Of all summer desserts, ice cream must be the first to bear the brunt. Scooping a scoop of ice cream on a crunchy cinper on a hot day is unbeatable. Kids love it. Adults like it too. On lazy weekend afternoons, local ice cream trucks begin touring to sell ice cream, and few people are not dazzled. We all scream for ice cream for a reason, but when it comes to what kind of ice cream, there’s everything right now.
Vanilla, strawberry and chocolate will always be the most popular ice cream flavors, but thanks to a chef-driven ice cream shop and an ice cream master who makes creative ice cream blends in his own kitchen, ice cream is even cooler.
But before you go online and search for “best ice cream near me,” stop by and consider several of the best ice cream parlors and ice cream parlors in history that make headlines with their excellent ice cream. From classic cones and traditional flavors to exaggerated ice cream sticks, fish cones, and even ice cream sandwiches on hamburgers – here are 15 unmissable ice cream parlors in the US.
1. Arethusa Farm
Connecticut, New Haven and West Hartford
Arethusa gives a new meaning to farm-fresh ice cream. This idyllic farm in Litchfield, Connecticut, is home to three different breeds of cows who are used to squeezing out “milk that tastes like it used to”, which apparently gives their old-fashioned ice cream a rich, creamy flavor. Maybe you’ve seen their yogurt or ice cream at a nearby organic market, but nothing compares to being there in person. Arethusa prides itself on blending art and science, combining well-developed recipes with good old-fashioned taste testing to produce a variety of flavors for which they are famous. Regular staples include coconut dark chocolate chunks and buttered pecans, but the seasonal pumpkin and ginger syrup cookies are even more special.
2. Bettiri Ice Cream
Kansas City, Missouri
If you went to Kansas City and didn’t get ice cream topped with the end of the barbecue, would you still go? Of course, Betty Rae’s is famous for its twice-cooked burnt minced food that incorporates grilled staples into cones. They’re also known for flavors like honey lavender (one of their firsts), goat cheese, apricot and candied walnuts, turtle cheesecake, and some epic ice cream sandwiches – order a serving of Cereal Chiller.
3. Brickley’s Homemade Ice Cream
Wakefield and Narraganset, Rhode Island
After a long day at the beach, true Rhode Islanders leave and head straight to Brinkley Restaurant. The vibe is like a roadside beach hut, but banana, black raspberry and strawberry ice cream change life. They’re open 7 days a week, meaning 45 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sugar-free ice cream, sherbet, and sorbet to satisfy your appetite. But actually, go eat bananas. Or apple pie, or rum raisins. Or malt milk balls … You get the idea.
4. Chloe’s x Juice Press
New York City and Hampton
Chloe’s Pops became all the rage in 2010 and quickly became one of the best-selling plant-based frozen yogurt brands. Today, you can find their “better fit” fruit lollipops, dairy-free dark chocolate dip lollipops, and oatmeal milk lollipops in 10,000 stores nationwide, but you can also buy a bowl of chilled treats at Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co x. This summer, Juice Press is located at 17 East 25th Street and Hampton in New York City.
5. DipDipDip Ice Cream
Austin, Texas
DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya became Austin’s beloved Japanese hot pot restaurant, and owner and head chef Tatsu Aikawa must continue that success with the launchEqually amazing ice cream concept. DipDip Ice Cream features ice cream creations made with local cream and buttermilk from Hill Country Dairies, but it’s all about hand-infused mochi waffle cones made from mochi powder. Our personal favorites are Doomsday Mushrooms (pictured above right), served with caramelized chocolate shiitake mushroom ice cream, sherry sauce, hazelnuts and fried parsnips, served in chocolate cocoa cones, but don’t sleep on Sum Yum Yuzu (pictured above, left) Black pepper Yuzu Mascarpone ice cream with puff pastry kiss, berry compote, and perilla leaves in a pink lemon-soaked cone.
6.Fifty Licks
Portland, Oregon
Fifty Licks is known for its legendary (and legendary non-dairy) ice cream as well as crazy flavor blends. The secret to their extraordinarily luscious creamy ice cream is plenty of free-range egg yolks, so when you’re in Portland, head there just to get a taste of some of their treasured flavors. Vegan mango sticky rice (Alfonso mango drizzled with jasmine rice and coconut milk ice cream), Chocolate AF (rich dark chocolate served with chunks of homemade chocolate ganache), vegan golden milk (turmeric, ginger, cardamom and black pepper for ice cream with a hint of cinnamon in coconut milk), or order a cup of Cuban coffee and pour it over a spoonful of ice cream and enjoy the best Afgar Duo ever.
7.Gelatissimo Artisan Gelato
New Canaan, Connecticut
When you walk into Connecticut’s most popular ice cream parlor in the heart of New Canaan, you’ll think you’ve arrived in Italy. Authentic Italian gelato is made daily – up to 18-22 flavors per day! – And the handmade deliciousness doesn’t stop there. They also specialize in ice cream cakes, crepes (and waffles) with peanut butter and ice cream, and of course, a variety of Italian coffees. Some of our favorite flavors include mint chocolate chips, cioccolata (chocolate), stracciatella (vanilla chocolate chips), pistachios, hazelnuts, and a variety of non-dairy products. Be sure to check out their seasonal products. Cane sugar persimmon, does anyone want it?
8.GLOW
Miami, Florida
This superfood and superfrozen food store, which recently debuted in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, offers a delicious fast-food casual plant-based menu prepared by award-winning chef Todd Erickson, as well as organic, superfood-enhanced superfrozen foods made with probiotics like guava cheese, Earl Grey Peach, and Cult. – Favorite black sesame charcoal. Other delicious desserts include Fro-Conut, superfood sundaes and the next level of Fro-Rito (a frozen yogurt stuffed crepe). As for the name, GLOW stands for “Girls Leading the World,” so customers can be happy with the froyo purchased, as 100% of net profits are donated to charities that support girls’ empowerment worldwide.
9. Ice Cream Jubilee
Virginia, Arlington and Washington, D.C
Flavors like Thai iced tea and banana bourbon caramel made Ice Cream Jubilee famous in Washington, DC, but they’ve since expanded to three locations (including one in Virginia) and more mouthwatering ideas. Basil goat cheese, citrus Sichuan peppercorns, chocolate unleavened bread and cardamom coffee are just some of our other products.
10.Jenni’s Splendid Ice Creams
nationwide
Ice cream made with essential oils? Yes, it’s a thing. So Jeni Britton Bauer built her Jenni’s Splendid ice cream empire around the concept after adding chili oil to chocolate ice cream in college, creating her spicy frozen chocolate flavor. The ice cream queen now runs more than 40 “ice cream parlors” across the country and has partnered with Chandon Brut (the glittering berry punchel), Dolly Parton (strawberry pretzels) and Taylor, the creator(Pluto Blue). She even made White House chocolate chip flavors for the president and received a James Beard Foundation Award for her book Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home. Her latest masterpiece, Golden Nectar, tastes like the faded summer sun, covered in crushed caramel, and it’s time to get involved.
11.Ladurée
New York, New York
While we wouldn’t call the Parisian transplanted Ladurée itself an “ice cream parlor,” we’d call it “cream of cream” at the Parisian bakery and macaron shop in New York City. They happen to have the most delicate ice cream and sorbet cups topped with macarons and the prettiest ice cream macaron sandwiches. In addition to the delicious sweets that can be found on the pastry counter in front, there is also a tea room, a fully equipped dining room, and a charming tree-lined garden at the back, perfect for cooling off with a glass of rock sugar.
12.Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
New York, New York
“Would you rather put it in a cup or a cone, or between freshly baked bread?” No, you heard it right; That’s a common order for Morgenstern’s ice cream shop in New York City’s NOHO neighborhood. Their gelato burger makes a difference by stacking Neapolitan ice cream (strawberries, vanilla and chocolate) inside a butterburger bun. Next time you’re craving burgers and ice cream, try it. Or there’s the Smashburger-style menu full of real burgers and your choice of soft serve ice cream. Your incoming call.
13.Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream
Catskill, New York
Great Western Catskills has plenty of ranches and countless ice cream parlors, so it’s no surprise to have some delicious ice cream spots on warm summer days. National Ice Cream Day is just around the corner, with everything from small-batch ice cream produced on Delaware County farms to large-scale production facilities spread across the country. Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream is freshly made every day using an original custard machine and recipe to serve you the most delicious spoon or shake! If you have more time to scream for ice cream in the area, head to Mac-a-Doodles Restaurant & Ice Cream to see the creative sundaes and snowflakes. From Doodle Bug Sunday (topped with Oreo cookie crumbs and fudge) to Snickers Flurry (chocolate dip, malt, peanuts and caramel), there’s something for everyone with a sweet tooth.
14.Pretty Cool Ice Cream
Chicago, Illinois
If the pink look of millennials doesn’t entice you into Pretty Cool Ice Cream, we guarantee you’ll see their Custard Bars and Fancy Pops. Popular restaurants in Logan Square are the creators of veteran pastry chefs and authors of Hello, My Name is Ice Cream, Dana Cree and Bang Bang Pie and BiscuitsMichael Ciapciak, the founder, teamed up and soon earned a reputation as the best ice cream in Chicago. The whimsical fruit and buttermilk sticks are coated with powdered sugar, shortbread, potato chips and more, but you can also take the opportunity to sample the latest flavor: peach icicle pie surrounded by cinnamon whole-grain cracker shells. Wow.
15.Purple Pie Place
Custer, South Dakota
Purple Pie Place is known for its milkshakes and homemade pies (the best pie in Montenegro!). is famous, but the sundaes are not to be missed either. In addition, the decoration of the house is the main style of the caster, with purple stripes on its exterior. South Dakota also deserves a mention: Memorial Team Ice Cream at Mount Rushmore. Their recipes are based on Thomas Jefferson’s original 1760 ice cream recipe and are just a 30-minute drive from downtown Rapid City, so you can enjoy a scoop of delicious ice cream while taking a history lesson.
