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Eat My Words: We review Morelli’s Gelato in Broadstairs

By: Sam Lawrie slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 08 August 2024

A trip to the British seaside isn’t complete without a bit of tradition, and you don’t get much more traditional than an ice cream parlour that’s been open for more than 90 years.

Morelli's Gelato is a family-run eatery atop the cliffs overlooking Broadstairs’ much-loved Viking Bay and has been a staple of the town since 1932.

We visited Morelli's Gelato in Broadstairs, one of Kent’s oldest ice cream parlours. All pictures: Sam Lawrie

In fact, it’s rated one of the best ice cream spots in Kent and even Dua Lipa is a fan so, on a recent trip to Broadstairs, I decided it was time to see what all the fuss is about and headed on the short but steep walk from the sand to the shop.

It wasn’t hard to find, not only because of the large (and, some would say, iconic) ‘MORELLIS’ sign out front, but also because of the queue spilling out of the doors.

The queue turned out to be takeaway-only and there were plenty of tables inside that you could just sit yourself down at.

The interior is old-fashioned and a little kitsch-y, but in the best possible way

The menu, although slightly sticky from what I imagine are little fingers covered in melted ice cream, was extensive and mouth-watering.

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For those with a sweet tooth, the menu is dreamy; a long list of desserts, everything from sundaes to waffles, with all sorts of flavours on offer.

There were three of us at our table; my dining buddies went for the chocolate nut sundae and a hot blueberry waffle but, for me, there was only one choice.

Whenever my nan would take me to a ‘proper’ ice cream parlour as a kid, I always asked for a banana split. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one but as soon as I saw it on the menu at Morelli’s, my mind was made up.

We ordered at the counter and the staff were quick to start scooping our ice cream

It took us a moment to get clued up on how to order but, after seeing the confused looks on our faces, the woman behind the counter offered a friendly ‘Hello!’ and beckoned us over.

The ice creams were scooped and served incredibly quickly, with the banana split and sundae being handed over to us before we’d even paid.

The banana split was served in a branded ice cream boat - which you can also buy to take home

We took our impressive-looking ice cream dishes over to our table, with the promise that the waffle would be brought over to us shortly after.

Now, I know next to nothing about the art of making ice cream. But what I do know, is that these were superb.

The vanilla ice cream in my banana split was smooth and creamy, with a generous helping of whipped cream and strawberry sauce on top and a whole banana buried beneath.

It had been years since I’d had a banana split and you just can’t beat it

The chocolate nut sundae was rich, indulgent and, as expected, very chocolate-y, while the waffle was fluffy and light, with just the right balance between fresh fruit and ice cream.

The chocolate nut sundae and banana split were both topped with a special Morelli’s wafer
The waffle looked simple but tasted delicious

We had a seat by the window - perfect for people-watching and enjoying views of the sea - and we could also take in the vibe of the parlour, which was as nostalgic as it gets with black-and-white photos adorning the walls and a jukebox propped up in the corner.

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The only thing I can imagine people having a gripe with is the price.

It’s around a tenner (sometimes a shade over) for each main item on the menu which easily adds up, especially if you’re feeding a big family.

However, given the quality, huge portion sizes and history of the place, not to mention that it’s in a prime location at one of Kent’s most-visited beaches, I couldn’t argue with it.

It wasn’t too busy inside during our visit, but there was a constant queue for takeaway ice cream
The view of Broadstairs’ Viking Bay directly across the road from Morelli’s

It’s been a long time since I’ve visited an old-fashioned ice cream parlour like this, but I’ll definitely be back - especially if the sun sticks around for a little while.

Out of five:

Food: The menu is a dream for dessert fiends and everything we ordered was creamy, sweet and delicious ****

Drink: Our desserts were pretty indulgent so we just helped ourselves to the free water on offer, however, the menu had some lovely-looking coffees that I’d try on a cooler day ***

Decor: The interior is decorated like a traditional ice cream parlour, some people might say it needs an update but personally I think that’s part of its charm, plus there’s a great view of the sea ****

Staff: The staff were friendly, helpful and brought the waffle to the table so we could start on our ice creams before they melted ****

Price: It gets expensive if you’re feeding the whole family, but I don’t think it’s overpriced considering its location and the fact that it’s been a favourite in the town for decades ***

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