Morelli's Cappuccino, Broadstairs

With the sun set on a dark autumn afternoon, the neon lights of Morellis beckoned. What we needed after our beach walk were steaming hot cups of hot chocolate. And this place did not disappoint! I had never heard of Morellis before, but it seems to be nothing less than a Broadstairs institution. It is an ice cream parlour in the traditional Italian tradition, and was opened in 1932. The parlour was expanded in 1957. That interior remains to this day – and wow! Although it may be a little faded around the edges, there’s nothing like an authentic 50s interior for evoking a great vibe. Cute pink patterned formica-topped oval tables are surrounded by Lloyd Loom lounge chairs. There are gold door handles and lamp holders fashioned as ice cream cones. Photos of the parlour’s past adorn the walls, and a 50s clock on the wall is surrounded by plenty of mirrors making the place seem enormous. There is gold trim just about everywhere, and those oh-so pink neon lights. Couple this with an excellent choice of music on the complimentary juke box and you’re in business! The parlour seemed to have reduced availability in terms of ice cream flavours, but this could have been due to the time of day (just before closing) or the time of year. This was not important on our visit, as we opted specifically for silky smooth hot chocolates and mochas. The hot chocolate was luxury beyond doubt, topped with a luscious blob of whipped cream (most definitely not the kind from a spray can). The mocha, too, was rich and creamy, with its sweet note reduced a notch by the mellow coffee tones – perfect! Giving four stars as I could not comment on anything but the drinks.

Morelli's Ice Cream was and, I am told, still the BEST !
My family have been eating Morelli's Ice Cream since 1932, Yes ! that's the year I was born and our holiday home was in Broadstairs. My best friend was Romano ("'Mano") Morelli and although I live in Australia, we corresponded until his death in 2009. I miss him and I miss the lovely creamy ice cream, like no other in the World.
May Morelli's continue on the tradition for many more generations.
John Foley
Queensland, Australia

Best ice cream in Thanet, by a long way. 5 star rating just for the ice cream. Yes it is pricey but it is worth the extra for an occasional treat and not as expensive as a pint of beer!!!
Its definitely stuck in the 60's so worth a visit just to see.

Walking into Morelli’s is like walking back in time! It is a place that hasn’t changed since the 1950’s. It serves baguettes and sandwiches alongside tea cakes and cappucinos and wonderful hot chocolate. The best thing though is the range of ice creams on offer and the mint choc chip is a must. Prices are not too expensive. A real treat in a traditional seaside town.

Ice cream parlour in the middle of broadstairs sea front. Nice but unfortunately pricey, worth a visit, if only to try out the different flavours, but dont expect it to be cheap! The also serve drinks and hot meals if you want to eat out which is nice, the restaurant is reasonably well laid out, but can become noisy, especially in the summer, so maybe not ideal for a more private day out. Its nice, just a little to pricey for me.

It has to be said - their ice cream is GORGEOUS! However, for those on a budget, this has to be a rare treat, rather than your regular stop off for ice creams at the seaside, and the prices are a bit OTT in my opinion.
That aside, its a lovely quaint shop, very chintzy but adorable all the same.
Well worth a try, if you have enough pennies!

Morelli’s ice cream parlour overlooks Viking Bay with its pier, beach huts and summer garden bandstand. Inside it is a step back in time to the fifties (the parlour opened in 1932 but was redecorated in 1957) with a fountain, decorated ceiling, formica, fifties music and lots of pink. I know it is called Morelli’s “cappuccino” but it is a true ice cream parlour, serving perfect sundaes, cups and cones, with unique flavours which change from day to day. Apple crumble is one of my favourites, and strawberries and cream. All the flavours contain real fruits or chocolate or nuts, or, in apple crumble’s case, a sort of ice cream-topping version of crumble. Last summer they celebrated their 100th birthday (of their founding, not this locaton) and gave away free ice creams for a day, so my brother and I leapt on the train from Charing Cross and spent the day trying out every flavour to the tunes of a barrel organ outside the ice cream parlour and a disturbingly kitsch crooner in the bandstand.
It would be very sad, in fact, pretty unbearable a waste of what after all would probably amount to a life horribly deprived of the uttermost joy, to live in this country and not to go there as often as possible. In fact, I am seriously considering either moving to Broadstairs to be close by or becoming rich enough to purchase a franchise for my own parlour. You can buy their ice cream in Harrods, but it really isn’t quite the same.