How funny is it to think that at one point in history ice cream didn’t have a name, and it was considered a “rarity?” It’s no secret that ice cream is one of America’s favorite year-round indulgences. There are millions of ice cream shops all across the country, many of these specializing in the creation of new flavors… so forget plain old chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Here’s a list of 25 of the best ice cream shops in the country that you need to try ASAP!
HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA: STEEL CITY POPS
In 2012 Steel City Pops opened its doors in Homewood, Alabama. They make their pops with all-natural, certified organic products that are also locally harvested whenever possible. Some flavors include Sweet Curry, Avocado, Horchata, and Spicy Gingerale. They also list all of the ingredients that go into each flavor on their website!
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: SWEET REPUBLIC
Sweet Republic prides itself on using the freshest, purest ingredients possible, as well as local milk and cream. There’s another location in Phoenix, so the flavors will differ at each location but these are just a few unique flavors that you’ll be able to find: Sweet Corn, Banana Toffee Pudding, Medjool Date, and Matcha.
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA: THREE TWINS ORGANIC ICE CREAM
One of the biggest things to admire about Three Twins is that they value sustainability and high quality ingredients. All eating utensils are compostable, and all of the ingredients used in the ice cream is from local vendors. Their signature flavor is Strawberry Je Ne Said Quoi (strawberry & balsamic vinegar), but some other artisanal flavors include Dad’s Cardamom, Rice Milk Horchata, and Earl Grey.
DENVER, COLORADO: SWEET ACTION ICE CREAM
Sweet Action is 100% powered by wind energy and uses fresh milk from farms in the state of Colorado. They offer dozens of unique flavors on rotation such as Sweet Potato Curry, Maple Fig, Mascarpone Chile Blackberry, and Flutternutter. They even offer vegan “ice cream” flavors like Mint Brownie and Caramel Carrot Cake.
HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE: WOODSIDE FARM CREAMERY
Woodside Farm Creamery began offering home-made ice cream in 1998 after their family established their dairy farm in 1796. Not only do they sell ice cream, but they also offer ice cream cakes, ice cream pies, and fudge. Try their Peanut Butter & Jelly, Motor Oil, or Bacon ice cream flavors.
TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA: SUPER SCOOPS
Florida and ice cream go hand-in-hand, and Super Scoops is the perfect place to cool down. Not only can you find ice cream here but you can also get Cookie Bowls, Sundae Bowls, Milkshakes, Italian Ice, Smoothies, and Banana Splits. Some flavors include Heavenly Hash, Captain’s Butterscotch, White Christmas, Almond Joy, and Double Fudge Brownie.
HONOLULU, HAWAII: BUBBIES HOMEMADE ICE CREAM & DESERTS HAWAII
Calling all mochi lovers! Bubbies specializes in mochi wrapped ice cream, which are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are rumored to taste amazing! They offer about 20 flavors including Tiramisu Mochi, Lychee Mochi, Azuki Bean Mochi, and Guava Mochi, as well as hand-packed pints of their gourmet ice cream — no mochi included.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: MARGIE’S CANDIES
Margie’s was founded in 1921, and has been kept in the family, creating homemade candy and ice cream from all natural and Kosher ingredients ever since. They also make their own waffle cones and can hand dip them in chocolate on the spot. Cheesecake, New York Cherry, and Yogurt & Sherbet are some of the flavors they offer.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS: SYLAS & MADDY’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Since 1997, Sylas & Maddy’s has been making their own ice cream and waffle cones in-house daily. For their pie flavors they use an entire fresh-baked pie of that flavor in their blending process. They have an extensive list of over 75 classic and unique flavors such as Cinnamon Caramel Yogurt, Lemon Custard Pie, Gold Rush, French Silk Mint, Graduation Day, S’mores, and Monkey Mash.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: THE CREOLE CREAMERY
Much like your classic soda fountain, The Creole Creamery offers your typical Banana Split and Ice Cream Floats, but they also offer a handful of extremely unique and unusual ice cream flavors. Test out their Creole Cream Cheese, Lavender Honey, Thai Basil Coconut, and Clockwork Orange-Chocolate ice cream flavors.
BAR HARBOR, MAINE: MOUNT DESERT ISLAND ICE CREAM
With currently three locations, this popular ice cream shop gained even more popularity when the Obama family visited the Main Street location (one of the shops in Bar Harbor). Blueberry Sour Cream, Nutella, Vietnamese Coffee, Jack Daniels, and Biscuit Tortoni are just a few of their signature flavors. Aside from ice cream, Mt. Desert also offers Sorbet, Drink Mix, and Canine Ice Cream.
SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS: CRESCENT RIDGE DAIRY BAR
Crescent Ridge Farm dates back to 1932, however in 1968 they opened their dairy bar in Sharon, MA., and today is well known as one of New England’s most popular dairy bar. One of their signature flavors is Black Bear, but you can also find flavors like Grapenut, Ginger, and Chocolate Almond Bar.
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: MOOMERS HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Opening its doors for the first time in 1998, MOOmers has served over 160 flavors of ice cream, offering over 20 of these flavors at any given time. In 2008 MOOmers was voted the best ice cream in America by Good Morning America Weekend. Some of their most unique flavors include Banana Bread, Candy Explosion, Cherries Moobilee, and Green Tea.
MINNEANAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: PUMPHOSE CREAMERY
Pumphouse Creamery opened its doors in 2003, and offers hand churned ice cream made with organic milk and cream from a small dairy farm in Wisconsin. You’ll always find at least 20 flavors of ice cream at any given time with plenty of yummy concoctions on rotation including Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip, Sea Salt Caramel Pecan, and Door County Cherry.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: GLACÉ ARTISAN ICE CREAM
There’s just something so cool (pun intended) about artisanal ice cream, and Glacé has hand crafted dozens of unique flavors with hormone-free cream and milk and all natural flavors. From Caramelized Pineapple, Goat Cheese & Fig, to Pistachio Cherry, there’s an artisanal ice cream flavor for everyone to try!
PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE: ANNABELLE’S NATURAL ICE CREAM
Since 1982, Annabelle’s has been serving all natural ice cream, made with no artificial colors/dyes. Some of the flavors they offer include New Hampshire Pure Maple Walnut, Peanut Butter Fantasy, Cashew Caramel Cluster, Chocolate Chip with Kahlua, and Swiss Chocolate Avalanche.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: BLUE MARBLE ICE CREAM
Blue Marble has been in business since 2007 when the owners decided that bringing certified organic ice cream to Brooklyn was something they needed to do. Today, Blue Marble has been so successful that you can have it shipped to your home. Blue Marble is most famous for their strawberry ice cream, but also offers unique flavors like Green Tea and Mexican Chocolate.
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA: MAPLE VIEW ICE CREAM
Maple View Ice Cream opened in 2001, and offers dairy products made from hormone and antibiotic-free milk. Each season Maple View offers a handful of unique flavors to their customers. NC Sweet Potato in the Fall, Dark Chocolate Peppermint in the Winter, and blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry made with all local fruits in the spring and summertime.
COLUMBUS, OHIO: JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS
Founded in 2002, Jeni’s is all about bringing people together and improving their community. Some of their signature ice cream flavors include Churro, Sun-Popped Corn, Savannah Buttermint, Ylang Ylang & Fennel, and Whiskey & Pecans. They also offer Chocolate Hazelnut, Oatmeal Cream, Orchid Vanilla, and Salty Caramel with Smoked Almonds ice cream sandwiches, along with Buttermilk Frozen Yogurts, Sorbets, and Sauces.
NARRAGANSETT, RHODE ISLAND: BRICKLEY’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
With 4.8 stars on Facebook, it’s no doubt that if you’re ever in Rhode Island, you should make a trip to Brickley’s for some homemade ice cream. Some of their most unique flavors include Ginger, Grapenut, Apple Pie, Coffee Oreo, and Sweet Cream.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: SPILL THE BEANS
Spill The Beans is actually a coffee bar that also specializes in custom blended ice cream and frozen yogurt. Basically, you start by choosing chocolate or vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt, then you pick the ingredients that you want added in like Kahlua, Gummy Bears, Brownies, Pretzels, Nilla Wafers, Rum, Marshmallow, Peanut Butter… the list goes on an on. Then you pick whether you want it in a waffle cone, waffle bowl, cake cone, or a cup, and they do all the work for you! It’s definitely worth checking out.
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: CLUMPIES ICE CREAM CO
Since 1999, Clumpies has been making ice cream by hand with the best ingredients possible. They even have an ice cream cart and offer catering. Some of their flavors include Firecracker, French Silk, Coconut Almond Chunk, Blueberry Lemon Thyme Sorbet, and Sweet Corn Blueberry.
AUSTIN, TEXAS: AMY’S ICE CREAMS
Amy’s was established in 1984 in Austin, but there are dozens of locations throughout Houston and San Antonio as well. Amy’s offers 350 flavors on rotation (not at all once because how would you ever choose?!). Mexican Vanilla, Shiner Bock, and Butter Beer are just a few of the flavors they offer at their various locations.
COLCHESTER, VERMONT: THE VILLAGE SCOOP
With 4.9 stars on Facebook, The Village Scoop provides its loyal and new customers with Gifford’s of Maine ice cream, homemade ice cream cakes, ice cream cupcakes, waffle cones, and brownie sundaes, and they even have a drive thru! Peppermint Stick, Maine Black Bear, Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Toasted Coconut are just a few flavors they offer. The Village Scoop specializes in ice cream cupcakes which are served in a cupcake liner and can be rolled or dipped into any candy or sundae topping.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON: MORA ICED CREAMERY
Mora Iced Creamery opened in 2006 and combines the freshest, purest ingredients alongside some traditional Argentinian flavors and some unique, hand crafted flavors to create ice cream just like your great-grandmother would make. Mora has crafted over 70 flavors, but you can usually find them with 48 flavors on hand like Gianduja, Dulce de Leche, Swiss Chocolate, and Lavender.
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