Laura Dawson couldn't find the ice cream flavours of her childhood in London. So she created them herself. Now, after building a devoted following at her Spitalfields location, Darlish is expanding with two new parlours in Notting Hill and Bloomsbury, set to open in spring 2026.
"I always felt growing up that ice cream in London was very much driven by gelato from Italy and local flavours," Dawson told ThatNews in an exclusive interview. "But I wanted to bring the childhood flavours—especially the peach ice cream. My mother used to milk the cow in our backyard, and that's what we'd make raw, unpasteurized peach ice cream with."
Dawson's heritage—Indian and Persian—inspires every scoop at Darlish. Her signature flavours read like a journey through the Middle East: saffron with rose and pistachio, Turkish coffee, cardamom and honey. But it's the baklava ice cream sandwich that has earned cult status, combining flaky pastry, nuts, and that unmistakable honeyed sweetness.
One flavour in particular has surprised even Dawson with its popularity. "I've been very surprised by how much people love the cyanide cream ice cream," she revealed with a laugh, explaining it's a secret blend of white pepper and black pepper mixed with a dash of Persian lemon—a bold combination that's become a customer favourite.
The expansion marks a personal triumph for Dawson. "My ex-husband said I could never do this," she shared. "And now, look at me now. I do it."
The Notting Hill location holds particular promise, bringing Darlish's Persian-inspired scoops to an entirely new audience. The constant foot traffic of tourists and locals alike in this iconic neighbourhood should help spread the word about these unique heritage flavours.
"We're thrilled to bring Darlish to Notting Hill and Bloomsbury Square," said Dawson. "Sharing the flavours of my heritage and seeing the joy they bring to our customers is incredibly rewarding."
The expansion marks 2026 as a pivotal year for the brand, with renovations also underway at the original Brushfield Street shop. Each location will offer the full Darlish experience: handmade ice creams using traditional techniques, no artificial flavours, and that commitment to honouring the dessert traditions of Iran and the wider region.
And here's a tip for the savvy ice cream lover: visit on Thursdays for Darlish's buy-one-get-two offer.
For London's ice cream lovers seeking something beyond the ordinary, Darlish offers a taste of heritage served one scoop at a time.