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1. Sugar Hill Creamery – Multiple Locations

This mom-and-pop shop brings the "sweet life" of Harlem's past full circle, peddling spectacular scoops and a healthy helping of community engagement. It's infused itself into the fabric of the neighborhoods it calls home with inventive programming focused on building camaraderie with everything from new moms' groups to parents'-night-out babysitting, and even BYOB craft nights—all with a scoop of ice cream on the side.
Kids will love: Crafted in small batches, the flavors change regularly, though some consistent standouts include the Hello New World, a caramel ice cream with Vanilla Wafers, Oreos, and caramel swirls, and Chairperson of the Board, a blueberry cheesecake mashup masterpiece.
Adults should try: The seasonal flavors combine unique spices and flavors like spicy guava sauce in the Right Thing To Say, or crunchy turmeric and ginger candy in Tuma Buna.

2. Big Gay Ice Cream – Multiple Manhattan Locations

Founded as the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck in 2009, Big Gay Ice Cream now has a trio of Manhattan locations and a collection of pints you can find in stores. You'll find creamy, dreamy soft-serve and hard-packed ice cream here.
Kids will love: Its Dorothy flavor has become an iconic treat: dulce de leche-infused vanilla ice cream coated in Nilla Wafer crumbs for a tasty, textural, flavorful explosion.
Adults should try: Adults will love the Mermaid, fusing key lime pie flavors into an ice cream sundae.

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Malai's Indian-inspired ice cream flavors are unique and delicious! Photo by Diana Kim

3. Malai – Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

Malai, figuratively meaning cream of the crop, draws inspiration from South Asian ingredients, aromatic spices, and the founder's upbringing. The ice cream is eggless, handcrafted, and churned with very little air, resulting in purer, more robust flavors.
Kids will love: Having been there many times with kids, I can attest that kid favorites are Sweet Milk, Sweet Roti & Ghee, and Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds.
Adults should try: The flavors are unique and one-of-a-kind. Be adventurous and try flavors like Cardamom Pistachio Crumble, Golden Turmeric, or Sweet Corn Saffron.

4. Sedutto – Upper East Side

This Upper East Side ice cream shop has been around for more than 30 years and offers more than 40 flavors. There's regular ice cream, soft-serve ice cream, yogurt, frozen desserts, and cakes.
Kids will love: The traditional flavors are the draw here, but there are also flavors like Pirate Treasure and Apple Pie kids love.
Adults should try: Definitely try the wine ice cream and sorbet, which comes in flavors like Champagne and Ruby Port.

5. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory – Multiple Locations

A neighborhood staple, this shop has been churning out the sweet stuff since 1978. The original spot sits on Bayard Street in Chinatown, while outposts have since opened in Flushing and on the LES. Staying true to its heritage, this second-generation, family-run spot offers plenty of Asian-inspired flavors, like Green Tea, Red Bean, and Thai Iced Tea, as well as more traditional options.
Kids will love: Kids can choose from more traditional flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Oreo Cookie.
Adults should try: Try one of the more experimental flavors like Lychee Rose, Maple Bacon, or Banana Durian.

6. La Newyorkina – Red Hook, Brooklyn

This Mexican-style ice cream shop has one brick-and-mortar location but also operates some seasonal shops, so it's likely you're not far from a location. What is Mexican-style ice cream you ask? More similar in texture to gelato than the American version, it's got less fat and air thanks to the fact that it's churned by hand. La Newyorkina got its start selling paletas, Mexican-style ice pops, which can be found in 40 flavors in-store, too.
Kids will love: The Coconut and Passion Fruit ice pops are big hits among kids, especially in the summer.
Adults should try: Adults will like the bit of kick that comes the Mango Chili ice pops.

7. L'Albero Dei Gelati – Park Slope, Brooklyn

Italian gelato, pastries, and bakery items can all be had at this authentic Brooklyn scoop shop, located in the front window of a neighborhood-favorite restaurant. L'Albero Dei Gelati sources its ingredients from local purveyors and shies away from dyes, preservatives, and artificial flavors so each scoop is pure goodness. The menu changes weekly depending on what inspires the master gelato maker and the flavors don't all skew sweet, either.
Kids will love: The organic Chocolate gelato is an absolute must-try!
Adults should try: Savory options like Saffron and Olive Oil gelato pop up from time to time.

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Get a kiddie-size scoop of deliciousness or try a more decadent treat at Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. Photo by Sara Marentette

8. Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain – Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

This is a decidedly old-school spot, housed in a 1920s-era apothecary on Henry Street with a menu to match its roots. You'll find sit-down service with classics like egg creams and malted milkshakes, plus a rather impressive list of over-the-top sundaes.
Kids will love: For kids, pick from sundaes like Biscuit & Berries, or the BQE, a Rocky Road-inspired confection with marshmallows, chocolate ice cream, pecans, and whipped cream.
Adults should try: Consider ordering the 99 Problems: a sundae with a warm brownie base, topped with a double scoop of chocolate ice cream, covered in a shower of vanilla shake, and a dark chocolate shell. Whipped cream and a cherry on top complete the showstopper.

9. OddFellows Ice Cream – Multiple Locations

Born from the pregnancy cravings of one of the co-founders, OddFellows Ice Cream marches to the beat of its own drum. Like many of the shops on our list, ice cream is handcrafted in small batches, but OddFellows touts plenty of...well...odd flavors—more than 500.
Kids will love: Plenty of re-imagined classics like Sprinkles flavor and Peanut Butter S'mores that will appeal to kids.
Adults should try: Try one of the many unique flavors like Chorizo Caramel Swirl or Miso Cherry.

10. Ample Hills Creamery – Multiple Locations

We're longtime fans of this micro chain, which has grown within its home borough (and far beyond!). Expect to find artisanal flavors to please any palate.
Kids will love: Cotton Candy made with no artificial flavors and Chocolate Milk and Cookies with chunks of Oreos.
Adults should try: Cookie Au Lait combines Oreo cookies with a strong coffee ice cream, perfect for grown-up sensibilities.

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Van Leeuwen quickly became a favorite of many New Yorkers! Photo by Diana Kim

11. Van Leeuwen – Multiple Locations and Trucks

What began as one well-known yellow ice cream truck in 2008 has now expanded to a bi-coastal ice cream empire. Van Leeuwen was one of the first "artisan" scoops in NYC and continues to thrive with 28 NYC locations and counting. Classic flavors include the must-have Chocolate and Vanilla, but also the more inventive PB Marshmallow Crunch, Earl Gray Tea, and Honeycomb. All the treats are handcrafted in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, using just a few high-quality ingredients. Vegan ice cream is offered with a cashew-milk base. Seasonal flavors ensure there's always something new to try.
Kids will love: The Honeycomb and Black Cherry Chip are winners.
Adults should try: The Earl Gray has a unique flavor that adult palates appreciate.

12. Davey's Ice Cream – Manhattan and Brooklyn

Since opening his first location on the LES in 2013, David Yoo has expanded his frozen treat empire to include locations in Riis Park Beach and Greenpoint. On the menu is ice cream crafted with fresh milk from Hudson Valley cows, with bases pasteurized on-site to Yoo's exacting standards. Ingredients are regularly sourced from farmers markets and the menu is ever-changing, inspired by those finds and collaborations with Davey's neighbors. The shop also sells ice cream cakes and sandwiches.
Kids will love: Flavors like Nutella Chocolate Chip and Speculoos Chocolate Chip are mainstays for a reason.
Adults should try: The Strong Coffee is a bold flavor made with Birch Coffee beans.

13. Sundaes and Cones – East Village

Scooping up ice cream since 1991, and an East Village mainstay for more than 10 years, Sundaes and Cones offers flavors that run the gamut from classics like vanilla and chocolate to far more inventive concoctions.
Kids will love: When it makes its appearance on the summer menu, the Lavender flies out the door.
Adults should try: The Green Tea and Rose flavors draw rave reviews.

14. Morgenstern's – Greenwich Village and Lower East Side

Each ice cream recipe at Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream is developed by the owner, Nicholas Morgenstern, with the utmost attention to flavor and quality. His aim is to change the way people eat and think about ice cream, by developing new bold flavors and re-imagining the classics.
Kids will love: The classics are served with a nostalgic twist, like Circus Animals or Schoolyard Mint Chip, that's sure to satiate the kids.
Adults should try: Within the broader categories of Vanillas, Strawberries, Cookies, to name a few, you'll find flavors like Vanilla Matcha Rice, Yuzu Strawberry Riple, and Nutter Butters N' Jelly.

Originally published in 2010.