Ice cream is one of life’s most amazing gifts to humans. And, while it might seem as though the frozen dessert is exclusive to the warm, summer months, there is never a bad time for ice cream. Monmouth County of central New Jersey has some amazing ice cream, and you don’t have to wait until summer to get some. Here are the best ice cream shops in Monmouth County that you can go to all year round.
1. Hoffman’s Ice Cream
Hoffman’s Ice Cream is known for its high quality and delicious ice cream that they make in tons of amazing flavors, like Jersey Monkey and Sea Salt Caramel Latte. With four locations along the Jersey Shore, Hoffman’s is a must for ice cream all year round. Hoffman’s was featured on Man Vs. Food so you know it has to be good.
2. Chips Ice Cream and Sweets
Chips is a local ice cream shop in Howell that should get more attention than it does. Not only do they make their own ice cream, but they also have homemade sweets like fudge and chocolate covered pretzels. If you are ever close, stop in to try some delicious dessert.
3. Jersey Freeze
Jersey freeze is an icon in New Jersey, and for good reason. Located in Freehold, Jersey Freeze has put themselves on the map with their premium soft serve and hard ice cream. Try some of their seasonal soft serve flavors like Nutella or Pumpkin for a real treat.
4. Luigi’s Ice Cream
Luigi’s, with locations in Red Bank, Metuchen, and Jersey City, became an instant hit with their rolled ice cream and donut ice cream sandwiches. Go in and see for yourself how delicious ice cream can be made even better by putting it in between a warm glazed donut.
5. Baskin Robbins
Personally, I don’t think that Baskin Robins gets the credit it deserves. With delicious staple and seasonal flavors, BR’s ice cream can be hard to top. And, with locations all around the state, there is no reason to search long and far to find some good ice cream all year long.
6. Four Boys Ice Cream
Four Boys is a local ice cream shop that started in Englishtown, but now had locations in Jackson, Jamesburg, and Bradley Beach. Not only can you get some amazing, homemade ice cream here, but you can also get some delicious lunch.
7. Shivers Ice Cream
Located on Route 9 in Howell, Shiver’s has been a local favorite for over 30 years. They have hard and soft ice cream, frozen yogurt, and Italian ice. If you are looking for something a bit more extravagant, Shiver’s makes made-to-order cakes for any occasion.
8. Sundaes The Ice Cream Place
Sundaes has multiple locations around Monmouth county—Aberdeen, Manasquan, Point Pleasant. Along with classic soft serve and homemade ice creams, Sundaes has a plethora of specialty frozen treats. Their menu includes extra thick shakes, ice cream sodas, floats, and sherbert freezes.
9. Coney Waffles
Coney Waffles is one of the OGs when it comes to freak shakes. Each thick shake is topped with cotton candy, a hot waffle stuffed with ice cream, whipped cream, and candy. Although a typical summer treat, you can never go wrong with a milkshake in the coldest of months. Coney Waffles has locations in Red Bank, Pier Village, Belmar, and Asbury, but the ladder two are seasonal.
10. Café 360
So technically not ice cream, gelato from Café 360 is just as good and satisfying. Gelato actually has two-thirds of the fat of ice cream, but a creamier texture. The homey café in Downtown Freehold has 32 gelato flavors from stracciatella, hazelnut, and tiramisu.
With all these amazing ice cream shops, you have no excuse to wait until summer to enjoy some cold, creamy ice cream.