Top Ice Cream Spots in NYC

One thing all New Yorkers can agree on? Their love for ice cream.

Are you a fan of soft serve over scoops? Do you crave gelato instead of sorbet? Or perhaps something tangy and spicy rather than sweet? Maybe an indulgent hot fudge sundae is more your style. Whatever your frozen treat preference, New York City’s ice cream scene has something to satisfy every craving.

Whether you’re enjoying a chocolate-dipped vanilla soft serve to beat the summer heat or treating yourself to a sundae with all the toppings to brighten a chilly day, these 11 locations have what you need.

* Locations are listed in alphabetical order.

-321° Ice Cream Parlor

-321° Ice Cream stands out from typical scoop shops that store their ice cream in tubs inside freezers.

Using liquid nitrogen, this shop instantly freezes the ice cream and serves it to you freshly made right on the spot.

For that perfect Instagram shot, add an extra dollar for the “nitrogen cup,” which surrounds your ice cream in a swirling vapor.

288 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Ample Hills Creamery

Since opening in 2011, Ample Hills Creamery has become a beloved institution for ice cream lovers in NYC.

The creamery uses hormone-free milk and cream from grass-fed cows, paired with organic cane sugar – all of which come through in every scoop.

Whether it’s a classic like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake or a seasonal favorite like Chocolate Trip, a chocolate ice cream loaded with cookie dough and cookies and cream cupcakes, the flavors are always rich and indulgent.

The best part? They offer pints to go, so you’re always prepared for an ice cream craving, even when you're at home on the couch.

305 Nevins St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 | 623 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238 | 34-02 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103 | 1 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | 141 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 | 421 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn, NY 11231 | 600 11th Ave., New York, NY 10036 | 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Big Gay Ice Cream

Since 2009, Big Gay Ice Cream has been serving up some of the best ice cream in NYC. The shop’s name was chosen by owners Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff not as a political statement, but to reflect both their sexual orientation and their general love for life.

What began as a humble ice cream truck has now grown into a full-fledged business with multiple locations, where lines often stretch outside and down the block.

From indulgent hot fudge sundaes to soft serve dipped and sealed in chocolate, there’s something for every ice cream lover, whether you're a connoisseur or a casual fan. A favorite pick is the Salty Pimp, which features vanilla ice cream packed with salty dark chocolate chunks and swirls of dulce de leche.

The best part? Special flavors rotate weekly, so there’s always something new to try, like Marcia Marcia Marshmallow, a combination of marshmallow ice cream topped with hot fudge, pretzel pieces, and strawberry whipped cream.

61 Grove St, New York, NY 10014 | 125 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Grom

Italian favorite Grom has become one of the top spots for gelato in New York City. Unlike many competitors, Grom avoids emulsifiers, which results in gelato that is softer, creamier, and less foamy with a smoother texture and less air.

Be warned, though: Grom’s gelato melts quicker than most because they don’t use any thickeners. But once you try Crema Di Grom, a pastry cream-flavored gelato with corn biscuits and chocolate chips swirled in, the melt factor won’t matter.

Great news for those who are lactose intolerant: Grom has you covered, with all but one of its sorbets being vegan. Plus, everything on the menu, including cones, is gluten-free.

Special flavors change monthly, with treats like Lampone E Cioccolato, a raspberry sorbet filled with Venezuelan chocolate chips.

1796 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 | 4438, 233 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 | 185 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

Ice & Vice

Ice & Vice doesn't do anything ordinary.

If you're after something basic, this isn't the place. The ice cream shop thrives on pushing boundaries with unique flavors you won't find anywhere else.

Though there are nine permanent flavors on the menu, the shop regularly introduces new seasonal flavors based on different themes. Currently, the theme is #OPENBAR, featuring ice cream inspired by NYC's most popular cocktails, such as frose, piña colada, and michelada.

For those with a serious sweet tooth, you can take it up a notch by adding an ice cream sandwich or even a slice of ice cream pie right on top of your scoop. These treats are made for true ice cream enthusiasts.

221 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002

Il Gelato at Eataly

If you've ever visited Eataly, you’ve probably walked by the gelato counter. It’s hard to miss, often with the longest line, sometimes stretching outside.

But don’t let the long wait scare you away – the gelato is absolutely worth it.

Eataly makes all its gelato in-house, using local, pasteurized whole milk. The milk is combined with top-quality ingredients, many sourced directly from Italy, and churned fresh daily.

This gelato is impossibly smooth, with delicate flavors like toasted almond or mango that stand out beautifully against the creamy texture.

200 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010 | 101 Liberty Street World Trade Center Tower 4, New York, NY 10007

La Newyorkina

When Fany Gerson founded La Newyorkina, her goal was simple: to share the sweet flavors of Mexico.

Born and raised in Mexico, Gerson made her name as a pastry chef in New York before deciding to venture out on her own.

At La Newyorkina, you’ll find Mexican-style ice cream, which has less air and fat, much like gelato. Flavors include Mexican vanilla bean, Oaxacan chocolate chunk, and tres leches cake. The toppings are unique too – instead of traditional sprinkles, you can add spicy candied mango and crispy cinnamon-sugar cookies.

Gerson’s Mexican-style ice pops (paletas) are a familiar sight around the city, often found at stores and carts. Popular flavors like mango chile, hibiscus raspberry, and roasted banana are frequently available.

The chamoyada is the standout creation at La Newyorkina – a mix of slushy and sorbet that’s spiced with chamoy (pickled plum juice), salted chile, and a tamarind candy straw. It’s a tangy, fruity, and spicy treat that hits all the right flavor notes.

240 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012 | Astor Pl, New York, NY 10003 | 103 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Malai

Founded in 2015 by Pooja Bavishi, Malai opened its permanent storefront in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.

Malai, which translates to 'cream of the crop' in a North Indian language, offers distinctive flavors inspired by global influences, particularly from Asia and the Middle East. You can expect to find flavors like masala chai, Turkish coffee, sweet corn saffron, baklava, and more.

The standout flavor is rose with cinnamon roasted almonds, but the mango and cream is also highly recommended.

Toppings are few but perfectly chosen: try the sea salt vanilla with peanut chikki. Sweet milk doesn’t need any extras.

268 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11231

Morgenstern’s

Morgenstern’s channels the vibe of a traditional ice cream parlor, but its extensive menu of diverse flavors quickly reveals it’s much more than your average scoop shop.

Alongside classic options like chocolate and vanilla, this spot in lower Manhattan serves up unique flavors such as green tea pistachio, Vietnamese coffee, and cinnamon whiskey.

Toppings range from the usual fudge and caramel to bolder choices like pickled pineapple and sesame honeycomb.

Morgenstern’s has recently unveiled a new flagship location that surpasses the original. It features a unique section dedicated to ice cream-inspired cocktails, like the salted caramel pretzel old-fashioned, which may sound unusual but is definitely worth trying.

88 W. Houston St., New York, NY 10012 | 2 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

OddFellows

OddFellows serves a variety of adventurous and delectable ice cream flavors, from burnt marshmallow and miso cherry to buttermilk honey blueberry. Their creations are as unique as they are delicious.

One standout treat is the Odd Pocket: Brioche bread stuffed with ice cream and pressed like a panini, resulting in a warm, toasty bun with a cool ice cream center.

The new Lower East Side location doubles as both an ice cream parlor and a coffee shop, offering the perfect pairing of caffeine and sweets. At Coffee & Cream by OddFellows on East Houston Street, try the affogato, cold-brew milkshakes, or the Café Liégeois — a parfait-sundae hybrid with espresso, coffee soil, ice cream, wafer cookie, and whipped cream.

55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012 | 175 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 | 75 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Republic of Booza

Booza is a Mediterranean-style ice cream that stands out in NYC due to two unique ingredients: sahlab (ground orchid root) and mastic (a resin harvested from mastic trees in Greece).

This combination creates a denser, more flavorful ice cream that stretches and melts slowly, allowing you to savor every bite.

For those who prefer classic flavors, Booza offers delicious options like chocolate and salted caramel.

If you're in the mood for something truly unique, try adventurous flavors like horchata de chufa, Sichuan white chocolate, or even a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary. The shop is always innovating, offering new flavors that make you want to keep coming back.

76 N 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 | 45 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205

Soft Swerve

This low-key soft serve spot in the Lower East Side keeps it simple with just a handful of base flavors. However, you can go wild by choosing from an array of toppings and flavor swirls to create your own one-of-a-kind treat.

If you're unsure where to start, try one of their signature creations like the irresistible Mott and Mulberry, a matcha soft serve topped with crushed Oreos and a generous drizzle of chocolate.

85 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Taiyaki

While most NYC ice cream shops offer standard waffles or cones, Taiyaki stands out with its freshly made, fish-shaped Japanese waffles.

These waffles are lightly crisp on the outside with a chewy interior and are filled with either custard or red bean, making them the perfect pairing for their sweet, creamy soft serve.

For an extra fun touch, Taiyaki offers unique toppings such as crispy wafer sticks and chewy mini mochi rice cakes.

119 Baxter Street, New York, NY 10013 | 294 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 | 136-17 39th Ave Queens Crossing Food Court, Flushing, NY 11354