Our fine town is continuing to up its scoop game in big ways, serving up enough sundaes, fro-yo, gelato, and soft serve to keep you cool all season long. Here are our picks for the city's most scream-worthy ice cream shops.
Less- Frio GelatoFind out moreFRÍO GelatoGelato ShopClosed Now12 – 10 PM
After relocating to the States from Buenos Aires, cousins Sebastián Koziura and Enrique Schcolnik missed the moments they shared indulging in dulce de leche gelato with their grandmother. Thus, they decided to transport the sweet treat to Evanston and Chicago with FRIO, a family-owned gelatería featuring Argentine favorites like Sambayon, Malbec Wine with Berries, Tramontana, and, of course, Dulce de Leche.
- Find out moreFRÍO GelatoGelato ShopClosed Now12 – 9 PM
The Navy Pier location of this family-owned gelateria, feauting Argentine flavors like dulce de leche.
- Vaca's CreameryFind out moreVaca's CreameryIce Cream ShopOpen8 AM – 9 PM
After meeting at a vegan ice cream shop in Austin, Dylan Sutcliff and Mariana Marinho made their way to Chicago to open this Noble Square newcomer specializing in all things vegan soft serve (plus a medley of housemade cones and locally sourced toppings).
- Find out moreShawn Michelle's Homemade Ice CreamIce Cream ShopClosed Now12 – 8 PM
Owners Yahya and Nataki Muhammad wanted to deliver their version of the old-fashioned scoops Yahya remembers having as a child, and one might say they’ve succeeded—mega fans arrive to their Bronzeville shop on the regular to choose from 25 rotating flavors (including vegan and sugar-free options) spanning homey creations like Banana Pudding, Black Walnut, and, their nostalgia-sparking bestseller, Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Vanilla.
- Eli's ArkFind out moreELI'S ARKGelato ShopClosed Now3 – 9 PM
Ready your Instagram for a visit to this North Avenue outpost, where ice cream becomes even more magical as it shapeshifts into an array of different animals right in front of your eyes. That’s right—the talented team here calls upon cones and precisely placed toppings to create everything from koalas and bears to monkeys and, the fan favorite, unicorns. The best part? The animal “accoutrements” are as flavorful as they are fun.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice CreamsFind out moreJeni's Splendid Ice CreamsIce Cream ShopOpen11 – 12 AM
Initially started in 2002 in Columbus, Ohio, this “splendid” venture entered the Chicago market in September 2013 with its first scoop shop on Southport and hasn’t looked back since. The biggest draw? A roster of culinary-inspired flavors not normally associated with ice cream, like Sweet Cream Biscuits and Peach Jam or Goat Cheese with Red Cherries.
- Find out moreJeni's Splendid Ice CreamsIce Cream ShopOpen11 – 12 AM
The Wicker Park outpost of this Ohio-born, culinary-inspired ice cream shop.
- Find out moreJeni's Splendid Ice CreamsIce Cream ShopClosed Now12 – 11 PM
The Armitage outpost of this Ohio-born, culinary-inspired ice cream shop.
- Find out moreJeni's Splendid Ice CreamsIce Cream ShopOpen11 – 12 AM
The North Wells outpost of this Ohio-born, culinary-inspired ice cream shop.
- Find out moreJeni's Splendid Ice CreamsIce Cream ShopClosed Now12 – 11 PM
The Wrigleyville outpost of this Ohio-born, culinary-inspired ice cream shop.
