With its extensive coastline and growing reputation as a food destination, it’s no surprise several wonderful ice cream shops have made their home in Fife.
This healthy competition has seen the Fife ice cream industry reach new heights in recent years, and customers now have the choice of numerous award-winning parlours, dessert bars and shops.
Regardless of the weather, each of the following businesses have treats that’ll brighten your day.
The Perfect Scoop – East Wemyss
The Perfect Scoop has won multiple awards over the years, including the Royal Highland Show’s coveted Reserve Champion Award on two occasions.
Freshness is the key to the ice cream’s quality. Batches are made on the premises daily, and owner George Wallace – who opened the shop after his son’s untimely death – has a knack for coming up with enticing flavour combinations.
Examples include Greek yoghurt and rhubarb as well as lemon ricotta.
Naturally, the shop also serves flavours inspired by popular chocolate bars.
Most striking of these is a beautiful two-tone salted caramel Twix flavour that’ll continue to haunt your dreams long after you’ve devoured it.
Address: 23 Main Street, East Wemyss, Kirkcaldy KY1 4RE
Novelli’s – Burntisland
Due to its flower-bedecked exterior, you can’t miss Novelli’s. Nor would you want to.
This shop boasts some excellent, innovative ice cream flavours such as Twister ice lolly.
While promising a lot, these unique flavours never fail to deliver. They are well executed and always place their eponymous ingredients front and centre.
At £2.50 for a kid’s cone, many of the ice creams feel like a steal.
Thanks to the presence of 18 bold, fun flavours, Novelli’s is a great place for those people who think they’ve tried it all.
Even if the ice cream doesn’t take their fancy, a range of other desserts – including bubble waffles, milkshakes and chocolate kebabs – will.
Address: 192 High Street, Burntisland KY3 9AH
Jannettas Gelateria – St Andrews
Few Fife ice cream shops have a better reputation than Jannettas Gelateria.
The company has been serving exquisite ice cream from its premises on South Street since 1908. It is now run by the fifth generation of the family.
Known for releasing seasonal flavours – and often utilising local ingredients – Jannettas serves both indulgent sweet gelatos and refreshing fruit-forward ones.
This is reason enough to visit the shop; where else could you order malt Oreo gelato as well as elderflower and mint sorbetto?
As a bonus, Jannettas also stocks a number of gelato cakes and semifreddos.
Address: 31 South St, St Andrews KY16 9QR
Brattesani’s – Anstruther
Brattesani’s – which is in Anstruther Fish Bar – is a lovely wee shop that has a great ambiance and heaps of seating.
The team serve 18 flavours of ice cream at any one time, using a base recipe that is over 100 years old.
These flavours range from the bizarre (like fish and chips ice cream) to the tried and tested (chocolate and cherry).
While the leftfield flavours occasionally miss their mark, the traditional ones are consistently world class.
They boast great depth of flavour and a luxurious texture thanks to the use of Scottish dairy. What’s more, the ice cream is made fresh every day.
Address: 42-44 Shore Street, Anstruther KY10 3AQ
Ale & Pate – Dalgety Bay
While breakfasts, bagels and burgers take centre stage at Ale & Pate, the ice cream selection is nothing to be sniffed at either.
Around 15 flavours of ice cream are served in the café. This selection leans traditional with mint chocolate chip, coffee and chocolate and caramel all making an appearance.
Small tubs are filled for as little as £2.50 while a medium – which holds a huge amount of ice cream – costs just £4.50. A large range of cones are also available.
For those seeking a striking treat, six sundaes are on the Fife ice cream shop’s menu including Berry Snowball Delight. This sundae is made with raspberry ripple ice cream, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, fresh berries and snowball pieces.
In a touch of slight irony, the café is located directly opposite a dentist.
Address: 8 Moray Way North, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline KY11 9NH
LJ’s – Elie
LJ’s is a small ice cream shop, but that doesn’t mean it lacks variety. Two ice cream display freezers have been crammed into the space, giving customers the choice of around 20 flavours.
The shop is also jammed full of vintage signage. Because of this, LJ’s has a distinctly ’50s vibe.
All the ice cream is sourced from Porrelli, a Paisley company that has been in operation since 1925. The ice cream is made using Scottish double cream.
This is apparent upon eating – every flavour boasts a magnificent texture.
With many toppings on offer – including fudge sticks, mini Smarties and Oreo crumb – LJ’s is the perfect ice cream shop if you want to put your own stamp on your sweet treat.
Address: 44 High Street, Elie and Earlsferry, Leven KY9 1DB
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