Minchella in South Tyneside

We visited here as my husband has had surgery and wanted to go somewhere he could walk. We decided on toasties which I know have not changed for a number of years but they were tasty. Minchella’s ice cream is a memory of childhood and never disappoints. The staff on the day we went were very helpful and friendly

Another disgraceful hike in prices. £3.85 for a take away white coffee and £3.95 for a moccha and the service is incredibly slow. Not down to the staff who try their best. There are just not enough people behind the counter. Meanwhile the two other minchella take away coffee nearby provide excellent service for hot drinks at least 50 pence cheaper. It was a warm day yesterday and having attended this place for least 20 years i have noticed a decline in customers over the last couple of years. No the wonder

Excited to visit this ice cream parlour, but won’t ever go again. The queue was crazy, the outside seating was in a wind tunnel and the choice of flavours was absolutely minimal. Coffee was not good. Overall experience, not very enjoyable sadly.

Frustrating long wait and young staff on a go slow! The ice cream was melting in front of your eyes whilst they made another sundae!! The place was full of tables with dishes etc needing clearing away. Floor was filthy with stuff littered around! Get some staff otherwise lose customers like ourselves.

Wifey & I stopped for coffee and a bite to eat and really can’t complain. Friendly service. Good coffee. Excellent toasties and, if you need it, spotlessly clean loo’s !

I have frequented minchellas on a bi monthly basis for almost 50 years. Today I was by myself and called in for a hot drink & choc nut sundae. I waited for 35 mins in a Q which is fine that was my choice however as the Q which stretched to the rear moved families from the back kept sitting down at the tables. When I ordered I was informed no skimmed or semi milk so instead of coffee I opted for an earl then ordered a chocolate nut sundae to be told no cream however one of the females said it’s 4 pm so we aren’t opening another. Why advertise you are open until 5 if the staff quite blatantly don’t adhere to that. I decided to leave as also nowhere to sit as families allowed to sit at tables where their relatives were at the back of the Q still. Better organisation and attitude required, I’d expected better.

Waited 40 minutes outside for a cornet. Not enough staff serving. Shop was closing so not admitting people so had to use the outside window. Only about 10 people in the queue but still waited 40 minutes. Has 3 Yr old Grandson with me so didn't want to disappoint him otherwise would have left.

Excellent cafe to grab a coffee tea and a toastie friendly helpful staff,don't forget to try Turkish delight ice cream 🍨

Came across by chance, on a wild February afternoon. Looked very busy inside so we headed to the takeaway window. We were served promptly. The ice cream was beautiful - very smooth and creamy.

We visited for an ice cream which we know is superlative but due to the storm we all had toastiest and they were super superlative too! Another five stars there.

Popped in for a coffee, usually use the one on the Promenade. Had an orange Mocha which was the worst drink I've ever had, was about 40% orange syrup, hot water and powdered choc, no coffee in sight. Absolute miseries serving too, will stick to the proper place in future.

Took my son and daughter in law who were visiting from Hong Kong approx 4:10 pm walked around several times as could not gain access people and staff inside website said close at 5pm. I found a kiosk window open asked how to get inside only to be told takeaway only??? Hugely disappointed as travelling especially from North Shields for the well loved minchhella ice-cream which had always been loved when we lived south of the Tyne. It wd have been useful if the website had been more precise in opening hours ie take away only from whatever time!

Thank you so much for fantaic customer service. I took my parents for a walk along the seafront and had some food from yourselves. The young guy was so helpful even bringing the food to the car when not was ready. Making to older people very happy in the cold. Take care and much appreciated

Not dog friendly, only wish it was ! I really can’t see how well behaved dogs aren’t allowed in ? The cafe is a basic cafe with hard tiled floors and wipe down tables and chairs . Umpteen dog walkers out on the prom and when I visited your cafe was empty? Fed the husband takeaway in the car with small dog . Whilst me and my parents ate inside £32 spent and I’m guessing if you let dogs in you’d get a lot more trade . Guess we’ll have to find elsewhere as it’s too cold to sit outside with elderly parents even in the summer.

Waited half an hour to get served, only one person serving and very unpleasant. There was a very long queue behind me and people were complaining about the wait. Kids in and out looking for their parents. I stood that long I had to take tablets for my back. Won't be going back

Excellent coffee toasted sandwich ice cream 🍨 disable friendly can get really busy but worth the wait sea views near to fair ground and parks

Kids really liked the icecream, and there was lots of choice, but this has really had an impact on waiting times. At 10.30 on a Sunday morning you shouldn't have to wait over 40 minutes for an icecream.

Lush ice cream but everytime we go were served by a miserable young lass, honestly looks like she hates her life.

We’ve been coming for over 40years for which has always been the best ice cream but they have become very expensive with smaller portions which is a shame .

I visited with my sister last week. We sat inside as weather was mixed. First of all we had to queue to order and then wait at the counter while the drinks and toasties were made and take them back to tour table. Complete opposite to customer service. When you go out with someone else you imagine you'd be sat with them, not standing in a queue then waiting to serve your own food, while your companion sits at the table on their own. We then ordered ices creams and as it was a first visit we decided to 'go mad' and have a sundae. What a disappointment. They came straight out of the freezer cabinet already made up (presumably some hours earlier) and as a result the caramel sauce was frozen, the caramel shortbread was frozen solid and the contrasts in texture and flavour that would be expected were lost. We wouldn't return. Poor service and poor product. The staff were doing their best but whoever has decided the approach to service needs to re-think!

Absolutely disgraceful price hike on everything again £3.45 for a coffee while all other minchella coffee shops are about 50 to 6o pence cheaper. Not just the coffee but everything they sell. Costa prices but not Costa value or taste

Popped by with the kids for an ice cream and coffee. Thought we'd sit in. It took 45 minutes to get served! So long I had to go and renew the parking, find out you can't when parked outside, moved the car, legged it back and my kids still hadn't budged in the queue. I don't think I'm way off the mark in saying they served one person at each hatch every 5 minutes. How can it take so long? It's putting sauce on ice cream, they're not freezing it while you wait. I saw four staff: - the 'new' member, asking people what they'd just ordered at least 2 times. - the wafer stylist - methodically placing wafers into the ice cream with such a level of calm precision, I'm surprised they didn't use a spirit level. - the poor tidy-upper, running back and forth from the kiosk, trying to clean up. - the stressed-looking senior person, trying to keep it all together. Maybe they need more, maybe it could just be more efficient, or maybe they think the place is so popular, no one cares. For what it's worth, the ice creams are nice (although the Crescent Cafe is better), but it's really not worth waiting that long for, especially with the kids getting really fed up (I'm not sure what food is). I was so wound-up, I had to moan about it on here, even though they don't sell burgers.

Dreadful, ice cream was runny milk, chocolate warm and melted, waited 20 minutes for service, wasted money, then threw the milk (ice cream), in the bin, waste your money if you want too, will not be returning.

Usually love Minchella ice cream. Today we tried the pistachio sundae however we were both very disappointed. It tasted awful and way too sweet. Complete waste of money as neither of us could eat it. Will stick to Lickety Split for flavoured ice-cream in the future.

Went on Sunday 5th February after a short beach walk with my assistance dog. We entered as usual and found a table, I went and ordered only for a staff member to tell me that they only allow guide dogs inside. Considering that this is...

Popped in for refreshments while on a beach walk. When I saw the pistachio sundae on the menu I had to have it. It was a thing of beauty. Everyone else liked their treats too. Chocolate milkshakes were quite chocolatey as were the hot chocolates....

Excellent service. Lovely ice cream. The best Monkey's blood in Christendom. I was lucky to be served by the extremely helpful younger of the two cornettieres with a 99 and a cappuccino that were the perfect combination on a long sunny day.

Called in here for some hot drinks and scones whilst exploring the beach one afternoon. The place was immaculately clean and quite busy. There are inside and outside tables. There is car parking alongside the main road and car parks quite nearby. The scones were...

Came earlier to buy 2 tubs. Young girl seemed more preoocupied and annoyed by the length of the queue behind us as they were closing. So much so that she forgot parts of our order, placed the flake on the counter instead of in the...

Have been eating minchella ice cream for 60 years and every time its like discovering the best ice cream, never dissapointing.

Generally happy with service and products I best at least once a week on my motorcycle. However I was very dissatisfied on Friday when I visited (for the second time that day) with my son and daughter. I ordered the same flat white coffee as...

Enjoying a walk along the sea front at South Shields and having had lunch we decided to finish off with an ice cream. After reading the menu the words "knickerbocker glory" took me back to my childhood and i felt compelled to try one. And...

Serves ice cream and hot drinks, great in the summer and great in the winter

Visited yesterday for coffee and waited over half a hour to get served.Seemed to be plenty of young staff faffing about but doing nothing productive,they really need to sort this out as is putting many people off visiting,maybe pay some experienced staff who know about...

I grew up with minchellas and hate giving a low score. But I'm afraid the staff at the beach cabin, next to the sanddancer pub need to learn a bit about customer service. Miserable and surly sums it up. The ice cream is still great.

The ice cream was really good. I had mint chocolate chip which was good but sadly the coffee was not good and it was very milky. I guess the coffee did the job.

Arrived with two people in front of me and it still took 12 minutes to be served. Old ice cream and coffee left on tables and not cleared away whilst a member of staff was sitting with his headphones in and ignoring everyone. They had...

I have been loving minchella’s for over 30years came back today after being abroad for a couple of years. Gutted! No proper wafer cones it’s now cornetto style only! No oysters! Come on Minchellas I am all for improvement and additional options like sundaes etc...

Always lovely ice cream but the service is so slow. At least 8 staff working but only one seemed to be doing most of the work inside. She asked another girl for help and was told “No, I’m on drinks”.

I have been a customer of Minchella's for over 70yrs and never had a complaint until today. Having waited in queue with 6 customers ahead of me for 40mns 1 was eventually served by a young girl who obviously didnt want the job. She didnt...

Waited for 10 minutes and the queue never moved , not sure what was happening as there were a lot of people in the place itself, so gave up.

Have liked Michellas for years,today it took 30mins to get one cup of coffee,the place was totally disorganised,plenty of staff it seems but no organisation whatsoever,all seemed young and inexperienced, they seem to be missing older experienced staff which I understand maybe because of covid,but needs sorting out,while there three lots of people in que of about 12 left before been served.

We bought 2 ice creams for £11.50 and seems to be a lot of money for 2 ice cream so i wouldnt bother try other nice ice creams in ice cream vans theyre much cheaper

I have had tubs of ice cream from this Minchellas on 3 occasions recently. Each time the ice cream has melted in the tub within a few seconds of me walking away from the store window. It was so bad that within a minute it was pouring over my hand. I emailed Minchellas about this but they could not be bothered to reply. I suggest you go to Scoop and Bean by the fairground for your ice cream or use the Toney Minchellas (different take away chain) in South Marine Park.

Lovely little icecream hut sells coffee and tea as well nice to chill in the car with an cup of tea and watch the world go by

Bought 2 sugar cones today at the kiosk beside swimming baths ______ it was a tasteless coloured watery milk !!!!!! The sugar cone I threw away it nearly broke my teeth it was so old and hard, you need to get your act together or no one will buy from you again ,I certainly wouldn't,

After buying from an ice cream van the previous week in Seaham hall car park and paying a fortune this was cheaper and million times better ice cream, lesson learnt

There was a crusty noob serving me threatened to crank 90's and double pump my grandad if I did not leave.

Came here today to get Ice-creams for my family here. The staff are very nice here. All the staff are all wearing masks and gloves. There is a per plax on the window. So everyone and everything here are very Covid protective and safe. The Ice-Cream Tubs and Sugar Cones are very nice here.

Lovely service here. Three ice creams (two chocolate tubs with flakes and one cone with two flakes for Dad) and a tea were the order. Our server was very polite and lovely, despite freezing weather and dealing with massive queues. I nearly walked off before we got the tea, doh! Situated in the car park on an island, there’s an outside seating area for when the weather is more agreeable. It was beautiful but freezing on our visit.

sundae was over £6 and the sundae was one scoop of pistachio and one vanilla from the machine the rest was just flavourless Wafers and whipped cream. Tiny drizzle of sauce at the bottom. Total waste of money for a pot bland sh*te

As a local, I used to often like to visit here especially on my dog walks as a little treat. I stopped bothering about a month ago...The staff as lovely and polite as they are don’t always serve what you order. A few times I’ve asked for a latte with oat milk, and one time I got a latte with regular milk (I have a dairy allergy) I double checked with the girl who insisted that it was oat but I couldn’t take the risk so I chucked it. It is always served way too hot, to hot to hold in the cup. It is always filled too high so spills as you walk with it. If you ask for latte, cappuccino, flat white... it’s all the same anyway which is a shame. I have no issue with the staff as I say they are lovely every time however I’m always left disappointed with my coffee and no longer want to waste my money.

Always lovely icecream from here. Good to see the takeaway menu has been extended now. A bit disappointed we can’t sit in yet. Easy system for takeaway and quick service. Only downside to this icecream shop is the price compared to others but it is lovely.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our icecreams from Minchella’s! The pistachio ice cream is a must try! There is large pieces of crushed pistachio throughout the icecream! We will definitely be back soon!

Called in on a rainy day. 2 medium tubs, monkey's blood and flake! Ice cream is lovely, but come on, 20p short of £9.00. Absolute extortionate price. In fact go as far as taking the bloody mick! They have the monopoly along sea front. Don't get me wrong, like I said it's lovely, but certainly doesn't warrant the price? Glad I didn't have the kids with me! Can you imagine having to tell them we couldn't afford a bloody icecream?

Minchella is an ice cream institution so I was over the moon that they produced a pistachio flavour . The parlour on sea road is great and always busy, even during winter.So glad to be able to buy ice cream and monkeys blood to bring home .Don’t go anywhere else !

Having been born in South shields I've been eating this ice cream for a long time and I believe that it's the best you can get outside of Italy ,all the are very friendly as chatty all of these things make you go back time after time, I now live over forty miles away but always have to visit if I'm in the area.

Friendly staff. Great choice of ice cream menu. This place can get really busy we have been more than once and on the last occasion it was quiet. Excellent quality food. Lots of Pay and display parking nearby.

This is a great place to have lunch or a ice cream. I recommend you have your ice cream here because it’s much better.

Minchellas never fails to please when in South Shields. The raspberry ripple is to die for. I’ve eaten in and taken home ice cream and have been totally satisfied with both.

I’ve gone to Minchella’s since I was a child and used to love the Knickerbocker Glories. Its a proper Italian cafe and this one near the beach is in a great location. There’s a wide selection of ice cream sundaes, toasted sandwiches, pastries and Italian cakes and pastries. The coffee is very good but it always takes a long time to get served because there’s only one coffee machine so there is always a queue. This is because the place is popular and has lots of regulars from all different age groups. When the weather is fine the outside seats are very popular with smokers and dog owners.

Visited this ice parlour whilst staying over in Whitley bay for the weekend. What a wonderful experience, the staff are amazing they worked none stop and such team work.We had coffee and tosties In the morning then went back for the most amazing ice cream in the afternoon.A definite visited if you are in South Shields.

I've had Minchella since I was a little boy, this visit we gave my granddaughter her first Minchella ice cream, and the look on her face as she had a small taste of the wonderful ice cream took me back to my childhood. The ice cream is still as good.The cafe is basic and small but is a must visit if you go to South Shields.

Stumbled upon this place after visiting the swimming pool and a great find. Lots of choice from sundaes to cookie ice cream sandwiches and scoops of ice cream. We had the peach sundae and choc o nut sundae. They were beautiful and nostalgic. Great little gem.

Met friends and walked to this pretty little place. Plenty of room at the back to sit in the sun and enjoy tasty ice cream and the sea view. Well worth a visit - so long as you don't mind being spoiled for choice.

Came to the restaurant on the 23rd and ordered two vegan ice creams. My partner and I are both lactose intolerant so we were proper excited to actual enjoy some ice cream on the beach. However, 2-3 hours after eating the ice cream, we both had stomach bug symptoms, figuring out later on that we had been given dairy ice cream instead.

This is a great place to dine. Slightly slow service sadly but at least we got great food. Go to Minchella and co for ice cream because it does not do whippy ice cream.

Quite good food, good service, pleasant staff and an outside sitting area close to South Sheilds beach. Recommended.

Stopped off at Minchella’ for a family treat. The surroundings were excellent and the ice creams were magnificent. The only thing that let it down was inattentive staff with an indifferent attitude. It was a real shame as the experience should’ve been lovely

No trip to South Shields is complete without a Minchellas' Ice Cream and, for every person born and raised in South Shields but living elsewhere, it is like a pilgrimage.

No trip to South Shields is complete without a visit to Minchella & Co. The award winning ice cream is simply outstanding, the venue ideally located on the seafront and we were served by friendly and helpful staff. Best ice-cream in the North-East.

Top food, friendly service and a lovely spot by the prom. Always a pure delight with family and friends

we visited minchella myself my daughter and my aunt. we parked nearby but you do pay for the parking. we decided to sit outside as it was a lovely day. we ordered nickerbocker glorys and lattes. the Ice creams were delicious. it was very busy the day we went. prices were reasonable. they also did a good choice on the menu. something to suit everyone.

Stopped off for an ice cream, you can either take away or have a seat on the sea front, or road side Lovely ice cream, and in excellent location

We often stop here on our walks and the food and service is always good. Today three of us sampled their piadinas which were excellent. We all ordered tea. When I asked for some hot water because I don’t care for strong tea I was told they would have to charge me 50 pence! I declined! Surely they could see I wasn’t trying to get two cups on the cheap. The staff ought to be able to use their discretion. Next time I’ll have coffee.

Visited with my two nieces. Had a selection of toasties , ciabattas, scones and of course ice cream all really nice. Nice friendly counter staff offered to carry tray. Very clean and tidy, tables cleared swiftly and nice to see a bottle of sanitiser too will be back , thank you Minchella

The ice creams of this shop is amazing. You can take it out or you can sit outside and you can also sit but it’s always busy. I highly recommend noicella flavour ice cream(it’s delicious.

The ice cream is the perfect taste and consistency, there is outdoor and indoor seating and the option to take out.

No visit to South Shields is complete without ice cream at Minchellas.

This cafe appeals to adults as well as children. The ice cream dishes are’to die for’. It’s always very busy which shows how popular.

We had the cheese, ham and mushroom tostie and it was really nice and then we finished it off with their lovely Italian ice-cream. I would recommend this dish to anyone who loves cheese, ham and mushroom toasties.

I lived in South Shields for over a year and enjoyed the occasional ice cream but this was my 1st time sitting in for some food. Heading home my family and I stopped here for lunch and refreshments. Coffee’s were nice and hot and the ham and bacon toasty I had was very tasty! Always friendly service and now I can add great food to great ice cream!

Stopped for Ice Cream Break, fantastic choice of Ice Creams with Nut Sprinkles. Lovely and clean environment, staff friendly, there was a queue but that was because it is so good, great to sit and take in the scenery, the kids loved it and so did their Nanna & Grandad

Love ice cream and you just cant beat minchellas. Always clean and tidy and staff are friendly. Any flavour is ok by me.

I always come here when I ride my bike along the seafront always good ice cream I think this is the best minchellas in south shields

Went here for coffee and cake,lovely just to sit and watch the world go by. Very clean inside and out.

We decided to do a walk with friends from Marsden Rock to South Shields. En-route we decided to stop off here after lunch to have an ice cream. All four of us had 99’s. It was a glorious day so we decided to sit down at the rear of the ice cream parlour to eat our ice creams whilst looking out over the ocean. It was lovely. We really enjoyed our ice creams.

All Minchellas are friendly and courteous but this is the best one , after a early morning dog walk while most coffee shops on the sea front are closed you can get a coffee here at seven thirty and this is before it officially opens .

We went here for a naughty ice cream treat, tasted amazing, huge portion, was like being back as a kid in the 70s again.

Compared to the other Minchellas, this one is bigger and I'm sure has some lovely views in the summer -- we visited in early Spring so the fountain wasn't turned on yet but it was nice to sit inside and watch the water.

It is always busy in here, even in winter, but if your prepared to wait and queue the desserts are lovely. They do sandwiches and toasties which do the job if your hungry and are a reasonable price. The waffles are delicious however they are quite pricey, but okay for a treat now and then. The staff here all seem quite young and disinterested so don't expect amazing service, other than that it's a good place to stop during a nice walk along the coast.

A dog friendly oasis after a coastal dog walk, the staff are very obliging and friendly , couple that with good fresh snacks and coffee then it becomes a regular stop . There is always at least three watering points for the dogs 👍👍

Went in after walking the dog had tea and coffee with two toasties that were lacking in filling but they give you crisps.Then had a waffle and a heated scone which was a complete waste of money butter rock hard and the scone when I soften the butter up crumbled when cut.Waste of money.

Lovely little spot with a lovely little cafe. Coffee and simple lunch were delicious and the ice cream is unbelievable. Wish we had it by us, I'd be in every day!

Was recommended by a colleague to go there. So we went, and found the young staff rude and not engaging, which put us off in spending our money. Shame

This is a tourist hot spot in summer, as it's just a few steps away from the beach, but even in winter time it can get busy. There are no toasted tea cakes, but usually scones available , and the usual range of coffees to be expected in an Italian café. But it's the ice cream which draws most people.

We had heard about Minchella's from friends and in a very cold December day between Christmas and New Year we called in for Hot Chocolate. The cafe was clean and tidy and a good variety of food available. Ordered Hot Chocolates and ice creams, the ice cream menu wasn't as extensive as anticipated as we are a family of ice cream eaters but our choice was lovely. Hot Chocolate was delicious and just what was needed on a cold day. Yes, I know ice cream doesn't suit a cold day but that has never stopped us. My only criticism was although the service was pleasant, friendly and delivered with a smile, I noted that one member of staff was constantly playing with their hair and then handling food without gloves or hand washing. Not particularly hygienic.

Amazing treats here not to be missed. Ice cream, cakes, savouries and fab hot and cold drinks. Right on the sea front and worth a visit.

Have been going to minchella's for many years and the coffee has always been tasty and hot, there has always been a choice of semi and skimmed milk, the problem is they have done away with the semi skimmed and is now using full fat milk, there are people who cannot have full milk for medical reasons, they should of told people about the change

First time we've been here. Nice cafe . Coffee was good and very nice ice cream , 2 flavours in a tub . Would like to go back to try other things on the menu as they looked nice going past to other tables. Imagine it gets busy at weekends and holidays but plenty of tables when we visited.