Chic Ice-Cream Pop-Ups Are Taking Over London This Summer

Ice cream in summer, clearly, is nothing groundbreaking. But as temperatures continue to soar across London, the frozen treat seems to be having a moment. An ever-growing collection of the capital’s hottest cafes, restaurants and bakeries are opening ice cream pop-ups, featuring wacky flavours, cocktail pairings and Mexican-inspired taco hybrids. Here are the ones to add to your list.

6 Ice Cream Pop-Ups Coming To London This Summer

Chilly Vanilli

East London baker Lily Vanilli (real name Lily Jones) is known for her whimsical cakes, with a string of A-list fans that includes Kylie Minogue. This summer, she’s expanding her repertoire by adding ice cream to the mix at a pop-up gelato bar, Chilly Vanilli. Choose from flavours like yoghurt, salted caramel, clotted cream and passionfruit, then load up on toppings from fresh berries to popping candy – with the option to add one of Lily Vanilli’s signature bakes, such as the salted caramel brownies. Stop by after picking up some fresh blooms at the Columbia Road Flower Market.

The Courtyard, 18 Ezra St, London E2 7RH, lilyvanilli.com

The Ice Cream Project by Anya Hindmarch

Scoop of gravy ice cream, anyone? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Designer Anya Hindmarch has become known for her quirky ice cream pop up, which returns each summer with a flurry of weird and wonderful new flavours. On the menu this year, there’s a fiery sriracha number and Irn-Bru sorbet, as well as on-trend olive oil ice cream and more familiar serves like McVitie’s Milk Chocolate Hobnobs, Rowse Honey, and Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake. Those who want to try them all, meanwhile, can sign up to the Bind Tea Tasting experience at Anya’s Cafe next door. 

11 Pont St, London SW1X 9EH, anyahindmarch.com

Birley Bakery

Since opening in 2023 on Cale Street, Birley Bakery has become the go-to spot for sweet-toothed Chelsea locals, serving a delectable spread of pastries and chocolates amid the prettiest of settings. But this summer, the new ice cream offering is stealing the limelight. Stop by to try suitably refined serves like Citrus & Herb Sorbet, Tahitian Vanilla and Sicilian Pistachio. Scoops are available for takeaway from the hatch, or you can pick up a tub to tuck into at home. 

28-30 Cale St, London SW3 3QU, birleybakery.com

The Dorchester Garden

The garden of five-star hotel The Dorchester has been transformed into a summer oasis, complete with yellow umbrellas and floral decor from in-house florist Philip Hammond. Alongside exquisitely designed cakes, cocktails and champagne, there’s an ice cream trolley serving an array of flavours, alongside decadent sandwiches: Peanut Butter & Jelly, for instance, sees peanut butter ice cream and tart cherry sandwiched between two crunchy cookies.

53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA, dorchestercollection.com

Bébé Bob x Happy Endings

Bébé Bob, the casual younger sibling of Soho stalwart Bob Bob Ricard, has teamed up with cult dessert bar Happy Endings on a special menu of frozen puddings. For a savoury option the Sour Cream Soft Serve is topped with olive oil and Oscietra caviar, or diners can keep it classic with the Chocolate Sorbet, which comes sprinkled in crushed honeycomb. If you’re feeling extra luxe, treat yourself to the Bébé Champagne Bomb, a unique take on baked alaska which combines champagne parfait with blood peach bellini sorbet, shortbread and Italian meringue. Bartender Mr Lyan has created two cocktails designed to pair with the ice cream, too: the Bébé Lyan Martini and the 100 Raspberries Royale.

37 Golden Square, Soho, London W1F 9LB, bebebob.com

Zapote

Love tacos? Love ice cream too? How about combining the two into a unique Mexican-style dessert? That’s what’s on offer at Shoreditch restaurant Zapote, which has launched an ice cream taco parlour in its bar. The eatery’s signature tacos, made using Mexican native corn, are filled with flavours like mango and chamoy sorbet. Mezcal tastings are also on offer, which sounds like the recipe for a pretty fun summer afternoon.

70 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QX, zapote.co.uk