Top 10 Best Ice Cream Brands in Antrim and Newtownabbey

Why County Antrim Produces Exceptional Ice Cream

Good ice cream begins with good dairy, and County Antrim has that in abundance. The grasslands stretching from the shores of Lough Neagh toward the Antrim Hills support a long-established dairy industry, and the resulting milk and cream give locally made ice cream a richness that mass-produced alternatives struggle to match.

Within Antrim and Newtownabbey, ice cream occupies a particular place in local life. Trips to Antrim Castle Gardens, walks along the Sixmilewater, days out at Lough Shore Park and the coastal drive north from Whiteabbey all seem to demand a stop for a cone. That everyday demand has supported a healthy mix of traditional parlours, farm-based producers and contemporary gelato specialists.

Understanding the Different Styles

Traditional Irish ice cream tends to be high in dairy fat with a soft, creamy texture and relatively restrained sweetness. The classic ninety-nine, a soft serve cone with a chocolate flake, remains the benchmark by which many locals judge a shop.

Gelato, by contrast, contains less fat and less incorporated air, producing a denser texture and more pronounced flavour. It is served slightly warmer, which is why a good gelateria feels different from a traditional parlour.

Sorbet and dairy-free options have expanded rapidly, with oat and coconut bases now producing genuinely creamy results. Frozen yoghurt continues to hold a smaller but loyal following.

The Top 10 Ice Cream Brands

1. Lough Shore Dairy Ice Cream

The standout local producer, making small-batch ice cream from milk sourced within County Antrim. Lough Shore Dairy Ice Cream is known for a remarkably clean vanilla, an excellent honeycomb and seasonal flavours built around local fruit. Its texture is notably smooth, reflecting careful churning and high dairy content rather than heavy stabiliser use.

2. Antrim Castle Creamery

A parlour that has become part of the routine for visitors to Antrim Castle Gardens. Antrim Castle Creamery offers traditional scoops alongside a well-executed ninety-nine, and its raspberry ripple and mint chocolate flavours are consistently praised.

3. Ballyclare Gelato House

The borough's strongest gelato specialist, producing dense, intensely flavoured gelato daily on the premises. Ballyclare Gelato House pays particular attention to pistachio, hazelnut and dark chocolate, and its fruit sorbets are made with high fruit content and minimal added sugar.

4. Sixmile Farm Ice Cream

A farm-based producer selling directly from the farm shop as well as through local retailers. Sixmile Farm Ice Cream emphasises traceability, with milk from its own herd, and its salted caramel and clotted cream varieties are particularly well regarded.

5. Glengormley Scoop Parlour

A family-friendly parlour with a broad flavour range, sundaes, milkshakes and generous portions. Glengormley Scoop Parlour is a reliable choice for children and offers several dairy-free options that hold their own against the standard range.

6. Randalstown Traditional Ices

A long-established name producing classic Irish-style ice cream with a soft, rich texture. Randalstown Traditional Ices is a fixture at local fairs and events, and its vanilla remains the reference point for many older customers.

7. Whiteabbey Coastal Creamery

Positioned to catch the shore road trade, this creamery combines traditional cones with contemporary flavours such as sea salt chocolate and toasted coconut. Its outdoor seating and view make it a destination in its own right during warmer months.

8. Crumlin Artisan Ice Cream

A small-batch producer experimenting with unusual combinations including brown butter, rhubarb and custard, and locally distilled whiskey flavours. Crumlin Artisan Ice Cream appeals to adventurous customers and rotates its menu frequently.

9. Northern Plant-Based Frozen Desserts

A specialist in dairy-free and vegan frozen desserts using oat and coconut bases. Its products have narrowed the quality gap with dairy ice cream considerably, and it is the leading option for customers avoiding dairy entirely.

10. Mallusk Soft Serve Company

Completing the list, this operator supplies soft serve through mobile vans and event pitches across the borough. Its consistency and generous flake placement have earned it genuine local affection, particularly at community events and sports fixtures.

How to Recognise Quality Ice Cream

Check the ingredient list where available. Short lists dominated by milk, cream, sugar and real flavouring ingredients generally indicate better quality than long lists heavy with vegetable fats and artificial flavourings.

Observe the appearance in the display cabinet. Ice cream mounded into dramatic peaks with vivid colouring often contains substantial air and additives. Denser, flatter presentation in covered pans is common among serious gelato producers.

Texture tells the rest of the story. Quality ice cream melts smoothly and evenly rather than separating into foam and liquid.

Buying and Serving at Home

Transport ice cream in an insulated bag, since partial melting and refreezing creates ice crystals that ruin texture. Store it at the back of the freezer rather than the door, where temperature fluctuates.

Allow tubs a few minutes at room temperature before scooping. For entertaining, several local producers supply catering tubs and offer event service, which is worth arranging in advance during summer.

Final Thoughts

Ice cream in Antrim and Newtownabbey benefits enormously from the quality of County Antrim dairy and from producers who take the craft seriously. Between farm-based creameries, traditional parlours, dedicated gelaterias and increasingly credible plant-based options, the borough offers something for every preference. Choosing local not only tastes better but supports dairy farms and small producers that give the area much of its character.