York's Best Ice Cream Boats and Gelato Bars

Summer in York can get surprisingly warm, and when the sun beats down on our historic streets, finding a spot to cool off becomes a priority. Luckily, the city has some of the most unique ways to enjoy a cold treat, starting right on the River Ouse. If you are walking along Dame Judi Dench Walk near the Museum Gardens, you can find The Full Moo, a floating ice cream boat. This women-owned spot serves up classic flavours like Madagascar vanilla, caramel honeycomb, lemon curd, and a dairy-free mango sorbet. Further upstream, just past the Millennium Bridge and a short walk from Rowntree Park, is the Two Hoots Ice Cream Boat. You can spot it by its giant pink conch shell and the familiar tune of Greensleeves. To get your ice cream, you actually tow your boat to the side of their floating truck. They serve locally made flavours like rhubarb lemon curd, chocolate cherry, and chocolate sea salt, accepting both cash and contactless payments.

If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, York's gelato scene has plenty of excellent options. Just a short walk from Rowntree Park on Bishopthorpe Road, Trinacria offers handmade gelato and sorbet crafted weekly with natural ingredients. Their rotating flavours include blood orange sorbet, salted caramel, and vegan peanut butter, alongside authentic Sicilian pizzas if you want a full meal. Over on Goodramgate, Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato serves fresh gelato made daily with traditional ingredients. Founded by Roberto Culivicchi, who moved here from Tuscany, the shop is known for its pistachio gelato, Bacio (chocolate and hazelnut), and salted caramel mascarpone, alongside seasonal creations.

For those wandering through the city centre, Loopy Scoops on Church Street offers a fun, independent parlour experience. They source their dairy ice cream from Yorkshire's Brymor farm and serve unique options like Taiyaki cones, thick shakes, and even frozen treats for dogs, with indoor seating available upstairs. Meanwhile, over at Back Swinegate, the female-owned Luxury Ice Cream Company (LICC York) is preparing to re-open at the end of June 2026 under Victoria and Chris Rothwell, bringing back their artisan gelato, shakes, and famous frozen bananas. If you fancy a short trip just outside the city centre, Curlew Fields Dairies in Hessay serves homemade ice cream in over a hundred flavours straight from their farm, making it another great option to escape the summer heat.