If you’re looking for the best ice cream in NYC, look no further. From churro cones to rolled ice cream, each shop has countless flavors and an endless amount of scoops. Here are some of the very best and most creative shops in the city:
1. 10Below Ice Cream
10below Ice Cream, is easily one of the coolest ice cream trips I have ever made. I don’t just mean that the ice cream was amazing, but it was an experience unlike any other.
After choosing from a variety of flavors, these Thai-inspired ice cream rolls, are made on a -10ºF cold plate and rolled to perfection. After watching the cream turn into a beautiful dessert, you can add toppings and sauces. It tastes great, and looks even better.
2. Stuffed Ice Cream NYC
Stuffed Ice Cream NYC, serves a casual 19 scoop cone; that’s perfect to share with a friend or for a true ice cream lover. If you don’t think you can finish the whole thing, don’t worry, they make regular scoops too.
While waiting in line for ice cream, I’d definitely recommend having an ice cream stuffed donut. If you didn’t think it could get much crazier, it just did.
3. Ample Hills Creamery
Ample Hills Creamery, will always put a smile on your face with their creative flavors and upbeat vibe. Their ice cream is unpasteurized and all organic with homemade mix ins. If you’re ever feeling lazy, Ample Hills ships nationwide so you can eat it where ever and whenever.
4. ICE & VICE
If you’re tired of boring sugar cones or slightly less boring waffle cones, maybe its time to try a red velvet or birthday cake cone. ICE & VICE has insanely colorful cones and a huge choice of flavors from “3 Little Pigs” to “Unbirthday.”
5. KITH Ice Cream
KITH treats is located in a variety of KITH clothing stores. While browsing through cute hoodies and t-shirts, stop by the treats counter. The menu has an endless number of options, but you always start with a vanilla base (sorry to all the chocolate lovers out there).
After choosing a base you get to pick a cereal and one other topping to be blended into the mix. Within less than two minutes, a perfectly blended cereal ice cream will be all yours.
#SpoonTip: Try the “Flat White” a blend of cinnamon toast crunch and toffee or “The Witness” a mix of Frosted Flakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cap’n Crunch, Crushed Oreos, and Twix!
5. Emack & Bolios
A NYC classic, that has Marshmallow cones with choices of Oreos, Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops, or Fruity Pebbles. A great choice for anyone that loves classic flavors with a little twist.
6. ChikaLicious
If there’s one thing that’s better than churros, it’s a churro cone. Dessert Club, ChikaLicious has tons of soft serve flavors, drizzles, and toppings. With flavors like blueberry cobbler, graham cracker, and matcha green tea; you really can’t go wrong
7. Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
A classic ice cream shop, that is most definitely worth the wait. Van Leeuwen, takes classic flavors to another level. They also have vegan flavors which actually taste just as good! The Sundaes are always a good choice, but you can’t go wrong with a classic cone either.
#Spoon Tip: Try the Salted Caramel and Honey Comb on a sugar cone, it’s a perfect combo for both your sweet and salty cravings. You can also buy their pints in different stores around the city, in case you just can’t get enough!
8. Snowdays NYC
If you’re a shaved ice lover, wait until you try Snowday’s shaved ice cream. The texture is always so smooth and the sizes are just right. They have a ton of ice cream options to choose from like Yeti Tracks, Cheesecake, and Sweet Cream.
9. Momofuku Milk Bar
Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Soft Serve with Cereal Crunch is a definite must. It’s a perfect combo of sweet and salty for any time of day and all hours. Milk Bar has a variety of sweets from freshly made cookies to pieces of pie and cakes.
#SpoonTip: Try the Cereal Milk Soft serve with cereal crunch, with a piece of crack pie or a compost cookie!
10. Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
Big Gay Ice Cream is not to be missed with their creative names, sundaes, dips, and milkshakes. The shop also donates a significant amount of money to the Ali Forney Center: which is dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQ homeless youth.
#SpoonTip: Get the “Bea Arthur” (Vanilla Soft-serve with a caramel swirl and a Nilla Wafer crust) or if you’re a chocolate lover the “Rocky Roadhouse Cone” (Chocolate Soft-serve with chocolate dusted marshmallows and toasted almonds)
11. Eggloo
Eggloo uses Hong Kong egg waffles also known as “Gai Dan Jai” to create insanely tasty cones. The egg waffles come in Original, Green Tea, and Chocolate with plenty of flavors to choose from. Definitely one of the most fun and the best ice cream in NYC. The best part of all, is the unlimited toppings. How could it possibly get better than that?
13. Oddfellow’s
Oddfellow’s Ice Cream changes their flavors regularly, and trust me they never disappoint. With flavors like Milk Chocolate Caramel, Peanut Pecan Pie, and Maple Bacon Peanut your taste buds will always be surprised.
14. Melt
Two words. Ice cream and Cookies. Arguably, two of the best desserts combined together for a great afternoon snack or dessert. Every Melt sandwich is satisfying, whether you’re having the classic or red velvet. Each ice cream sandwich is made perfectly, making for a cool Insta or just a well balanced snack.
#Spoon Tip: Try the “Cinnamax, Big Deb, or Classic.”
15. Taiyaki NYC
Taiyaki’s incredible soft-serve is swirled to perfection on a freshly made waffle cone in the shape of an adorable fish. Don’t worry, the soft-serve is not fish related, but to make matters even better, the cone is still warm when it’s handed to you.
17. Bar Pa Tea
Bar Pa Tea, a bubble tea shop in downtown Manhattan now makes bubble tea soft serve! The shop combines tapioca pearls with soft serve flavors of oolong and black tea for a perfect mix. The tea flavored soft serve is perfectly refreshing in the fall, and the tapioca adds extra flavor and surprise.
Hopefully this made your mouth water and you are on your way to NYC to try the best ice cream in NYC.