Morelli's Ice Cream Parlour — Restaurant in Thanet

I never give bad reviews unless is extremely necessary but I feel I have to after my experience yesterday. I visited Broadstairs on Sunday 26/07/2020 and after looking for ice cream places I came across Morelli’s Gelato and I decided to give it a try. So arrived to the place and there was a long queue of people to get a take away ice cream. They had two doors and people had the option to eat in or take away. I decided I wanted a take away, so I just this long queue while my husband went to find parking space. All good at this point, but the time was passing a quite a few people give up and left but I decided to wait to try these famous ice creams. After 40 minutes queuing to get an ice cream and being the next person to be called and served, I decided to put my mask on to follow and adhere to the government guidelines. Also at this point my husband came and met me at the queue but then left because he did not want an ice cream. So just about to be called after 40 minutes that had to wait, I was now wearing my mask and making sure I was respecting social distance, which I have to say that a few people weren’t, but being part of the NHS and working on the “front line” all this time and seeing from the “inside” the hospital what is happening I do myself follow the guidelines quite strictly. Hence at this point of being my turn, I was approach by a male member of staff, who say very very rude and abrupt to me “ you have just walked in and got here, don’t you see there is a long queue….you have to join the queue” …which I tried to respond excuse me I was here for 40 minutes queuing but then he did not even gave me the chance to talk and turn his back to me and walked away! I couldn’t believe in what had just happened, how rude and abrupt he approach me and spoken at me. After this I said to the people behind me “ did you see what just happened here ?? and they were also shocked …and they said it must be because you put the mask and he did not recognise. Well if that was the case, there are lots of different ways to talk to people and approach them. After this I continue queuing but then I looked inside the shop and he was talking the other members of staff and pointing to me, in a way he was probably telling not to serve me. I was already very upset with this situation, so I wanted to clarify this as he did not let me explain it. So then I called him as he was inside the shop, so I raised I voice and said “ please can you come here I need to speak with you” …he came and I said I was here queuing for 40 minutes, so can you please just ask and confirm with this people behind me ? “Which he responded, saying if they are okay, that is fine and he turned his back and walked away. Once again he did not even let me speak and neither the people behind me. Don’t you think if there was the case that I had just walked in and not joined the queue, certainly the people behind me would have said something!? I was left very distressed and upset about this situation, to the point I was in tears, so I decided to walk way without getting an ice cream. Yes I was the next on the queue and waited 40 minutes but after being accused of lying twice, spoken at very rudely with no manners and being embarrassed in front of the public, both costumers and staff, I was left with no choice but just walking out. I did not want to buy or be served by anyone...

If I was going to have a last meal, Morelli’s would be dessert.

My parents and grandparents used to bring me here as a kid, and I’ve been coming back for almost 40 years. I would say that whilst we all get older and dishes from our childhood are not what we remember, it’s not the case at Morelli’s. Every time I have an ice cream sundae, I am that small kid all over again.

From the neon sign outside, you are transported back to a time of happiness. I always pounce on getting a seat at the pink booths, taking in the magic around me, seeing the joy of all ages, and to spy on what I may not have already gleefully spooned.

The team share my sweet delight of each creation on the menu and a fond longing for the return of their trifle sundae in particular. And whilst the extremely awesome Richard from Morelli’s and I wish it back into existence… today he made us one as a special surprise and one of the best Easter treats I can remember!

With soft syrupy sponge, jelly, fresh strawberries, custard, their signature soft serve vanilla ice cream and whipped cream with colourful sprinkles, who needs a time machine?

If in doubt, check out photos of my greatest sundae hits, because there’s a sundae for everyone from a menu that is better than any children’s book!

I feel lucky that my childhood was blessed with memories that consistently bring such joy, and only wish every child at heart could enjoy a Morelli’s too. Thank you team and thank you Richard, you are the...

Whilst the ice cream itself is of course delicious and it's reputation in this aspect is entirely justified, we felt the customer experience to be actually quite poor. We have been to Morellis many times and often sit in as the queue for takeaway ice cream is always long and slow moving. However, sitting in is a stressful and uncomfortable experience. The place prides itself on its original / unchanged beige and pink decor but to be honest...it's tired. The tables are small and fixed to the floor so the shop layout is inflexible and impractical for wheelchair and buggy users at busy times. There are no soft furnishings so it's very loud inside with everyone talking/chairs scraping the floor ... really my sister and I find sitting in to be a fairly stressful experience. You sort of want to hurry up and eat your ice cream (which is not cheap) quickly so you can leave. There is only one small unisex toilet which there is always a long queue for and sitting on the table next to the toilet is a very unpleasant experience with people staring at you while they wait. The management seem stressed out and can be rude, though the servers are always lovely, today was no exception.

There's a lot to be said for maintaining traditional elements and nostalgic appeal but not so much when it really hampers the modern dining experience. My advice...avoid going in a large family group with young children, it's just too cramped and too chaotic to be...