Reviews

5 Must Try Ice Cream Shops in the Portland Area

By Emma Landes at Bowdoin College

Portland, Maine is known for its fantastic food, and its ice cream establishments are no exception. Summer is here, and if you’re in the Portland area, you can’t miss out on these awesome ice cream shops.

1. Kettle Cove Creamery and Café

Kettle Cove Creamery and Café is a local favorite in Cape Elizabeth. This store has been family owned and run for 30 years, and is a staple of the town. All of their ice cream is handmade in the store, and they’re constantly developing new and improved flavors. If you’re still hungry after ice cream, they also offer fresh coffee, snacks, and sandwiches.

#SpoonTip: After you buy your treats, you can walk five minutes to the beach down the street for a beautiful view as you eat.

2. Red’s Dairy Freeze

Red’s Dairy Freeze is king of the soft serve. The classic vanilla and chocolate soft serve cones are always popular, but customers can get anything from sundaes, to shakes, and everything in between. If you order ice cream in a cone or a cup, don’t forget to ask for eyes! No joke, ask for eyes at the end of your order, and your dessert will be extra fun just like in the picture above. Red’s has an amazing history with the community since 1952, the highest quality treats, and incredibly reasonable prices.

3. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream

If you’re looking for beyond creative flavors, you have to check out MDI Ice Cream. Butterbeer, Blueberry Basil Sorbet, Coriander Streusel, and Butterscotch Miso are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their insane flavors. Branch out from vanilla and chocolate when you visit MDI Ice Cream, and you won’t be disappointed. Plus, the entire Obama family went there during their vacation to Maine, so you know it has to be top notch.

4. Willard Scoops

Willard Scoops is an essential part of the Willard Beach community in South Portland. All of their ice cream is homemade on site, and it is to die for. Their salted caramel is a fan favorite, but you really can’t go wrong with any flavor. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they’ll put a mini marshmallow into the bottom of your ice cream cone to make the treat extra sweet. Once you get your ice cream, there’s a lovely backyard complete with picnic tables so that you can sit and stay to enjoy your dessert.

5. Beal’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

When Beal’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream is open, the street is filled with the of smell waffle cones and chocolate, and it’s almost impossible not to stop inside to buy a cone. Beal’s has been operating for 25 years, and now has 100 flavors and four locations all over southern Maine. If you stop by Beal’s it’s worth it to go all in with one of their homemade waffle cones dipped in chocolate, chocolate and nuts, or rainbow sprinkles.

Looking for more foodie places in Portland?

60 of the Best Places to Eat and Drink in Southern Maine

17 Must-Try Foods in Maine That Aren’t Lobster Rolls

7 Reasons Why You Must Try Portland’s “Holy Donut”