From classic soft serve to creative gelato, from old-school soda fountains to modern cereal-topped sundaes—New York City’s ice cream scene is as diverse as its neighborhoods. This guide features standout spots across all five boroughs. Whether you’re in the mood for nostalgia, global flavors, vegan indulgence, or kid-friendly fun, you’ll find something to scoop up wherever you are in the city.
In Manhattan
Surreal Creamery
Location: 538 2nd Ave (Kips Bay) & 126 MacDougal St (Greenwich Village)
Highlight: Boba tea meets soft serve in colorful “floateas” served in mason jars.
Website: https://www.surrealcreamery.com
Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Location: 188 Ludlow St, Lower East Side
Highlight: Over 60 inventive gelato flavors like olive oil, wasabi, and roasted pear.
Website: https://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com
Stuffed Ice Cream
Location: 139 1st Ave, East Village
Highlight: “Cruffs” — warm glazed donuts stuffed with ice cream and toppings.
Website: https://www.stuffedicecreamnyc.com
Amorino Gelato & Café
Location: 721 8th Ave, Times Square (also UWS, Lincoln Center)
Highlight: Italian-style flower-shaped gelato cones; also offers waffles and espresso.
Website: https://www.amorino.com/
Serendipity 3
Location: 225 E 60th St, Upper East Side (also Times Square)
Highlight: Known for Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and whimsical, vintage decor.
Website: https://www.serendipity3.com
Ray’s Candy Store
Location: 113 Avenue A, East Village
Highlight: Open 24/7 since 1974; serves soft serve, egg creams, and deep-fried treats.
Website: https://www.rayscandystore.com
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Location: 65 Bayard St, Chinatown
Highlight: Asian-inspired flavors like lychee, black sesame, and taro.
Website: https://www.chinatownicecreamfactory.com
Tipsy Scoop
Location: 217 E 26th St (Kips Bay) & 362 W Broadway (SoHo)
Highlight: Alcohol-infused ice cream in creative, adult-only flavors.
Website: https://tipsyscoop.com
Minus 10 Ice Cream
Location: 10 Mott St, Chinatown
Highlight: Rolled ice cream made to order with Asian flavors.
Website: https://www.mcusa.net/
Wowfulls
Location: 309 E Houston St, Lower East Side
Highlight: Hong Kong-style bubble waffles filled with ice cream and toppings.
Website: https://www.wowfulls.com
Big Gay Ice Cream
Location: 61 Grove St, West Village
Highlight: Soft serve with playful toppings like dulce de leche and Nilla wafers.
Website: https://www.biggayicecream.com
Julia Jean’s
Location: 202 Clinton St, Lower East Side
Highlight: Retro-inspired parlor offering nostalgic and creative scoops.
Smoove’s Ice Cream
Location: 236 W 4th St, Greenwich Village
Highlight: Small-batch chef-crafted flavors like jasmine tea and ube. Website: https://smooveicecream.com/
Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
Location: 2 Rivington St, Lower East Side
Highlight: Bold gourmet flavors like burnt honey and salted egg yolk.
Website: https://www.morgensternsnyc.com
Supermoon Bakehouse
Location: 120 Rivington St, Lower East Side
Highlight: Croissant-based soft serve desserts, available seasonally.
Popbar
Location: 5 Carmine St, West Village
Highlight: Gelato and sorbet on a stick; customizable with dips and toppings.
Website: https://www.pop-bar.com
Surprise Scoop
Location: E 10th St between Avenue A & B, East Village
Highlight: Mystery flavor ice cream with quirky, rotating choices.
Salt & Straw
Location: 2108 Broadway, Upper West Side
Highlight: Creative seasonal flavors; Portland-origin brand now in NYC.
Website: https://www.saltandstraw.com
Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop
Location: Empire State Building, 350 5th Ave
Highlight: Famous sundaes and chocolate desserts in an iconic landmark.
Website: https://www.ghirardelli.com/stores/new-york
Ice & Vice
Location: 227 E 16th St, Union Square
Highlight: Small-batch, bold flavor mashups with artful presentation.
Coolhaus
Location: 238 Centre St, Nolita
Highlight: Ice cream sandwiches and creative flavors inspired by architecture.
Website: https://coolhaus.dsw.us.com/
Gelatoville Gelateria
Location: 163 1st Ave, East Village
Highlight: Authentic Italian-style gelato in a cozy cafe. Website: https://gelatoville.com/
Chromatic Scoop
Location: 116 E 13th St, East Village
Highlight: Naturally colored soft serve with botanical and earthy flavors.
In Brooklyn
Coney’s Cones
Location: Luna Park, Coney Island
Highlight: Artisanal Italian gelato in a classic boardwalk setting.
OddFellows Ice Cream Co.
Location: Williamsburg
Highlight: Inventive, small-batch flavors like Miso Cherry and Toasted Coconut. Website: https://oddfellowsicecream.com/
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
Location: DUMBO
Highlight: Nostalgic riverside spot offering classic American flavors. Website: https://brooklynicecreamfactory.com/
Malai
Location: Carroll Gardens
Highlight: South Asian-inspired, egg-free ice creams with bold, unique flavors. Website: https://www.malai.co/order/all
Davey’s Ice Cream
Location: Greenpoint
Highlight: Churned daily, seasonal flavors, high-quality ingredients. Website: https://www.daveysicecream.com/menu
Taiyaki NYC
Location: Williamsburg
Highlight: Japanese fish-shaped cones with matcha, ube, and black sesame soft serve. Website: https://taiyakinyc.com/
Gelateria Gentile
Location: Williamsburg
Highlight: Historic Italian gelato recipes with a creamy, authentic finish.
The Good Batch Creamery
Location: Clinton Hill
Highlight: Stroopwafel ice cream sandwiches and rotating seasonal flavors. Website: https://thegoodbatch.com/
Island Pops
Location: Bed-Stuy
Highlight: Caribbean pops and sorbets made with natural tropical ingredients. Website: https://www.islandpops.com/
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Location: Carroll Gardens
Highlight: Retro soda fountain with egg creams, sundaes, and vintage flair. Website: http://www.brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com/
Dolce Brooklyn
Location: Red Hook / Carroll Gardens
Highlight: Small-batch gelato with classic and herbaceous flavor profiles. Website: https://www.dolcebrooklyn.com/
Emack & Bolio’s
Location: Fort Greene
Highlight: Funky cones, extensive flavors, sugar-free and lactose-free options. Website: https://emackandbolios.com/
Ice Cream House
Location: Williamsburg
Highlight: Family-friendly sundaes, soft serve, and ice cream cakes. Website: https://theicecreamhouse.com/
Brix Haus Ice Cream Shop
Location: Park Slope & Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Highlight: Fun atmosphere, gelato, and dog-friendly menu items. Website: https://brixhaus.com/
Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff
Location: Bushwick
Highlight: Customizable scoops and brownies in a playful, cozy shop.
Scoops Ice Cream Parlor
Location: Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Highlight: Neighborhood institution since 1984 with vegan options.
Thick Ice Cream
Location: Bushwick
Highlight: Creative sundaes and bold flavors served affordably. Website: https://www.getthickbk.com/
In Queens
Chillato
Location: Whitestone
Highlight: Authentic Italian gelato offering creamy classics and seasonal flavors like apple pie and peppermint bark.
Website: chillatoshop.com
Marvel Frozen Dairy
Location: Astoria
Highlight: A 70+ year-old custard and soft-serve shop offering vegan options, sundaes, floats, and cookie sandwiches.
Website: marvelfrozendairy.com
Eddie’s Sweet Shop
Location: Forest Hills
Highlight: Old-school soda fountain since 1925, serving handmade ice cream, sundaes, and egg creams. Website: https://eddies-sweet-shop.restaurants-world.com/
The Lemon Ice King of Corona
Location: Corona
Highlight: Italian ice institution since 1944, known for fruity and sugar-free flavors.
Max & Mina’s
Location: Flushing
Highlight: Cult favorite known for wild flavors like cranberry vodka, pizza, and lox.
Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor
Location: Jackson Heights
Highlight: Vintage diner flavors and sundaes like the famed “Kitchen Sink”; in operation since 1897.
Bella’s Ice Cream Truck
Location: Various Queens neighborhoods
Highlight: Seasonal soft serve, sundaes, and novelties at parks and events borough-wide.
Website: bellasicecreamtruck.com
Get Stuffed
Location: Jamaica
Highlight: Donut-stuffed ice cream, bubble waffles, and creative mashups.
Elio’s Ice Cream
Location: Rego Park
Highlight: Family-run shop with vegan options and unique treats like ice cream nachos.
Pesso’s Ices & Ice Cream
Location: Bayside
Highlight: Small-batch Italian ices and gelato with classic and seasonal flavors.
FIGO il Gelato Italiano
Location: Bayside
Highlight: Premium Italian gelato—favorites include Sicilian pistachio and limone sorbet.
Chocolate House Astoria
Location: Astoria
Highlight: Dessert lounge specializing in chocolate-dipped waffle sticks and indulgent shakes.
Ample Hills Creamery
Location: Astoria
Highlight: Whimsical over-the-top flavors like “Nectar of the Queens.”
Jun’s Macaron Gelato
Location: Flushing
Highlight: Gelato nestled in French macarons, plus bubble tea and shaved ice.
Chill Out! Ice Cream and Cereal Bar
Location: Bayside
Highlight: Custom soft serve topped with nostalgic cereals.
Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor
Location: Rockaway Beach
Highlight: Beachside scoop shop featuring decadent sundaes and chocolate specialties.
Paleteria Los Michoacanos
Location: Jackson Heights
Highlight: Authentic Mexican paletas, including fruit and chocolate-covered options.
In The Bronx
Teresa’s Gourmet Italian Ices & Cafe
Family-run café since the 1990s, known for homemade Italian ices and traditional pastries in the East Bronx.
Uncle Louie G Ice Cream
Popular for its fun flavors like Big Louie Blue and Cookie Monster Sundae, plus a variety of Italian ices. Website: https://unclelouiegee.com/
LaSalle Ice Cream
Family-run since 1969, offering halal-certified and vegan-friendly ice cream with all-natural ingredients.
Website: lasalleicecream.com
In Staten Island
Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor
Classic, old-school scoop shop with handmade ice cream—perfect for take-home pints or enjoying a cone on Forest Ave.
Website: eggersicecream.com
GelaTerra
Authentic Italian gelato café serving fresh, artisanal flavors like tiramisu, salted caramel, and pistachio with dairy-free options.
Website: gelaterra.us
Something Sweet Homemade
Homestyle ice cream and desserts, plus bubble tea and macarons—made with fresh ingredients at their New Dorp and Bensonhurst locations.
Website: somethingsweethomemade.com
Whether you’re a lifelong local or first-time visitor, this guide is your passport to the coolest, creamiest treats in New York City. Each borough serves its own style. Many of these listings are fit for your social handles. Enjoy these treats at nearby parks and on the sunny streets of NYC.
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