A traditional Italian ice cream parlour that started out nearly 120 years ago now has stores all over the world, with the flagship located in a stunning British seaside town.
Morelli’s began in 1907 in Scotland when Giuseppe Morelli and his young son Mario moved from Italy, selling their ice cream every morning on their bikes and not returning until it was all sold.
As their product grew in popularity, they transitioned from bikes to a van and their business only continued to grow from strength to strength.
The first Morelli’s parlour was opened by Mario in Broadstairs, Kent in 1932. The store is located along the seafront above the picturesque Viking Bay.
By 1959, it had upgraded and expanded from serving eight different flavours to an impressive 24 as its reputation, which it still maintains today, continued to grow.
Now, the chain has 10 stores – three in the UK and seven internationally. The other two UK stores are located in Whitstable and Covent Garden. Globally, Morelli’s has a location in Texas, two in the Philippines, three in Dubai, and one in Uzbekistan.
Their website reads: “The uniqueness of Morelli’s – our history, the quality and freshness of our product and the creativity of our offer – has been introduced and is well loved by a global clientele; the energy of the business is always to bring gelato – the very best of it – to the world.”
The ice cream is freshly made every morning, and the gelateria also offers a range of milkshakes, hot crepes, waffles, gateaux, fresh croissants, paninis, and focaccia.
Bibi Morelli told Kent Online: “My great-great-grandfather started making ice cream in the late 1800s. We started properly in 1907 and opened Broadstairs in 1932. We think it is one of the oldest ice cream parlours in the UK. I am the fifth generation running it.
“It is very much a family business still. My godson is training to take over as manager and my parents, husband, brother, and his family, are all very involved in the business.
“It is really a family business. One of the loveliest things is that we get so many customers coming in to say they used to come to Morelli’s as children. We love that we can be a generational and a family shop that people come to year after year.”
Broadstairs is also home to one of the “most underappreciated beaches in Kent” according to outdoor experts Canopy and Stars who praised it for having “every feature you’d hope to see”.
Kingsgate Bay boasts a sandy cove, white cliffs, and tucked-away caves, not to mention its golden sands and sparkling blue sea.
Canopy and Stars wrote: “It’s got every feature you’d hope to see, from a sandy cove to a sea arch, soaring white cliffs to frame it, and even caves to explore (keep checking those tide times).
“Even better, if you’ve got a hound with you, it’s dog-friendly year-round. Instead of having to trudge a long way to the nearest watering hole before, during or after some sandy strolls, you’ve got a local pub at the top of the cliff overlooking the beach.”
