January might not seem like the best time of year to be talking about ice cream, but by the time Darlish's two new parlours open in Spring it'll be a different story. If you haven't been to their Spitalfields shop on Brushfield Street before, then the USP here is that the ice creams are inspired by the middle east, so think saffron, rose and pistachio or Turkish coffee. Their breakaway hit has been a baklava ice cream sandwich.
Founder Laura Dawson is of both Indian and Persian heritage and came up with the idea when she couldn't find the kind of ice creams in England that drew on that Iranian background. 2026 marks a spike in activity in the business as she's both refurbishing the Spitalfields branch and opening two new locations, in Notting Hill and Bloomsbury. The Notting Hill branch in particular should be very popular, being right opposite the Blue Door made famous by the movie and a site of pilgrimage for thousands of fans to take photos outside every year.
“We’re thrilled to bring Darlish to Notting Hill and Bloomsbury Square," says Laura. "Sharing the flavours of my heritage and seeing the joy they bring to our customers is incredibly rewarding."
More about Darlish
Where is it? Westbourne Road (March 2026). Bloomsbury Square (TBC 2026)
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @darlishicecream
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