Best Ice Cream in Brighton: Seafront Classics & Local Favourites

22 April 2026

people enjoying different colours and flavours of ice cream with a cone on Brighton beach on a beautiful sunny day

This blog post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Last Updated on 22 April 2026 by Dave King

Brighton is famous for its lively food scene, and ice cream is a seaside must. This guide points you to the best ice cream in Brighton, from timeless seafront classics to inventive local favourites. Whether you’re wandering along Brighton Palace Pier or exploring the side streets, you’ll find gelato, sorbets and vegan options made with care. We cover the top places near the pier, highlight dairy-free choices, showcase artisan makers, and explain takeaway and delivery options around town.

Where to Find the Best Ice Cream Shops Near Brighton Pier?

The area around Brighton Palace Pier is a hive of activity, and it’s where you’ll spot some of the city’s best-known ice cream spots. If you want the strongest current picks near the pier and in central Brighton, Boho Gelato is the clearest standout, while Gelato Gusto remains a well-known option a short walk away in North Laine.

Boho Gelato: A Brighton favourite with an original shop at 6 Pool Valley, close to the pier. Boho says it has been making gelato there since 2010, with 24 ever-changing flavours available daily in cups, cones or take-home tubs.

Gelato Gusto: A central Brighton option in North Laine. Brilliant Brighton lists it as a Gardner Street gelato shop with around 30 changing flavours, homemade gelato made daily, and seating inside.

What Makes Boho Gelato a Seafront Favourite?

Boho Gelato stands out because it is both close to the pier and genuinely local. Its official site says the gelato is made daily in Brighton using local milk and cream, and the Pool Valley branch is also its main hub for experimentation and collaboration. That gives it a stronger Brighton identity than a more generic seafront stop.

How Does Gelato Gusto Stand Out in Central Brighton?

Gelato Gusto stands out for variety and convenience. Brighton BID’s directory says it offers around 30 changing flavours of gelato and sorbetto and makes fresh homemade gelato daily above the shop, which helps explain why it is still one of the better-known names for central Brighton scoops.

Which Vegan and Dairy-Free Ice Cream Options Are Available in Brighton?

best ice cream in Brighton- A selection of tasty vegan options

Brighton has a strong selection of vegan and dairy-free ice cream options, so plant-based eaters do not have to settle for an afterthought. The most clearly verified option is Boho Gelato, which says it always has vegan and non-gluten-containing flavours available, with four vegan options daily at its Ship Street shop.

Marrocco’s in Hove is also worth knowing about if you are happy to head a little further along the seafront. Its official site centres ice cream as part of the business, and its current Deliveroo menu includes vegan ice cream options.

What Vegan Flavours Does Boho Gelato Offer?

Boho is known more for rotating vegan flavours than for one fixed shortlist. Its official flavour pages say many flavours are made in both dairy and vegan versions and that the range changes daily as well as seasonally, so it is the sort of place where the cabinet itself is part of the appeal.

Where to Try Vegan Ice Cream in Brighton?

If you want the most reliable vegan-first recommendation, Boho Gelato is the safest pick. If you are already on the Hove side of the seafront, Marrocco’s is still worth a look, especially because vegan ice cream is currently shown on its delivery menu too.

What Are the Best Artisan and Local Ice Cream Brands in Brighton?

Selection of different ice cream scoops such as mint, chocolate and strawberry on the oval plate

Brighton’s artisan ice cream scene is strongest when it feels genuinely local rather than just tourist-friendly. Boho Gelato is the clearest artisan Brighton name here, while Marrocco’s brings the old-school seafront classic angle and Gelato Gusto remains part of the city centre conversation.

How Does Boho Gelato Represent Brighton’s Artisan Ice Cream Scene?

Boho Gelato feels closest to the artisan ideal because it is independent, Brighton-based, and still makes its gelato in-house every day. Its site says it has created more than 500 flavours since opening and runs regular local collaborations through its Flavours of Brighton concept, which gives it a proper local-maker feel rather than just a busy tourist pitch.

Why Choose Marrocco’s for a Seafront Classic?

Marrocco’s is less about novelty and more about tradition. The restaurant says it has been serving ice cream on Hove seafront since 1969, and it remains one of the best-known classic names for an old-fashioned seaside ice cream stop.

How Can You Enjoy Ice Cream Delivery and Takeaway Services in Brighton?

If you would rather enjoy your scoops at home or on a bench by the sea, Brighton gives you a few good options. Boho Gelato offers take-home tubs from its Pool Valley shop, Marrocco’s advertises Uber Eats ice cream delivery, and Gelato Gusto currently appears on Deliveroo in Brighton.

Which Ice Cream Shops Offer Delivery Near Brighton Pier?

If staying near the pier matters most, Gelato Gusto is the more clearly visible delivery-style option thanks to its Brighton Deliveroo listing. Boho is especially good for takeaway near the pier because its Pool Valley shop offers take-home tubs, while Marrocco’s delivery is more useful if you are based further west towards Hove.

What Are the Takeaway Options for Ice Cream Lovers in Brighton?

Takeaway is easy in Brighton. Boho specifically mentions cups, cones and take-home tubs at Pool Valley, while central Brighton favourites such as Gelato Gusto and the seafront classic Marrocco’s make it easy to grab something and carry on with your day.

What Seasonal Flavours and Special Events Highlight Brighton’s Ice Cream Scene?

People enjoying different colours and flavours of ice cream with a cone on Brighton beach on a beautiful sunny day.

Seasonal flavours and local collaborations keep Brighton’s ice cream scene fresh. Boho Gelato says its flavours change daily and seasonally, and it runs themed cabinet events and Flavours of Brighton collaborations with local food and drink businesses. That is a stronger and more verifiable local angle than making broad claims about citywide ice cream festivals.

Which Seasonal Flavours Are Popular at Brighton’s Ice Cream Parlours?

At places like Boho, the answer changes throughout the year. Its official flavour page highlights a constantly changing line-up, with ingredients sourced locally and internationally, so seasonal fruit, richer cold-weather flavours and one-off specials are all part of the draw.

How Do Local Events Celebrate Brighton’s Ice Cream Culture?

Boho’s collaboration projects are the clearest example here. Its site says Flavours of Brighton happens twice a year and brings together local food and drink businesses to create signature flavours, which is a much more useful local detail than a vague mention of unnamed festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ice cream flavours to try in Brighton?

If you want a reliable place to start, try one of Boho Gelato’s core favourites and then ask what is new in the cabinet that day. Because shops like Boho change flavours regularly, Brighton is better for browsing what looks good in the moment than chasing one permanent master list.

Are there any ice cream shops that offer gluten-free options?

Yes. Boho Gelato says it always has non-gluten-containing flavours available, and its cake page says it can also accommodate gluten-free requests for made-to-order gelato cakes. As always, if you have strict dietary needs, it is still worth asking staff about handling and cross-contamination on the day.

What are the opening hours for ice cream shops in Brighton?

Opening hours vary by shop and can change with the season, so it is best to check before setting off. At the time of checking, Boho’s Brighton shop pages list daily opening from 11:00 to 18:00, and Brilliant Brighton lists Gelato Gusto as opening around late morning to early evening.

Can I find ice cream shops that use local ingredients?

Yes. Boho Gelato says it uses local milk and cream from Sussex and makes its gelato daily in Brighton, which is one of the reasons it feels so rooted in the city rather than just set up for passing visitors.

Are there any ice cream festivals or events in Brighton?

Rather than pointing to one big dedicated city ice cream festival, it is more accurate to say Brighton’s ice cream scene is kept lively by rotating specials, themed cabinets and local collaborations. Boho’s Flavours of Brighton project is the clearest current example I found.

What are the best ways to enjoy ice cream in Brighton during winter?

Winter does not stop Brighton doing ice cream well. Central shops like Boho Gelato and Gelato Gusto stay useful for a quick dessert stop, and Marrocco’s remains a good seafront classic if you want to turn a winter walk in Hove into a small treat.

Conclusion

Brighton’s ice cream scene offers something for every taste, from artisan Brighton-made gelato at Boho to classic seafront nostalgia at Marrocco’s and central scoops at Gelato Gusto. If you want the strongest all-round recommendation, Boho Gelato is the safest pick, but part of the fun is trying more than one and seeing which style suits your day best.

Useful reads

Dave King standing on Brighton beach

Article by Dave King

Hey, I’m Dave. I started this blog because I’m passionate about all things Brighton. As a lifelong resident, I share with you- spots, stories, and seasonal gems that help you experience Brighton like someone who truly knows it. Whether you’re planning a visit or living nearby, there’s always something new to discover here.

Leave a comment