11 Best Ice Cream Shops in NYC

What is it? An Italian-inspired gelato shop from Hallie Meyer. 

Why we love it: Yes, the lines are still long at Caffè Panna, no matter which location you go to. And as much as we are allergic to waiting, we grin and bear it just for a taste of Meyer's Italian-inspired ice cream. The shop offers seven flavors that are always on hand, such as the Chocolate Sorbet and Caffè Bianco Stracciatella, but the daily specials keep things just as exciting, folding in the likes of pie crust to sungold tomatoes and olive oil in the summer. Each comes with an airy dollop of panna, finishing out the decadence in style. 

Time Out tip: The Brooklyn location houses the production facility, so you can see how the ice cream gets made while you eat.

Address: 77 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003; 16 Norman Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

What is it? A Portland import that finally made it out to New York in 2024. 

Why we love it: What started out as a pushcart in Portland now has 42 locations across the nation, including two locations in Manhattan. Co-founder and head ice Cream innovator, Tyler Malek's creativity seems to know no bounds, as some of his 600 flavors have included the likes of bone marrow and coconut toffee candied mealworms. But if you prefer your cone not to challenge you, the shop's Honey Lavender and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons will give you all the comforts.

Time Out tip: Each store gets a few scoops tailored to the area, and New York is no different. The Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge Ice Cream uses babka from Breads Bakery while the Pastrami On Rye incorporates actual slices of smoked pastrami sourced from the iconic Carnegie Deli.

Address: 540 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014; 360 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

What is it? A community-minded ice cream shop from a husband-and-wife team that doles out lavender-infused and sweet cobbler creations. 

Why we love it: To celebrate the “sweet life,” husband-wife team Nick Larsen (Blue Hill, Telepan) and Petrushka Bazin Larsen opened a community-minded ice cream parlor in their neighborhood of Mount Morris Park District in Harlem. The duo purveys traditional homemade scoops—vanilla, chocolate—along with more creative flavors like soursop, sweet-corn jalapeño and PB&J. Additional treats include apricot–passion-fruit push pops, honey-and-ginger beer floats and black-forest ice cream sandwiches. Peep the gallery wall as artist Raúl Ayala showcases rotating portraits of local neighbors. 

Time Out tip: If Harlem or Stuytown is out of reach, you can find Sugar Hill Creamery down in Dumbo at Time Out Market.  

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A retro-looking ice cream shop run by a WD-50 alum. 

Why we love it: This circus-striped ice cream spot has expanded into multiple locations across Brooklyn and one in Chelsea. Chef-owner and WD-50 alum Sam Mason whips up unique flavors, such as lemon thyme shortbread and matcha rocky road.

Time Out tip: Every so often, the Domino Park location throws a nighttime party of dancing and DJ sets. And before you ask, yes, there is always ice cream. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A family-run Chinatown institution that’s been around since 1978. 

Why we love it: Even though this scoop shop is nearing its 50-year mark in business, a queue still forms outside, as if the doors had just opened yesterday. The line scoots along fast enough, giving you time to snap a few shots of their iconic sign and sample a few tastes of durian, pandan and red bean before committing to a scoop. 

Time Out tip: The place is compact, like a one-in-one-out situation, so plan on taking this perfect treat for a walk through the neighborhood.

Address: 65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am–9pm; Fri–Sun 11am–10pm

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What is it? An old-fashioned ice cream parlor that hits all those nostalgic feels. 

Why we love it: If you want a real trip down memory lane, Eddie's Sweet Shop paved the road with sugar and cream. The Forrest Hills staple's been scooping frozen treats for more than 100 years. Its simple homemade ice cream and malted milkshakes make it look easy to withstand the test of time.

Time Out tip: Make your own Egg Cream with your choice of syrup with milk and seltzer. 

Address: 105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Hours: Wed–Thu 3–10pm; Fri–Sun 3–11pm

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What is it? One of our favorite store-bought ice cream varieties also has a brick-and-mortar shop in Cobble Hill.  

Why we love it: You may have seen Malai Ice Cream in your local grocer, standing out with its Pantone-colored pints. At her first permanent scoop shop location, which debuted in NYC back in 2019, founder Pooja Bavishi serves up egg-free flavors like Golden Turmeric, Date Tamarind, Carrot Halwa, Cherry Black Cardamom and Butterscotch Butter Pecan. 

Time Out tip: The shop is whipping up Mango Lassi crafted with cardamom and cracked black pepper, just in time for a summer treat.  

Address: 268 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–11pm

What is it? An old-timey ice cream shop found inside a 1920s apothecary.  

Why we love it: If you're searching for proof that New Yorkers love to pantomime simpler times, this old-timey soda fountain is the pudding. The antique-y spot evokes a Rockwellian universe, where sweethearts dip straws into a single egg cream and scrappy dogs lap up milkshake spills. Plus, there's an emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients—just like in the old days.

Time Out tip: The shop won the first-ever “Golden Syphon” award at the inaugural Brooklyn SeltzerFest, making it even more legit.  

Address: 513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours: Mon–Fri 2-10pm; Sat, Sun 1–10pm

What is it? A shop that’s known for three things: rainbows, unicorns and soft serve. 

Why we love it: Ice cream truckers Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff offer their quirky soft-serve creations in Tribeca, emblazoned with a giant rainbow-swirled cone. Crowd favorites like the Dorothy, a scoop of vanilla ice cream injected with dulce de leche and patted with crushed Nilla wafers, will make you feel like a "Golden Girl."

Time Out tip: Pick your favorite scoop and your favorite soda and boom—you’ve got a float on your hands. Soda options include prime picks like Mexican Coca-Cola and Fanta Orange.

Address: 450 Washington St, Ground Floor Retail, New York, NY 10013

Hours: Sun–Wed noon-11pm; Thu–Sat noon-midnight 

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What is it? Once a simple operation out of a yellow ice cream truck, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream is now serving its artisanal scoops to the masses 

Why we love it: Although it first came to fame as a fairly precious artisanal, local ice cream truck and then a more widely known scoops chain, Van Leeuwen's more recent (and national) renown is for its successful stunts like a "limited edition" mac and cheese flavor. But it still offers options like chocolate, honeycomb and Sicilian pistachio, all churned from scratch.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of vegan options here that are actually pretty legit, that you can have by the scoop, pint or even pressed inside an ice cream sandwich. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? An all-American ice cream shop that’s easily spotted by its blue awning.  

Why we love it: Nick Morgenstern’s flagship parlor in Greenwich Village has tons of fun flavors to choose from, and they're tinkering all the time. Among the ever-inventive options they've been scooping up since 2014, you'll find non-traditional stuff like Olive Oil Chocolate Orange, Strawberry Pistachio Pesto, Salt & Pepper Pine Nut, Pineapple Salted Egg Yolk and Charred Banana.

Time Out tip: Although they no longer offer ice cream cake slices, you can still order a full cake in-store or have it shipped directly to you. 

Address: 88 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

Hours: Daily noon–midnight