Whether you’re craving the finest Italian-style gelato or a high-protein fro-yo, these Notting Hill dessert parlours will have you melting in anticipation…
1 FRAE Frozen Yogurt
FRAE specialises in frozen yoghurt only – great for health-conscious foodies. Made from real yoghurt produced on a dairy farm in North Wales, FRAE is smooth, creamy and packed with tummy-friendly probiotics. The range of flavours include a super-healthy line-up laden with fresh berries, granola and coconut flakes but if you fancy a more indulgent treat, opt for the Salted Caramel frae or Brownie Points with chocolate frozen yoghurt, brownie crumbles and raspberries.
Open daily, times vary. 251 Portobello Road W11 1LT; frae.co.uk
The Berry Good is made with natural Frae, strawberries and raspberries
2 Gelato Mio
Gelato Mio opened in Holland Park in 2008 and has been a favourite with lovers of gelato ever since – people are known to queue down the street in order to get their fix. In addition to 13 gelato flavours, including pistachio and biscotto, there are also seasonal specials.
Open daily, times vary. 37 Pembridge Road W11 3HG, 020 7727 7994; gelatomio.co.uk
3 Snowflake Luxury Gelato
Snowflake aims to ‘serve happiness’ on a plate and we would agree. There is huge choice among the gelatos, sorbets, waffles and smoothies on offer, but most prized ptions are the divine Snowdrifts. A modern take on the classic sundae sees artisan creamy gelato smothered in any number of sweet treats like honeycomb, fudge, hot rownies or fresh strawberries. Only natural ingredients, organic milk and cream are sed. Two new dairy-free flavours – almond milk and coconut milk gelato – will be available in early summer.
Open daily, times vary. 43 Westbourne Grove W2 4UA, 020 7221 9549; snowflakegelato.co.uk
4 Snog
Everything about Snog – from its tongue-in-cheek sloganing like ‘You’ll never forget your first Snog’ to its futuristic-looking parlours – gets it right. Sweetened with agave syrup, an original snog is only 140 calories but – let’s be honest here – why would you settle for that when you can choose green tea, mango or milk chocolate flavoured frozen yogurt smothered in toppings? Go saint (think strawberries, blueberries, superfoods or coconut) or sinner (chocolate buttons, marshmallows, gummy bears and cookies & cream) depending on your mood.
Mon-Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sun 12pm-7pm. Ground Floor, Kiosk 1018B, Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, W12 7GF; ifancyasnog.com
Oddono’s has produced over 130 different flavours to date
5 Oddonos
Oddonos has flourished since first opening in Bute Street, Kensington 10 years ago. Christian Oddono’s award-winning ice-cream is now served at six locations throughout London but is still produced daily at its South Kensington premise. There is an excellent choice of creamy flavours and if you close your eyes you’d probably think you were in Italy. Best-selling flavours include Chocolate, Nocciola (Hazelnut), Bacio (milky chocolate and hazelnut) and Pistachio, while fresh sorbets such as mango and strawberry make lighter options for hotter days. Even the notoriously hard-to-please chef Gordon Ramsay is a fan!
Open daily. 14 Bute Street SW7 3EX; 020 7052 0732; oddonos.com
6 Fentons Ice Cream
American ice-cream and milkshake bar Fentons serves up over 55 flavours with lots of delicious flavours like apple custard and pie, creme brulee and coffee plus yankee treats like its famous Route 55 sundaes and American pies, thick shakes and malts. The gelato is delicate creamy soft swirls at its best and although the location is small, the retro candy-coloured interior is cute.
127 Bayswater Road W2 4RH; fentonsicecream.co.uk
Yogland
7 Yogland
In addition to providing great tasting frozen yogurt, Yogland also provides health-conscious customers with nutritious smoothies, shakes, protein pancakes and high protein breakfast bowls. Its extra special ranges Protein Frozen Yogurt and Amino Sorbet contains whey protein isolate and no added sugars, but sweetened instead with Stevia a naturally-sourced sugar substitute. And for those of you concerned with just lip-smacking flavours, you won’t be disappointed by New York Cheesecake, Pistachio, Peach Green Tea and Peanut Butter.
Open daily, times vary. 44 Queensway W2 3RS, 020 7229 2020, yogland.com
8 Bee Me
This is another fab choice for fro-yo lovers. Bee Me’s cute blue interior feels like a Willy Wonka-inspired haven chock-full of quirky individual touches like the sweet-filled glass cylinders and plates with spoons ready for dipping. There is a good selection of toppings and the yogurt is zingy without tasting sour. In addition to frozen yogurt there is a good selection of smoothies, juices and delectable hot chocolate.
251 Portobello Road W11 1LT; 020 7243 6999; beeme.co.uk