The Definitive Guide to the Best Ice Cream in Philly
The Definitive Guide to the Best Ice Cream in Philly
The Philly food scene is thriving. From street food to high-end restaurants and everything in-between, it seems there is no shortage of great places to enjoy. However, the desert scene doesn’t take the back seat. There are a ton of amazing desert and pastry shops in Philadelphia, in-particularly ice cream. From traditional ice cream to Thai ice cream and everything in-between, Philly has some ridiculously great ice cream shops. To help you navigate, we created the definitive guide to the best ice cream spots in Philly. Make sure you add all of these to your bucket it.
Bassett’s Ice Cream
45 N 12th St. | Traditional Ice Cream
A fifth-generation family business and a Philadelphia tradition since 1861, Bassetts Ice Cream Company is a full-service frozen dessert distributor, offering over 40 flavors sold by the cone, cup & container at this neighborhood spot.
Capogiro Gelato Artisans
Various Locations | Gelato
Their motto is “We strictly adhere to the rules of “artigianale” as defined by the Italians, which dictates that everything must be made in-house.” Serving up old world style gelato that made fresh in many delicious flavors.
The Franklin Fountain
116 Market St. | Traditional Ice Cream
Perhaps the most well known ice cream shop in Philly, this place serves up quality ice the old fashioned way. Prepared to be propelled back in time, as the old school ambiance sets the tone for traditional ice cream making.
Kuriimii
2353, 1023 Cherry St. | Exotic Asian Soft Serve
Gran Caffe L’Aquila
1716 Chestnut St. | Gelato
This Italian gelato serves up a nice array of gelato flavors that make a perfect summer treat. The gelato here makes this place a Center City gem.
I CE NY
Chinatown Square, 1016-18 Race St. | Rolled Thai Ice Cream
C&C Creamery
3731, 5461 Ridge Ave. | Traditional and Soft Serve
Good Moo’d Creamery
1647 E Passyunk Ave. | Thai Rolled Ice Cream
Get delicious Thai rolled ice cream in the heart of E. Passyunk. Using quality ingredients, Good Moo’d makes all of their own ice cream bases from scratch, on-site. No preservatives or bland dairy. So the ice cream is fresh and tasty.
Big Gay Ice Cream
1351 South St. | Traditional & Soft Serve
Big Gay Ice Cream spins a new take on the old school ice cream parlor experience by mixing high quality ingredients with guilty pleasures, traditional flavors with the unexpected. The flavors here are wild and bold, this is a place that served Chetto ice cream. So if you’re feeling adventurous when it comes to food, then this is the perfect place to check out.
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
9 W Girard Ave. | Organic Ice Cream
Simplistic, organic & delicious. Those are three great words to describe Wreckley’s. This place features six scooped flavors daily. Vanilla is the only constant, made simply with organic milk, organic cream, cane sugar, local eggs, and fair-trade organically grown vanilla beans. Other flavors include chocolate variations, nuts, non-dairy sorbets, and seasonal fruits & herbs. Cones are made fresh, on-site daily.
Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory
4369 Main St. | Traditional
The Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory is a homemade ice cream parlor based in Philadelphia. They specialize in creating unique sundaes and fostering a love for great games. The flavors are traditional but you can definitely jazz things up here with a great assortment of toppings.
Philly Flavors
Various Locations | Traditional & Soft Serve
Okay this place is not just an ice cream shop it’s a dairy explosion. Of course you got your classics as well as unique blends like egg nog, Resse’s Swirl, & birthday cake among many others. But also you got some great ice cream treats here such as waffle sandwiches, cookie sandwiches, as well as over the top cartwheel sandwiches, all of which have plenty of ice cream flavors to choose from.
Scoop De’Ville
1109 Walnut St.
Keeping with the unique flavors next up we have Scoop DeVille located in the heart of Center City. Here you can let your imagination run wild as they can custom make any blend you wish. First they let you choose from an array of base ice cream then you choose what you’d like blended in it. Choose anything from fruit to cereal to classic candy & nuts.
Little Baby’s
2311 Frankford Ave. | Exotic Flavors & Traditional
f you are adventurous and love to try new things, then well you gotta’ try Little Baby’s. Their ice cream menu changes consistently so there is always something new to try. To give you an idea of just how unique their flavors are, last time we stopped in they were scooping servings of Everything Bagel, Earl Grey Sriracha, Thai Iced Tea, & Grape-Grape Nuts among others.
Sweet Charlie’s
Various Locations | Thai Rolled Ice Cream
Sweet Charlie’s combines traditional Thai rolled ice cream methods with what is described as “American showmanship.” Each ice cream or frozen yogurt is made to order on a super, cold surface that is below 20 degrees. For a super cold yet super tasty treat.
Winterfell Dessert
32 S 40th St. | Taiwanese Shaved Ice
This unique desert spot serves up rare Taiwanese shaved ice. Snow ice is made by mixing up ice cream, essentially, then freezing it into very hard cylindrical blocks. These blocks are then loaded into a special machine that spins the cylinder and shaves off the bottom layer of ice cream in tissue paper thin ribbons. In short this desert is a labor of love.
Lil Lina’s Slices & Scoops
2513 Tulip St. | Traditional
This Fishtown gems serves up traditional ice cream and custard to compliment the pizza in an ultra throwback vibe. The ice cream is homemade and comes in classic flavors. This is a no frills ice cream shop that packs a big punch.
Alice Pizza
235 S 15th St. | Gelato
The pizza here is amazing but the gelato refuses to take a back seat. My last visit here had me sampling just about every flavor and my decision got tougher with each taste test. The gelato here is made the old fashion way and just about everyone here speaks with an Italian accent so you know you’re getting the real deal.
Teassert
227 N. 10 th St. | Thai Rolled Ice Cream
This hip and modern shop serves-up ice cream rolls in exotic flavors complimented by traditional bubble tea & Hong Kong-style waffles. When it comes to toppings, there is plenty to choose from including fresh sliced fruit.
The Igloo
Various Locations | Soft Serve – Gelato-Sorbet- Water Ice
If one of your weaknesses is choosing what desert to pic, you won’t have any issues here. At Igloo you can get either soft serve, gelato, sorbet or water ice. Ooor you can mix and match each for the ultimate frozen treat. Oh and the toppings here are amazing.
Ice Land
224 N. 10th | Thai Rolled Ice Cream
The Thai rolled ice cream seen has exploded in Philly, but not all Thai ice cream is equal. While you’re making your rounds to test each spot, be sure to try Ice Lan’s Thai ice cream. We’re sure it will end up as one of your favorite ice cream shops in the city.
