Looking for ice cream in Manchester? We are here to help!
Now that summer is here and we have some hot days, we all find ourselves looking for the best ice cream parlours in Manchester.
And guess what? That’s exactly what you will be getting here!
Manchester is one of the best cities in the UK when it comes to food. We have amazing restaurants (even a Michelin-starred one), brilliant Indian take aways, delicious pizza and tapas and … amazing ice cream!
In this article, we tell you exactly where to find the best ice cream in Manchester. We’ve included a selection of shops and parlours, all offering amazing frozen treats.
So, are you ready to discover them all? Let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
1 – SCOOP!
SCOOP is a fantastic ice cream shop in Manchester, perfect for a hot summer’s day or just that weekend ice cream craving.
You will find SCOOP! on Oldham Road in trendy Ancoats.
You will be in complete ice cream heaven at SCOOP!
They serve up a ton of amazing flavours from traditional like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to some more adventurous flavours. If you are looking for vegan ice cream in Manchester this is the place to be.
They’ve got Dark Chocolate, Fruits of the Forest, Passionfruit and Mint Choc Chip all of which are vegan.
It’s not just ice cream at this parlour there’s a process and it’s delicious. First choose your base: brownie, donut, or cookie.
Then add one of the aforementioned ice cream flavours.
Next, it’s toppings. Imagine caramel fudge, crushed Oreo, Dairy Milk pieces, dried mango and raspberry, honeycomb, meringue kisses, marshmallows and sprinkles poured over your ice cream.
Finally, add your sauce and ta-da you’ve made their signature ice cream cookie or brownie sandwich.
2 – Sicilian NQ
Sicilian NQ is a friendly bistro and bar that serves traditional Sicilian food.
You’ll find this bistro on Turner Street just a street over from the Metrolink tracks that pass by the Arndale Centre.
Their savoury delights are worth a shout out but it’s time for ice cream…or gelato!
If you are searching for authentic gelato in Manchester this place will transport you to Italy.
Their ice cream is creamy, the perfect texture and packed with authentic flavour.
Their flavour does vary from day to day but you can expect chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, Wild Cherries and Cream, pistachio, coffee and Stracciatella.
What is unique about the ice cream at Sicilian NQ is the brioche.
You can get a sweet brioche bun filled with two of your favourite ice cream scoops.
Sicilian NQ is the perfect place for a quick treat, whether you are exploring the city or on your lunch break.
3 – Black Milk, Northern Quarter
This dessert and ice cream parlour in Manchester is well worth a visit if you are longing for desserts.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to skip the main course in favour of something sweet.
Black Milk is on Oldham Street, a couple of doors down from the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club.
You can buy their gelato and ice cream flavours in one, two or three scoops either on a waffle cone or in a cup.
Their flavours include Hazelnut Cream, Cookies & Cream, Bayles Choc Chip, White Chocolate, Pistachio Cream, Lotus Biscoff, Purple Ube and two vegan options, Raspberry Sorbet and Lemon Sorbet.
Black Milk are also well known for their incredibly decadent ice cream sundaes.
They’ve got a nutty Kinderella, Cookies & Cream, White Chocolate & Pistachio and Salted Caramel & Biscoff.
On your way out be sure to buy one of their sweet spreads which are ideal for putting on crumpets, toast or pancakes.
4 – Lazy Sundae
This Tib Street dessert shop is well known for its Asian-inspired bubble tea.
Lazy Sundae’s pastel aesthetic makes it an instantly agreeable place to grab ice cream.
So, let’s break down the ice cream options at Lazy Sundae.
If you’ve ever been to South Korea, you may have tried Bingsu or Bingsoo.
It’s a mix of either frozen cream or milk and shaved ice.
It ends up feeling just like ice cream but completely different at the same time.
Some of their flavours include Brown Sugar Biscoff and Mango Mochi.
Their ice cream flavours are also Asian-inspired. There’s Vietnamese Coffee (a must try), Taro Cheesecake, Thai Tea, Lychee and Jasmine Milk.
If you want your ice cream to be even more extra try their Lucky Charm cones.
5 – Oasis Ice Cream
Oasis is an amazing ice cream parlour in Manchester. Those familiar with Chorlton will likely have heard about Oasis Ice Cream, it’s a real local favourite.
If you just fancy a normal ice cream then you can choose from a plain cone, waffle cone, chocolate waffle cone, sprinkle cone or a tub.
They usually have around 20 to 25 flavours on offer at the parlour.
There’s everything from Bubble Gum to Vimto, mango to M&M and of course all the classic ice cream flavours.
They are also well known for their epic sundaes.
From the Banana Split to the nutty Ferrero Sundae or even the unique Carrot Cake Meltdown, these desserts are unapologetically calorific.
If you are visiting with friends definitely order the Super Sundae that’s made specifically to share.
Whether you are dining in or grabbing ice cream to eat outside Oasis Ice Cream is always a good shout if you are in Chorlton.
6 – Icestone Gelato
For some of the best gelato in Manchester, head to Icestone Gelato on Oxford Road. Icestone Gelato is actually a franchise dessert shop with locations across Northern England.
They serve up a variety of desserts, waffles, cookie dough and of course gelato!
They of course have the traditional flavours like Belgian Chocolate, Banana and Cookies & Cream but they also have some great ice creams you may not usually go for.
There’s Bubblegum, Blueberry Muffin, Cookie Dough, Bounty, Strawberry Cheesecake and Popping Candy to name a few.
Many of their scoop flavours are also gluten-free.
As well as original gelato they have a range of Gelato Milkshakes, available with all of their gelato flavours.
They’ve also got a range of sundaes. How about Mr. Brown – chocolate, toffee, vanilla gelato, served of course with brownies, chocolate and a gooey toffee sauce.
7 – Grandpa Greene’s
Grandpa Greene’s is an ice cream parlour and café bar in Diggle, Oldham, Greater Manchester.
If you are looking to escape the city and feel the buzz of country life then head to the Huddersfield Canal for a walk and a rewarding ice cream at Grandpa Greene’s.
Everything they serve at Grandpa Greene’s feels like it showcases the best of British pub and café food.
Their ice cream is no exception.
The milk and double cream used to make the ice cream comes from the local Friesian cows that graze in the fields of nearby Saddleworth.
They also strive to use fresh British fruit wherever possible! You can really taste the care that goes into this ice cream.
It’s worlds apart from any shop-bought stuff!
They offer an edible tub (shaped like a tub but actually a cone) and traditional cones in the following forms: chocolate, sprinkles, smartie, and honeycomb.
They have three vegan ice creams: Strawberry, Passionfruit and Mango and Lotus. Their other top flavours include Nutella, Kinder Bueno, Raspberry Pavlova and White Chocolate.
8 – Ben & Jerry’s, Trafford Centre
You’ve shopped for most of the day at the Trafford Centre and you are literally about to drop. What do you need? Ice cream of course.
Forget the hassle of trying to find good ice cream, you just know Ben & Jerry’s will hit the spot.
Ben & Jerry’s are known for their myriad of flavours, unique combinations and great names.
For lovers of classic desserts try the Caramel Brownie Party or the Choco-lotta Cheesecake.
Classics like Chunky Monkey, Phish Food, Cookies on Cookie Dough and Chocolate Fudge Brownie never fail to please.
They’ve also got some non-dairy options of the fan favourite as well as some of their newer ice creams like Netflix & Chilll’d.
9 – Ice Shack
If you are searching for vegan ice cream in Manchester definitely head to Withington in Greater Manchester.
This cutesy little ice cream parlour is a haven for vegans who will so often feel left out of the dessert world.
Not only is this a great ice cream shop for vegans but food intolerances are catered for as well.
All of their ice creams apart from the Biscoff flavour are made with no gluten-containing ingredients.
Their soya-free and vegan ice creams include strawberry, peach, lemon, raspberry, orange, mango and champagne!
They are always coming up with new and inventive flavours and improving their vegan range.
They recently launched the marshmallow ice cream, which is 100% vegan and 100% gluten-free.
Everything from the ice cream to the staff, their incredible cakes and the community vibe make this a great ice cream parlour and local hangout.
10 – Jersey Girls Dairy Ice Cream Parlour
Bury, Greater Manchester is home to the Jersey Girls Dairy Ice Cream Parlour.
Jersey Girls is a popular local spot and should be on your list if you are in the Bury area.
This is definitely one of those farm to table experiences but in ice cream form.
They create their artisan ice creams from their own Jersey cows.
In fact, visiting this ice cream parlour in Manchester is more than just the dessert, you can also see all of the animals on the farm, which include cows, sheep, goats, and donkeys.
They serve up several gluten-free options including their vanilla Just Jersey, Strawberries and Cream, Mint Chocolate Ripple, and Chocolate.
For dairy-free diets, there’s the Passion Fruit Twist and Green Apple. Other popular flavours include Blueberry Cheesecake, Biscoff, Cherry Pavlova, and Cherry Chocolate Crunch.
11 – Frederick’s Ice Cream
The makers of Frederick’s Ice Cream have their origins in Italy, like sweet music to the ears of gelato lovers.
Their ice cream recipes have been perfected over four generations.
The company itself has over 120 flavours in their repertoire.
In addition to classic ice cream scoops in cones or tubs they also serve up some epic ice cream sundaes.
There are all the fan favourite flavours, as well as Vimto, Snickers, Lemon Meringue, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, and Spiced Chai.
They tend to get really creative by making limited edition flavours like the King Charles Coronation, and the Cadbury Mini Egg for easter.
Fredericks is a real local Northern ice cream brand.
They’ve got two Chorley locations – one at Massa’s Dessert Café Bar on Cunliffe Street and the Bolton Road Ice Cream Parlour location.
If you happen to be in Wigan there’s Fredericks ice cream at Mesnes Park.
12 – Sweet!, Northern Quarter
Take advantage of one of the rare days of Manchester sun by heading to Sweet!
In Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter.
Sweet! was actually created by the people behind The Fitzgerald, The Quarter House, and Hula.
Well, it seems that this team doesn’t just know how to run a great bar but also serves up delicious ice cream.
The ice cream served at Sweet! is from Mrs Dowson’s, close to Blackburn.
They are well known for their excellent ice cream that’s made from all-natural farm-made ingredients.
At Sweet! you can enjoy all the beloved choices like mint choc chip, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
They’ve also got vegan-friendly sorbets that are suitable for dairy-free eaters too.
13 – Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream
Dunham Massey, a village in the Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester is a great place for a day out from the city and they have awesome ice cream.
Head to Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream along Station Road for some of the best ice cream around.
Their ice cream is made right there on the farm by a lovely lady called Diane and her daughter.
One of the mother-daughter teams like to do at their ice cream shop is turn your favourite biscuits or chocolate bars into ice cream.
Think Maltesers, Caramac, Oreo and Custard Cream.
Some of their other flavours include Toffee Fudge, Lemon Meringue, Irish Coffee, and Black Forest.
You might also come across some of their more daring flavours like Sunflower and Strawberry & Prosecco.
Order your ice cream (on busy days be prepared to queue) and sit inside, in the covered tipi or on their outdoor picnic tables.
14 – Milk Maids
Head to Bolton for some of the best ice cream in Greater Manchester. Milk Maids pride themselves on their ice cream that is made fresh on the family farm.
Though the ice cream itself is important some often forget that a good cone is integral to the experience.
Whilst you can get tubs of ice cream they are well known for their cones.
They have “tiny tiny cones” for a bite-size taste test, kids’ cones, waffle cones, and unique chocolate, pink or blue sherbet cones.
Before getting to the ice cream, they’ve also got these decadent waffle ice creams.
It’s a full waffle with a scoop of ice cream and drizzled in melted chocolate.
Some of their fruity flavours are: Raspberry Ripple, Orange & Pineapple, Mango & Passionfruit and Double Strawberry.
Their chocolatey and sweet flavours include: Crunchie, Cotton Candy, Lotus Biscoff, Kinder Bueno, Honeycomb and Chocolate Cookie.
15 – Holdens & Co – Ice Cream and Village Store
Another Bolton ice cream parlour on the Blackburn Road, is Holdens & Co.
One of the best things about Holdens & Co is they are authentic and well established; they’ve even used the same secret family recipe since 1929.
There’s definitely a classy high-end feel to this ice cream brand!
They’ve got a couple of different ice cream collections (again feel the high-end vibe). Their Big Tasty Collection includes Cherry, Mint Choc Chip and Salted Caramel.
They have two dairy-free sorbets Mango and Lemon.
Their Kids Corner Collection includes Blue Bubbly, a bubble gum flavour, but who says that’s just for kids!
Though you might intend on going in for a scoop they do sell one litre family ice cream tubs which are perfect for satisfying the craving.
You may also be interested in:
