We’re at the very cusp of summertime in New York City, and that’s an absolutely magical place to be.
The trees have sprouted their flowers, the people have emerged from their apartments, and everyone is ready to hang in the hot weather.
What does that mean? Well, lots of water perhaps, and maybe some lemonade.
But what does it really mean? Ice cream, and lots of it.
New Yorkers are lucky. We live in a city with some of the best ice cream in America.
So, where should you head this summer to get the best possible cone to treat your taste buds? Read on and find out the 10 best spots for ice cream in NYC.
1. Big Gay Ice Cream (various NYC locations)
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Who wouldn’t buy ice cream from a store with such an excellent name?
Featuring a welcoming, playful attitude, Big Gay Ice Cream’s name isn’t the only fun part about this shop.
They also sell treats with names like “Salty Pimp” (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, dried chocolate dip), the “Mermaid” (vanilla ice cream, key lime curd, crushed graham crackers, and whipped cream), and “The Gobbler” (apple butter and bourbon butterscotch).
Needless to say, their flavors are creative, their ice cream is delicious, and their mission is fun and inclusivity. Really, does it get any better than that?
2. Ample Hills Creamery (623 Vanderbilt Avenue - Brooklyn)
fattymenyc The raw deal with M&M cookie cone and snap, mallow, pop with chocolate chip cookie cone🍦🍫
Ample Hill Creamery’s name is derived from Walt Whitman’s poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” and owners Jackie Cuscana and Brian Smith opened their shop in the hopes of creating a community gathering spot where ice cream making would take place in view for all to see.
And they succeeded.
Jackie and Brian keep their shop stocked with 24 constantly changing flavors, and these flavors are insanely good: Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, The Munchies, and Chocolate Milk & Cookies.
It’s the perfect place to come if you want your mind blown by sheer options.
How, you might be wondering, could you ever choose what flavor to get among so many delectable options?
The answer is that a flavor will probably call out to you, and it will probably be so specified, so tailored exactly to what you’re craving, you’ll never want to eat ice cream anywhere else again.
3. Oddfellows Ice Cream Company (175 Kent Avenue - Brooklyn)
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Into flavors, like Thai Iced Cream, Jalapeño sorbet, and super confused as to whether you want salty or sweet? Or, are you just a huge fan of mixing flavors? Well, then we have found just the spot for you.
At Oddfellows, it’s normal to see weird flavors like Virgin Olive Oil. That said, they also have relatively normal flavors, like Banana Pudding and Chocolate Chunk.
Oddfellows’ mission is to create the highest quality, freshest ice cream available.
They accomplish this by pasteurizing their own ice cream base in their Brooklyn kitchen, and using locally sourced, hormone-free, additive-free dairy. They donate five cents per sale to the Food Bank for NYC, which is pretty awesome if you ask us.
4. Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor (1194 Forest Avenue - Staten Island)
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Serving ice cream for nearly 75 years, Egger’s Ice Cream remains crystallized as an NYC staple. Boasting some must-try ice cream, they’ve been doing their thing since the 30s.
This (warning!) cash-only establishment exudes history and tradition also selling a variety of different types of candy in addition to their homemade ice cream.
They offer flavors like Hearty Maple Walnut, Chunky Banana, and Beater-Fresh Cake Batter, and these all taste rich, creamy, and delightful.
If you want to pretend it’s the 1930s, or just eat delicious ice cream while basking in the traditional ice cream parlor environment, then this is the spot for you.
5. The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard Street)
donutgobaconmyheart Hurry yourself down to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for...you totally guessed it...jelly donut ice cream! 😍🍩🍦🙌
The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory collides with America’s most popular dessert in an exotic Chinese twist-- and they’ve been serving this enticing combination to NY’s populace since 1978.
They have tons of homemade flavors like Pandan, Green Tea, Ginger, and Black Sesame.
They also serve exotic flavors, like coffee, chocolate, and mint chip (their joke, not mine).
If you find yourself in Chinatown and you want to treat your taste buds, then this is definitely the place to celebrate the Springtime.
,6. Lickety Split (295 City Island Avenue - the Bronx)
Want giant portions and low prices?
I mean, who doesn’t? But seriously, Lickety Split has ‘em both.
And now that it’s absolutely gorgeous outside, it’s a perfect opportunity to utilize Lickety Split’s outdoor seating. They serve original flavors like Praline and Rum Raisin, impossibly delicious homemade ice cream.
They also serve frozen yogurt if you’re in the mood for that sort of thing. This ice cream shop will definitely charm you from the inside out.
7. Blue Marble (various NYC locations)
Want to eat strawberry ice cream with real, actual chunks of strawberry?
If you prefer this to processed crap, then come to Blue Marble who boasts a globally conscious, seasonal menu.
Also, owners Jennie Dundas and Alexis Mieson don’t just own this Brookyn-based ice cream shop. They also opened Rwanda’s first ice cream shop, which is, you know, pretty amazing.
8. Melt Bakery (132 Orchard Street)
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Margarita ice cream? Frozen custard stacked between two fresh-from-the oven sugar cookies? Yes please!
The ice cream sandwiches at Melt Bakery are absolutely to die for. Their Margarita sandwich is just a start. Looking for some creative, zesty, original ice cream sandwiches like none you’ve ever had before?
I’m talking like Melt Bakery’s Cinnax, which contains snickerdoodles and cinnamon ice cream, or their Big Deb, which is buttercream ice cream packed between two chewy oatmeal cookies.
So, yeah, we're going to Melt Bakery right about now. Anyone coming with?
9. Holey Cream (796 9th Avenue)
Did it ever occur to you to smack delicious, creamy, homemade ice cream in between two halves of a flaky, doughy, homemade doughnut?
Yeah, it didn’t occur to me either, but it did occur to the category breaking geniuses in charge of operations at Holey Cream.
And yes, they have their hot fresh hand dipped donuts and a conglomeration of delicious ice cream for sale separately, too, in case you’re wondering.
10. The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (various NYC locations)
The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory serves simple, pure, and delicious ice cream, which they make solely at their two Brooklyn locations in small batches.
With high quality ingredients and labor, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory’s homemade ice cream making process is both delicate and yet, affordable.
They’re the real deal, folks.
Craving a full meal? Check out 11 Juiciest NYC Burgers You Just Gotta Sink Your Teeth Into.
[Feature Image Courtesy: LocalEats]