If your kids are anything like mine it doesn’t matter if it’s the height of summer or mid-winter, it’s always the right time for a frozen treat. Thanks to the Devon with Kids Facebook community and a bit of personal research (it was tough!) I’ve pulled together a list of where to find the best ice creams in Devon.
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This post covers ice cream parlours, dessert cafes and farm shops selling Devon’s most delicious cones, tubs and sundaes. There’s also recommendations on where to find dairy free and vegan ice cream in Devon.
As a family with a four-legged friend, I can even put you on the scent of dog ice cream while enjoying a pet-friendly day out in Devon.
So loosen your waist bands and prepared to be whipped around the county in search of the best chilled desserts.
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Ice cream in North Devon
Here’s where to find delicious locally made ice cream in North Devon:
Hockings in North Devon
Hockings is a family-run Devon ice cream business that has been serving up the cold stuff from its fleet of vans since the 1930s.
Here’s where to find the Hockings ice cream vans around North Devon between March and October.
Love North Devon? Find even more things to do in my North Devon guide.
Dessert cafes and ice cream parlours in South Devon
If you have a sweet tooth then South Devon is your paradise. It has more ice cream parlours and dessert cafes than anywhere else in Devon.
Good luck choosing from these places:
Morellos in Dartmouth
Eat in or takeaway sundaes, pancakes, milk shakes, waffles, oh and just plain delicious ice cream, from this American style diner in the heart of Dartmouth.
Morellos uses Surfing Cow ice cream which is made in South Devon. The team can also whizz up vegan, gluten free and soya shakes.
And for four-legged customers they have peanut butter and banana doggy ice cream.
Find Morellos on Fairfax Place.
Good Intent in Dartmouth
The Good Intent is the home of Dartmouth Ice Cream and a favourite of ours. I can personally recommend buying a cone or tub and settling down on a bench at Bayards Cove to watch the Dartmouth Lower Ferry chugging back and forth across the river.
The Good Intent has a shop full of treats to take away. As well as home-made ice cream, there’s fudge, vintage sweets and even frozen desserts suitable for dogs.
Find The Good Intent on Lower Street.
Looking for more to do on the River Dart? Check out my guide to things to do in Dartmouth.
Creamo’s Ice Cream in Ashburton
For hand crafted ice cream and desserts a visit to Creamo’s is a must. Everything is made on site.
From Friday to Saturday indulge in soft serve, ice cream scoops, popsicles and coffee. Then on Sundays you can also order fresh pastries and cakes.
Can’t get enough? Tubs are available to buy and take home too.
Find Creamo’s on St Lawrence Street in Ashburton.
Delphinis Gelato in Totnes
Delphinis serves up a taste of Italy in the medieval town of Totnes. Visit for homemade gelatos including vegan flavours as well as sorbet.
Find Delphinis on High Street in Totnes.
Check out my full guide to Totnes in Devon
Salcombe Dairy in Salcombe
Who doesn’t love ice cream and sorbet made using locally sourced ingredients? It’s been a winning recipe for Salcombe Dairy for more than 40 years.
You’ll find Salcombe Ice Cream on sale all over South Devon and here in Salcombe you can visit the dairy where it is made to sample some of the many flavours on offer.
You’ll find Salcombe Dairy on Shadycombe Road just behind the harbour.
Indulge in more fun things to do in Salcombe.
Surfing Cow near Mothecombe
You’ll find loads of cool and funky ice cream flavours at the Surfing Cow in view of the South Devon coastline. They’re always coming up with new scoops to compliment the traditional selection.
The team also make vegan friendly fruit sorbets and ice creams.
Pick from cones, milkshakes and sundaes at this Devon ice cream company’s HQ at South Battisborough Farm.
Surfing Cow is open Friday to Sunday.
Cherry on Top in Teignmouth
This small Devon ice cream cafe and takeaway sells award-winning Yarde Farm flavours on Teignmouth sea front.
Find Cherry on Top on the corner of The Den.
The Orange Elephant in Kennford
The Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour makes its delicious desserts using milk from its own cows on Taverners Farm just south of Exeter.
Cones, sundaes, coffees and milkshakes are available to eat on site or you can buy tubs to takeaway.
As well as visiting the parlour or drive through ice cream cafe you can buy a ticket to the farm’s summer meadow play area.
The parlour is open from Easter to the beginning of November each year.
Find out more about on the Orange Elephant website.
The Local Scoop in Dawlish
This super local ice cream parlour and coffee shop makes its own artisan ice cream, waffles, cookies and shakes.
They also have dairy free, vegan and gluten free options as well as a doggy ice cream.
Find The Local Scoop on Piermont Place.
Josie’s in Bovey Tracey
Josie’s is off the beaten track but well worth a visit. It’s right next door to the Jolly Roger life-sized model warehouse, which is free to visit and great for entertaining the kids for an hour.
The ice cream parlour outside is open all year round and serves scoops and shakes for humans and Marshfield Dog Ice Cream for pets.
Dogs can go inside the Jolly Roger too.
Find Josie’s outside the Jolly Roger.
I.scream in Brixham
You can’t miss this brightly decorated ice cream shop right on the harbour in Brixham. Look out for the mural warning you not the feed the seagulls – good advice!
As well as selling local scoops you’ll find gluten free gelato on the extensive menu.
Find I.scream on The Quay in Brixham.
Find more fun things to do in Brixham.
Scoops in Kingsbridge
There’s something for all tastes at Scoops. Tuck into ice cream cones, shakes or vintage sweets.
Find Scoops at the bottom of Fore Street.
Why not explore more? Check out my guide to the South Hams.
Where to go for ice cream in Plymouth
Looking for the best places to grab a treat in Plymouth? Here’s where to find ice cream, waffles, milk shakes and more!
Kawaffle in Plymouth
If you’re in the mood for waffles then you’ll find some of the very best topped with Yards Farm ice cream at Kawaffle in Plymouth.
They also whip up waffle lollies, milk shakes and hot chocolate.
Top tip for adults: next door The Hop Hatch, run by there same team, sells local beers and ciders on Saturdays.
Find Kawaffle in Plymouth Market on Cornwall Street.
Flower Cafe in Plymouth
Ever fancied trying a unicorn hot chocolate? The Flower Cafe on the Barbican is famous for them.
Head here on a cold or hot day for all kinds of sweet treats including homemade cakes, milk shakes and afternoon tea.
Find out more about the Flower Cafe.
Berties in Plymouth
Tucked away in the arches at Commercial Wharf you’ll find Berties ice cream and homemade dessert shop. Tuck into cones, pancakes and brownies.
Also look out for Bertie’s ice cream van!
Find out more about Berties in Plymouth.
Visiting Plymouth? Here’s some more ideas for family-friendly things to do in Plymouth.
Best places for ice cream in West Devon
You’re in for a treat if you visit this much loved ice cream spot in West Devon:
Barzotellis in North Tawton
This small gelateria in North Tawton is a hidden gem and a must visit for all dessert fans.
As well as serving different flavours of homemade gelato every week, you can order healthy ‘no junk’ lollies, cakes, milkshakes, frappes, boozy hot chocolates and hot crepes.
Check opening times before you travel as these can vary.
Find the latest information on the Barzotelli’s Gelato Facebook page.
Got a while to explore? Read my guide to things to do in West Devon.
Ice cream shops in East Devon
Take your sweet tooth to one of these ice cream parlours in East Devon:
Otter Valley Field Kitchen in Monkton
Otter Valley makes its own small batch ice cream in a range of yummy flavours. Visit the Field Kitchen to try for yourself.
The menu also includes breakfasts, lunches, waffles and sundaes.
Find the Otter Valley Field Kitchen on just off the A30.
Cow & Cocao cafe at Darts Farm
You’ll be in chocolate heaven at Darts Farm’s Cow & Cacow cafe where chocolate is made on site from cacow beans.
This luxurious confectionary goes into homemade waffles, artisan gelato sundaes and locally crafted cakes and pastries.
Find out more about food and drink at Darts Farm near Topsham.
Love local produce? Here’s more of the best farm shops in Devon.
Taste of Sidmouth in Sidmouth
The team here have been recognised as making the ‘best gelato in the South West’ with authentic Devonian and Italian ingredients.
Pick from more than 18 flavours of gelato at Taste of Sidmouth including vegan and gluten free scoops.
Find Taste of Sidmouth on Old Fore Street.
Find more fun places to visit in East Devon.
Café Patisserie Glacerie in Exmouth
Pasties and ice cream with a sea view are the order of the day at Café Patisserie Glacerie.
There are 16 flavours of gelato to try as well as pasties, homemade pastries and coffee. Eat in or takeaway to enjoy on the seafront.
Find Café Patisserie Glacerie on Queen’s Drive.
Antonio’s in Exmouth
A firm favourite on the Strand in Exmouth, Antonio’s slings ice scream, waffles, sundaes and refreshing ice drinks – perfect for summer.
Find out more about what’s on the menu at Antonio’s.
Find more great things to do in Exmouth while you’re there.
Where’s your favourite place for ice cream in Devon?
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