Challenge your sweet tooth to the decadent offerings at the Parlour Restaurant at Fortnum and Mason – an ice cream playground for kids and kids at heart.

The Venue
There’s really no better place for a glossy, refined eatery than in one of the world’s most renowned gourmand stores, Fortnum and Mason, and it’s here on the first floor that the Parlour Restaurant makes its home. Treat yourself to sublime ice creams, cakes and sundaes in this corner spot decked out like a 1950s ice cream parlour, with smooth mint-green banquettes circling a traditional ice cream counter (lit with lampshades looking like upturned sundae glasses awash with chocolate and raspberry sauce).

Even the wallpaper will get your mouth watering with a design that conjures up images of creamy waves of ice cream with chocolate curls and lime swirls. Piles of colourful sweets and myriad ice cream flavours lie temptingly beneath the glass topped counter in this light, bright cafe. If you can drag your eyes away from the menu, there’s a tourist-worthy view out the large windows, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly.

The Atmosphere
You’ll find an eclectic crowd here – everyone from wide-eyed children gazing open-mouthed at mammoth sundaes, tourists enjoying the view over the teeming street below or posh-frocked Londoners sipping on expensive hot chocolate and boutique teas. The prices aren’t exactly family-friendly so don’t expect large groups of screaming children – it’s more a relaxed, welcoming vibe. The staff are extremely courteous, but make no mistake - they will add the 12.5% service charge on top of your already expensive afternoon treat.

The Food
Billing itself as a gastronomic ice cream indulgence, you’d expect great things from the desserts on offer here and you won’t be disappointed. Upon being seated you’ll be presented with some mini taster cones to tempt your sweet tooth. The choices are magical – choose from giant ice cream sundaes, adults-only cocktail sundaes, Austrian strudels, scones and authentic Viennese cakes (along with some token savoury sandwiches and salads).

The Lazy Sundae Afternoon is the stuff children’s dreams are made of – a vanilla bean, frosted strawberry and shortbread ice cream sundae with a light, sweet strawberry coulis, mini crunchy meringues, fresh juicy strawberries, mountains of fluffy whipped cream and a choc wafer, all encased in an oversized pink glazed sundae glass. If you can stomach something even sweeter, try the Beekeeper – stem ginger, honey, vanilla bean and velvety praline ice creams topped with oozing honey and crackly honeycomb chunks.

If you’re all about simple pleasures, try the ice cream and sorbet flights (£8): a trio of scoops either in a bowl, slathered in rich chocolate sauce, or solo in cones. An array of flavours includes the Bellini Classico sorbet, a grown-up, light and peachy delight, and Sandringham Coffee, which has robust flavour with a delicious sharpness. Other standout flavours are refreshing and spicy stem ginger with borage honey and the wickedly rich Italian Amadei chocolate. A children’s menu has kiddy favourites knickerbocker glory, banana split and ice cream cones from £6.

The Drink
With everything from fresh fruit juices to classic tea and bubbly, there’s a beverage to suit your choice of dessert. Fruit smoothies (£5.50) in tempting tropical flavours (banana and cardamom, mango and papaya and more) sit alongside traditional favourites like a strawberries and cream milkshake (£5.75), made with organic Jersey milk, or the tangy ginger beer float (£5.50). For ultra-decadence, go for the double-shot hot chocolate (£7) served with hot chocolate milk and a sugar stick. There’s a small selection of Champagne (£36.50-£40 per bottle) and Fortnum & Mason’s own Italian sparkling, red, white and rose from £5.50 a glass if you fancy even greater indulgence, and there’s also one Czech beer (£3.75) on offer.

The Last Word
Treat your inner child or take the kids along for an afternoon of simple luxury – the Parlour Restaurant is hands down one of the best places to enjoy an ice cream sundae in London, if you can afford the price tag.

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