The 40 Best Ice Cream Shops in the U.S.

[Celerity]

In the land of milk and honey scoops—and mint chocolate chip and salty caramel—treat yourself.

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-ice-cream-shops-in-america



It’s quite possible that we are living in the golden age of ice cream innovation. Old-school creameries are churning out vanilla bean masterpieces honed over generations while new shops are tossing the term “chef” into the mix to challenge the very notion of what ice cream is. It’s a win-win for everyone, especially when temps outside aren’t letting up. These ice cream shops represent everything that is well and good: new-wave artisan shops challenging the very notion of what should be placed on a cone (or stick, or between cookies), old-school parlours learning new tricks, boozed-up scoops, plant-based creameries, and much more. So grab a napkin. It’s going to be a glorious mess.

Awan

Los Angeles, California

The brainchild of Indonesian-Australian chef Zen Ong, Awan—which means “cloud” in Bahasa—is an homage to his Indonesian roots. After years of recipe experimentation and testing, Ong nailed the formula for a non-dairy ice cream. The secret? A combination of Indonesian coconut cream and coconut water, which produces a rich, creamy mouthfeel and gelato-like texture. Made with specially imported Balinese vanilla beans, the original vanilla flavor is a beloved standby, but Ong drops new flavors often. Some of his latest releases include aromatic lemongrass (a customer favorite) and caramelly gula jawa, named for the unrefined sugar that’s made by collecting the sap from the flowers of a coconut palm tree.

Find more of the best ice cream in Los Angeles.

Creole Creamery

New Orleans, Louisiana

NOLA’s undisputed go-to for dairy-related indulgences sets a somewhat old-timey tone with the vintage neon bakery sign adorning the exterior and the parlor pink adorning the inside. But it’s certainly not shy about innovation (think flavors like Goat Cheese & Mission Fig and Lavender Honey). For something seriously, albeit subtly, different, try the signature Creole Cream Cheese, which employs a slightly sweet farmhouse cheese to achieve a level of creaminess that might almost seem a little too indulgent, until you remember what city you’re in again.

Sweet Republic

Scottsdale, Arizona

The Scottsdale favorite—known for using recycled materials—has expanded to Phoenix, Tempe, and various Whole Foods throughout the state. But the funky, inventive creamery has remained committed to its high-quality, impeccably crafted offerings, among them a Belgian Chocolate masterpiece that would stand out in Brussels just as much as it does in the desert and a horchata number that you might be tempted to let melt and drink in a cup. And though we’re usually partial to pure ice cream, we recommend you mix it up and opt for one of the Brown Cows, which use delicious Madagascar Vanilla ice cream and Mexican Coke.

Little Man Ice Cream

Denver, Colorado

This shop quickly became a Denver icon after it first opened in 2008 thanks in large part to its unique architecture—the 28-foot-tall, 14,000-pound cream can from which scoops are served. Lines will almost inevitably get long, but it’s well worth the wait for the most famous flavor: Salted Oreo. But you can’t go wrong whether you opt for a banana pudding float, seasonal honey almond in a waffle cone that’s made on site, or one of their sorbets or vegan options. It also gives back through the Scoop to Scoop initiative which donates a scoop of rice, beans, or other essentials to those in need for every scoop of ice cream sold.

See all of the top ice cream shops in all of Denver.

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[MissB]

1. Salt and Straw is not on the list

[Celerity]

2. it is sort of (in one of the links)

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/los-angeles/best-ice-cream-in-los-angeles

Salt & Straw

Various locations

This Portland-based, small-batch ice cream shop now has even more locations in LA (eight!) than in its Oregon hometown. That’s a testament to how much Angelenos go crazy for its tasty scoops and innovative concoctions, often made in partnership with local vendors. In addition to shilling “classic” flavors which are anything but—like Cold Brew Coffee with caramelized praline, or a spectacular take on Cookie Dough that’s made with massive, salty, malty chunks—they have a monthly flavor series that’s resulted in some cult favorites, like March’s Pots of Gold & Rainbows. Each year, the Salt & Straw kitchen sorts through hundreds of boxes of Lucky Charms® by hand, infusing the grainy cereal pieces into sweet cream and stirring marshmallow charms into the finished product for a flavor that tastes exactly like the bottom of your breakfast cereal bowl (only better).

[BlueGreenLady]

3. I scream for Ice Cream! n/t

[Phoenix61]

4. Stacey's Olde Time Soda Fountain, Foley, AL

They even have a choo-choo train that goes around the inside of the building up near the ceiling.

[woodsprite]

5. A shout out for Woodside Farm in DE!!!

They make a Swedish fish ice cream too.

I was disappointed to not see UD Creamery listed. I love their flavors - especially their mango basil sorbet!

[Bayard]

6. Ice cream.....

I have never met a version of chocolate that I didn't love.