As Liverpool basks in sunshine during the heatwave, many of us will be popping out for an much-needed ice cream to cool off as temperatures soar.
Whatever your flavour of choice, you can't beat a delicious ice cream on a hot day. Here in Merseyside there are some great places to pick up a scoop or two of your favourite flavour with the family.
READ MORE: Things to do with the kids in Liverpool over the summer holidays
We've compiled a list of nine of the best places to go for an ice cream, from luxurious dessert parlours to homemade gelato shops. So whether you love vanilla, chocolate or raspberry ripple - you're bound to find a satisfying scoop at one of these stores.
1. Paolo & Donato's Italian Deli, Williamson Square
For an authentic taste of Italy, visit Paolo and Donato's in Liverpool city centre for their homemade gelato.
Founded over 10 years ago by brothers Paolo and Donato, the deli also offers vegan gelato. The mountains of ice cream in the window will be enough to entice you through the door. Purchase an ice cream lollipop, three flavours or a whole 1kg tub depending on your appetite!
Flavours include blueberry, lime cheesecake and chocolate.
2. The Reader Ice Cream Parlour, Calderstones Park
The Reader Ice Cream Parlour in Calderstones Park is open all year round and is perfect for family and friends wanting to chill out together. A wide range of delicious flavours are available to choose from, all supplied by Cheshire Farm Ice Cream.
All of the ice cream parlour's profits are gifted back to The Reader charity. The Reader Ice Cream Parlour is open from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
3. Heavenly Desserts, Liverpool ONE
Offering customers an array of decadent treats to choose from, Heavenly Desserts certainly lives up to its name. Ice cream lovers can enjoy one of the chain's sumptuous sundaes, with flavours including biscoff, cookie crunch and strawberry surprise.
Cool down with a milkshake, with a host of fruity flavours to choose from. Or, for those wanting to enjoy their ice cream alongside another sweet treat, why not opt for one of Heavenly Desserts' cheesecakes or waffles?
4. Nicholls of Parkgate, Wirral
Nicholls of Parkgate have been making ice cream on site with the finest ingredients for 75 years. It makes up all of their flavours in its ice cream factory, which is located behind the shop.
There are dozens of delicious flavours to choose from, each one handmade using the finest Italian flavours. The shop overlooks the Dee Estuary and provides lovely views and a great place to relax, have fun and create memories.
Choose from an impressive array of flavours such as caramel fudge, mint choc chip, strawberry and banana chocolate chip.
5. Gelato Lark Lane, Aigburth
Gelato offers a selection of award winning ice creams, sorbets and coffee all made fresh daily. The store also has a sister parlour on Telegraph Road in Heswall.
The store also serves up bubble waffles and milkshakes in a tasty array of flavours. The Lark Lane store is open from 11am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
6. Kaspa's, Crosshall Street
Those looking to indulge in a luxurious dessert can look no further than Kaspa's. The menu includes an impressive selection of sundaes with flavours ranging from bubblegum to chocolate fudge.
The dessert shop also serves up waffles, crepes, cakes and puddings, along with a range of milkshakes and smoothies.
7. Caffe Cream
With stores in New Brighton, Birkenhead Park, Woodside Ferry Village and Birkenhead Precinct, Caffe Cream boasts homemade ice cream and locally sourced food.
The award-winning ice cream is made in Caffe Cream's ice cream factory on the Wirral, using traditional Italian production methods and milk and cream from local farms.
8. Flavours Ice Cream, Southport
Flavours Ice Cream on Nevill Street serves speciality coffees, tea, cakes and up to 30 artisan flavours of homemade real dairy ice cream made with fresh produce from local farms.
A range of other delicious desserts are available too, including sundaes, donuts and waffles.
9. The Midnight Delivery, Smithdown Road and Baltic Market
The Midnight Delivery can be found at the Baltic Market, as well as in a shop on Smithdown Road, which offers home delivery.
The company started out in a family home and serves up creative desserts to satisfy the taste buds. If you are craving some decadent ice cream, The Midnight Delivery's indulgent range of sundaes are an ideal choice. Choose from flavour options such as Kinder, Daim and strawberry and Nutella.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
- 22 of the best parks in Liverpool - the ultimate guide to the city's gardens
- Woodland walks within an hour's drive of Liverpool
- Hidden beauty spots that are well worth seeking out in Liverpool, Wirral and beyond
- 29 fascinating places tucked away in Liverpool that you just need to visit
- 18 brilliant family days out an hour's drive from Liverpool
