The 11 best ice cream shops in Austin

Co-founders Anthony Sobotik and Chad Palmatier opened Lick in 2011, inspired by the small-town creameries where the duo grew up. All their ice cream is made with non-GMO milk and cream, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs from local farms, plus local spirits, chocolate, honey, sugar, coffee, cheese, and nuts; our favorites right now are coffee with cream (because you’re totally allowed ice cream first thing in the morning in Texas) and the lightly roasted beets and fresh mint (a surprisingly winning combo). They also offer a menu of vegan options made with a coconut milk base, like the chocolate chocolate—so chocolatey you need to say it twice.

Not only does Jam Sanitchat and her talented team at Thai Fresh craft a menu of delicious Thai food, but they also make vegan ice creams in-house, available both at Thai Fresh and stand-alone sister bakery/dessert house Gati (which means coconut milk in Thai). Each flavor is made with a coconut milk base perfectly sweetened with organic, fair-trade evaporated cane juice and local seasonal fruits. Rotating flavors include Lavender Caramel, Golden Milk, Pandan, Cookie Monster, Thai Basil, Thai Tea, and Texas Peach. Honestly, all are amazing and best enjoyed with a slice of their coffee cake. Time Out Tip: Don’t tip. Gati is leading a movement in Austin (a la Tso Chinese and Super Thai) whereby businesses are paying staff fairer wages with benefits, factoring these into their pricing, so staff no longer rely on gratuity. We’re all for it!

If you’re looking for authentic Italian gelato sans the overseas flight, Dolce Neve is your hot ticket. Co-owner Francesca studied the art of gelato making at Carpigiani Gelato University (Bologna, Italy) before refining her skills working for Gianfrancesco Cutelli at the acclaimed Gelateria De’ Coltelli (Pisa, Italy). In 2014, she teamed up with her partner Leo and brother Marco to open Dolce Neve, bringing Austin real Italian gelato and sorbet made with fresh, seasonal ingredients: think goat cheese and blueberry jam, chocolate with candied orange peels, and organic watermelon sorbet.

It’s impossible to talk about ice cream in Austin without mention of Amy’s—after all, Amy Simmons was the first to begin experimenting with creative ice cream ingredients in 1984. Now, the company has grown to over 350 flavors of ice cream and fruit ice which are rotated through multiple shops around town and served with flair by trick-wielding scoopers. Try their signature Mexican vanilla, which can be gussied up with several crush’ns and toppings, or go down the adventurous (adult)route with creations like the peach daiquiri, containing roasted peaches, peach schnapps, and a splash of rum.

Owners Andrew Sabola and local food stylist Meghan Erwin trained at Carpigiani Gelato University before opening Gelateria Gemelli at the bottom of the Corazon building on East Sixth Street. Using traditional methods and local ingredients, they craft 13 flavors of gelato and sorbetto, including Earl Grey and a stracciatella made with Fernet Branca and Valrhona dark chocolate. The classy retro shop also carries a wide selection of Amari, best enjoyed neat alongside a scoop of gelato.

DipDipDip whirls dairy creations that are simultaneously delicious and looks like a work of sweet art (their ice creams are some of the most ‘grammed in town!). The team uses local milk cream and buttermilk from Hill Country Dairies, plus built-in house-made, hand-dipped mochiko waffle cones made from mochi flour. You can order inventive delights like the Matcha Cha-Cha, Miso PB&J, and the chocolate Shroom of Doom via a cup or cone (we a like cup…because it’s easier to photograph). Yes, some of the ingredients sound a little out there, but trust us, they work. Milkshakes, ice cream by the pint, and ice cream tacos made with fried brioche buns are available too.

Transplants from the east and west coast need no introduction to Milk Bar—the famed dessert shop founded by award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi—and Texans have certainly noticed its brightly colored pints at festivals and pools all over Bat City. That might have something to do with the fact that our dose of calcium, the Milk Bar way, is now available at Whole Foods, H-E-B, and for quick and easy delivery all over Austin via milkbarstore.com. The pints are an obvious choice for first-timers, including yummy throwback flavor, cereal milk; the birthday cake, which makes every day a special occasion; and the new flavor, vanilla sugar cookie. Turn things up a notch and pair the scoops with their truffle balls or soft-baked cookies. You won’t regret it.

This retro candy-colored truck specializes in ice cream sandwiches built for you on-site. Choose from a list of freshly baked cookies in flavors like snickerdoodle, s'mores, and chocolate chip, then select an ice cream, made locally and offered in a variety of flavors like mint monster, coffee cookie chunk, and cookies ‘n’ cream. Finally, top with sprinkles, Reese’s pieces, or caramel drizzle, and you’re in dessert heaven. Craving something other than an ice cream sandwich? Get a cookie on the side of your scoop—or opt for a cookie shake.

Jeni’s been such a hit with Austinites that she now has three scoop shop locations (and you can buy tubs at Whole Foods, you know, in the case of emergencies). What we love about Jeni’s is the quality; the ice cream is ultra-silky with an addictive buttercream body that leaves you screaming ‘I want more’, while feeling satisfied. It could be something to do with its short ingredient and natural list. Our summer recommendations include the Butterscotch Popcorn, which has the right amount of crunch and tastes like a cool trip to the theatre, and if you’re craving sweet citrus, we also love the dairy-free Lemon Bar, made with coconut milk.

Gelato Paradiso is the place on SoCo for classic and seasonal flavors of authentic Italian gelatos, sorbettos, and more, all made daily in small batches. The Panna Cotta is a top crowd pleaser: a velvety Italian Cream gelato reminiscent of Creme Brûlée, and the Nocciolina Americana is another one they go nuts over: savory peanut gelato riddled with chocolate and peanut bits for the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Cakes and gift cards are available for fans that insist on Gelato Paradiso birthday gifts.

One of the best places to get a sugary fix is at the Domain’s Museum of Ice Cream. Now, you could fork out $29-$32 for a ticket to taste samples and play in a sprinkle swimming pool, or you could head to the café for free and spend the admission savings on treats there instead. Decide on the latter? Good. Inside this retro pink dream, you’ll discover a menu of signature flavors in cups or waffle cones, milkshakes, and specialty sundaes. Go all out for the Sprinkle Pool Sundae; your choice of ice cream with chocolate sauce, strawberry topping, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles in the souvenir bowl. Boozy versions of milkshakes are available for adults.