Top 10 Best Ice Cream Brands in Caerphilly

Ice Cream Culture in the Valleys

Ice cream holds a special place in Welsh culture. Italian families who settled in the valleys in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries opened cafes and ice cream parlours that became community institutions, and their recipes are still enjoyed today. Caerphilly, with its dairy farming heritage and its popularity as a day-trip destination, has a lively appetite for good ice cream, whether enjoyed at the castle grounds on a summer afternoon or picked up from a local shop.

This guide highlights ten ice cream brands that Caerphilly residents and visitors love, spanning historic Welsh producers, farm-made artisan ranges and modern brands catering to changing tastes.

1. Joe's Ice Cream

Joe's Ice Cream is one of the most celebrated names in Welsh ice cream, founded in Swansea by an Italian immigrant family more than a century ago. Its signature vanilla is renowned for its smooth texture and distinctive flavour, and it remains a benchmark against which other Welsh ice creams are measured. Tubs are widely available across South Wales, and a Joe's cone is a rite of passage for many.

2. Frank's Ice Cream

Frank's Ice Cream, based in Ammanford, is a family business with Italian roots that has grown into one of Wales's largest ice cream producers. Its wide range includes traditional dairy flavours, sorbets and impulse products, and its commitment to Welsh milk and local employment has made it a proud national brand found in shops and cafes throughout Caerphilly.

3. Sidoli's Ice Cream

Sidoli's has been making ice cream in Ebbw Vale since the 1920s and remains a much-loved valleys institution. Its recipes have been passed down through generations of the family, producing rich, creamy ice cream that evokes memories for many residents of the Caerphilly borough. The brand is a staple at local events and in traditional cafes.

4. Cadwaladers

Cadwaladers began in Criccieth in North Wales and has become a nationally recognised Welsh brand known for its indulgent vanilla and imaginative seasonal flavours. Its cafes and retail products bring a touch of seaside nostalgia to inland towns, and its tubs are a popular choice for Caerphilly households looking for a premium treat.

5. Mario's Ice Cream

Mario's, produced in Llanelli, is another Italian-Welsh brand with deep roots in the community. Known for its creamy soft-serve and traditional cones, it supplies ice cream vans, kiosks and cafes across South Wales. Many Caerphilly residents associate the sound of a van and a Mario's cone with summer childhood memories.

6. Castle Dairy Ice Cream

Castle Dairy Ice Cream is a farm-based producer in the Caerphilly area that makes small-batch ice cream from its own herd's milk. Flavours change with the seasons and include Welsh favourites such as honeycomb, bara brith and salted caramel alongside classic vanilla and strawberry. The brand is sold at farm shops, markets and local cafes.

7. Valleys Gelato

Valleys Gelato brings authentic Italian gelato techniques to South Wales, producing dense, intensely flavoured gelato with less air and fat than traditional ice cream. Its pistachio, hazelnut and dark chocolate are standouts, and it has become a popular choice for weddings and events in Caerphilly seeking something a little different.

8. Rhymney Valley Dairy-Free

Rhymney Valley Dairy-Free specialises in plant-based frozen desserts made from oat, coconut and cashew bases. Its products have won over customers with and without dietary restrictions thanks to their creamy textures and bold flavours. Health food shops and cafes across the borough stock the range.

9. Häagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs is a premium international brand widely available in Caerphilly supermarkets. Its dense, rich ice cream with high cream content and simple ingredients appeals to those seeking a luxurious indulgence at home. Classic flavours and limited editions alike have a loyal following.

10. Ben and Jerry's

Ben and Jerry's brings playful flavour combinations and a strong ethical stance to freezers across the town. Chunks of cookie dough, brownie and caramel swirls make it a favourite for movie nights, and its commitment to fair trade ingredients and social causes resonates with many customers.

The Italian-Welsh Legacy

The story of ice cream in Caerphilly cannot be separated from the Italian families who arrived in the valleys generations ago. Their cafes offered warmth, community and a taste of something new, and their descendants continue to produce ice cream that reflects both heritage and place. Supporting these brands helps preserve a distinctive part of Welsh cultural history.

Trends in Ice Cream

Artisan and farm-made ice creams continue to gain popularity as consumers seek provenance and authenticity. Dairy-free and lower-sugar options are expanding rapidly. Distinctly Welsh flavours, from Welsh cake to laverbread experiments, are appearing on menus. Sustainability is influencing packaging and sourcing decisions. Meanwhile, gelato and soft-serve concepts are drawing crowds to new parlours across South Wales.

Where to Enjoy Ice Cream in Caerphilly

Local cafes and dessert parlours around the town centre serve many of the brands listed above, and ice cream vans are a familiar sight near the castle and in residential areas during warmer months. Farm shops and markets offer artisan ranges, while supermarkets stock the national and international brands. A stroll around the castle moat with a cone in hand remains one of the simplest pleasures the town offers.

Conclusion

From the century-old recipes of Joe's, Frank's and Sidoli's to innovative farm producers and dairy-free specialists, Caerphilly enjoys a rich selection of ice cream brands. Each tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship or innovation, and together they make the town a delightful place for anyone with a sweet tooth.