30 Must-Try Ice Cream Shops Around Boston
Old-school fudge sundaes, funked-up modern flavors, and a gelato or two, too.
Flavor overload at the Ice Creamsmith / Photo by Anthony Adamick (OV Stills)
No one loves ice cream as much as New Englanders do—even in the dead of winter, we’ll brave icy temps to get our cone fix. (Wearing an “ice cream weather” hoodie from Gracie’s, naturally.) We appreciate the shops making their own from-scratch scoops, but we’ve also got some local faves that source from stalwart wholesalers like Richardson’s. (It doesn’t hurt that these spots offer feel-good vibes and other perks!) From old-school snack shacks peddling classic hot fudge sundaes, to allergen-friendly trailblazers exploring delicious, dairy- or nut-free frontiers, here’s our comprehensive—and a little bit obsessive—guide to the best ice cream shops in Greater Boston.
Note to devotees of particular ice cream styles: This roundup includes our favorites across multiple styles, but if you want to dig deeper into specifics, be sure to check out our soft serve, gelato, and frappe/milkshake guides as well.
This guide was last updated in June 2025; watch for periodic updates.
A cone at Chill on Park. / Photo by Angela Bray
Chill on Park
Calling all locavores: Not only does this Fields Corner shop hire many of its employees from the Dorchester community, but it also sources nearly all of its offerings—from cookies, to tea and coffee, to the hot fudge drizzled over sundaes—from Massachusetts businesses. And the ice cream is no exception: Puritan Ice Cream, based in nearby Roslindale, supplies such flavors as salted caramel truffle, peanut butter Oreo, and Dutch apple, which can be ordered by the four-flavor sampler (topped off with a small sugar cookie). Don’t miss the pints of boozy ice cream from Tipsy Scoop.
142 Park St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-297-5401, chillonpark.com.
Christina’s Homemade Ice Cream
Best of Boston winner, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2011 (Best Ice Cream, Exotic)
Summer nights in Inman Square mean lines snaking out the door of this neighborhood institution. With well over 50 classic and inventive flavors alike, the shop continues to stay true to owner (and spice-lover) Raymond Ford’s vision to craft “creative, bold and daring” ice cream. Try a few samples that take inspiration from around the world (see: masala chai, chocolate Chinese five-spice, and adzuki bean), or—in the case of the Concord grape sorbet—from our own backyard.
1255 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge, 617-492-7021, christinasicecream.com.
Cookie monster ice cream at Colleen’s. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Colleen’s
Cheery neon signage beckons ice cream enthusiasts into this Medford Square shop (a former Brigham’s!), which offers a range of flavors sourced from Puritan Ice Cream. The bright blue cookie monster is a fun treat, or a special frappe like the Edward: coffee ice cream, a shot of cold brew, and an orange sherbet float. But don’t miss the non-ice cream portion of the menu, too; the hot dogs, in particular, feel delightfully fancy, served on buttery grilled brioche buns. Husband-and-wife duo Kolin and Vicki Burgoyne aren’t newbies to the restaurant industry, after all: Vicki was on the opening team at Pagu in Cambridge, and Area Four alum Kolin worked at Colleen’s as a teenager, when it was owned by Colleen Hallisey, who passed away in 2018.
61 High St., Medford, 781-395-8100, colleensmedford.com.
The Cookie Monstah truck making the rounds. / Cookie Monstah truck photo by Mark Nakib on Flickr
Cookie Monstah
There’s nothing scary about this monster of a food truck, once featured on Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations for wheeling around colossal heaps of Richardson’s ice cream sandwiched between fresh-baked cookies. (Be sure to try the Red Monstah, made with red velvet cookies and mint Oreo ice cream.) Don’t feel like chasing down the truck? Hit up one of eight brick-and-mortar shops in the suburbs.
Multiple brick-and-mortar locations around Greater Boston and the North Shore, plus a food truck schedule; thecookiemonstah.com.
A vast array of scoops from Crescent Ridge. / Photo courtesy of Crescent Ridge
Crescent Ridge
Best of Boston winner, 2019, 2022, and 2023
For more than 50 years, cone heads have made the pilgrimage south to Sharon’s Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar for frozen Cressies (a chocolate-dipped disc-on-a-stick of vanilla, chocolate, or raspberry ice cream) and multi-time Best of Boston-worthy ice cream, generously portioned. Good news for those in the city: There’s a stall inside Boston Public Market, too, where friendly plush cows graze on turf as you enjoy big scoops of butter crunch, orange pineapple, peppermint, and cherry ridge ripple.
100 Hanover St. (Boston Public Market), Downtown Boston; 407 Bay Rd., Sharon, 781-784-2740; crescentridgedairybar.com.
Dairy Freeze
Sweltering South Shore nights call for a trip to this Quincy institution, which has been slinging sundaes since 1963. If the midcentury signage didn’t clue you into the fact that this place is a classic, the menu certainly will: It’s got all the old-school New England bases covered, from frappes and raspberry lime rickeys to orange sherbet soft serve and Richie’s Italian ices. Richardson’s-sourced hard ice cream flavors include moose tracks, totally turtle, and green monster.
635 Adams St., Quincy, 617-471-9768, quincydairyfreeze.com.
Creamsicle and javaberry soft serve at Dairy Joy. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Dairy Joy
This roadside ice cream and seafood shack is absolutely worth a leisurely summer drive out to Weston to find javaberry, the raspberry-coffee twist you didn’t know you needed, or a classic creamsicle soft serve swirl. (The stalwart has dairy-free options, too.) Don’t forget the chocolate or cherry dip—and make your drive doubly fun with a visit to the nearby Ponyhenge.
331 North Ave., Weston, 781-894-2600, facebook.com/dairyjoyweston.
Delini Gelato. / Courtesy photo
Delini Gelato
Opened during the pandemic, this West Roxbury destination for house-made gelato, named for owner Viki Petkova’s daughter, occasionally marries the traditional Italian dessert to some Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors—baklava, for instance, or the Persian stracciatella infused with Iranian saffron. That’s in addition, of course, to elegant standbys like honey lavender, made with sweet local sap from Cape Cod hives.
5 Bellevue St., West Roxbury, Boston, 617-826-8066, delinigelato.com.
Emack & Bolio’s
Boston’s puritanical stance on early bar-closing times has at least been good for one thing: It’s indirectly given us some darn good ice cream—best served in cones dipped in sticky marshmallow and cereal or candy toppings. Bob Rook, a music lawyer who’s worked such with such acts as Aerosmith, The Cars, and U2, founded Emack & Bolio’s in a Coolidge Corner basement in 1975 to provide a post-gig hangout space for bands (back when clubs closed at midnight). In the intervening decades, this local chain hasn’t lost track of its rock n’ roll origins—note the nod to classic rock in its black-raspberry-flavored “Deep Purple” Chip.
Multiple locations (including in Charlestown and Back Bay), emackandbolios.com.
Far Out Ice Cream. / Courtesy photo
Far Out Ice Cream
This fruity ice cream bridges the gap between classic hard ice cream and soft serve: It’s made like the former and then blended with frozen fruit, yielding a texture more like the latter. Flavors like strawberry grahamcake (vanilla, strawberries, graham cracker crumb) and limited-time peach are the perfect celebrations of summer.
419 Harvard St., Brookline; 401 Park Dr. (Time Out Market Boston), Fenway, Boston; 100 Cambridgeside Pl. (Cambridgeside), East Cambridge; 617-487-8102, farouticecream.com.
FoMu. / Courtesy photo
FoMu
When it comes to vegan ice cream (and ice cream cakes, cookies, ready-to-eat cookie dough, and more), there’s no FOMO to be found at FoMu. You won’t miss dairy a bit once you’ve tasted coconut-milk-based flavors such as triple-chocolate brownie, raspberry almond crumble, and mango-habanero. The local chain has rapidly expanded since opening its first scoop shop in 2012, and founder Deena Jalal even published a cookbook, Incredible Vegan Ice Cream, featuring recipes for some of the shop’s most popular flavors and more. Swing by FoMu’s three scoop shops, and keep an eye out for its products on offer at numerous restaurants and shops around town.
200 Faneuil Hall Sq. (Quincy Market), Downtown Boston, 857-277-1408; 655 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-982-7955; 140 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, 857- 284-7229; fomuicecream.com.
A dreamy dish in Forge’s retro ice cream parlor. / Photo by Harrison Seiler
Forge Ice Cream Bar
Experience an oh-so-sweet blast from the past at Forge Bakery’s retro-looking ice cream parlor. While the shop’s chrome finishes, vinyl seat coverings, and antique pump system may harken back to a simpler time, its flavors are decidedly modern. A constant rotation of small-batch scoops with options such as cucumber-lime sorbet, blueberry, and banana Oreo keeps things fresh. Need a buzz? Try an affogato—a scoop of any flavor with two shots of espresso.
626B Somerville Ave., Somerville, 617-764-5365, forgebakingco.com.
Gerly’s Ice Cream
Best of Boston winner (as Tipping Cow), 2020
Formerly known as Tipping Cow, this Somerville shop recently rebranded after a partial ownership change but remains the nut-free delight it has always been, serving up allergen-safe scoops of birthday cake, fig and goat cheese, cannoli, and more, not to mention a plentiful vegan selection. Regulars should peruse the various membership options—unlimited mini scoops, anyone?
415 Medford St., Somerville, 617-835-8267, gerlysicecream.com.
A toasted Fluff ice cream cone at Gracie’s. / Courtesy photo
Gracie’s Ice Cream
Best of Boston winner, 2016
Fire and ice come together at this Union Square shop, which will serve up its award-winning ice cream in Fluff-filled cones toasted to perfection with a blowtorch. Gracie’s treats its customers to a slew of fun, seasonal flavors, all made fresh in the small Somerville shop—not to mention particularly awesome merch. (There’s also a Cambridge outpost inside Earnest Drinks, its sibling bar in Kendall Square.) The flavor lineup might include creative takes like honey cornbread, spicy mango, and “chocolate salty snax” laden with chunks of pretzel and potato chip, with a side of social justice.
Gracie’s Ice Cream, 22 Union Sq., Union Square, Somerville, 617-764-5294, icecreamgracies.com; Earnest Drinks, 399 Binney St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-631-9113 orderearnest.com.
Find Honeycomb’s ice cream “tacos” every Tuesday. / Courtesy photo
Honeycomb Creamery
Best of Boston winner, 2017 and 2018
Where else can you get a cone with flavors like ginger rhubarb crisp, horchata, or basil goat cheese? Using local ingredients, this friendly shop is committed to making each from-scratch batch as fresh as it can be with an ever-rotating, mouthwatering menu based on seasonal ingredients like summery sweet corn or cherries. In other words, there’s always a reason to come back and see what’s new.
1702 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-714-3983, honeycombcreamery.com.
The Ice Creamsmith
Since 1976, this second-generation-run shop in Lower Mills has churned out classic flavors (such as maple walnut) as well as monthly-changing specials like black cherry and lemon custard. Customers are also encouraged to dream up their own inventive combinations with the shop’s selection of “mixins,” which include jelly beans, bubblegum, Skittles, and coconut.
2295 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-296-8567, theicecreamsmith.com.
Cherry pie ice cream with gummy bears and an ice cream latte at Jamie’s Ice Cream Co. in Cambridge. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Jamie’s Ice Cream Co.
If the tagline “it’s sexy to care” stirs something in you, or you just like tasty from-scratch ice cream in a colorful shop, meet Jamie’s, featuring flavors like banana pudding, strawberries and cream, and “dump him,” a fan favorite for its cheeky name as well as its irresistible ingredients (salted vanilla with cookie dough, M&Ms, Oreos, brownies, and toffee sauce). If you’re venturing into the beverage selection, try the ice cream latte—no, it doesn’t contain ice cream, but with vanilla syrup and sprinkles, it’s the perfect complement to your scoop. Note: The newer Cambridge location is a full café with pastries, espresso, and plenty of ice cream, while the Brookline location is a seasonal window with ice cream only.
88 Kirkland St., Cambridge; 7 Station St., Brookline Village; jamiesicecreamco.com.
J.P. Licks
Best of Boston winner, 2021
So many treats, so little time. Along with a cool collection of monthly specials such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, pineapple upside down cake, and coconut almond, there are creative spins on classics, like salted caramel cookies ’n cream. With 17 locations of the beloved, Jamaica Plain-founded chain now scattered from Dorchester to Lynnfield, there are plenty of opportunities to try them all.
Multiple locations, jplicks.com.
Lazy Bear Creamery
Follow up a trip to Neponset Avenue’s buzzy new Irish pub, McGonagle’s, with dessert steps away at the adorable Lazy Bear Creamery. (We’re especially digging the petite patio.) There, you’ll find a rotating selection of over 100 flavors, from rainforest crunch (vanilla with chocolate chips, gummy bears, M&Ms, and rainbow sprinkles) to salty sloth (salted caramel with fudge swirl), not to mention indulgent ice cream sandwiches. Open since 2023, this feels like a soon-to-be neighborhood mainstay, operated by a family from the neighborhood who always wished for an ice cream shop here.
383 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-992-02122, lazybearcreamery.com.
Sweet treats from Lizzy’s. / Photo by Ron Rizzuto
Lizzy’s
In 1995, ex-Digital employee Nick Pappas decided to leave behind the world of microchips for the world of raspberry chocolate chip, and we’re so glad he did. Though Pappas passed the torch to new ownership in 2016, the spark—and Lizzy’s loyal following—remains. Swing into the Harvard Square shop for a scoop or four, throw a buffet-style Sundae Party at the original Waltham location, or tap Lizzy’s ice cream catering service to bring the sweet experience anywhere.
29 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-2911; 367 Moody St., Waltham, 781-893-6677; lizzysicecream.com.
New City Microcreamery. / Courtesy photo
New City Microcreamery
The original Hudson location, founded in 2015, helped kickstart the culinary scene in that quaint Central Mass. downtown, thanks to dozens of liquid-nitrogen-frozen flavors inspired by nostalgic tastes (see: malted milk ball, peanut butter Reese’s, creamsicle). Nowadays, Cambridge and Sudbury are in on the fun, too, enjoying quirky flavors (chipotle mezcal, pancakes ‘n’ syrup) and tasty café beverages (Dubai chocolate mocha, strawberry matcha).
28 Main St., Hudson, 617-945-0279; 403 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, 978-333-7144; 534A Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, 978-261-5236; newcitymicrocreamery.com.
Picco
Best of Boston winner, 2011 (Best Ice Cream, Classic)
For a sit-down restaurant experience that includes killer ice cream, head to this South End mainstay. The name stands for “Pizza and Ice Cream Company,” and it does not disappoint on either front. Follow up a personal pie (featuring charred, sourdough-based crust that puts it among the city’s best pizzas) with a cup of bright passionfruit or refreshing mint chip ice cream, or intensely velvety dark-chocolate sorbet. Watch out for a Marlborough location opening in mid-2025.
513 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-927-0066; coming soon: 179 Main St., Marlborough, 508-630-8721; piccoboston.com.
A scoop (and a pint) of a Ranc’s favorite, Tiger Milk.
Rancatore’s
Dairy must flow through the veins of the Rancatore family: Since 1985, owner Joe Rancatore (brother to Toscanini’s Gus and Mimi Rancatore; see below) has been serving up superior scoops to a devoted suburban fan base with daring flavors such as Havana banana, Vienna finger, and Bombay, a sweet invocation of Indian spices. Ice cream sandwiches and cake are also available, as is home delivery to select nearby towns.
1752 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 781-862-5090; 36 Leonard St., Belmont, 617-489-5090; 333 Walnut St., Newtonville, 617-916-0963; rancs.com.
Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Bowling
Best of Boston winner, 1995 and 1996
An awesome, family-owned gem in Hyde Park, Ron’s is either an ice cream parlor with candlepin bowling, or a candlepin bowling alley with great ice cream. However you see it, you will want to see it with one hand on a bowling ball and the other hoisting a cone of rum raisin, Oreo cake batter, or peanut butter explosion. Opened in 1979, there’s sort of a Stranger Things-era sweetness about the place, too. (A sibling spot in Dedham has ice cream but no bowling.)
1231 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park, Boston, 617-364-5274; 559 High St., Dedham, 781-326-8664; ronsicecream.com.
The Scoop N Scootery
Got the munchies and an empty freezer? Fear not: The Scoop N Scootery has you covered. The delivery-based operation is dedicated to getting custom cups of phantomberry and totally turtle to your door as fast as possible. The startup opened a suburban brick-and-mortar in Arlington in 2016 after getting its start doing drop-offs, later adding more locations to scoot its scoops closer to even more fans.
112 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-777-2830; 75 Linden St., Allston, Boston, 617-208-8016; 22 Water St., East Cambridge, 617-945-0716; thescoopnscootery.com.
Sweet & Comfy
Initially a franchise of Day & Night Cereal Bar, Louis “Bizzy Genius” Elveus’ nostalgic Brighton dessert shop is now an independent business with its own branding. The focus remains on dreamy ice-cream-and-cereal shakes and bowls that mix up a bunch of our favorite childhood memories. Take the peanut butta scoop bowl, for example: It’s a can’t-miss combo of Reese’s Puffs, Cocoa Puffs, vanilla ice cream, a Nutter Butter, Reese’s peanut butter sauce, and chocolate syrup. How’s that for sweet and comfy?
6 Tremont St., Brighton, Boston, instagram.com/sweetandcomfy_.
Taiyaki NYC. / Photo courtesy of the Boston Seaport
Taiyaki NYC
This New York City-based soft-serve company splashed down in the Seaport in spring 2019 with undeniably adorable fish-shaped ice cream cones (the waffle-like Japanese treat taiyaki), and toppings like unicorn sprinkles, whole cookies, and rainbow mochi. Instagram-worthy, for sure—and definitely delicious, too.
119 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-531-3514; 6 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge; taiyakinyc.com.
A scoop of Third Time ice cream from its previous residency at Somerville’s Bow Market. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Third Time Ice Cream
Creative flavors—with equally creative names and descriptions—star at this newcomer from chef Nick Ladin-Sienne, an alum of Oleana, Sofra, and Puritan & Co. Take, for instance, “carrot cake throuple,” described as “an…unconventional…arrangement [with] cream cheese ice cream three ways: with cinnamoned red carrots; nutmeged orange carrots; and gingered yellow carrots all swirled with golden raisins and a carrot cake streusel.” While Third Time is currently a pop-up, Ladin-Sienne is seeking a permanent location. In the meantime, find pints of select flavors at Deep Cuts in Medford as well as a savory Third Time menu—and eventually ice cream—at Tilde in Cambridge. Keep an eye on social media for pertinent updates about other pop-ups and an eventual storefront.
Deep Cuts, 21 Main St., Medford Square, deepcuts.rocks; Tilde, 2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, tildecambridge.com; Third Time Ice Cream, thirdtimeicecream.co.
Tosci’s, a Cambridge classic. / Photo provided by Toscanini’s
Toscanini’s
Best of Boston winner, 1982 (Best Ice Cream, When You’re Tired of Steve’s), 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990 (Best Ice Cream, Flavors), 1993 (Best Ice Cream, Flavors), 1997, 1999 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2024
After more than three decades in Central Square, Toscanini’s sibling-duo Gus and Mimi Rancatore are now slow-churning out the same sinfully rich ice cream in nearby Kendall. Go decadent, or go home—may we suggest an order of the best-selling B3 (brown sugar, brown butter, and brownies)? Just don’t forget to add a dollop of Tosci’s freshly made whipped cream. It’s one of the many reasons this multi-year Best of Boston winner has received so much national attention.
899 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge, 857-777-7899; 159 First St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-491-5877, tosci.com.
Van Leeuwen ice cream. / Courtesy photo
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen’s a pretty big national chain these days, but we can’t help showing it some love—and enjoying its explosive expansion around Boston. This New York-based company first landed in Massachusetts in early 2024 and is already about to hit half a dozen outposts here a little over a year later. (Local shops five and six, Back Bay and Fenway, debut in June 2025.) Van Leeuwen has been known to do absolutely wacky flavor collabs (Hidden Valley Ranch, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese), but it really shines when it comes to flavors that are just a little unusual: dulce de leche brownie, malted cookie dough shake, lemon poppyseed muffin, and such. The major egg-yolk content makes the texture smooth and ultra-rich.
Multiple locations (including in the Seaport and Harvard Square), vanleeuwenicecream.com.
