Where to find the world’s best ice cream

Ice cream and holidays go hand-in-hand, but there’s more to this frozen treat than you might think. From Thailand to Italy, wherever you go there’s a different spin on the classic. From Cornwall’s traditional cones to Sicily’s ice cream-filled buns, there’s a style – and flavour – out there for everyone and finding it’s going to be fun.

Cornish ice cream, England

The rest of England is jealous of Cornwall’s ice cream. That’s because its climate and terrain is perfectly suited to dairy farming, hence the county’s famous export: clotted cream – which is also an essential ingredient for Cornish ice cream. Antonia Shields, owner of Antonia’s Pearls holiday cottages, thinks the Coconut Bounty ice cream at Tall Ships Creamery is the second best in Cornwall (after her grandmother’s iced lemon posset). Stay at one of her cottages or go for grandeur at Tregenna Castle Resort, set in 72 acres of grounds near St Ives.

Ice cream rolls in Bangkok, Thailand

You can find the world’s coolest ice cream at Chatuchak Weekend Market or at stalls in the Saphan Lueng district, with liquid cream flash-frozen on a -35°C pan and rolled to order. You can also add fillings such as exotic fruits or Oreo cookies which are mashed into the cream before it gets frozen. Afterwards, chill out in the Yor Yak Hostel, where complimentary breakfast comes in Thai-style picnic boxes. Or take the plunge at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, a sleek city oasis with a huge outdoor pool.

Ice cream brioche in Palermo, Sicily

The snows of Mount Etna once used to freeze Sicily’s gelato. Now having freezers in homes means brioche stuffed with ice cream is a staple summer snack. Stefania Crimaldi, of boutique design hotel Palco Rooms&Suites, recommends Brioscia: “The portion sizes are so generous, it’s almost like a meal. The best flavours are pistachio and Mandorla (a bitter almond liqueur). Always don’t forget to add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top.”

Mochi ice cream in Tokyo, Japan

Bite into a ball of soft, sticky pounded rice and you’ll find a cool, creamy centre – this is mochi ice cream, a fusion of East and West in a dessert. Invented by American-Japanese Frances Hashimoto, owner of a four-generation family patisserie in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, it became an instant hit in Japan. You can buy flavours including sweet sake and black sesame at speciality shops Mochicream or pick them up in any convenience store. Eat them in bed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo for the full ‘Lost in Translation’ experience or go traditional at the Ryokan & Spa Shizuku, with its wooden soaking tubs and walled gardens.

Kulfi in Delhi, India

According to Rishabh Anand, pastry chef at The Leela Palace New Delhi, the best place in the city for India’s favourite dessert is Kuremal Mohanlal Kulfi Wale in Chandni Chowk market: “They have the most innovative flavours, including Custard Apple and Blackberry Sharbat.” Spoil yourself in The Leela’s sumptuous surroundings – think travertine marble and 14,000 flowers delivered daily or relish traditional details at restored house Haveli Dharampura.