TOP RATED DESSERT OUTLETS IN SCOTLAND

For those with a sweet tooth there is no shortage of options in Scotland. Going back to when the Italian immigrants first came over and opened the first ice cream shops introducing quality desserts to these shores.

Now people who want to find the perfect place to go for dessert this summer have more options than ever before from cafes that serve homemade cakes and afternoon tea to ice cream parlours serving unique combinations to help you cool down.

MIELE’S GELATERIA (INVERNESS)

Located in the heart of Inverness, Miele’s speciality is Italian Style Gelato made by Miele’s, who have a long family heritage in Ice cream spanning over 90 years. They’ve developed a winning formula in their Gelato with a combination of training in Sicily in the art of gelato with some of the greatest Italian chefs & using techniques passed down from their Great Grandfather. 

They still manage to keep the process fun and full of passion allowing them to add new flavours to their range every other week including Watermelon, Oreo and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

They’re more than just ice cream selling Donuts, Waffles and number of whipped sundaes in flavours like M&M’s and Milky Bars. Their main hub is in Inverness but they also have outlets in Loch Ness and Aviemore.

IGLOO (FALKIRK)

This ice cream and coffee parlour opened their first premises on Falkirk Main Street in October 2015. Since then they’ve gone on to open a second Falkirk location in the Central Retail Park as well as outlets in Stirling and Linlithgow.

They have over 30 flavours in rotation made using the finest whole milk and lashings of double cream sourced from local dairy farms. Some of their most popular flavours are Nutella, Oreo and Ferrero Rocher.

Their double cream vanilla, peanut butter swirl and banoffee caramel pie all won awards at the 2016 UK Ice Cream Alliance. They’ve been named finalists in the Scottish Golden Cone Awards and are part of the Scotland Ice Cream Trail.

However they’re about more than just ice cream offering Belgium waffles, chocolate fudge cake and freshly ground Italian coffee.

THE SICILIAN PASTRY SHOP (EDINBURGH)

Since opening their doors in 1979 this award winning bakery has brought a taste of Italy to the capital after owner Francesco trained as a chief in the small town of Sapri. Francesco’s son has been working alongside him for the last 10 years taking over the role of head chef continuing the family’s passion for producing delicious food. 

They sell traditional Italian desserts such as cannoli’s, rum baba’s and the classic arancini. One of their specialties is their famous celebration cakes that customers can pre order to help mark special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and other family gatherings. 

These cakes come in a range of flavours including the traditional fresh cream and fruit jam or vanilla and chocolate gateaux.

TUBBEES DESSERT LAB (GLASGOW)

Since first opening in 2018 this unique dessert outlet has opened multiple stores across Glasgow. They are best known for the wide arrange of Slushees with more than 90 flavours available and more being developed every day. Some of these unique flavours include Parma Violets, Cream Soda and Mountain Dew.

They have an app through which customers can earn a certain number of points for a free slushee.

Another thing that sets them apart is the use of Nitrogen ice cream for both tubs and cones in a variety of flavours. Their menu also includes fudge puppies, waffles, crepes and the latest imported goods.

They recently announced a range of Boba Teas will be coming soon with 16 different flavour options. Tubbees were named as finalists for Dessert Outlet of the Year at the Food Awards Scotland 2021.

NOVELLI’S (FIFE)

Located on Burntisland Main Street this dessert parlour features 18 flavours of ice cream and sorbet made fresh on the premises daily. Customers can get their ice cream or sorbet served in eco friendly edible tubs as an alternative to the cone.

They have warm dessert options like bubble waffles, chocolate kebabs and nutella crepes. In time for the summer they have introduced frozen Fanta and frozen Coke.

They walked away with the award for Dessert Outlet of the Year award at the 2021 Food Awards Scotland.

CONSIDERIT (EDINBURGH)

What sets this dessert outlet apart is that they specialise in vegan and dairy desserts. They operate under the mission to produce hand crafted, indulgent treats free from any animal products without compromising on flavour or quality.

They specialise in doughnuts, chocolates and ice cream inspired by seasonal and local ingredients.  They aim to challenge people’s perceptions of plant based desserts and make products like theirs the norm.

DEESSERTS (GLASGOW)

This colourful dessert parlour puts a lot of emphasises on the toppings on their ice cream sundaes and waffles. Their sundaes come in flavours like After Eight mint, Kinder, Smarties and lemon sorbet with cream and toppings making them some of the most indulgent desserts available. 

They have freshly prepared American style waffles, crepes and pancakes with icing sugar, cream and several different topping options.  To ensure they’re inclusive to all of their customers they offer vegan waffle options including allowing you to make your own.

They were named as finalists for Dessert Outlet of the Year at the Food Awards Scotland 2021.

EQUI’S (HAMILTON)

Equi’s has been part of the Hamilton community since 1922 when Pietro Equi started making ice cream at the Peacock café. Four generations the family business continues to use some of Pietro’s original ideas along with a few carefully chosen ingredients from around the world.

Their Hamilton store features the biggest selection of ice cream selection from the on sight flavour lab. Flavours include cookies n cream, Scottish tablet and their award winning double vanilla.

Their award winning ice cream is available in over 250 cafes, shops and restaurants across Scotland. They’re available in cookie dough, chocolate brownie and mint chocolate chip.

THE PERFECT SCOOP (KIRCALDY)

This dog friendly outlet has ice cream and cakes made by the owner on the premises making it the perfect place to stop in on a walk with your four legged friend. There is also sorbet and some vegan ice cream options.

They have some unique flavours including Lotus Biscoff, star bar and red fruit solero.

Their ice cream has won several accolades including 4 Bronze & 1 Silver at the Royal Highland Show 2018 and 1 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze at the Champion Reserve Royal Highland Show, 2019.

CROLLA’S GELATERIA (ABERDEEN)

Crolla represents an award winning family company that has been producing traditional gelato for over 120 years. They opened their first store in Mary Street in Glasgow before expanding to Aberdeen and beyond.

The have over 80 flavours of mouth watering ice cream and gelato produced by their hard working team which has consistently left customers satisfied. 

Their menu is about more than ice cream with sandwiches, Paninis and specialty coffees on offer. They have Halal options available and customers are encouraged to ask at the counter about any dietary requirements they have.

The Dessert outlets featured were placed in no particular order. The purpose was to highlight not rank.