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Food & Drink / Restaurants & Dining

The Best Ice Cream Shop in Every State

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Three images of desserts: a cup of ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, two waffle cones with scoops from the best ice cream shop in every state, and a glass dish of strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Alex/Google / Hannah N./Yelp / Alan Babiliński/Google

Ice cream is serious business in America. Every state has that one beloved scoop shop locals swear by — the place with lines out the door on summer nights, generations of loyal customers, or flavors you can’t find anywhere else. From tiny roadside stands and old-school dairy bars to trendy artisan creameries pushing the boundaries with unexpected ingredients, these ice cream shops stand above the rest.

We dug through Reddit threads, Yelp reviews, Google ratings, and local favorites to find the single best ice cream shop in every state.

Alabama: Big Spoon Creamery

A bowl of ice cream topped with caramel sauce, crushed nuts, a cherry, and a small orange piece, flanked by two swirls of whipped cream, with a white spoon resting on the bowl.
Norman Gagnon/Google

Multiple locations

Big Spoon Creamery has built a cult following thanks to ultra-creative, small-batch flavors made with local ingredients and Southern flair. Expect scoops like Banana Pudding, Sweet Corn Blueberry, and Strawberry Buttermilk, all churned in-house with rich dairy from nearby farms. The shop started as a husband-and-wife farmers market operation and quickly became one of the South’s most beloved ice cream destinations.

Alaska: Wild Scoops

A large ice cream cone with multiple scoops of chocolate ice cream and a swirl of toasted meringue on top sits on a wooden table inside a cozy, casual shop with wooden chairs and wall displays.
DJ Glasseyes/Google

Anchorage

Wild Scoops leans hard into Alaska-inspired flavors, using local ingredients you won’t find anywhere else. Their menu rotates through creations like Spruce Tip, Fireweed Honey, and Birch Toffee, giving visitors a true taste of the state. The shop’s dedication to local sourcing and regional flavors has made it a must-visit stop in Anchorage.

Arizona: Novel Ice Cream

Two hands hold paper-wrapped donuts filled with ice cream and sprinkled with colorful cereal pieces, set against a wooden floor background.
Adilleth Gonzalez/Google

Phoenix and Mesa

Novel Ice Cream stands out for stuffing its handmade ice cream into fresh glazed doughnuts instead of regular cones. The shop also experiments with wildly inventive flavors like Mango Sticky Rice and Ube Malted Crunch. Between the over-the-top presentation and bold flavors, it’s become one of Arizona’s most Instagram-famous dessert spots.

Arkansas: Loblolly Creamery

Two hands holding waffle cones with two scoops of ice cream each; one cone has chocolate and cookies & cream, the other has chocolate and vanilla. Blurred ice cream shop background with people standing inside.
Maria Zubair/Google

Little Rock and Benton

Loblolly Creamery specializes in handcrafted Southern-inspired ice cream with flavors that highlight Arkansas ingredients and culture. Favorites include Goat Cheese Blackberry, Salted Caramel, and Arkansas Mud. Their quirky flavors and commitment to local farms have helped turn the shop into a Little Rock institution.

California: Fosselman’s Ice Cream Co.

A hand holds a banana split sundae topped with whipped cream and cherries in front of a candy store display, capturing the sweet magic you'd find at the best ice cream shop in every state.
Jonathan Lara/Google

Alhambra

Fosselman’s Ice Cream Co. has earned a cult following in Southern California for its ultra-creamy handmade ice cream, nostalgic soda fountain atmosphere, and flavors that blend old-school Americana with the diverse tastes of Los Angeles. Fans constantly describe the shop as “old-fashioned,” “timeless,” and “worth the line,” praising everything from its rich butter pecan and classic chocolate malts to inventive flavors like horchata, lychee, taro, black sesame, and Cookie Monster.

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Colorado: Sweet Action Ice Cream

A hand holds a Sweet Action ice cream sandwich in a cookie, partially unwrapped. The wrapper has a red and white design and is labeled “Rum Apple.” The background shows a sidewalk with shadows.
Tim Catchings/Google

Denver

Sweet Action makes nearly everything from scratch, including marshmallows, cookies, and sauces for its inventive flavors. The shop is known for combinations like Stranahan’s Whiskey Brickle and Thai Iced Tea, along with vegan options that are just as popular as the dairy versions. Its playful, experimental approach make it a Denver staple.

Connecticut: Arethusa Farm Dairy

Three people hold up different ice cream cones and cups inside a bright ice cream shop with black-and-white checkered floors, large windows, and a counter in the background where people are ordering.
Pin-Chieh Chen/Google

Multiple locations

Arethusa Farm Dairy serves exceptionally rich ice cream made from milk produced on its own Connecticut dairy farm. The small menu focuses on quality over gimmicks, with intensely creamy flavors like Butter Pecan and Chocolate Peanut Butter that consistently rank among the best in New England.

Delaware: Vanderwende’s

A banana split with whipped cream and cherries sits on a white picnic table outdoors, with a green field and cows grazing in the background under a clear blue sky.
Ashok Sookdeo/Google

Multiple locations

Vanderwende’s began as a family dairy farm before expanding into one of Delaware’s favorite ice cream brands. Their ultra-fresh ice cream is made directly from milk produced on-site, giving every scoop an extra-creamy texture. Locals rave about flavors like Peanut Butter Delight and Coconut Almond Bliss.

Florida: Azucar Ice Cream Company

A display case of various ice cream flavors in metal trays, with flavor names like Eggnog, Adwela Mojo, Key Lime Pie, and Cafe Con Leche written in colorful marker on the glass.
Tim Mickelsen/Google

Miami

Azucar Ice Cream Company celebrates Cuban culture through tropical, Latin-inspired flavors you won’t find at ordinary scoop shops. Signature options include Abuela Maria — vanilla ice cream with guava, cream cheese, and Maria cookies — plus Café con Leche and Platano Maduro. The colorful Little Havana shop has become a Miami landmark.

Georgia: Butter & Cream

Two hands holding cups of Butter & Cream ice cream; one cup has two scoops of vanilla and the other has two scoops of chocolate. Both cups have clear plastic spoons. The background appears to be a sidewalk.
Shreya R./Google

Decatur

Butter & Cream focuses on nostalgic Southern desserts transformed into ice cream form. Their rotating menu often includes flavors inspired by banana pudding, peach cobbler, or homemade jam biscuits. Everything is made in small batches, helping the shop earn a devoted following throughout metro Atlanta.

Hawaii: Lappert’s Hawaii

Two hands hold waffle cones with creamy scoops in front of Lappert's, known as the best ice cream shop in every state. The left cone has a chocolate and nut flavor; the right features caramel or vanilla. Both cones have branded Lappert’s wrappers.
Hannah N./Yelp

Hanapepe

Lappert’s is beloved for rich, ultra-creamy Hawaiian-inspired flavors like Kona coffee, macadamia nut, coconut, mango, and Kauai pie. Fans describe it as the perfect blend of premium mainland-style ice cream and tropical island ingredients, with a nostalgic small-town Hawaii feel that keeps visitors coming back every trip.

Idaho: The STIL

Nine cups of assorted ice cream flavors are arranged on a wooden tray, each with an orange spoon, set on a rustic wooden table with people seated in the background.
Kiran Kumar Batna/Google

Boise

The STIL — short for “Sweetest Things in Life” — became famous for boozy ice cream flavors infused with local craft beer and spirits. Flavors like The Dude with whiskey caramel and Cookie Monster have helped it become one of Idaho’s most buzzed-about dessert spots.

Illinois: Margie’s Candies

A close-up of a banana split topped with vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, crushed nuts, a maraschino cherry, and chocolate syrup in a white dish.
David Rodriquez/Google

Chicago

Margie’s Candies has served towering sundaes and handmade ice cream since 1921. The vintage soda fountain atmosphere feels frozen in time, and the shop’s massive portions have attracted everyone from The Beatles to generations of Chicago families.

Indiana: Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream

Three cups of ice cream on a marble countertop: one with bright blue ice cream, one with light brown ice cream with chocolate swirls, and another with blue ice cream with chocolate pieces. Each cup has a white plastic spoon.
Dalene Hammond/Google

Indianapolis

Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream wins fans with ultra-rich homemade flavors and huge scoops that regularly top local “best of” lists. Seasonal specialties and inventive mix-ins keep customers coming back year-round despite Indiana winters.

Iowa: Whitey’s Ice Cream

A hand holds a cup filled with scoops of chocolate ice cream with chunks, and a white plastic spoon, inside a car with sunlight shining through the window.
Leonard Young/Google

Moline

Whitey’s has been a Midwest legend since the 1930s, known for extra-creamy frozen custard-style ice cream and insanely thick shakes. Signature flavors like Graham Central Station have developed a near-cult following throughout Iowa and neighboring states.

Kansas: Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream

A cup of pink ice cream with dark chunks and a white spoon sits on a wooden table by a window, with a napkin nearby. Outside, a street and two blurred people walking are visible in the background.
Trevor Vanahill/Google

Lawrence and Olathe

Sylas and Maddy’s rotates through more than 100 handmade flavors, ranging from classics to quirky inventions like Avocado and Cinnamon. The old-fashioned shop has become a beloved college-town staple thanks to generous portions and playful creativity.

Kentucky: Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

A waffle bowl filled with scoops of ice cream, topped with a layer of toasted marshmallow, served in a clear plastic container with a white plastic spoon.
Karilee Bingham/Google

Lexington

Crank & Boom began inside a Thai restaurant before exploding into one of Kentucky’s most celebrated dessert brands. Their globally inspired flavors include Bourbon & Honey, Blueberry Lime Cheesecake, and Thai Tea, blending Southern ingredients with international influences.

Louisiana: Creole Creamery

Two glass dishes on a red textured table: one holds a banana split with whipped cream, sprinkles, fruit, and a cherry; the other has a sundae with cream, sprinkles, fruit, and a cherry on top.

Alan Babiliński/Google

New Orleans

Creole Creamery captures New Orleans flavor in frozen form with inventive scoops like Creole Cream Cheese, Bananas Foster, and Café au Lait. The shop embraces the city’s eccentric personality, even hosting a yearly ice cream-eating championship.

Maine: Rococo Artisan Ice Cream

A partially eaten baked Alaska dessert with layers of cake, ice cream, and meringue sits on a textured pink plate beside a gold spoon.
Laura Hamilton/Google

Kennebunkport

Rococo Artisan Ice Cream specializes in adventurous gourmet flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry Chambord and Burnt Honey & Hay. The small coastal shop has earned national praise for pushing ice cream into fine-dining territory without losing its fun personality.

Maryland: The Charmery

Two hands hold cups of ice cream with colorful spoons in front of The Charmery ice cream shop, which has a striped blue-and-white sign and a "Black Lives Matter" sign in the window.
Tracy Li/Google

Baltimore

The Charmery celebrates Baltimore culture through whimsical flavors inspired by local traditions and desserts. Their menu frequently includes Maryland-themed creations alongside crowd favorites like Old Bay Caramel and Cereal Milk.

Massachusetts: Toscanini’s

A hand with green painted nails holds a cup of chocolate ice cream inside a modern, brightly lit ice cream shop with wooden accents and blurred people in the background.
Yu-Hsuan Chen/Google

Cambridge

Toscanini’s has repeatedly been called one of America’s best ice cream shops thanks to dense, intensely flavorful scoops and quirky flavor combinations. Burnt Caramel became so beloved that it helped define the shop’s legendary reputation.

Michigan: Moomers Homemade Ice Cream

A banana split dessert with three scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and three cherries served in a glass dish on a silver tray. A spoon and a blue speaker are nearby.
Gavin Dernar/Google

Traverse City

Moomers uses dairy from its own family farm to create exceptionally fresh ice cream in Northern Michigan. Flavors like Cherries Moobilee celebrate the state’s famous produce while helping the shop consistently rank among America’s best scoop shops.

Minnesota: Sebastian Joe’s

A hand holding a partially-eaten sandwich with pink ice cream filling, wrapped in brown paper, with a concrete sidewalk in the background.
Anand/Google

Minneapolis

Sebastian Joe’s has been a Minneapolis institution for decades, beloved for handmade waffle cones and rich flavors like Raspberry Chocolate Chip. The cozy neighborhood atmosphere gives it an old-school charm locals fiercely defend.

Mississippi: Area 51 Ice Cream

Two servings of ice cream sit on a wooden table—one in a white cup, the other in a waffle bowl. A sticker with "AREA51 ICE" and a green alien logo is in front, with a gaming device and shirt partially visible in the background.
Sarah Bobbitt/Google

Hernando

Area 51 Ice Cream embraces playful sci-fi themes while serving creative homemade flavors packed with candy, cookies, and unusual mix-ins. The quirky branding and over-the-top creations make it one of Mississippi’s most memorable dessert stops.

Missouri: Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery

Four cups of ice cream in different flavors sit on a round white table, with two people—one in a cream sweater—reaching for their cups with plastic spoons. The setting appears to be indoors with wooden walls.
Mark Shanks/Google

Multiple locations

Clementine’s became famous for “naughty” boozy flavors like Maple Bourbon with Salted Candied Pecans alongside alcohol-free options. The shop’s inventive approach and ultra-creamy texture helped it earn national recognition.

Montana: Sweet Peaks Ice Cream

A cup of chocolate ice cream topped with chocolate chips and chocolate syrup, with a black plastic spoon, sits on a dark, glossy table.
Chris S./Google

Whitefish

Sweet Peaks highlights Montana ingredients with flavors inspired by the Rocky Mountains and regional produce. Huckleberry remains the star attraction, giving visitors a distinctly Montana dessert experience.

Nebraska: Coneflower Creamery

Three cups of ice cream with different flavors are placed side by side on a wooden table, each with a white plastic spoon. A brick wall is in the background.
Matt Bier

Omaha

Coneflower Creamery makes small-batch ice cream using local dairy and farm-fresh ingredients whenever possible. Their flavors lean simple but exceptionally well-executed, with Honey Lavender and Brown Butter Almond Brittle standing out.

Nevada: Luv-It Frozen Custard

Two clear plastic cups filled with swirled yellow soft serve ice cream are placed side by side on a metallic surface, against a reflective metallic background.
Eduardo Santos/Google

Las Vegas

Luv-It Frozen Custard has survived decades on the Las Vegas Strip by sticking to rich, ultra-creamy frozen custard and nostalgic charm. The shop’s famous Western Sundae remains a local favorite long after many flashy Vegas trends faded away.

New Hampshire: Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream

Three people hold cups of ice cream with plastic spoons; one cup has an upside-down cone on top. The ice cream flavors appear to be shades of brown and purple. The background features wooden paneling.
Ray B./Google

Portsmouth

Annabelle’s serves handmade ice cream with inventive seasonal flavors in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Their small-batch approach and fresh ingredients have made it one of New England’s most consistently beloved scoop shops.

New Jersey: Torico Homemade Ice Cream

Two cups of colorful ice cream sit on a marble table, each cup filled with three generous scoops in flavors like purple, tan, and swirled white with dark streaks. The background shows a checkered floor and blurred people.
Sameer Bhanushali/Google

Jersey City

Torico stands out for globally inspired flavors reflecting Jersey City’s diversity. The family-owned shop serves everything from Lychee and Mango to classic Italian-inspired flavors, all with an incredibly smooth texture.

New Mexico: La Lecheria

A hand holds a white cup filled with a scoop of light green ice cream. The background shows a sidewalk and a red-painted curb.
Lars Hansen/Google

Albuquerque

La Lecheria specializes in small-batch artisanal ice cream with bold Southwestern flavors. Blue Corn, Lavender, and Mexican Chocolate help the shop stand apart from more traditional scoop parlors.

New York: Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Three people hold ice cream cups with colorful scoops, including green and purple flavors, and white spoons. They are standing outside on a paved area, dressed in casual clothes.
July/Google

New York

Il Laboratorio del Gelato transforms traditional gelato into a culinary experiment with intensely bold flavors and silky, ultra-rich textures. The industrial-chic Lower East Side shop built a cult following for inventive options like Black Sesame, Honey Lavender, and Thai Chili Chocolate, offering the same boundary-pushing creativity that made Morgenstern’s a New York dessert icon.

North Carolina: Two Roosters Ice Cream

Six scoops of various flavors of ice cream are served in a blue cardboard container, placed on a wooden table with a napkin in the background.
alex maldonado/Google

Multiple locations

Two Roosters rotates inventive weekly flavors inspired by Southern desserts, breakfast foods, and local ingredients. Creative combinations like Honey Cornbread and Saigon Coffee keep fans checking the menu constantly.

North Dakota: Pride Dairy

A close-up of a sundae in a white foam cup, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, crushed potato chips, and a cherry, with a white plastic spoon inserted. The background shows a window with blinds.

Teresa M./Google

Multiple locations

Pride Dairy has operated for generations and remains famous for rich homemade ice cream served in enormous portions. The old-school dairy-bar atmosphere gives the place a nostalgic feel many modern shops can’t replicate.

Ohio: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

A small paper bowl with two scoops of ice cream—one purple, one white with mix-ins—a waffle cone piece, and a white spoon, sits on a wooden table. A napkin with text is partially visible beneath the bowl.
Raphy W./Google

Multiple locations

Jeni’s helped spark America’s artisanal ice cream boom with bold flavors like Brambleberry Crisp and Goat Cheese with Red Cherries. The brand’s obsession with texture and ingredient quality made it nationally famous.

Oklahoma: Boom Town Creamery

A tray holding six scoops of assorted ice cream flavors is in focus, with a neon sign in the background reading "Ice cream is always the answer." The setting appears to be inside an ice cream shop.
May T./Google

Oklahoma City

Boom Town Creamery specializes in over-the-top flavors inspired by childhood treats and local favorites. The colorful shop constantly experiments with wild combinations while maintaining exceptionally creamy ice cream.

Oregon: Salt & Straw

Four small glass bowls of different ice cream flavors are lined up on a wooden board, each with a metal spoon. The setting is a wooden table, and there are waffle pieces and people in the background.
Jacob Perman/Google

Multiple locations

Salt & Straw built a national reputation thanks to wildly imaginative flavors inspired by chefs, local farms, and seasonal ingredients. Limited-time menus can include everything from pear blue cheese to Thanksgiving turkey flavors.

Pennsylvania: Penn State Berkey Creamery

A small white cup filled with scoops of chocolate ice cream, with two black plastic spoons sticking into it, placed on a metal counter next to a power outlet and a blue wall.
Balaji Kandasamy (Bala)/Google

University Park

The Berkey Creamery has served legendary ice cream made by Penn State’s dairy program for more than 150 years. Alumni and visitors obsess over flavors like Peachy Paterno and Death by Chocolate.

Rhode Island: Brickley’s Ice Cream

Two green cups of Brickley’s Ice Cream on a wooden ledge; the left cup has vanilla ice cream with colorful sprinkles, and the right cup has a plain scoop, likely a different flavor.
Alex/Google

Narragansett

Brickley’s keeps things simple with homemade ice cream packed with fresh ingredients and generous mix-ins. Long summer lines are common as locals flock to favorites like Coffee Oreo and Black Raspberry.

South Carolina: Sweet Cream Co.

Columbia

Walk into this beloved ice cream shop in Columbia and you’ll be greeted with the scents of freshly-made waffle cones, award-winning coffee, and gourmet hot cocoa. But it’s the ice cream you’ll want to try first, with flavors that range from loaded brownie to peach to whiskey pecan.

South Dakota: Armadillos Ice Cream Shoppe

Two people holding ice cream sundaes in clear cups; one sundae has gummy worms and chocolate sauce, the other has chocolate sauce and chopped nuts. Both have spoons and are on a blue tabletop.
Mercedes/Google

Rapid City

Armadillos combines quirky roadside charm with huge homemade waffle cones and creamy handcrafted ice cream. Visitors heading toward Mount Rushmore often make it a mandatory stop.

Tennessee: Mike’s Ice Cream

A banana split sundae with three scoops of ice cream, topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry on each scoop, served in a clear dish on a dark countertop.
Latif/Google

Nashville

Mike’s Ice Cream is famous for blending soft serve with fresh fruit and colorful toppings right before your eyes. Located in downtown Nashville, it has become a beloved late-night stop for tourists and locals alike.

Texas: Amy’s Ice Creams

Two cups of Amy’s Ice Creams on a green table—one in an orange cup with vanilla and cookie mix-ins, and one in a purple cup with strawberry ice cream. Both have white plastic spoons. A bag is in the background.
Ross/Google

Multiple locations

Amy’s became iconic for hand-tossed scoops, eccentric staff performances, and endless flavor creativity. Mexican Vanilla remains the signature flavor, but rotating seasonal inventions keep the menu exciting.

Utah: Rockwell Ice Cream

A bowl with two scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate and berry sauces, served over a brownie, placed on a wooden table near a window.
Pace McPulloch/Google

Provo and Salt Lake City

Rockwell specializes in decadent dessert-inspired flavors like Nutella Love and Honeycomb Crunch. The thick, creamy texture and over-the-top mix-ins helped it explode in popularity throughout Utah.

Vermont: Ben & Jerry’s

Two people hold cups of ice cream inside a brightly colored Ben & Jerry's shop, with customers seated and a large mural featuring the Ben & Jerry's logo on the wall in the background.
Rebecca L./Google

Multiple locations

Ben & Jerry’s transformed from a small Vermont scoop shop into a global ice cream empire without losing its quirky personality. Visitors still flock to the original factory for chunky flavors and the famous Flavor Graveyard.

Virginia: Carl’s Frozen Custard

Two cups of soft serve ice cream sit on a dark car seat. The left cup has plain ice cream with a white spoon, and the right cup is topped with walnuts and syrup. Both cups are placed on napkins.
Smash Mali/Google

Fredericksburg

Carl’s has served frozen custard from the same retro roadside stand since 1947. The menu barely changed over the decades, but locals insist the rich vanilla custard is perfection exactly as it is.

Washington: Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream

A cup labeled "ICE CREAM" filled with chocolate ice cream, nuts, and a cherry sits on a wooden counter inside an ice cream shop. The interior features shelves, cups, a pint freezer, and colorful wall art.
Greene/Google

Multiple locations

Molly Moon’s focuses on locally sourced ingredients and Pacific Northwest-inspired flavors like Honey Lavender and Earl Grey. The shop also became known for community activism and sustainable sourcing practices.

West Virginia: Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream

A close-up of a cup of cookies and cream ice cream with chocolate cookie chunks, served in a white paper cup with a black plastic spoon on a wooden table.
Kate Swafford/Google

Charleston

Ellen’s serves rich homemade ice cream in classic and creative flavors, earning loyal fans throughout West Virginia. The shop’s small-town charm and generous portions help it stand out in the state’s dessert scene.

Wisconsin: Purple Door Ice Cream

A bowl with three scoops of ice cream in different flavors, a small upside-down ice cream cone placed in the center, and a white plastic spoon on the right side.
RBG/Google

Milwaukee

Purple Door experiments with unusual flavors like Whiskey, Lemon Cardamom, and Goat Cheese while still honoring Wisconsin dairy traditions. The shop’s inventive spirit made it a favorite among adventurous eaters.

Wyoming: Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream

Two hands hold ice cream cones in front of a green and yellow building with a sign that reads "Organic Sweets." The sky is cloudy, and colorful lights decorate the storefront.

ShackD cruz/Google

Jackson

Moo’s attracts visitors with gourmet mountain-inspired flavors like Wyoming Whiskey and Huckleberry. Located near Grand Teton National Park, it became a must-stop dessert destination for travelers exploring Wyoming.

Meet the Writer


Julieta Simone

Julieta Simone is a journalism graduate with experience in translation, writing, editing, and transcription across corporate and creative environments. She has worked with brands including Huggies and Caterpillar (CAT), and has contributed to editorial and research projects in the healthcare and entertainment industries.