The Best Ice Cream in NYC- The Adventuring Millennial

It’s summer time which means it’s the perfect season for ice cream. But let’s be honest, I eat ice cream year round. How can I not? There are so many incredible ice cream shops in NYC. I’ve tried quite a few of them and in this post, I am sharing my 14 picks for the best ice cream in NYC!

Mister Dips

Mister Dips is an incredibly insta-worth ice cream shop run by the people behind the William Vale bar and restaurant. You can try this ice cream from an air stream parked on the rooftop terrace outside the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg.

Even though the ice cream cone looks (and tastes) gourmet, it is pretty affordable. Ok, it’s $6 but we are talking about NYC after all. In addition to the ice cream, they serve burgers and loaded waffle fries.

My Pick: The Chocolate P.B.D. Cone (Dark cocoa and Salted Peanut Butter Drip)

Mister Softee

It’s not summer in NYC without a swirled cone from a Mister Softee truck. This iconic ice cream franchise first started in 1956 in Philadelphia. The trucks were first brought to NYC in the 1980s and they’ve been popular ever since.

You will find Mister Softee trucks parked all across the city. There are so many options on their menu but you will probably have to wait in line so you will have plenty of time to decide.

My Pick: Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl Cone with Sprinkles

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream opened in 2014 but looks like it was transported straight from the 1950s. However, when you walk up to the nostalgic ice cream country, you will quickly realize you are in a modern ice cream shop. Glance over the menu and you will see flavors like Salt & Pepper Pinenut, Tahini Caramel, and Banana Curry.

The location in Greenwich Village doubles as a cocktail bar on Fridays and Saturdays. On those nights, you can try drinks inspired by their ice cream flavors, like the Salted Caramel Pretzel Old-Fashioned and Burnt Honey Daiquiri.

My Pick: Bitter Dark Chocolate

Ample Hills Creamery

Ample Hills Creamery is a Brooklyn-based ice cream shop that gives Ben & Jerry’s a run for their money. Their scoops are creamy, chunk-heavy, and creatively named. There are locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. For a more immersive experience, head to Red Hook to visit their ice cream factory/mini-museum.

Each location has a signature flavor so you might find yourself traveling to each one. I am interested in the Jersey City signature flavor “The Golden Door” which is cannoli filling-infused ice cream mixed with Irish dark chocolate whiskey cake and German streusel crumble.

My Pick: PB Wins the Cup

Emack & Bolio’s

Emack & Bolio’s is a Boston-based chain with 4 locations in NYC. They serve a selection of unique flavors like Cosmic Crunch, Cookie Monster, and “Deep Purple” Chip.

Their ice cream is great but the real reason you need to check this place out is for their cones. These over the top cones are decked out with some classic cereals like Reese’s Puffs and Fruity Pebbles.

My Pick: Caramel Moose Prints in a Reese’s Puffs Cone

Van Leeuwen

Van Leeuwen started as an ice cream truck in 2008 and now has multiple storefronts throughout the city. This shop is especially known for their vegan ice cream options.

Even though they’ve been open for a while, these shops still attract long lines. The flavors rotate and often sell-out, but most of their flavors are popular so you will probably enjoy anything they have available. Full disclosure this is my least favorite shop on the list but if you are looking for vegan ice cream this is the place to go!

My pick: PB Marshmallow Crunch

Ice and Vice

Ice & Vice is an edgy ice cream shop serving classics and seasonal flavors. By classics, I mean flavors like 9am (Vietnamese coffee, donut truffles) and Shade (smoked dark chocolate, caramelized white chocolate ganache).

They are also known for their ice cream pie, which is malted vanilla ice cream with a fruity pebble marshmallow pie crust. During the summer you can visit their pop-up in Times Square or enjoy their flavors year round at the Time Out Market in Dumbo.

My Pick: Shade

Milk Bar

Milk Bar is the incredible dessert shop founded by Chef Christina Tosi. Christian is the culinary mastermind behind Momofuku’s dessert program. At Milk Bar, you can relive your childhood by enjoying Cereal Milk Ice Cream.

While you are here, don’t miss out on their other delectable treats. My personal favorites are the Chocolate B’day Cake Truffles and Cornflake Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies.

My Pick: Chocolate B’Day Cake Truffles (not ice cream but you have to try these)

Big Gay Ice Cream

Big Gay Ice Cream started as a truck in 2009. The first shop opened in 2011 and now there are multiple storefronts in NYC and Philadelphia. You can even buy pints of Big Gay Ice Cream in grocery stores around the North East.

But, I’m not here to talk about the pints. I’m here to talk about the Salty Pimp. This ice cream treat was featured on the Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate. This treat is dulce de leche-infused vanilla soft serve covered in a shell of dark chocolate. Sure, you can order something else. But why would you?

My Pick: The Salty Pimp (of course!)

Bona Bona Ice Cream

Bona Bona Ice Cream was created by Chopped champion Chef Nick Di Bona. I first tried his ice cream at the Smorgasburg food fest, but they also have a location in Port Chester, NY.

This ice cream is a unique hybrid of American-style ice cream and gelato. The scoops are topped with marshmallow fluff that is toasted in front of your eyes.

My Pick: B-Dough (Brownie + Cookie Dough)

Stuffed Ice Cream

This Brooklyn-based ice cream shop is known for their Instagram-worthy creations. Scroll their page for images of ice cream bouquets and stacked cones. If you want to go all out, try their signature Cruff, which is a scoop of ice cream smooshed between two doughnuts.

I opted for a single scoop but still really enjoying sampling their fun flavors. You can choose from options like Vietnamese Coffee, Milk Tea, and Cookie Monster.

My Pick: Fruity Pebbles

Milk and Cream Cereal Bar

Don’t get confused, this place is very different than Milk Bar. Yes, they use cereal in their ice cream, but you are not getting “cereal milk” ice cream. Instead, pick your toppings and watch them get blended into soft serve. You can then pick a few toppings to actually sit on top of your ice cream treat.

There are so many options at Milk and Cream. If you are overwhelmed, their menu features some classic combinations, like Froot Berry Bliss (Froot Loops, strawberries, and blueberries topped with Fruity Pebbles and gummy bears) and Cocoa Dough (Cocoa Puffs, brownie bites, and cookie dough topped with cookie dough).

My pick: Cocoa Dough

Amorino

Amorino is a gourmet gelato shop known for serving beautiful gelato roses. They offer a selection of fresh and fruity flavors like mango and strawberry. Or, opt for sweet classics like stracciatella.

In addition to scoops and roses, they also serve Gelato Burgers, Milkshakes, Crepes, and Waffle Sticks. They have so many ways to satisfy your sweet tooth! You can find Amorino locations all over the city.

My pick: Stracciatella

Wowfulls

I first tried Wowfulls at Smorgasburg, but they have pop-ups all over the city (including at Citi Field). Wowfulls serves Hong Kong style bubble waffles filled with ice cream and topped with plenty of sweets.

The flavors change frequently, but the creations are always Instagram-worthy. You will probably need to wait in a line (the waffles take a while to prepare) but I promise it is worth it!

My pick: They usually only have 1 or 2 options at each pop-up and you really can’t go wrong with anything they serve!

If you are looking for more, check out these posts:

30 Famous New York Desserts You Need in Your Life

Your Complete Guide to Governors Island

How to Score Discount Broadway Tickets

What ice cream treats do you want to try? Let me know below!