from scratch each day, with no artificial colours nor prefab mixes. The Dutch design elevates the menu from treat to essential.
Parlor Café, Prague
There are over 6,000 flavour combinations at this build-your-own ice cream sandwich bar in Prague’s Karlin business district. Luckily, there’s plenty to look at while you make your selection. Architects Lenka Miková and Markéte Bromová have kept things fresh, green and, cool — pun very much intended. A bespoke polka-dot wall by designer Klára Šumová injects a bit of fun into the space while mismatched vintage furniture adds a cosy, vintage feel. As for the sandwiches themselves, regular favourites include mango sorbet between dark chocolate cookies; lemon and poppyseed cookies with strawberry and Thai basil sorbet; and coconut ice-cream on peanut butter biscuits.
Jefferson’s London
Warm and contemporary with an industrial edge, Jefferson’s outposts in Balham and Brixton are all about natural materials and biscuit tones. The team behind this independent family-owned business has created an environment that feels functional and active rather than kitsch or themed — sleek and simple without veering into minimalism. These are not pastiches of vintage ice-cream parlours but the public face of a working creamery. Everything from the workshop-style counters to the display counter is a reminder that this is a small-batch producer. While some flavours change with the seasons, core offerings include ‘malted milkball’ and ‘cold-pressed coffee’. ‘Brookies and cream’ (vanilla ice cream mixed with homemade brownies and toffee swirls) is the one those in the know tend to order.
Gelato Collection, Barcelona
This Barcelona standby is inspired by the opulence and grandeur of jewellery stores and perfumeries. Spanish chef Albert Adrià hired designers from El Equipo Creativo to conjure up a space that’s the epitome of sophistication, right down to the display of the ice cream. Known simply as ‘the collection’, the flavours are set out in perfectly aligned cabinets enveloped in a counter designed to resemble a block of ice. Minimal, sleek and unique, there is nothing gimmicky about this space. Choosing a flavour feels a little like shopping for a piece of jewellery. This is gastronomy, plain and simple and people travel from miles around for a taste of No9 (whole lemon), No66 (black truffle with hazelnuts) and No96 (black miso and coffee).
Gelateria del Teatro, Rome
Our Italian representative lives on a narrow back street in Rome, an intimate hideaway away from the city’s unwieldy summer crowds. Gelateria del Teatro is defined by its simple, compact counter and light-fingered décor. With its clean, modern approach to gelateria design, the focus here is firmly on the fresh ingredients. Ask for an olive oil cone and spatula-full of the seasonal flavour of the moment for the most authentic experience. It’s the real deal.
