Are you searching for the most delicious ice cream in Brooklyn? If so, then you’ve definitely come to the right place!
Regardless of whether you’re in search of an ice-cold treat to cool you down on a hot Summer’s day, or are simply in the mood for something sweet, ice cream is always the answer. We know you’re on board with us.
With a rich history to match, you can find Italian culture and cuisine threaded throughout the entirety of New York City, with hundreds of ice cream parlors available to cater to your every dessert need. So if you prefer the traditional taste and ambience of an old-fashioned dessert place instead of more adventurous flavors found in modern creameries, you will find something to dazzle your taste buds.
That being said, here’s our inside scoop on the best 15 ice cream parlors that you absolutely must try in Brooklyn.
Ample Hills Creamery
Nobody does ice cream quite like Ample Hills.
Rightfully earning their nickname of “Brooklyn’s freshest” for their delectable hand made ice cream, Ample Hills Creamery is on a mission to help make you and your taste buds smile. If the fact it is named after the Walt Whitman poem Crossing Brooklyn Ferry wasn’t fascinating enough, the shop is also a registered dairy plant. How cool is that?
Since opening in the spring of 2011, the shop has provided delicious sweet treats that bring the neighborhood together. Currently operating in the heart of Brooklyn, Ample Hills Creamery is the largest operating ice cream production facility in the area. They also make everything independently on site using locally sourced eggs and dairy!
Some of their signature tantalizing flavors include Salted Crack Caramel, Snap Mallow Pop, and Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. With two permanent locations along both coasts, there is ample opportunity to get your hands on their iconic but off-the-wall ice cream flavors that will appeal to your inner child.
Gelateria Gentile
For a taste of Southern Italy, we’d highly recommend giving Gelateria Gentile a visit.
Initially established in South Italy, the rustic Gelateria Gentile currently thrives in Brooklyn. Two separate stores in Williamsburg and West Village offer lovers of authentic Italian gelato an experience they won’t soon forget.
Traditional recipes and a passion for quality ingredients have always distinguished the Gentile family from other gelato makers. From crème caramel to coffee, you can find a gelato to suit your taste buds. All available flavors are displayed in Italian on the wall, so you can easily navigate the items on offer with or without help from the friendly staff. You can also order coffee, pastries or cakes if you want to try something different!
The parlor is bright, clean, cozy, and creates a relaxing ambiance, which will only add to your overall experience. Be sure to add on panna (fresh whipped cream) to your gelato for additional flavor!
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory: where decadence meets ambiance.
With an original location at the landmark 1920s firehouse station, this iconic ice cream shop has been serving homemade old-fashioned ice cream (made with less butterfat and no eggs) and homemade hot fudge since 2001. Now you can find them across the street from their original location and in Greenpoint.
This Brooklyn-based ice cream shop is quite old-fashioned. From decadent chocolate to creamy vanilla, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory offers eight refreshingly delicious ice cream flavors for you to enjoy. You may expect their admittedly limited menu to drive customers away, but that is definitely not the case if their reputation is anything to go by!
The outside patio also provides amazing views of the Manhattan skyline, especially under and across the Brooklyn Bridge, so prepare yourself to spend hours observing the scenery!
Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain
Take a journey into the past at the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain.
Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain opened their doors in the spring of 2010 after the closing down of the previously on site 1920s pharmacy. Nowadays, they continue to reign at the top of the Brooklyn ice cream game.
And, as appealing as it looks from the outside, the inside is so much more than you could even imagine. Its interior consists of stunning vintage decor that will make you feel like you have travelled back in time.
The old-fashioned themed diner is mostly known for their egg creams, but also offer a large selection of scrumptious but traditional desserts. So you won’t have an issue finding something that appeals to your sweet tooth! The shop is also famous for its palatable sundaes, including a simple Banana Split and the Sundae of Broken Dreams— made from a wonderful combination of vanilla ice cream, broken pretzel rods, fresh whipped cream, and warm caramel.
Now, if that doesn’t tickle your taste buds, we don’t know what will!
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
From selling ice cream out of a buttery yellow truck in 2008 to becoming the iconic ice cream venue it is today, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream has an unfounded rich history rooted in New York City.
Their ice cream became so popular that they needed to expand into multiple different branches to cope with customer demand. You can now find their trusty flavors in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Los Angeles, with even more planned to open in the near future.
Their all-natural ice creams are the pride and joy of the company, and it’s easy to see why they are so popular with locals and tourists! Made with eggs, fresh milk, cream, and cane sugar, there is a specialty ice cream for everyone.
Opt for traditional flavors or, if you dare, try out more specialized flavors like Earl Grey Tea. There are also plenty of vegan options to suit your dietary needs. With a large variety of toppings also available, your ice cream is completely customizable!
Malai Ice Cream
On the hunt for a more unique, culturally diverse ice cream experience in Brooklyn? You have to visit Malai!
Malai Ice Cream has been providing customers with uniquely robust flavors and creamy textures since their launch in 2015. The word Malai figuratively means “cream of the crop,” and they have definitely lived up to their name!
One of their main goals as a sweet treat provider is to bring the taste of India to Brooklyn. As a result, they have incorporated several mouth watering South Asian spices such as ginger, saffron, nutmeg and cardamom into their egg-free and homemade ice cream flavors. It has solidified their reputation as one of the most interesting dessert shops in all of Brooklyn!
What’s more, if you have a preference or simply cannot consume dairy, Malai’s non-dairy ice cream and sorbet menu will cater to your needs. They use a blend of coconut milk and vegan white chocolate to mimic the luxurious taste of their iconic signature flavors, so you won’t be missing out.
From Hibiscus Chaat Masala Sorbet to the Spiced Peanut Crunch non-dairy ice cream, Malai has it all!
Island Pops
Island Pops brings a small slice of the Caribbean to Brooklyn.
Actively operating since 2015, the brand has been on a non-stop mission to promote their Caribbean-inspired flavors to the wider public. Their determination and attendance at key food events led to the opening of a Crown Heights flagship store in 2018 – and they haven’t looked back since!
Founders Khalid Hamid and Shelly Marshall cleverly identified a gap in the ice cream market of Brooklyn for the Caribbean iced dessert delicacy that is soursop ice cream, and so Island Pops was born! The stunning tropical flavors offered by the company have all been inspired by the iconic palate of the couple’s home country, Trinidad, and have been created using natural ingredients and traditional methods.
Also, with over 50 flavors on a constant seasonal rotation, Island Pops is a great choice for your afternoon (or morning) dessert. So whether you’re after ice cream, sorbet, popsicles or a vegan option, you are truly spoiled with the items on this menu!
Blue Marble Ice Cream
Blue Marble is another must visit ice cream parlor in Brooklyn.
They partnered with a group of women in Rwanda to build their very first ice cream shop, providing the surrounding community with a place to grow and connect. Their Brooklyn venue is no different. It has become an integral part of the local ice cream scene.
Known for their positive environmental impact, it’s no wonder so many people adore Blue Marble. With an increasingly eco-friendly and sustainable approach to desserts, they aim to make the world a sweeter place one ice cream cone at a time. They achieve this by using spine-chillingly good organic ingredients within their one-of-a-kind desserts, creating a tasteful experience that you won’t forget.
Blue Marble has a flagship location in Prospect Heights and a HQ building within Industry City. However, due to increasing demand, you can also have it delivered to your home! As one of the most recognizable ice cream shops in Brooklyn, stopping by Blue Marble for the inside scoop is a must!
Dolce Brooklyn
Dolce Brooklyn serves multiple flavors of artisanal Gelato and Sorbet. It is all made on the premises in small batches to keep the products fresh and to maintain its high quality. This also ensures that they achieve the fullest amount of customer satisfaction.
Their gelato is handcrafted in Red Hook with fresh ingredients and milk delivered directly from the Hudson Valley. Dolce Brooklyn are a casual shop that offer an almost constant rotation of creative gelato and sorbet flavors.
Not only do they serve top tier cold desserts, but they also have a variety of hot drinks, including a full espresso bar. If you’re not a fan of ice cream, there are plenty of gelato cakes and fresh pastries from resident Chef Pierre available for purchase.
With additional vegan and gluten-free options also available, Dolce Brooklyn really does offer the full package.
Oddfellows Ice Cream
Oddfellows have mastered the art of ice cream creativity since opening in 2013.
Founded by pastry chef Sam Mason, Oddfellows has a cure for even the most unusual ice cream cravings. It is a small batch ice cream company, widely praised and recognized for their extensive range of over 500 strange flavors – many of which cannot be found at your local grocery store.
All flavors are constantly in rotation, which is why you should check what’s on offer before paying a visit. Some of the more exotic flavors include Saffron Passion fruit and Lime Tarragon sorbet, but you can stick to the classics if you want to.
They also have an extensive vegan menu for those with dietary restrictions or preferences!
Lady Moo Moo
Lady Moo Moo features some of the most unique flavors in the neighborhood. You can find all types of ice cream and sorbet here, from Earl Grey Lavender to Rooftop Honey.
The company operates from a walk-up window every April – November. Made on the premises in small batches, there is a limited quantity of specific ice cream flavors each day. So you need to get down there as soon as possible to experience the stunning explosion of flavors!
Why not also try the oat milk-based ‘Moorello Cherry’ ice cream whilst you’re at it?
They also serve other delicious desserts, including ice cream sandwiches and root beer floats, so you’ll easily find something to enjoy!
L’Albero Dei Gelati
Gelato has never tasted so healthy!
In 1985, the L’Albero Dei Gelati family (“tree of gelato”) began to make their own handmade gelato in Lombardy, Italy. And, after serving their sensational gelato in Brooklyn for ___ years, it’s easy to see why they have become a staple in the ice cream world.
Made using high quality fresh ingredients, L’Albero Del Gelati offer a gelato range that is as organic as it gets. With no artificial flavorings, dyes, preservatives or artificial additives in your dessert, you can enjoy your treat guilt free!
The flavors are adapted to fit with the changing of the season, so make sure to keep an eye out for your favorites. Their sorbets are also gluten-free and vegan friendly.
The Good Batch Creamery
If you’re in Brooklyn and are seeking a taste of Dutch culture, The Good Batch menu will cure all of your cravings.
The team at The Good Batch Bakery work together to bring joy to the community by offering a wide variety of baked goods, cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and drinks to suit your taste.
During the warmer months, make sure to check out their gorgeous café located in front of the flagship. You can sit outside, bask in the views and experience the delightful treats this ice cream shop in Brooklyn has to offer!
Though it closes during the winter, their products can be found in stores across all of New York City – so you won’t have to worry about missing out on the delicious treats!
Emack & Bolio’s
For ice cream that’ll rock your taste buds, take a trip to Emack and Bolio’s!
Founded in Boston in the 1980s, this ice cream giant now has stores across several locations, including our very own New York.
This pint-sized kosher ice cream shop is filled with couples, families and individuals alike – all lined up for the chain’s wacky and seemingly endless flavored desserts. It may all sound a bit much, but the ice cream is highly praised throughout Brooklyn for its taste and texture. From Mud Pie to simple Strawberry, you can relish in the wide array of available ice cream.
Best of all, they have several vegan options, including some delectable sorbets. What’s not to love?
Taiyaki NYC
According to their website, Taiyaki NYC is on a mission to “unlock a magical exploration of the palette” by bringing a taste of Japanese culture to Brooklyn.
Located in Williamsburg, Taiyaki NYC is the proclaimed home of the legendary fish-shaped ice cream cone. Established in 2016, they have introduced the Japanese treasure of taiyaki into Brooklyn culture through an extensive, tasty and witty menu.
Enjoy ‘Beach, Please’ – a stunning blend of Taiyaki with a dollop of artisanal vanilla soft serve, chocolate drizzle, crushed oreos and a wafer stick. Or, choose ‘Matcha Better’ – with a stunning matcha flavored ice cream.
The adorable Instagram worthy appearance of these desserts make it very easy to see why the company have continued to grow in popularity! They also offer vegan alternatives for all ice cream and drinks.
Whatever you choose, Taiyaki NYC has something for you!
