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It was excruciating on my sweet tooth to put this post together.
1. Ample Hills Creamery
instagram.com / Via @amplehills
Ample Hills bakes all of their mix-ins on-site in NYC! This means that everything brownies to the butter pecan brittle featured in your scoop was made fresh...and then promptly added to your ice cream.
Yelp review: "I'm in love.....I'm in love with Ample Hills Creamery! To be honest, I was so excited and fascinated that I didn't even check out ALL of the flavors offered. As soon as my eyes saw that 'Summer of Love' favor, it was as if we were connected and I had to try it (it has vanilla ice cream with chunks of rainbow cake). When I tell you that this ice cream made me feel so wonderful inside...I honestly think that I mentally transported to my 10-year-old self while
I relished that ice cream cone. Ample Hills Creamery will definitely see me again real soon." —Lina A.
Check out all of their locations here
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed, instagram.com / Via @eddiessweetshop
The oldest ice cream shop in NYC, Eddie's Sweet Shop serves as a dine-in sundae parlor and candy store rolled into one. The decor is nostalgic, the ice cream is handmade on site, and they also offer floats, ice cream sodas, and milkshakes.
Yelp review: "If you want to really impress an ice cream lover or throw an epic ice cream sundae party for yourself, go to Eddie's. Eddie's is a super old school ice cream parlor featuring about 20 homemade flavors, lots of toppings, and a candy counter, too. I don't think it's possible to get a banana split better and cheaper than this one anywhere in the city. On a recent trip, I shared a three scoop banana split with four friends and it was the perfect amount of ice cream. We got it with hot fudge, which kind of melted all of the flavors together almost immediately, but it was still delicious! For flavors we got maple walnut, coffee, and vanilla fudge. The ambiance of this place will make you feel like you're in high school again. Perfect date spot or just a great way to cool off after a hot summer day." —Carol B.
Address: 105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
3. Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream
instagram.com / Via @morgensternsnyc
The adventurous foodie will fall in love with Morgenstern's. They offer a whole host of unique flavors, ranging from lavender agave and black pepper molasses to olive oil chocolate orange and cashew creamsicle.
Yelp review: "Alright everybody, say it with me: IT'S NEVER TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM. (Insert clap emojis as needed). That becomes especially true when the line at Morgenstern's goes from around the block in the summer to basically what a normal line would be come winter. But I get why there is a line and, if you are willing to wait, it is totally worth it. This place is adorable and authentic and I don't remember ever seeing a normal flavor on their board. Their vanilla is not just vanilla but Madagascar Vanilla or Burnt Honey Vanilla. Their strawberry is Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp. Each scoop is so unique they even have RULES. I ordered a scoop of strawberry Rhubarb crisp and a scoop of burnt honey vanilla in a cup and was told that the SRC only comes in a cone, with no other flavors, with chocolate syrup drizzled on top. That definitely threw me off. Especially when I asked if they could just leave off the chocolate syrup. No cigar.
So I caved. I got the strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp in a cone with chocolate syrup and I GET IT NOW. They know exactly how their ice cream should be served. It was amazingly creamy and the chocolate syrup complimented the ice cream perfectly." —Katarina L
Address: 2 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002 / 88 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012
4. Sundaes and Cones
instagram.com / Via @sundaesandcones
Sundaes and Cones offers a mix of both your favorite classics and interesting flavors you haven't tried before. Opt for vanilla and cherry ice cream or go for the taro and green tea rose — you won't be disappointed with any of the four.
Yelp review: "After eating at a nearby restaurant, my partner and I decided to stop in for a small treat when we noticed Sundaes and Cones. As we walked in, we were greeted by friendly voices and our eyes were treated to an array of ice cream flavors. After some debate I ended up with the vanilla and cherry ice cream and my husband with a salted caramel. Wow, both flavors were divine! My flavor actually had whole cherry throughout and a rich cream taste that was not overwhelming. Shortly after walking in, this establishment was full of patrons and it's not a mystery why." —Bianca G.
Address: 95 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
5. Bar Pa Tea
instagram.com / Via @barpatea
Choose from two ice cream drinks: vanilla ice cream mixed with any kind of tea or a match green latte mixed with matcha ice cream. Be sure to add bubbles for an even more perfect treat!
Yelp review: "The soft serve at Bar Pa Tea is absolutely phenomenal. They occasionally have seasonal flavors but their regular black tea/oolong swirl is the stuff I dream about. Silky, fragrant, and addictive!" —Michelle C
Address: 85 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Black sesame. Ube. Lychee. Almond cookie. All Yelpers rave about these particular flavors, paying special attention to the Don Tot flavor — a creamy Chinese egg custard.
Yelp review: "This is an iconic ice cream place for a reason. I've been here multiple times throughout my childhood and this place definitely makes very good asian-flavored ice cream. My two favorite are the lychee and the durian. I love durian and by far it is my FAVORITE durian ice cream. So smooth and rich in flavor. I'm still thinking about that ice cream now...PLEASE GET SOME!" —Alan N
Address: 65 Bayard St, New York, NY, 10013 / 135-15 40 Road, Flushing NY, 11354 / At Essex Market (88 Essex Street Stall 10 New York, NY 10002)
7. Milk and Cream Cereal Bar
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
Breakfast foods combined with ice cream? Sign 👏 me 👏 up 👏. It works like this: choose one ice cream base (vanilla or cookie dough), mix it with one of 18 cereal options (ranging from fruity pebbles to cinnamon toast crunch), then choose one of 19 toppings.
Yelp review: "This is a bomb ice cream spot. The base ice cream is amazing and even better when you add you favorite products to it. The vast selection of cereal and toppings make the final outcomes endless and of course, delicious!!" —Mitch K.
Address: 159 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
instagram.com / Via @republicofbooza, Republic of Booza
Booza is very different from your run-of-the-mill ice cream fare in that it's elastic and stretchy, which makes it melt much more slowly. On a particularly hot day when the temperature outside can best be described as boiling, this is the kind of cold treat you'll want in hand.
Yelp review: "Booza, where have you been hiding from me all these centuries? My friend told me there was a place that specializes in old style ice cream that stretches and doesn't melt as quickly. Obviously I didn't believe her, but a few google searches later, I was sold. Booza became Priority #1. Republic of Booza was great. They serve this unique product that absolutely lived up to the hype in terms of texture and taste. But on top of that, they have so many interesting flavors that add to the appeal. Key lime pie, sour cherry, labneh and honey...the menu is fantastic, if the booza itself wasn't a big enough draw for you. All of the flavors I sampled were great, they tasted fresh and natural. No mountains of sugar added to erode my teeth while I inhale my dessert this time. The labneh and honey was so good that I ended up getting a pint to go. Can't wait to shove my face in that ASAP! Major props to this place for using eco friendly containers and utensils, gotta respect a business that likes Earth." —Cyrus A.
Address: 76 N 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
9. Ice and Vice
instagram.com / Via @iceandvice, Ice and Vice
Ice cream cones! Ice cream sandwiches! Ice cream pies! All available in flavors that I like to call heavenly, including a Vietnamese coffee and donut truffles option that I'm pretty sure just asked Siri to call my name.
Yelp review: "I had Ice and Vice last when I first moved to NYC. I've been to many other ice cream places since then, but the fact that I'm thinking about the Basic B flavor (Mexican vanilla with black lava sea salt) the next day is a testament to how much they hit the nail on the head!" —Paul B.
Address: 221 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002 / 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 / Times Square 43rd St & Broadway, New York, NY 10109
10. Taiyaki NYC
Taiyaki NYC
Known for their Insta-famous cones, Taiyaki takes Japanese fish-shaped caked (served warm) and fills them with soft serve! Choose custard or red bean filling, choose from six ice cream flavors, a drizzle, and two toppings.
Yelp review: "Takyaki is right in the middle of NYC's Chinatown. It's a fantastic dessert place and makes for a delicious treat on a hot summers day. The idea is pretty straight forward: taiyaki filled with a custard, topped with ice cream and other small treats on top! With it you get a perfectly Instagrammable snack and it's really delicious. The ice cream and the taiyaki are a wonderful combination. The line can get long in the summer, even out the door! Just be patient and you'll move quickly through the line. Don't forget to check in on Yelp for a free topping!!" —Andrew H.
Address: 119 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 / 294 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 / 136-17 39TH Ave, Queens Crossing Food Court, Flushing, NY 11354
11. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
instagram.com / Via @vanleeuwenicecream
Van Leeuwen started out as a traditional ice cream truck, but has since expanded into several storefront locations. If you're vegan, this spot will definitely make your heart happy — they've got a ton of delicious vegan flavors, formulated with cashew milk, organic coconut milk, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, and organic carob bean.
Yelp review: "No other ice cream shop will have my heart the way Van Leeuwen does. Summer, winter, appetizer, dessert...I can eat Van Leeuwen on any day of the year. Honeycomb is my go-to, but you seriously can't go wrong here. I'm not vegan, but the vegan flavors don't taste vegan at all! They have monthly specials, which are always amazing. My favorite was raspberry rhubarb crumble..ugh...and there was also a stout/coffee flavor this month. Your life will never be the same after a scoop of Van Leeuwen! And by the way, the waffle cone is worth every extra penny!" —Amy C.
Check out all of their locations here.
OddFellows Ice Cream Co.
OddFellows makes their flavors in small batches and changes their available flavors on the daily, which means you have a perfectly reasonable excuse to stop by almost...every single day. They've done everything from toasted sesame nutella and banana pudding to almond date pomegranate and burnt marshmallow.
Yelp review: "The flavors are so unique. I sampled three flavors before I ended up choosing my favorite. I ordered a single scoop of Matcha Rocky Road on a sugar cone for $5. The scoop was enormous! It was so delicious. I've never had a combination of matcha, marshmallows, and nuts before." —Jenny T.
Address: 175 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 / East 4th St., New York, NY 10003 / 55 East Houston St., New York, NY 10012 / 60 Water St., Dumbo, NY 11201
13. Big Gay Ice Cream
instagram.com / Via @biggayicecream
In addition to sundaes and milkshakes, indulge in one of four specialty cones. My pick? The Rocky Roadhouse = chocolate ice cream, toasted almonds, melted chocolate chips, marshmallows, and bliss in one lick.
Yelp review: "Came here on a Tuesday afternoon and it was pretty empty. The shop itself is really small but there's a little bench that can seat a max of 2-3 people. The menu is somewhat small because the flavors are pretty much your standard vanilla and chocolate base that's either dipped or tossed with sprinkles. They have seasonal flavors and they had chai and pumpkin flavors right now, which were delicious! I got the salted dip cone that had really creamy and delicious vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche and then dipped in chocolate. It was the perfect combination of salty and sweet! I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to go back!" —Elizabeth D.
Address: 125 East 7th ST, New York, NY 10009 / 207 Front Street, New York, NY 10038 / 61 Grove Street, New York, NY 10014
14. Emack & Bolio's
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
Their ice cream is absolutely fabulous, but it's the specialty cones that keep people coming back. Their waffles cones are coated with a variety of toppings from fruity pebbles cereal to M&M's.
Yelp review: "I personally consider myself an ice cream connoisseur, so I don't take this review lightly lol. Emack and Bolio's is a fun and funky rendition of your typical ice cream parlor. The ice cream cones come coated in your favorite candy or cereal, which adds another dimension to the dessert. They also have no shortage of ice cream flavors to choose from, but my unexpected favorite was the Deep Purple Raspberry; a raspberry-flavored ice cream with white and milk chocolate chips. This place is definitely worth a visit." —Vanea S.
Address: 1564 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10028 / 389 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 / 115 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 / 741 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
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The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
