From nostalgic places offering old-school Americana classics, to vegan options and unique flavors at long established shops that are essential to the local ice cream scene, here’s our list of where to get the best ice cream in NYC.
Less- Ample Hills CreameryFind out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopPermanently Closed
Founded in 2011, this local favorite makes their ice cream in a 15,000-square-foot factory in Red Hook and has nine scoop shops across the city (seven of which are listed in this Guide, plus outposts at Essex Market Line and DeKalb Market Hall). Their best selling flavor is the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake made with vanilla ice cream and butter cake that’s created in-house from scratch (similar to all mix-ins in each flavor).
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopPermanently Closed
The Chelsea Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopPermanently Closed
The Fireboat House Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopPermanently Closed
The Gowanus Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopPermanently Closed
The Prospect Park West Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopClosed Now2 – 10 PM
The Prospect Heights Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreAmple Hills CreameryIce Cream ShopClosed Now2 – 11 PM
The Astoria Scoop Shop for local favorite ice cream–maker Ample Hills.
- Find out moreBig Gay Ice CreamIce Cream ShopClosed Now12 – 11 PM
The Upper West Side location for Big Gay Ice Cream's signature soft serve.
- Brooklyn Pharmacy & Soda FountainFind out moreBrooklyn Farmacy & Soda FountainIce Cream ShopClosed Now2 – 10 PM
When Brooklyn Farmacy first opened its doors in Carroll Gardens in 2010, one of its many goals was to offer Brooklyn’s best egg cream. Not only is egg cream available in both chocolate or vanilla, but the self-proclaimed soda “jerks” behind the counter will also serve you other delights like floats, milkshakes, and specialty sundaes with potato chips or chunks of buttermilk biscuits.
- Chinatown Ice Cream FactoryFind out moreChinatown Ice Cream FactoryIce Cream ShopClosed Now11 AM – 9 PM
This iconic, family-owned shop has been scooping up homemade ice cream in Chinatown since 1978. With locations now also in the Lower East Side and Flushing, the second generation purveyors of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory have made it easier to enjoy its regular flavors like lychee, pandan, black sesame, and more, in addition to a rotation of special appearances like cherry vanilla, jelly doughnut, and banana durian.
