During these ridiculously hot days, we’re looking for fun ways to cool down, and ice cream may just be our favorite method. So we put together a list of our favorite ice cream spots we’ve tried or that have been recommended to us in the hopes it helps you beat the heat too!
Minneapolis
Bebe Zito: This shop is tied to the owners’ love story – both for each other and their mutual love of ice cream. In addition to ice cream, they serve burgers, shakes, ice cream cakes, and take-and-bake cookies. Locations: Uptown, Malcolm Yards, and Woodbury Lakes.
Dream Creamery: From the minds of Travail’s chef-owners, this spot serves up restaurant-inspired flavors and classic staples. Grab a smash burger, hot dog, or grilled cheese if you need a savory snack. Locations: Northeast and Lake Nokomis.
Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe: In addition to dairy, non-dairy, and vegan ice cream options, Fletcher’s has a generous bakery selection if you need a break from cold treats. Their cinnamon roll is especially popular.
Milkjam Creamery: Connected to World Street Kitchen, this spot serves up inventive ice cream flavors that rotate monthly.
Pumphouse Creamery: Do you know where your ice cream comes from? Well, you can at Pumphouse: each flavor lists the farm where every single ingredient was sourced.
St. Paul
2 Scoops Eatery: Grab a pizza, hot dog, or sandwich at this Black-owned eatery, in addition to one of their hand-crafted ice cream flavors for a full meal! The Blackberry Lemon Bar scoop is our current favorite.
Connie’s Creamy Cone: This sweet little stand serves up soft-serve in every way you can imagine: cones, dips, malts, shakes, floats, freezes, slushies, smoothies, sundaes and bars, oh my!
Grand Ole Creamery: This gem has been serving up some of the best waffle cones in the Twin Cities for 42 years. You can even skip the cone and just get your ice cream scooped on top of a waffle! Hand-packed pints are also available.
La Michoacana Monarca: In the mood for authentic Mexican flavors? Then check out this sweet spot’s menu for ice cream, handcrafted paletas, mangonadas, aguas frescas, churros and other snacks!
Nelli’s Ice Cream: The sister-restaurant to Stillwater’s historic Nelson’s Ice Cream, Nelli’s specializes in cookie ice cream sandwiches. Be warned: they’re MASSIVE!
Suburbs
A to Z Creamery (Hopkins): New flavors are released every Thursday in limited quantities, so you’ll need to pre-order early for pickup. Past drops include “Dad Bod,” “Butterfinger Effect,” and “Insta-GRAHAM-able.”
Adele’s Frozen Custard (Excelsior): Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, this local institution specializes in frozen custard and is conveniently right off the road (and even has its own drive-thru!) Be sure to check their Flavor Calendar: they make only 2 flavors a day.
Bebe Zito (Woodbury Lakes): Mentioned above in the Minneapolis group, this shop is tied to the owners’ love story – both for each other and their mutual love of ice cream. In addition to ice cream, they serve burgers, shakes, ice cream cakes, and take-and-bake cookies. Locations in Uptown, Malcolm Yards and Woodbury Lakes.
Sweet Science (Edina): This science-based outfit uses no artificial ingredients, and boasts that 96% of their flavors are gluten-free. Pints are available in most local grocery and co-op stores.
Indie Ice Cream at Home
Not feeling like braving the heat? We get it. These are some of our favorite brands to keep stocked in our freezers.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: With flavors like Brambleberry Crisp, Gooey Butter Cake, and Watermelon Taffy, you’ll think you opened an ice cream parlor in your freezer.
So Delicious: Our go-to for dairy-free desserts! With a range of dairy-free bases to choose from (cashew, oat, almond, coconut, and soy milks), you’re bound to find the right dessert for your mood. Or you can try our favorite, Cashewmilk Salted Caramel Clusters!
Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto: While no longer “indie,” this brand is one of our favorites for its straightforward ingredients and Argentine-style gelato-making method. They also have a wide range of dairy-free options in their sorbetto.
Van Leeuwen: The ice cream this team started selling out of a truck in New York in 2008 is now readily available in your freezer aisle. In addition to their pints, larger grocery stores often carry their ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches.
Did we miss any? Let us know, and we’ll share with the group. Stay cool out there!
