The Best Ice Cream Shops in the City of Philadelphia

Arctic Scoop

This shop serves unique flavors of ice cream in warm Hong Kong-style egg waffles and Thai-inspired coconut bowls. Frozen treats are also served in cones with flavors such as orange creamsicle, dark chocolate, green tea matcha, pink vanilla, and red velvet. 

Bassetts Ice Cream Philadelphia

Known as America's oldest ice cream company, Bassetts Ice Cream is a fifth-generation business located in Reading Terminal Market, providing customers with its world famous ice cream treats. In addition to classic vanilla and chocolate, popular flavors include birthday cake, cinnamon, salted caramel pretzel, green tea, and Guatemalan ripple. Seasonal flavors include egg nog and pumpkin.

C & C Creamery

Open every day of the week, this ice cream shop has homemade, hand-dipped, ice cream, but it also offers water ice, hand-dipped yogurt, and soft-serve ice cream. Plus, patrons can select from oodles of toppings and candies. Yum.

Cloud Cups

Cloud Cups offers a rotating selection of 36 gelato and sorbet flavors from 150 tested options, with in-house waffle cones in various flavors. Choices include traditional and experimental sorbets, gelatos, and non-dairy/vegan gelatos like passion fruit, brown sugar cinnamon pop tart, and pistachio with saffron and rose water.

Fairmount Flavors

Fairmount Flavors also boasts a large menu of cold treats, including Italian ice (water ice), soft-serve and hard ice creams, gelato, and more. Patrons can satisfy a frozen treat craving at nearly any moment since the store is open every day of the week until 11 pm.

Jeni's Ice Creams

Families will love Jeni's ice cream for the fun and unique ice cream and sorbet flavors including snow cone, burnt orange creamsicle, sparkling cherry pie, and more. Jeni's is located in the heart of Fishtown and open every day until 11 pm.

Scoop DeVille

"Life is short... eat dessert first." And at Scoop DeVille, you call the shots. Choose your base and mix-ins and get a custom flavor created just for you. Plus, there are pick up and delivery options, including extended delivery reaching 60 miles outside of the city. A new South Philly location is said to be opening soon.

Somerset Splits

Enjoy some nostalgia at Somerset Splits. Located in Port Richmond, and at the Spruce Street Harbor Park, this ice cream shop serves treats, scoops, shakes, and original sundaes all summer long. Stop by to try an old fashioned banana split, or a more modern Cotton Candy Crunch version.

Surreal Creamery

Surreal Creamery is a popular dessert spot known for its unique ice cream creations and bubble tea floats served in mason jars. With vibrant and whimsical designs, it's a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth looking for an Instagram-worthy treat.

Sweet Charlie's

Known as Philadelphia's first hand-rolled ice cream shop, Sweet Charlie's makes its frozen treats right before your eyes. Patrons can select from among 11 delicious flavors to make combinations such as Off Duty, featuring coffee and donuts; Monkey See Monkey Do, with nutella and bananas; and Love Park, which has chocolate, pretzels, and peanut butter. There are locations throughout the country and we are fortunate to have two shops right in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Franklin Fountain

This old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda shop offers customers a walk down memory lane as well as refreshing desserts. The Franklin Fountain is especially known for its ice cream sodas. This shop's window is open for walk-up customers, but patrons can also order online for pickup or delivery. Cash and credit are accepted.

Weckerly's Ice Cream

A husband-and-wife team is behind Weckerly's exquisite ice cream. Now with locations in Fishtown and West Philly, customers can expect freshly prepared ice cream and new flavors weekly. Weekend specials are regularly offered. Weckerly's famous ice cream sandwiches are available at many locations throughout the city such as DiBruno Brothers, Green Line Cafe, and Lil Pop Shop. Out in the suburbs? You can find Weckerly's in select stores such as Kimberton Whole Foods.

Zsa's Ice Cream

From Thursday through Sunday, Zsa's Ice Cream is open for pickup or walk-up orders. Patrons can enjoy pints of specialty ice creams such as funfetii cake, sweet cream vanilla bean, and buttered brown sugar peach. Sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, and DIY cones round out the menu.

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Dairy Delite — Levittown

Located near Sesame Place, this is a good spot to stop for a refreshing treat. New flavors such as hand-dipped caramel pretzel or soft-serve lime, and vanilla twist can be found on the menu. Patrons report large servings provide good value. 

Moo Hope Ice Cream — New Hope

Located in the heart of New Hope, Moo Hope Ice Cream makes all of its ice cream, water ice, and yogurt on the premises. This family-run business aims to please with weekly updates to its flavors. With indoor and outdoor seating available, this cute shop is worth the trip! 

 
Delight in a fudgy scoop of organic ice cream from OwowCow Creamery. Photo courtesy of OwowCow

OwowCow Creamery — Chalfont, Easton, Ottsville, Wrightstown, Lambertville, NJ

This organic ice cream shop features a variety of unique flavors, including 12 signature core options such as cashew caramel, cookie monstah, honey lavender, and "I Hate Chocolate."

Zebra-Striped Whale — Newtown

A family-run business, Zebra-Striped Whale has both ice cream treats such as shakes and floats as well as coffee delights. Celebrating a birthday? Custom cake orders can be placed and you can even rent out the place for a party.

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D'Ascenzo's Gelato —West Chester

With 24 flavors, such as butter cookie, stracciatella, mocha espresso, and caramel sea salt, made fresh daily with locally sourced ingredients, patrons might struggle with what type of ice cream to chose. A husband-and-wife team are behind this business, which has been serving up frozen treats for 10 years.Vegan options are also available.

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt — Berwyn

What started out as a young couple serving ice cream at a gas station in Ohio has blossomed into a franchise with a shop in Berwyn. With classic sundaes, four-scoop samplers, Handel's Hurricane, and smoothies, there is something delicious for everyone in the family. Ice cream is made fresh daily. You can place your order online in advance so it is ready when you arrive.

La Chispa Creamery — West Grove 

Right off Route 1, ice cream lovers can find this little shop filled with decadent frozen treats. The menu features chilled desserts such as vanilla bean creme brulee and coconut rice pudding; coffees, smoothies, and freezes. But, patrons come for the signature shakes that are almost too beautiful to eat. Try the cookie monster, fruity pebbles, or toasted s'more. Delish!

La Michoacana Homemade Ice Cream — Kennett Square

Offering a variety of exotic flavors of ice cream, water ice, and popsicles, La Michoacana is open seven days a week. Sugar, regular, waffle, and pretzel cones are on the menu along with brain freezes, aka slushies, and Cazuelas, a sundae featuring three scoops of ice cream and five toppings. For something different, give the sweet corn ice cream and chili powder a try.

Scoops 'n' Smiles — Malvern, West Chester

Open year-round, and serving up tasty Pennsylvania Dutch ice cream, this family-owned business has two locations: one right on bustling King Street in downtown Malvern; and the other in the heart of West Chester.

The Station Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Shoppe — West Grove

Located near the railroad tracks and the Avon Grove Library in southern Chester County, this family-run business offers delicious hand-dipped ice cream with a variety of flavors and cones.

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Chill Out Ice Cream — Ridley Park

Voted favorite ice cream parlor from 2015 to 2020, Chill Out Ice Cream is the perfect place to, well... chill out. With more than 125 flavors of soft-serve ice cream, as well as water ice, and hand-dipped flavors, you'll have a hard time choosing. 

Crave Creamery — Springfield

Serving ice cream and gelato, there's no shortage of flavors to choose from at this yummy spot near the Springfield Mall. Open for takeout, this spot also offers water ice and smoothies.

Lu & Augs's — Ardmore

Lu and Ang's Ice Cream Shop offers a delightful array of ice cream flavors, donuts, cookies, coffee, and affogato. Their cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a favorite spot for families and ice cream lovers alike.

The Sugaree Ice Cream and Candy — Newtown Square/Wayne 

This ice cream shop features Bassets hand-dipped ice cream, Morrone's water ice, and soft-serve gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free options. This spot is known for novelty and nostalgic candies as well.

The Icebox Frozen Treats — Clifton Heights

The Icebox has so many flavors and toppings, it will be tough to decide what to get! Try one of their donut sundaes or fried oreos, or keep it simple with water ice, ice cream, or a gelati. Stick around to eat your treats and play some Connect 4 or tic-tac-toe.

Scooped Ice Cream — Media

Scooped Ice Cream is located right in the heart of Media and features hand crafted gourmet ice cream, gelato, espresso, and coffee. 

Vera's Water Ice and Ice Cream — Springfield

Vera's has been a Springfield tradition for 30 years. Featuring homemade water ice, Richman's ice cream, and Bernie's soft pretzels, there's something for everyone in this small corner shop. Vera's is cash only.

Richman's Ice Cream — Prospect Park

Richman's Ice Cream is one of the most popular ice cream brands in the area. Check out their location in Prospect Park for lots of sweet treats, as well as some savory ones! Try one of their specialty sundaes, a blaster, a waffle sundae, or a hand dipped cone.

Pop's Water Ice — Havertown

If you think Pop's only has water ice, think again. In addition to their delicious ice flavors, Pop's offers Popalanches, a blend of soft ice cream and candy, Popwiches, gelati shakes, milkshakes, and more.

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Freddy Hill Farms — Lansdale

Named "Best of Philly" by Philadelphia Magazine, Freddy Hill Farms provides customers with dipped ice cream, milkshakes, flurries, and ice cream cakes.  After getting some ice cream, be sure to check out the other activities at the farm like mini-golf and batting cages.

Merrymead Farms — Lansdale

Not only does Merrymead Farms offer delicious homemade ice cream, but you can also visit the farm animals while you're there. Say hello to Arnold the pig, the baby calves, sheep, and bunnies, then head on in to decide which of the 32 flavors of ice cream you'll choose!

Petrucci's — King of Prussia, Phoenixville

With a location in King of Prussia in Montgomery County and Phoenixville in Chester County, this spot makes the list for its classic offerings such as vanilla bean and butter pecan hand-dipped ice cream as well as its homemade water ice flavors such as bada bing cherry and Swedish Fish. Of course, floats and shakes are on the menu, too.

Scoops — Conshohocken

This ice cream shop is family-friendly and dog-friendly, too! Choose from ice cream treats or water ice, and enjoy the weather on one of its outdoor benches. Hit an ATM before you arrive as Scoops is cash-only.

Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe — Elkins Park

Open year-round, this traditional mom-and-pop ice cream shop offers flavors such as birthday cake, death by chocolate, salted caramel, and strawberry cheesecake. Sprinkles is cash-only and pet-friendly.

Sweet Briar Ice Cream and Cafe — Ambler

In addition to serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sweet Briar Ice Cream and Cafe is known for its refreshing ice cream offerings. For a healthy alternative, be sure to try one of its satisfying smoothies.

 
Zwahlen's offers more than just ice cream. Enjoy chocolate, cupcakes, and its signature chocolate-covered apples. Photo courtesy of Zwahlen's

Zwahlen's Ice Cream and Chocolate Co. — Audubon

This family-run business features two favorite products: ice cream AND chocolate. Each day, a different flavor is offered such as krispie treat or very chunky cherry. Guests can enjoy plenty of seating both indoors as well as outside on the patio, weather permitting. You will definitely want to grab one of their many flavors of chocolate-covered apples to take home.

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Ice Cream Delight —Wilmington

Decisions, decisions... there are more than 52 flavors from which to chose at Ice Cream Delight, appropriately located on Ice Cream Drive. There are even fat-free and sugar-free options.

Woodside Farm Creamery — Hockessin

Using milk from the farm's 30+ Jersey cows, Woodside Farm Creamery's ice cream is certainly a special treat. Guests can expect banana splits, milkshakes, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and even ice cream pies. 

Writer Nicole O'Donnell contributed to the 2024 update.