Italian Gelato Knightsbridge Loves This Summer
Discover Italian gelato Knightsbridge locals love at ALBA London's new cart, serving authentic gelato, sorbet and affogato daily.
By August, the pavement outside Harrods is about 30°C and the queue for the food halls runs halfway down Brompton Road. The obvious move is something cold. The better move is proper Italian gelato, and until recently that wasn't easy to find in Knightsbridge.
ALBA London has fixed that. A new gelato cart now sits at the front of the restaurant, opposite Harrods, serving authentic Italian gelato, sorbetto and the house affogato. You don't need a reservation to use it.
Where Can I Get Authentic Italian Gelato Near Harrods?
At ALBA, 70 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER. The cart is set up at the restaurant entrance under the citrus trees that have made the terrace one of the more recognisable corners of the neighbourhood. Walk up, order, carry on with your afternoon. Diners can also order it inside as a dessert course.
What Makes Italian Gelato Different From Ice Cream?
Italian gelato Knightsbridge regulars know the difference comes down to two things. Gelato makers churn it slower, which whips in less air and gives each scoop a denser, silkier feel than ice cream. They also serve it warmer, closer to fridge temperature than freezer, so your tongue actually picks up the flavour instead of going briefly numb.
ALBA's flavours stick to the Italian playbook. Pistachio that tastes like Bronte pistachios. A lemon sorbetto that picks up where the Amalfi lemons on the main menu leave off.
Affogato in London, Done the Way It Should Be
Affogato is two ingredients, vanilla or fior di latte gelato in a chilled glass, drowned in a shot of hot espresso poured at the table. That's it. It works because hot bitter coffee hitting cold cream is one of the great Italian ideas, and it falls apart if either component is mediocre. ALBA pulls the espresso to order and scoops the Italian gelato Knightsbridge diners queue for seconds before it goes out, which is the only way to do it.
Sorbetto and Italian Gelato for Knightsbridge's Hottest Afternoons
When gelato feels too rich, sorbet is the answer. ALBA rotates the sorbetto by season, lemon throughout the summer, blood orange when it's around, raspberry at peak. It's dairy-free, sharp, and a fairly civilised reason to come in off the street for ten minutes.
Why Knightsbridge Needed Authentic Italian Gelato
There's no shortage of places to eat in SW3, but real Italian dessert in Knightsbridge has been thin on the ground. Most of what's sold as gelato around here isn't. ALBA's cart is the first time in a while you can get something on Brompton Road that wouldn't look out of place in a gelateria in Positano.
Visiting ALBA London
Address: 70 Brompton Road, London SW3 1ER (opposite Harrods). Gelato cart: open daily during restaurant hours, walk-ups welcome. Restaurant hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-22:30. Bookings: alba-ldn.uk/book-now.
FAQs
Where Can I Get Gelato Near Harrods?
ALBA London at 70 Brompton Road, directly opposite Harrods. Authentic Italian gelato Knightsbridge visitors love, plus sorbet and affogato, served daily.
Do I Need to Book?
Not for the cart. Walk up any time the restaurant is open. Bookings are only needed if you want to sit down inside.
What Flavours Are on Offer?
The line-up rotates, but you'll usually find pistachio, stracciatella, fior di latte and a lemon sorbetto, plus seasonal specials.
Does ALBA Make the Affogato With Real Espresso?
Yes, the team pulls the espresso fresh and pours it over the Italian gelato Knightsbridge diners order at the table.
