Best Gelato in Maida Vale

"Chin Chin pioneered the use of liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in a retail setting when it opened its first ice cream ‘lab’ in Camden Lock in 2010. Its founders were convinced that hand churning with liquid nitrogen was better than any other method, and they had stumbled on the future of ice cream. Nowadays, the company has grown to three locations and over 300 innovative flavours, from sweetcorn to wild blueberry to coffee and olive oil."

"Must try: Griddled vegan cookie dough with burnt butter ice cream. Chin Chin is Europe’s very first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour and one of the best spots to discover some of the most unique and delicious desserts in London. Their exciting selection of ice cream flavours are frozen with liquid nitrogen in giant tanks, in a space that looks more like a mad scientists lab than a dessert parlour."

"Don’t go to Chin Chin Labs for your average cake and cookie because ‘simple’ really isn’t in their vocabulary. They are most famous for their ice-cream made with liquid nitrogen but what a lot of people don’t know is they make and bake a whole load of cakes, cookies and pies downstairs in their in-house bakery. Find things like their naughty titty cakes, party cakes and hot cherry pies."

"Instagram’s favourite pancakes can be found halfway down Bedford Hill, Balham’s most culinary thoroughfare. Milk’s weekend pancake selection changes, well, weekly, but recent iterations include rum-and-raisin with boozy medjool date cream, and a buckwheat stack that appeared to have had a lemon meringue pie dropped on top of it. The food occasionally comes with a side of hauteur, but it’s worth sucking it up for the truly inventive cooking."

"Milk Train shot to fame when it pioneered cloud cones in London - you know the ones, where the ice cream is haloed with candyfloss. Mike and Kylie started out selling shaved Japanese ice and progressed on to these Insta feed delights - they're the millennial pink unicorns of London's ice-cream scene. Oh, and what no-one tells you is they're impossible to eat without getting sticky up to your elbows."

"A Balham treasure, Milk’s weekend-only specials, announced solely via instagram, have even brunch-deniers queueing on the regular. And with dishes such as buckwheat pancakes with roast apricot, lavender and bitter citrus cream, half-baked almond cake crumb — their reasoning is clear. No faux ‘barista coffee’ here — a good relationship with top Berlin roasters the Barn endures."

"Located opposite Jacob Kenedy’s lauded Bocca Di Lupo, Gelupo is an Italian gelateria that’s been helping make life in central London a little bit sweeter for over 10 years now. Gelupo’s ricotta sour cherry gelato isn’t just one of the best desserts in Soho: it’s an institution. Every classic scoop from Gelupo is a buttery, slightly nutty joy with their seasonal specials always delivering the goods."

"This is the place to go for proper Italian gelato - it's known for its incredible flavours and high quality taste - one of the owners is actually a chef. Some flavours change every week, and the focus is on fruit sorbets, alcoholic sorbets, desserts and classic crowd pleasers - think Pimm's and lemonade, eton mess and blood orange."

"Try every flavour at Gelupo Gelateria, offering true Italian gelato and ice cream available in eight changing flavours each day – a great excuse to keep coming back to try all they have to offer. Keep an eye out for the pistachio flavour."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Stratford. If putting a smile on people’s faces was an Olympic sport, La Gelatiera would definitely go home with a gold. Their spot in East Village, E20 in Stratford, is more sociable than the Covent Garden original, with a ‘theatre’ where you can watch the gelato being made."

"A post shared by La Gelatiera - Artisan Gelato (@lagelatiera) on Mar 10, 2017 at 11:28am PST. Creative flavours, such as tongue-tingling chili and basil, have won La Gelatiera an impressive list of foodie awards. Its name refers to the gelato churn used in Italy, and reflects the spot’s dedication to handmade treats."

"Savoury scoops like basil and chilli, honey and rosemary or fresh watercress and lime, these flavours are bold but award-winning. That being said, the less adventurous milk chocolate is silky and super rich, simple but so perfect."

"Duci brings Sicilian desserts to Chiswick, offering everything from classic cannoli to brioche con gelato – a toasted, super soft brioche roll filled with two scoops of ice cream – and a sweet, marzipan-like gelato flavour of almonds. 8 Devonshire Rd, London W4 2HD"

"Created by owner Sammie Le, who was determined to combat food waste and use the whole egg when making full batches of ice cream, Yolkin has since become a favourite among ice cream and macaron lovers alike. Head over to Rupert Street to indulge in one of Yolkin’s staple ice cream sandwiches. Choose your ice cream flavour of choice before sandwiching it between a macaron, brownie, chocolate chip or chocolate."

"The ice-cream only came when she wanted to make something with the leftover yolks. Her ice-cream macaron sandwiches originally popped up on Rupert Street but regularly sold out leaving fans disappointed, but her shop on the same street doesn't have that problem. Expect flavours like Rose & Pistachio and milk soft serve with brown sugar boba or black sesame sauce."

"You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Macarons & Ice Creams (@yolkinmacice)"

"We have London-based designer Martin Brudnizki to thank for the interior dream that is Annabel’s. The iconic members club re-opened in 2019 following a revamp, with a glitzy new design theme which draws on surrealism and eccentricity – Brudnizki describes it as ‘like falling down the rabbit hole.’ Vying with Sketch for the award of London’s most beautiful bathroom is the rose-hued pink powder room, complete with floral wallpaper, pink onyx shell shaped sinks with gold swan taps and a pink silk rose ceiling. Elsewhere, a bespoke chandelier installation festooned with unicorn and monkeys swoops through several floors."

"Founded in 1963, Annabel’s is arguably one of the most elegant private clubs in London. Its guests have included royalty, Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s notoriously difficult to get membership with new members requiring a proposer, a seconder and an election by Committee – you’re not just walking in."

"Having turned vegan in 2016, French chef Alexis Gauthier will make the food at his Soho restaurant, housed in a converted Georgian townhouse, entirely plant-based upon reopening following lockdown. His vegan ‘Les Plantes’ menu includes a jar of ‘faux gras’ made from lentils, mushrooms and walnuts."

"Whilst French restaurants are often known for meat and cheese, Gauthier does things differently. There are two entirely vegan menus to choose from, including a seven-course vegan tasting menu for £65. Featured image: @bonvivantrestaurant"

"Winner of the Best Vegan Menu at the PETA Vegan Food Awards in 2016 and since popping up on many of London’s best restaurant lists, this fine dining restaurant is known for inventing a vegan alternative to foie gras."

"Finally, one of the best playgrounds in London is the Children’s Garden that opened at Kew Gardens in 2019. It is a fantastic space based in a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, with highlights that include a sandy area with play houses and small slides for little ones, tall “worm-hole” tubes to slide down, an area with trampolines and wooden climbing frames. The kids love the water play area, which features log troughs, water tables and several pumps, plus there’s a splash pool in a shady spot which is perfect for little ones."

"Take a break from the hustle and bustle of London and retreat to the beautiful and relaxing Kew Gardens. This green oasis in southwest London is believed to be the largest and most diverse botanical garden on earth. You can book single visits online, or if you’re a local, you might like to consider becoming a member for free entry year-round."

"If you are on museum overload, skip some of the museums on this itinerary and journey out to Kew Gardens. Take a Walking Tour of London"

"Founded in 1840, using plants from Kew Park in Middlesex, Kew Gardens is one of the largest and lushest botanic gardens in the world."

"Originating in New York, Red Farmlanded in Soho back in 2018, bringing with it quirky Pac Man shrimp dumplings and custard bao. Order one of their set menus online to enjoy their contemporary take on classic Chinese cuisine, with bottles of Champagne also available for those extra special occasions. Red Farm's steamed bites are almost too cute to eat...almost."

"Having originated in New York, Red Farm has quickly become known for its signature Pac Man dumplings. Found in the ever-buzzing area of Covent Garden, this restaurant serves playfully reimagined classic Chinese dishes in a relaxed setting."

"The popular New York City restaurant RedFarm recently took over a space in Covent Garden and within a matter of months landed on The Times’ Top 100 UK Restaurants list."

"Murger Han is a X’ian Chinese restaurant with branches in Euston, Mayfair and the City that seriously delivers the goods, and is super cheap too. The speciality here is Biang Biang noodles. They are made fresh in house every day and hand pulled by the chef into one giant 12 foot sheet and then cut into wide, thick strands before cooking."

"This is the third Murger Han and as in its other incarnations, they'll have a menu of Xi’an dishes made to family recipes with the Biang Biang noodles and the murgers themselves (slow-cooked meat in flatbread) being the biggest draw."

"With a sibling Shanghai restaurant which holds two Michelin stars, it’s safe to say Imperial Treasure comes from solid stock. Deftly handled classics include delicate dim sum and mains like a juicy lemon chicken or some of the best fried rice we’ve had in a long time. As you might expect, this isn’t the cheapest Chinese takeaway in London with a set menu from two starting at £90, but for a special occasion we think it’s well worth the splurge."

"Restaurants Chinese St James’s. One of only a handful of London restaurants dealing in refined Cantonese food, Imperial Treasure is a grand, high-ceilinged spot in Mayfair with classy service and even better barbecued duck (the delicious kind you’ll find hanging in the window in Chinatown). The prices border on blow-out, so order carefully."