Best Ice Cream in NYC
Craving a summertime sweet treat? New York City has you covered. From classic scoops and creamy gelato to soft serve, vegan, boozy, and dog-friendly options, these are the best ice cream spots across the boroughs to keep your summer cool and sweet.
P.S. Scroll down for National Ice Cream Day Deals 2026
513 Henry St | Carroll Gardens
PHOTO: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Transport to the olden days at this Carroll Gardens treasure. Brooklyn Farmacy is a classic soda fountain slinging egg creams, sundaes, floats, shakes, and of course, traditional scoops. Their Strawberry Milkshake? Chef’s kiss.
6-82 Woodward Ave | Ridgewood
PHOTO: ICE CREAM WINDOW
You’ve heard of Italy’s wine windows, now meet Ridgewood’s Ice Cream Window! Back for its sixth summer, it serves joy in scoop form every Saturday & Sunday during the summer, featuring beloved LadyMooMoo ice cream and exclusive seasonal flavors.
Multiple Locations (Manhattan & Brooklyn)
Photo: OddFellows Ice Cream
Concocting over 500 wacky and wonderful flavors in the last 10 years, including fresh takes on classics, OddFellows truly captures the spirit of NYC in ice cream! Founded in Brooklyn in 2013, this small-batch company’s wild creativity makes every scoop the most exciting part of your day.
Gramercy & Greenpoint
Photo: Caffè Panna
Cookies 'N Panna, Oreo PB Fluff, Stracciatella, Red Flag, there’s no wrong choice. Whatever flavors they’ve got left, consider yourself lucky. Caffè Panna isn’t just a local ice cream shop; it’s a scoop-sized trip to Italy. Everything’s made fresh in-house, with flavors that rotate daily. If you see a line, it’s more than worth the wait.
Multiple Locations (Manhattan, Brooklyn, & Queens)
Photo: ample hills
This whimsical shop, named after a Walt Whitman poem, serves creative scoops and colorful cones beloved by locals. Don’t miss PB Wins the Cup or Breakfast Trash, two fan favorites you’ll find on their rotating, small-batch menu.
314 New Dorp Ln | New Dorp
Since 2011, this Staten Island staple has served up homemade ice cream, bubble tea, smoothies, and macarons using fresh ingredients like low-fat milk and real fruit. It’s cozy, local, and the perfect amount of sweet for a treat.
Multiple Locations (Manhattan & Brooklyn)
Photo: sugar hill creamery
Family-owned and Harlem-rooted, Sugar Hill Creamery crafts small-batch flavors inspired by Caribbean and Midwestern traditions. It’s community-first, flavor-forward, and a favorite scoop stop in uptown neighborhoods.
158 Irving Ave | Bushwick
PHOTO: Ollie's Ice Cream + Stuff
Out with your four-legged friend and craving ice cream for you and your pup? Head to Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff, a playful Bushwick shop with fun flavors, vegan options, dog-friendly scoops, and plenty of nostalgic treats.
Multiple locations (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens)
PHOTO: emack and bolio's
This rock-and-roll-inspired parlor is known for wild cones and wild flavors to match. Expect over-the-top creations that satisfy the sweet tooth and the nostalgia. Take a look at their menu!
1498 First Ave | UES
PHOTO: sedutto
A neighborhood gem on the Upper East Side, Sedutto serves over 40 flavors of ice cream, sorbet, and yogurt, plus a toppings bar to customize it all. Cookie Monster is a local favorite, but you can’t go wrong.
341 5th Ave | Park Slope
Photo: L’Albero Dei Gelato
Italian gelato meets Brooklyn at this Park Slope shop known for organic ingredients and rich flavors. From hazelnut to seasonal fruit, everything’s made fresh and responsibly sourced.
Multiple locations (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens)
PHOTO: tipsy scoop
Booze and ice cream? Yes, please. Tipsy Scoop serves 21+ customers flavors like Cake Batter Vodka Martini and Mango Margarita Sorbet. A perfect stop for grown-up dessert lovers.
195 Spring St | SoHo
Photo: Rivareno
Hands down one of DoNYC’s favorite spots for a sweet treat. We know some folks might be mad it’s not technically ice cream, but once you try it, you won’t regret it. They opened their first NYC location in SoHo earlier this year, and it’s already become a neighborhood favorite.
Multiple locations (Manhattan & Queens)
PHOTO: chinatown ice cream
Chinatown Ice Cream draws crowds for rich, housemade scoops inspired by traditional Chinese recipes. Some flavors include black sesame, lychee, and red bean, all served in a cozy shop that’s become a local favorite.
Multiple NYC Locations
PHOTO: VAN LEEUWEN
A favorite here at DoNYC: Van Leeuwen. What began as an ice cream truck in 2008 is now all over the city, serving rich ice cream, fun seasonal collabs from King Cake to Mac 'n' Cheese, and a wide range of VEGAN flavors!
227 Grand St | Williamsburg
Photo: Common Meadows Creamery
This Williamsburg gelato shop keeps things simple in the best way, serving small-batch scoops made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients from local farms. After supplying some of NYC’s top restaurants for years, Common Meadows has opened its first storefront with a rotating lineup of weekly flavors.
Multiple Manhattan Locations
PHOTO: Anita Gelato
We couldn't NOT include Anita Gelato just because everyone already knows it. But, if you don't, Anita is a summertime staple here in NYC with vibrant flavors and super creamy gelato that will transport you straight to Italy.
National Ice Cream Day Deals (7/19/2026):
Yasso: Yasso has a free Froyo Truck popping up around NYC. Grab a complimentary cup of frozen Greek yogurt with better-for-you toppings from Unreal Snacks and Catalina Crunch, plus take home a free Yasso coupon and gift card to a local froyo shop.
Smorgasburg's Great Ice Cream Fair: A free, one-day celebration of small-batch scoops, local vendors, and summer.
Harry Potter Shop New York: The first 100 guests get free ice cream with toppings. Four Hogwarts House-inspired flavors will also be available through 7/26.
Ample Hills Creamery: Block parties at all NYC locations from 2 to 8 PM, with music, balloons, face painting, and family-friendly activities. (Try the new Ube Ooey Gooey or build your own sundae.)
Black Tap: Be among the first to try the new Crazy Sundae, available for one day only.
Salt and Straw: Build your own pint sundae for $12.50 with three scoops, hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. Rewards members also earn double points.
16 Handles: Rewards members can receive up to $5 off their frozen yogurt purchase—just download the 16 Handles app to claim the offer.
Go Puff: From now until Sunday, GoPuff customers can purchase two pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for only $8 and two pints of Halo Top ice cream for only $10.
Want your spot featured? Email us here!
Updated July 2026
