Soft serve is definitely having a moment right now. Whether it's thanks to all the heatwaves we've been having, or a desire for nostalgia, one thing is for certain - people are going wild for soft serve ice cream in London.
There are lots of spots popping up to get your fix of this dessert, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down - with Big Kid Ice Cream reporting that sales have doubled since summer 2025. Things have progressed a little from the classic Mr Whippy too, with experimental flavours and toppings making their way onto menus all over the capital.
And if you want to jump on the soft serve train? We've rounded up all the top spots to find it across the city, including dairy-free versions, from ice cream vans to restaurants and cafes.
Find out more about how we curated this guide in our Editorial Policy.
Best Places For Soft Serve In London
Soft & Swirly
- Why we recommend: with unique flavours that switch up every week, Soft & Swirly always brings something fresh to the game - and they taste just as good as they look
- Location: 396 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E8 3PH
Beginning as a cult-favourite summer pop-up, Soft & Swirly can be found in the garden of E5 Bakehouse in London Fields. It has gained a lot of popularity since opening, thanks to their weekly changing flavours and beautifully smooth soft serve cones.
Their ice creams range from salted black sesame to strawberry and elderflower sorbet, depending on when you visit. They also offer scoopable ice cream, though the soft serve really can't be beaten.
Try weird and wonderful soft serve flavours at this East London favourite.
Soft Serve Society
- Why we recommend: both the ice cream and the toppings are wonderful here, and you can try the soft serve in so many different forms
- Location: 1-27 The Arcade, Unit 3 Boxhall, Liverpool Street, EC2M 7PN
Found at BOXHALL City, Soft Serve Society is an ice cream shop that, as the name suggests, is dedicated to soft serve. They offer these on their own, as well as in their freakshakes or as a sundae pot.
The toppings are truly indulgent, from Oreo crumbs to brownie bites, mochi balls and apple stew. You can opt for multiple different base flavours too.
Go for classic or inventive soft serve options here.
Tangra
- Why we recommend: this is our top choice for vegan soft serve in London, with several different options to enjoy. There's more to this place than ice cream too, with a whole Indo-Chinese menu to get stuck into
- Location: 17 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RG
A vibrant, modern Indo-Chinese restaurant in the heart of Soho, Tangra is one of the best vegan and vegetarian eateries around. Almost the entire dessert menu is made up of soft serve, and it's all plant-based, with shakes available too.
Flavours range from smoked oil chai to purple ube and chai masala with a cinnamon and vanilla twist. Be sure to try some of their cocktails while you're here as well.
This buzzing vegetarian restaurant also serves excellent vegan ice cream.
Bake Street
- Why we recommend: this relaxed East London bakery is all about powerful flavours and hearty portions, with a cute outdoor seating area too
- Location: 58 Evering Road, Lower Clapton, N16 7SR
Though they're often known for their mouthwatering cookies, Bake House also provides some of London's best soft serve ice cream. This laid-back spot takes walk-ins only, with outdoor seating or the option to take away.
They switch up the flavour regularly, often themed around seasonal ingredients. The swirl towers are pretty tall too, so come with a big appetite.
Find colourful, Instagrammable serves at Bake Street.
Forza Wine
- Why we recommend: not only can you enjoy olive oil-infused soft serve here, but there's even a rooftop terrace to relax on
- Location: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4BQ
Forza Wine can be found in Peckham, promising a gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant that looks out over South London. They specialise in quality wines, and are also well-known for their custardo dessert, but the soft serve demands to be tasted as well.
The milk ice cream is combined with Forza Wine X Two Fields olive oil and sea salt, creating a refined sweet treat - though they are known to change up their flavours too. Otherwise, you'll find Italian-inspired small plates on their menu.
Enjoy wine and soft serve at this Peckham rooftop.
Taiyakiya
- Why we recommend: bringing a taste of Japan to London, these cute cones are filled with pastel colours and fun toppings
- Location: 20 Newport Court, Soho, WC2H 7JS
An adorable spot in Chinatown, Taiyakiya offers soft serve in cones, as well as inside taiyakis (a Japanese waffle in the shape of a fish). The ice cream is pastel-coloured and finished with cute, decorative toppings.
This is probably the most photo-worthy option on our list, but it's not all aesthetics, as the flavours are equally inventive.
Try the signature taiyaki waffle cones at this Chinatown shop.
Rosslyn Coffee
- Why we recommend: this place is a must-visit for coffee lovers, and their focus on sustainability means you can feel good about your ice cream order here
- Location: multiple locations
With sites across the City of London, from Liverpool Street to Ludgate Circus, Rosslyn Coffee is never too far away. They have won several awards over the years, from Best New Café in the World Finalist 2018 to Living Wage Champion Award Winner 2023.
They are committed to sustainability in everything they do, including their coffee. And during the summer, you can find coffee-flavoured soft serve, made with Happy Endings vanilla-infused Estate Dairy milk and their own Roasted for Milk coffee.
Swap your iced coffee for soft serve at this cafe.
Big Kid Ice Cream And Whippies
- Why we recommend: these guys use quality ingredients to create their scrumptious serves, and we love the nostalgic feel to their ice creams
- Location: 1 Kingly Street, Soho, W1B 5PA
Situated in Soho, Big Kid Ice Cream is the cult indie ice cream-maker that brings you retro vibes and lots of different soft serve flavours. They have also opened Whippies, a dedicated soft-serve bar in Seven Dials Market.
They're taking old-school ice cream van favourites to a new level, from a Flake 99 to piled-high sundaes and delicious slushies. Their signature serve is made with organic milk, brown butter and real Madagascan vanilla, though they also offer a variety of other choices.
Find these guys in Soho and Covent Garden.
FAQs:
What is soft serve ice cream and how is it different from regular ice cream?
Soft serve is a frozen dessert made with more air incorporated during the freezing process, which gives it a lighter, creamier, and smoother texture than traditional scooped ice cream. It's served directly from a machine at a slightly warmer temperature than regular ice cream, which is why it has that characteristic soft, swirled consistency. In London, soft serve has had a serious glow-up in recent years — far beyond the classic Mr Whippy — with independent spots and restaurants now offering inventive flavours, seasonal toppings, and elevated presentations that have made it a destination dessert in its own right.
Are there any unique or unusual soft serve flavours in London?
Yes — London's soft serve scene is defined by its creativity. Forza Wine rotates its flavours regularly, with past options including mascarpone with stone fruit compote, bakewell-inspired raspberry and flaked almonds, and lemon curd with meringue. Bake Street in Hackney has served guava, mango yoghurt, and kesar mango soft serves, with the menu changing roughly once a month. Soft Serve Society at Boxpark offers charcoal coconut and matcha alongside more classic options. Taiyakiya in Chinatown goes for visually striking flavours like lychee rose and pastel-coloured swirls served in fish-shaped waffles. If you're after something beyond vanilla, London has no shortage of options.
Is there vegan soft serve in London?
Yes — vegan soft serve is increasingly available across London. Tangra's soft serve is all vegan, and Soft Serve Society at Boxpark offers vegan options including blueberry and mango sorbet soft serves. Many of the city's more creative soft serve spots rotate plant-based flavours alongside dairy options, so it's worth checking current menus before visiting. If you have specific dietary requirements, it's always best to confirm with the venue directly, as recipes and availability can change seasonally.
