Ice cream weather is here! Fewer things are more enjoyable than the simple pleasure of a sweet icy treat on a hot day (contrary to popular belief, we do have them!)
There was a time when a ‘99’ with sprinkles on top was the ultimate ice cream treat, but now there is so much choice, you could almost try a different flavour every day.
Discover new and old favourites, pick your cone and your topping and find yourself a scenic patch to enjoy it - we recommend heading to the seaside with your best picnic blankets and maybe a few additional snacks, in case you eat it before you get there! In no particular order, here are a few suggestions to get those taste buds tingling.
Morelli's
For five generations, the Morelli family has made award winning ice cream using fresh double cream and butter from the historic Ballyrashane Creamery. An institution in the towns of Portrush and Portstewart, holidaymakers and locals alike frequent their parlours to enjoy an exciting range of classic and unique flavours including Irish Black Butter, Devil’s Churn Caramel and even a ‘Coke Float’ flavour (IYKYK). Morelli’s is also available in several locations throughout Northern Ireland, and can now even be found in some supermarkets for those who fancy a little taste of the Causeway Coast without having to leave the house. Dairy-free flavours are available too!
Braemar Farm
Priding themselves on their artisan ice-cream making techniques, Braemar Farm ice-cream comes courtesy of the Pollock family farm, in the seaside village of Castlerock. You’ll find them serving up “fresh, natural and ‘udderly’ scrumptious” cones from their trailer located along Castlerock’s beach front promenade. You’ve got to try the cherry and caramel flavours. Ice-cream and beach walks are the ultimate combination!
Moo Town Creamery
Moo Town Creamery in Limavady has seen locals queuing the length of the town’s Catherine Street to get their sugary pick-me-up. Using local ice-cream products, Moo Town Creamery are experts in serving up indulgent desserts featuring heaps of toppings and sauces, as well as luxury milkshakes, hot chocolates and more.
Maud’s
This award-winning ice cream brand has a fascinating family history behind it and a long list of accolades to its name, including the highly-coveted Champion of Champions award at the National Ice-Cream Alliance competition - a tremendous accomplishment! Maud’s ice-cream parlours can be found in several different locations in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, including Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Portrush and Portstewart. Will you go for ‘Irish Atlantic Sea Salted Caramel’ or the exotic ‘Turkish Delight’? Decisions, decisions!
The Dessert Bar
This haven of sweet treats is the pride of Ballycastle’s oldest ice-cream family. Sugary waffles, donuts topped with ice cream, and a plethora of traditional sweets all await you at The Dessert Bar. Located by Ballycastle’s seafront and marina, this ice-cream trip makes for a lovely afternoon out! Once we finish writing about these ice-cream parlours, we’re hopping in the car and heading to Ballycastle for dessert by the seaside.
Roughan's Gelato
Fancy authentic Italian-style gelato on the Causeway Coast? Look no further! The presentation of these incredible flavours by Roughan’s in Portstewart is impressive in its own right, but the taste? Bellissimo! An extensive range of vegan and dairy-free flavours are available, and they’ve now opened a brand new shop in Coleraine.
Mullin's
When you think of childhood summers, what image comes to mind? For some of us, it’s grabbing a gooey honeycomb ice-cream at the local petrol station on a hot summer’s evening, and taking the long way back to feel the sun on our skin for just a few minutes longer. Mullin’s have been supplying local shops and parlours with their delicious ice-creams for almost 70 years, having been founded in the rural countryside of Kilrea in 1954. You can visit their parlour in the village, or find stockists across the country on their website.
Lime Ice Cream Bar
This ice-cream bar in the town of Ballymoney is actually much more than its name would suggest. Not only does it serve up the finest of sundaes and milkshakes using award-winning Maud’s ice-cream, but they also provide a wide range of other sweet treats and savoury snacks! After all, not everyone’s sweet tooth strikes at the same time – so you can chow down on a tasty and traditional lunch of soup and sandwiches, while the rest of the family get their daily dairy intake. Talk about an all-rounder!
Cream of the Coast
Fancy a breathtaking view along with your ice-cream? You’ll find Cream of the Coast located at Magheracross Viewpoint on the road between Portrush and Bushmills (just beside Dunluce Castle). This has to be one of the most scenic places to grab an icy treat on the whole island, with far reaching views out over the Atlantic from the unique viewing platforms. Once you’ve got your order, be it a decadent sundae or a chocolate milkshake, take the short dander across the car park to the platform and get ready to have your mind blown.
Ladybird Ice Cream Parlour
Situated in the market town of Limavady, a trip to the recently opened Ladybird Ice Cream Parlour makes for a fantastic post-dinner treat. Savour a tasty gelato or a tangy sorbet, or indulge with a sweet crepe with lashings of gooey chocolate sauce.
Cowtown Creamery
Here in the Causeway Coast & Glens, we are passionate about local food produce and you can imagine how delighted we were to learn that this new ice cream parlour in Ballymoney makes their ice-cream using milk from their own family-run farm. You’ll find them located on the town’s Main Street, where you can sit in to enjoy your ice-cream or you can swing by their horsebox ice cream hatch on the Ballybogey Road.
Whichever ice-cream parlour you choose to get your scoop from, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed – the friendly faces and families behind each of these ice-cream institutions are passionate about what they do and it shows in both their taste and presentation. What flavour will you choose?
