The Top Three: Sorbets

For a grown-up treat

The Chin Chin Laboratorists

All the ices here are made with liquid nitrogen; super-quick freezing makes for smaller ice crystals. Alongside more traditional varieties you can try green grass and hay flavours, with strawberries, or even a mouth-puckering gin fizz flavour made with Amalfi lemons and real gin (£3.95 a cup, including topping; ½kg tub, £11.85)
49-50 Camden Lock Place, NW1 (chinchinlabs.com)

For a luxurious treat

Gelupo

This little gelateria is sister to Bocca di Lupo and serves a fabulous range of flavours, from matcha green tea sorbet, to more glamorous options such as prosecco, plus its famous blood orange and chocolate sorbets (£3-£5). There are also seasonal specials, including a traditional Italian variation made with pig’s blood for Hallowe’en.
7 Archer Street, W1 (020 7287 5555; gelupo.com)

For a healthier treat

Oddono’s

Oddono’s opened in 2004 and there are now four outlets around town. It has developed more than 130 flavours, always avoiding artificial additives and preservatives. Go for the intensely fruity mango or coconut sorbet, or if you’re trying to be good, one of the no-added-sugar versions (from £2.30 for a takeaway cup; also in tubs)
14 Bute Street, SW7 (020 7052 0732; oddonos.com)

Photographs by Stephen Joyce