UPDATED: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream: The World's Best Ice Cream Parlours.

Ice Cream, the perfect summer guilty pleasure.

With summer in full swing and temperatures in London soaring past thirty degrees celsius, nothing sounds as appealing as lazily lying in Hyde Park, enjoying a creamy scoop or two of some of London's finest gelatos and sorbets while basking under the striking sunshine. Finding ice cream during the summer months is no difficult task, but finding ice cream so good you no longer feel guilty you are breaking your bikini diet for is a slightly harder task. Below is a list I have carefully compiled to help you in your quest to find the world's best ice cream.

OSLO: BEIRUT, LEBANON.

Beirut, Lebanon.

Oslo, Rue de Madrid, Beirut, Lebanon.

http://www.osloicecream.com/

Make your way to Beirut's finest gelateria, Oslo, for a chilled break like no other. Middle-Eastern delicacies including Loukoum, Sahlab and Halva meet Italian favourites such as Tiramisu and Straciatella and American treats like Oreos- to name a few. Oslo really is the 'melting pot' of ice cream parlours, with flavours coming from all corners of the globe. However the best thing about Oslo's ice creams and sorbets is that each and every flavour is made from only the finest ingredients- allowing it to be a guilt-free indulgence. I recommend Sahlab Loukoum ice cream, a rich and creamy spiced ice cream, with gooey chunks of Loukoum (turkish delight).

http://www.osloicecream.com/

Cannes, France.


-Vilfeu, the crossing of Rue Bivouac Napoléon and Rue Buttura, Cannes, 06400.
This once small, dark and cramped ice cream parlour off the Croisette has relocated and expanded due to an incredibly loyal following. The new-and-improved Vilfeu has taken on a 'retro American diner' theme- but don't let the bubblegum pink and baby blue colours in the shop put you off- for only at Vilfeu, will you see the biggest, most creative and exotic range of ice creams in France. They have everything from Pistachio Macaroon ice cream, bubble gum ice cream to Red Bull ice cream and Jack Daniels ice cream. There really is something for everyone here. If in Cannes, or even in Nice, or actually, anywhere in the French Riviera, then Vilfeu should be right at the top of your to-do's list. Although every single flavour is heavenly and half the fun of coming to Vilfeu is trying all the flavours, I recommend Sesame ice cream, Marron (chestnut) ice cream, Nutella ice cream and Macaroon Pistache ice cream (made with chunks of pistachio macaroon and marzipan- there's nothing else quite like it in the ice cream world). 

A tiny section of the impressive selection of ice creams and sorbets at Vilfeu.

Vilfeu - Retro Diner Style.

A scoop of ice cream with Chantilly cream.

London, England.

-Dri Dri Chelsea, Chelsea Farmers Market, 125 Sydney Street, SW3 6NR. 

http://www.dridrigelato.com/

Chelsea Farmers Market secured its status as Chelsea's most pleasant and agreeable summer hang-out when Dri Dri opened shop earlier this year. Health conscious Sloanes can cool off while enjoying 0% fat sorbets with flavours ranging from pink grapefruit to cherry and lemon. For those willing to break the diet and go for ice cream as opposed to the 0% fat sorbet, I recommend a scoop of Mandorla with a scoop of Nocciola. All but two of the ice creams and sorbets are gluten free, allowing Dri Dri to be a treat for all. 

Dri Dri Ice Cream- there's something for everyone.

-Oddono's, 14 Bute Street, London, SW7 3EX.

http://www.oddonos.com/

Although in the spring and summer months the queue for Oddono's Italian gelato can stretch out of the small and modest shop- all that queueing is 110% worth it when you finally do get to taste the ice cream. Here the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is charming and young- making for the perfect conditions to relish your scoop of velvety goodness. Go for the Cookies and Cream ice cream (with oreo chunks) or the coffee ice cream, or if you're feeling especially 'gourmand', why not try the Cookies and Cream ice cream cake. 

Velvety Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, at Oddono's.

New York, NY, USA.

- Grom, 1796 Broadway, NY, 10019.

http://www.grom.it/eng/index.php

With over thirty of the forty-something world wide branches of Grom being in Italy, Grom has proven not only to be the most popular gelateria, but also the most authentic Italian gelateria in the City. A few summer's ago, my mum stumbled upon Grom, a small gelateria which had people lining around the block. Never one to miss out on a sweet treat, my mother bared the heat and joined the back of the queue in a bid to see what all the fuss was about. And thank God she did. Thanks to her, her patience and her sweet tooth, I was introduced to Grom on a trip to New York last year. I recommend either the Pistachio ice cream (made from Syrian Pistachios) or my personal favourite- the Mandorla (almond) sicilian granita. 

The queue says it all: people lining up, ready for the best ice cream of their life.

The best drink I have ever tasted, without a doubt. Almond Granita.

Grom can be found in Rome, Milan, Sanremo, Florence, Siena and Venice (to name a few) in Italy. 

Malibu, New York City (home to 3 Grom's), Paris, Tokyo and Osaka are now also home to Grom. 

Monte-Carlo, Monaco.


-Morelli's, Café de Paris, Place du Casino, 98000, Monaco.

http://www.morellisgelato.com/

Morelli's in Monaco is located on the corner of the Café de Paris, right in the centre of Monaco, at the Place du Casino. In other words, it is a loud and crowded tourist trap, never without at least half a dozen people queueing for ice cream. Nonetheless, if you are looking for Monaco's best ice cream on the go- then Morelli's is the place to go. The smooth, whipped and intense ice creams here will not disappoint. Go for the yogurt ice cream- the richest and creamiest of them all, with a surprisngly soft texture while still possessing a tart flavour. 

Morelli's is creamy, thick and rich- just as ice cream should be. Perfect.

Morelli's can also be found at Harrods Department Store in London, in Kent as well as in Dubai. 


St Tropez, France.


-Barbarac, Lotissement St Claude, St Tropez, 83990.
Like pretty much all of the other ice cream parlours I have included in this global guide of must-try ice cream parlours, the sweltering heat in the summer months bring in a big, big crowd. So yes, this place is overly crowded and the staff are not the friendliest but when in St Tropez, Barbarac is the ice cream parlour to go to. Here, the coconut ice cream is the best, especially when paired with a creamy scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. Bounty on a cone. 

Barbarac, on the port in St Tropez.