Morrelli's retro ice-cream parlour

Morelli's of Broadstairs is one of the most loved ice-cream parlours on the Kent coast, a time-capsule of 1950s seaside style perched above Viking Bay. The Morelli family arrived in Britain from central Italy in the early twentieth century, and the Broadstairs parlour has been scooping their gelato since 1932. The current interior, with its candy-pink Formica, glass chandeliers, leather booths and chrome soda fountain, gives the place the air of a vintage American diner crossed with a continental gelateria.

Behind the long counter, staff serve more than twenty flavours of Italian-style ice cream and sorbet made to traditional recipes, plus knickerbocker glories, banana splits, sundaes piled with fresh fruit and cream, milkshakes, affogato and proper espresso. The savoury menu of paninis, pizzas and pastas means it doubles as a relaxed all-day cafe.

Large picture windows look straight out across the sands and bathing huts of Viking Bay, making it a natural stop on a stroll between Broadstairs harbour, the Charles Dickens Museum and the clifftop promenade. In summer the queue often stretches down the steps, but the turnover is brisk and the seaside views are worth the short wait.