CREAM OF THE CROP: THE BEST ICE CREAM IN SOUTH WALES

The cream of the crop: the best ice cream in South Wales!

After a few false starts, it looks like summer’s here – and it’s back with a vengeance. And what better than to cool off when the temperature rises than a delicious scoop of ice cream or two?The verdant rural pastures of Wales mean that when it comes to ice cream, there’s very few who can match us. Add to the proud tradition of Welsh-Italian cafes and ice cream parlours – a fixture here since the industrial revolution - and you’ve got a recipe for some of the best frozen delights in all of the country.Here’s some of our favourite spots…

Joe’s: Swansea, Cardiff & Llanelli

The queues snaking out on to Mumbles Road on a sunny day attest to the wild popularity of Joe's – probably south Wales’ most famous and beloved ice cream. The company dates back to 1898, when Luigi Cascarini moved to the region from the Abruzzi Mountains in Italy and set up a café for industrial workers in the area. Joe’s is a mainstay of Swansea seaside life, but the lucky residents of Roath in Cardiff can get their hands on one with its shop in Wellfield Road. There’s a branch out west in Llanelli too.TRY IT: It’s got to be Joe’s Real Vanilla – it’s a tried and tested recipe unchanged since 1922.

Forte's: Mumbles

You’d be hard pressed to find a better spot for an ice cream than Forte's, a quaint parlour situated right next to Limeslade beach and the Wales Coastal Path – in the summer you can often spot seals frolicking the water nearby. The view is amazing but the ice cream is arguably even better – and that’s saying something.TRY IT: Strongbow Dark Fruits ice cream. Yes, really. We back this hard.

Ice Green: Cardigan

Here’s a Welsh ice cream producer proudly doing it without dairy. Cardigan’s Ice Green is causing quite a stir with it’s plant-based iced concoctions in and around its home of Carmarthen and beyond. They’ve been wowing revellers at Street Food Warehouse events, so catch ‘em while they’re hot. Or in this case, cold.TRY IT: Ice Green have launched a new dairy-free riff on soft-serve ice cream: Mr Oaty, made with gluten-free oats.

Cadwalader’s: Cardiff Bay, Barry

Cadwalader’s HQ is actually in north Wales, but this might just be one of the best spots in the Welsh capital to get a frosty cone on a nice day. It’s right on the front at Mermaid Quay, and ideal for watching the tourist boats bobbing around the Bay. The seaside crew in Barry can also get in on the action at its Paget Road café.TRY IT: How about a scoop or two of the magical ‘Unicorn’ flavor?

Sidoli's (Owen Mathias Photography)
Caffe Sidoli’s: Ebbw Vale, Bridgend

Welsh-Italian OG's Sidoli's have been whipping up top-notch ice cream since the 1920s. Back then, the goods were made using blocks of ice brought in on rail from Cardiff. Thankfully, making ice cream’s a lot easier today – but it’s just as delicious. For the traditional experience head to the original Ebbw Vale cafe, but you can also unwind with a sundae or cone after a hard afternoon bargain hunting at the retail paradise of McArthur Glen, just off the M4 near Bridgend.TRY IT: You really can’t go wrong with Sidoli’s mint chocolate chip, for our money.

 

Which ones have we missed? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook.

DESSERT HEAVEN AT PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!

DESSERT HEAVEN AT PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!

If you're coming to see us on our street food tour, the chances are the diet is going out the window for the day. Of course, there are plenty of vendors who are serving healthy helpings of delicious food, so if you're keen to stick to your diet then we're not ones to stop you. However, we've got to tell you - some of the finest delights to be found at Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival are sugary and sweet, and they'll have you justifying a naughty dessert... if not several.We're going to be spoiled for choice at this one: brownies, ice cream, milkshakes, the lot. To get you in the mood for your final course come mid-June's street food antics, we've picked out five of the vendors serving up the sugary goodness for the sweet-tooths amongst you.

Ice Green

It wouldn't be a day by the seaside without some ice-cream, but it's not your average 99p cone being served at the Ice Green truck. The Cardigan-based ice-creamers are incredibly popular with locals, as well as anyone who's been lucky enough to catch the vintage caravan-cum-parlour at an event across the country.Not only are they serving some of the most delicious ice-cream you can imagine, but they're going above and beyond in their efforts to save the planet, one dessert at a time. Dairy free, no animal products, and always wholesome ingredients.

Dutty's Cheesecake

There's quite the tale behind Dutty's Cheesecake... Dutty is the automobile that's recently been converted into a dessert-lover's dream. Having started out as a food delivery van way back in 1976, the newly renovated cheesecake wagon has recently undergone its latest transformation and is now ready to hit the road and bring Dutty's cheesecakes to Pembrokeshire and beyond. Behind Dutty are Mr and Mrs Morgan, cheesecake connoisseurs, who are - according to the sign you'll see behind their heads as they dish out their fine desserts - "making the world a better place, one slice of cheesecake at a time." We can't wait to meet the newly renovated Dutty, and grab a slice or two of the Morgans' incredible cheesecake selection. 

 

Taffy's Treats

Taffy's Treats aren't selling your bog-standard fudge. They don't do ordinary. No, the Taffy's gang are always pushing the boundaries and experimenting with their flavours, and we're absolutely buzzing to have them turning out at Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival to bring you all sorts of sugary delights.

Since 2015, the traditional methods of fudge-making have been paired with all manner of weird and wonderful flavours by Taffy's Treats; their 2016 best-selling 'Welsh Cake' flavoured fudge is a favourite, whilst there's also Chilli Chocolate, Raspberry Red Velvet, Bara Brith, Espresso & Chocolate and Elderflower & Lemon on the menu. Some real taste bud-tinglers here, we reckon. 

 

Chock Shop

As you amble through the amazing trucks, vans and stalls around Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival, there's no doubt that the Chock Shop stall will catch your eye. Mounds of chocolate-y treats sit in front of their team of brownie experts, and the multitude of flavours - peanut butter, salted caramel, Oreo, Nutella - is enough to make a sweet tooth's head spin. Plus, there are some exclusively adult choices, with some popular choices including Amaretto and Hennessey Cognac brownies.Chock Shop bring in new flavours each month, so be sure to have a right good nose around what they have to offer before you make your decision. There is, of course, the option to buy a full box of brownies, which ends up being a rather popular decision for many of their customers...

The Orgazmic Milkshake Company

The naughty-named Birmingham gang are heading back to Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival, and they're expecting big ol' queues after a booming summer of business last year. And with their eclectic menu of milkshakes and waffles, it's not hard to see why. Orgazmic Milkshake are bringing the sugar, with their loaded waffles and enormous milkshakes turning heads across street food festival grounds across the country. If you're not aware, heaven is a Ferrero Rocher milkshake. Trust us. 

 

Want to find out more about our street food festivals, vendors and competitions? Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all of your street food needs!

 


SEASIDE DELIGHTS AT SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!

SEASIDE DELIGHTS AT SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!

At Street Food Warehouse, we reckon summer is best spent by the coast. Here's a fun fact: in southwest South Dakota, US, there's a town called Allen that's located around 1,023 miles from the nearest coastline. Over a thousand miles from the beach - can you imagine? None of that for you though, right Swansea? And what's better to do on the coast than eat delicious food in the sun? There are certain types of food that are synonymous with a summery UK day on the beach, and of course they're all being served atSwansea Street Food Festival! So get your suncream and flip-flops on, and head straight toward these vendors for the tastiest seaside delights you'll find all summer.

The Pod

Based in Newport,The Podis a street food restaurant located on the River Usk, slap bang in the centre of the city. Whilst their main outlet thrives, they also take their great food on the road. Seafood is one of their customer favourites, so it figures that The Pod serve up mounds of succulent, crispy squid for hungry customers from their food truck. Whether it's paired with Szechuan pepper and pickled veg or sweet chilli sauce, The Pod deliver a seaside flavour explosion, and are always a hit where ever their truck drops its anchor. What better for a seaside treat with a twist?

The Grub Shed

Chips by the seaside. Quintessentially British, isn't it?The Grub Shedare trading at Swansea Street Food Festival, and they're bringing all the chips. Or should we say... Loaded fries. So, you've got your seaside chips, but with a whole bunch of other tasty add-ons. Dreamy. The Grub Shed carefully select their local producers to compliment their delicious fries and list an eclectic menu, with the likes of beef brisket, bacon or chilli on offer to go with your chippies. Hearty beachside food with a naughty twist.

3 Little Pigs

Another favourite past-time for coastal dwellers is lighting up a barbie at the beach. Hopefully Swansea will be bringing the sunshine, but who's bringing the BBQ? Look no further than3 Little Pigs

, who will be on hand for all of your grilled chicken needs. 

According to this lot, charcoal is an ingredient. Thinking about it, there's nothing quite like the flavour of chicken souvlaki straight from the barbecue. Pairing them with a host of Greek-style ingredients means the 3 Little Pigs gang are nailing down the great sunny past time of bbq'in, and topping it with a Hellenic twist. Expect feta and tzatziki on tap. 

Assembelly

More seafood-y goodness here, as we take a look at what the lovely folk ofAssembellywill be cooking up for you this summer. The main man - Welsh chef Toby Bradley-Watson - has worked in some of the most famous restaurants in the world (including Rick Stein's flagship seafood restaurant in Padstow), so we're buzzing to have him bring his dab hand to Swansea Street Food Festival again this year. Whilst the menu is ever-changing, it's always playing to Toby's strengths in the seafood scene. Whether its salmon or trout, scallops or seaweed, we've no doubt this is as good as seaside delights can get at this year's festival. 

Ice Green

You didn't think we'd write about seaside treats and leave out ice cream, did you?! A trip to the coast isn't complete without a fat scoop of your favourite flavour, so we're pleased to be bringingIce Greenback to Swansea Museum Park with us for 2019. Luxurious, dairy-free and vegan. All your favourite flavours. Saving the planet and chowing down on ice-cream - sounds like a great bank holiday weekend to us. For exclusive info on event announcements, street foodie competitions, and our lovely vendors, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.