The Best Ice Cream In Brighton

From classic favourites to avant-garde flavours, discover the scoop on the best places to savour frozen delights in this coastal city...

A close-up of a strawberry-topped ice cream cone with pink and white swirled ice cream. The background features a busy, vibrant street scene with buildings, colorful bunting, and people enjoying outdoor activities.
Image © @gelatogusto via Twitter

Being a seaside town, most of us will know that Brighton is an ice cream lovers paradise; and whilst the sun may be dimming in the winter months, Brighton's countless parlours keep their doors wide open so you can indulge in a vasr array of frozen delights. From the classics to daring flavour combinations, all whilst catering to dietary restrictions too- so everyone can join in the fun! Read on to discover where you can find the best ice cream in Brighton...


Boho Gelato

A display case with multiple containers of colorful ice cream varieties. Flavors include Sour Cherry, Sea Salt Caramel, White Choc Honeycomb, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, and Starry Night. Each ice cream has a small label in front of it.
Boho Gelato via Facebook

Pool Valley: 6 Pool Valley, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1NJ

Ship Street: 31 Ship St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AD

Boho Gelato, the crowned jewel of Brighton's ice cream scene, has scooped up more than just accolades—it's become a national sensation. Tucked away in Ship Street and Pool Valley, this artisanal haven concocts frozen fantasies that have earned it the esteemed title of one of the UK's most popular ice cream shops. Ranked third nationwide and hailed as the South's sweetest triumph, Boho Gelato is more than just an ice cream parlor; it's a micro-factory, a flavor fiesta, and a testament to frozen dessert artistry. With 24 flavors swirling in their daily dance, ranging from the classic Vanilla to the avant-garde Violet, or the tropical Tango of Mango to the zesty zing of a Mojito, Boho Gelato takes your taste buds on a whimsical journey. Vegan options are a delightful constant on their menu, making sure everyone gets a taste of their chilly genius. Beyond the cones, Boho's creativity extends to desserts, waffles, and milkshakes that elevate the ice cream experience to a level where flavor meets fantasy.


Cloud 9

Exterior of a bright pink cafe named Cloud 9. The storefront has large glass windows and a retractable awning. A chalkboard sign on the sidewalk advertises cakes and coffee. Various signs on the windows promote products such as cake, ice cream, and sundaes.
Cloud 9 via Facebook

11 York Pl, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4GU

15 Kensington Gardens, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4AL

Cloud 9, where the dessert takes center stage in two locations across Brighton—the original at the base of Kensington Gardens and its larger sibling striking a pose across from St Peter's church on York Place. Renowned as the UK's first cake shop to whip up the iconic Rainbow cake, they've mastered the art of crafting sweet symphonies. But the show doesn't stop there—Cloud 9 introduces a frosty counterpart with their heavenly house-made ice cream, 16 flavors on constant rotation, totaling a staggering 100 flavor variations. From the classic soft-serve delights to toppings that tango on your taste buds. Vegan options join the party, and with inventive flavors like Biscoff and Pistachio, it's a frozen fantasyland. 


Gelato Gusto

A delicious plate of vanilla ice cream topped with chunks of waffle, a generous drizzle of strawberry sauce, and sprinkled with crushed biscuits. The toppings create a textured and visually appealing treat.
Gelato Gusto via Facebook

54 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2HJ

This premium Italian ice-cream haven, founded by the daring BAFTA Award-winning director Jon Adams, decided to trade the hustle of London for the sweetness of Sussex. Armed with fresh milk from a local dairy, Gelato Gusto crafts gelato that's not just lower in butterfat but positively dripping in indulgence. Picture this: daily small-batch creations, made with love and a touch of seaside magic. With up to 30 flavors swirling in their gelato galaxy at any given time, choosing just one feels like picking a favorite child. From classic crowd-pleasers to avant-garde wonders, Gelato Gusto ensures you'll be waltzing back for seconds. After all, why settle for ordinary ice cream when you can savor the creamy, gooey, and downright irresistible magic of gelato? 


Marrocco's

A crowd of people stands in line outside Marrocco's, an Italian restaurant and gelateria. The storefront is bustling with activity, and the sun is shining brightly. The sign above the entrance reads Marrocco's Ristorante Italiano. .
Marrocco's via Faebook

8 King's Esplanade, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2WA

Marrocco's, a place where ice cream has been an art since 1969, and the only thing melting faster than the scoops is your resistance to a second serving. This Italian seafood restaurant on Hove seafront has a flavor game so strong it's become a generational affair—customers have been passing down the joy of Marrocco's for four sweet generations. With 24 flavors to choose from, their award-winning ice cream is a dance of classics like Vanilla and Chocolate twirling with unique options like Bubblegum and Jaffa Cake.


The World Famous Pump Room

A seaside café named The World Famous Pump Room with an exterior displayed in blue and white signage. The café offers coffee, sandwiches, toasties, and ice cream. There are red umbrellas, seating, and a large ice cream cone decoration outside. A walkway is visible nearby.
Pump Room via Facebook

121-122 Kings Road Archa, Brighton BN1 2FN

Established in 1862, this Brighton institution started as a humble provider of seawater to the Grand Hotel, a place where taps flowed with hot water, cold water, and the refreshing nectar of the sea. Fast forward to today, and the Pump Room is not just a historical relic but a scoop-tastic haven. With 16 flavors of ice cream crafted by a local farmer, it's a dairy dreamland. Vegans, fear not—there's a delightful selection of dairy-free options to satisfy your frozen fantasies. And here's the cherry on top: you can savor these frozen delights while engaging in a friendly game of volleyball—just be sure your scoop doesn't end up in the sand!


V360

A small plant-based beach cafe with a blue awning is set against a red-brick building. The cafe has two yellow flags and a sign advertising vegan items. Chairs and tables are outside, and a large ice cream cone decoration is nearby.
V360 via Facebook

Kings Road Arches, 112 BN1 2LN

V360 may be seasonal but they are definitely worth the mention and the wait! In a year that's been as challenging as finding a vegan cheese that actually melts, V360m is closing shop temporarily to hit up vegan trade shows, concocting new plant-based wonders for a triumphant return in 2024. Despite the electric shocks of commercial electricity costs, V360 remains a beacon of vegan sweetness. Specializing in whipping up Brighton's best vegan Mr. Whippy ice cream, they've got your soft-serve dreams covered, complete with dark chocolate fakes that are a true dessert fantasy. And here's the cherry on top—they even have soya-free options, making them real leaders in the vegan ice cream realm. 


Ed's Easy Diner

Two metal milkshake cups sit on a vibrant red table in a diner booth. One milkshake is topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, the other with caramel syrup and whipped cream. Both have straws. Red upholstered seats are visible in the background.
Ed's Easy Diner via Facebook

Unit C2, Churchill Square, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 2RG

This proud Americana diner is not just about burgers and hot dogs; it's ice cream and milkshakes are the reason it's made the cut. With fair prices and portions that could satisfy even the hungriest sock hopper, Ed's Easy Diner is a diner dream. So, whether you're in the mood for a vegan brownie with ice cream or one of their famous shakes,  Ed's Easy Diner is the place to be.


Brass Monkey Ice Cream

Ornate vintage-style logo on a dark background reading Established 2002, Brass Monkey, Purveyors of the Finest Organic Ice Cream. The design includes decorative flourishes and an illustration of a monkey holding an ice cream cone.
Brass Monkey via Facebook

8 Hanningtons Ln, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1GS

If the weather gods decide to grace you with sunshine, Brass Monkey is your ultimate summer poster child for a sugar-sponsored brain freeze. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Royal Pavilion, this retro ice cream parlour might look like a tattoo studio from afar, but step inside, and you'll discover a taste adventure like no other. From the zesty zing of orange chocolate chip to the aromatic allure of cardamom, Brass Monkey is the place where flavor dreams come true. Don't miss their signature 'Hokey Pokey' honeycomb and vanilla concoction—it's a dance of sweetness that'll have you doing the twist with joy. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, Brass Monkey offers wholesale tubs of their handcrafted delights, ensuring the ice cream party never stops.