Eats

These are some of the best ice cream and gelato spots in Leeds

Treat yourself now the sun's finally out.

Emily Johnson Emily Johnson - 2nd April 2024

Whether you're a fan of a classic Mr. Whippy or after something a bit more artisanal, we've got you covered in this list of the best ice cream places in Leeds.

It's hot enough to warrant a treat, we'd say, and if you're going to do it you might as well go the whole hog and truly indulge in the best ice cream the city has to offer.

Keep reading to discover the very best ice cream spots in Leeds.

Tsujiri

Image: The Hoot

Serving up authentic flavours like matcha and hōjicha, Tsujiri is one of our new favourite dessert spots in Leeds. 

This Japanese dessert house offers everything from classic soft serves to more adventurous sundaes, with an array of toppings to customise your treat. Options include boba pearls, cracker, genmai, kinako, kuromitsu, red bean, sesame, shiratama. Perfect for those seeking a unique and refreshing dessert experience.

Find them near 17 Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ

Roberto's Gelato

Image: Roberto's Gelato

Freshly churned and offering an abundance of flavours, there you can grab gelato by the scoop, fresh cannoli, coffees and other sweet treats from the Kirkgate Market stall, in Driffield, York or at a local pop up.

In addition to your usual, but nonetheless exciting, pistachio cream, salted caramel and hazelnut, you'll find unique combos like passionfruit cheesecake and Guinness stout. If that's not enough, there's even a "Bownana" made specially for your four-legged friend to cool off during the summer heatwave.

Find them inside Leeds Kirkgate Market LS2 7HJ. 

Knoops

Image: Knoops

If you adore chocolate, you'll be thrilled to know that Knoops has ventured into ice cream. Their soft serve is a dreamy treat topped with your choice of chocolate flakes – whether you prefer milk, white, or dark chocolate, you get to pick the chocolate you love the most, all finished with a signature Knoops chocolate disc.

Their ice cream also stars in their thick, creamy milkshakes. Choose from six different chocolate percentages and add extra flavours for a personalised indulgence. Perfect for those who love to mix things up. 

Find them in Leeds Trinity, Trinity Centre, 26-28 Albion St, LS1 6HX

Mr Whippy Leeds

Image: Mr Whippy / @mr.whippy_leeds

Mr Whippy Leeds has been around for over 50 years, operating the largest fleet of modern ice cream vans & trailers in Leeds.

Mr Whippy Leeds is, simply put, iconic. The fleet of vintage ice cream trucks, painted pink, white and blue, are gorgeous to look at and serve just as wonderfully pleasing ice creams. In recent years, they've noticed a shift from 99p cones to more extravagant options - now they are creating thee 'super Sundaes' which you can pick up from one of the trucks around Roundhay Park.

Find them at Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH.

Ecco Pizzeria

A pizzeria that also has a gelateria, it's a perfect heatwave day out if we ever heard one. After your Neapolitan pizza, get stuck into their gelato flavours - all of which are made in house by their very own gelato 'maestro'. Italian's take their gelato very seriously, so we think you'll struggle not to be impressed.

Find them at 93 Otley Rd, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3PS.

Ice Scoop Gelato

From Ferrero Rocher to Kinder Bueno, if you fancy a naughty chocolate ice cream Ice Scoop Gelato has you covered. Honestly, there's a whole host of amazing flavours here. All are available to enjoy by the scoop or in a cone, or alternatively push the boat out and order yours with a crepe or waffles.

Find them at 8 Easterly Rd, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 3AA.

Amorino

Image: Amorino

This authentic Italian gelato spot is famous in Leeds and for good reason. Scoops come served in a chocolate cone, with gelato presented in the shape of a flower and the option to add on macarons. Find flavours like Banana del Brasile and Dulce de Leche here alongside more traditional choices.

Find them at Victoria Gate, George St, Leeds LS2 7HY.

Afterz Dessert Parlour

This day to late-night cafe bar serves ice cream non-stop, making it just as perfect for midnight munchies as a trip in the day with the little ones. Order an epic knickerbocker glory-style sundae drenched in hundreds and thousands, or simply grab a few scoops in a tub. Flavours include the likes of Curly Wurly, Skittles and Toffee Crisp.

Find them at Hyde Park Tea Room, 63 Queen's Rd, Leeds LS6 1HY

Heavenly Desserts

Image: Heavenly Desserts

You'll find fifteen different flavours of ice cream at Heavenly Desserts at any one time, ranging from Caribbean coconut to Madagascan vanilla. Pair it with cookie dough, waffles, or brownies - or opt to have it in a Sundae. You can't really go wrong here, everything looks amazing.

Find them at 30 Otley Rd, Headingley, Leeds LS6 2UQ.

Feature Image- Amorino / Robertos

Read more:

Eats

Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky

Danny Jones Danny Jones

She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.

A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.

They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.

And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.

We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…

Images: Get Baked

Yes—scratch that; HELL YES! Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.

Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?

Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.

With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.

Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”

In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:

@the.manc @GET BAKED® are giving away 1000 slices of Bertha right now at their new store in Northern Quarter and Manchester, you turned up 👏 #themanc #manchester #getbaked #giveaway #newopening #bakery #queue #manchesterfood #manchestereats #cake ♬ original sound - The Manc

Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”

Read more: The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant

Featured image - Get Baked

Eats

The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.

Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.

Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.

But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.

Image: Supplied

And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.

The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.

The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.

Image: Supplied

The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.

Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.

“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”

Bookings for The Swine Bistro can be made here.

Read more: Popeyes announces official opening date for Leeds City Centre restaurant

Featured image - Supplied

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