Choose from more than 50 flavors at Famous Italian Ices. Photo courtesy of the store

Best Water Ice Spots In and Around Philly 

Barone's Italian Water Ice and Ice Cream — Drexel Hill

Come to Barone's for a full slate of frozen treats: from water ice, to hand-dipped ice cream, to sundaes and banana splits. Think of it as boardwalk frozen treats, but in your back yard.

D’Emilio's Old World Ice Treats — South Philly

What started as a mobile business is now an East Passyunk storefront where Gramma D'Emilio's sorbetto recipe anchors the creative menu that changes frequently to include flavors like lychee watermelon or limeade. There's also your basic soft serve flavors for kiddos with less experimental taste.

Famous Italian Ices — Kensington

With over 50 flavors on the menu—think bubblegum, cotton candy twist, and sour patch mango—there’s something for every palate. And Famous Italian Ices must be good, with wholesale delivery all over the country.

Jimmy’s Water Ice — South Philly

Jimmy's walk-up window in South Philly has that signature Philly feel with classic flavors to match, like chocolate and cherry. Pretzels and frozen bananas are also always on the menu.

John’s Water Ice — South Philly

This South Philly third-generation-owned and operated location uses every parent's favorite—real fruit—in their homemade water ice. Operating since 1945, John’s also books their truck for events like birthday parties and fundraisers. John’s is open April through October. There's also a location in Huntingdon Valley.

Petrucci’s — King of Prussia and Phoenixville

If you’re doing some shopping in King of Prussia or strolling in downtown Phoenixville, hit up Petrucci’s. There are around 10 permanent flavors for those who enjoy the classics and another 10 rotating flavors for those who enjoy something new. They also serve hand-dipped ice cream, frozen yogurt, and no-sugar-added flavors.

Pop’s Homemade Water Ice — South Philly and Havertown

This summer marks 93 years since “Pop” started selling frozen treats in his South Philly neighborhood. Today, Pop’s has two locations, one where it all started in South Philly and the other in Havertown.

Rita’s — Various Locations

Even though you can now find a Rita’s in over 30 states, it all started in our very own Bensalem, PA. And now, it isn’t hard to find a local Rita’s pretty much anywhere. You know the deal: Italian ice, custard, gelati, blendini, misto shake, and more.

Rose’s Real Italian Ice — Roxborough

At Rose’s in Roxborough, you can find about 10 Italian ice flavors on any given day through September. Outside of the warm months, you can still find Joe, the owner, working 365 days a year on a breakfast menu and beyond.

Siddiq’s — West Philly and Chester

Winner of the “Ultimate Philly Frozen Treat,” even beating out ice cream and gelato venues, Siddiq’s in West Philly (with another location in Chester) is a must-try. The water ice here is made with 100% real fruit for a sweetness level that is just right.

Tranzilli’s Real Italian Water Ice — Germantown

In addition to its retail store, Tranzilli's boasts a wholesale operation that lets you know it's good. The family recipe was specifically designed to maintain a cold and tasty texture that withstood the heat for the factory workers Tranzilli's first served in 1969.

Vera's — Springfield

At this popular family-friendly place, favorites include homemade water ice, hand-scooped ice cream, soft serve, and fresh pretzels. Look for traditional flavors like lemon, blue raspberry, mango, and watermelon.

Yardley Ice House — Yardley

Flavors at Yardley Ice House include orange creamsicle, cappuccino, peanut butter bup, Mounds Bar lemon meringue, and peach cobbler. With these and many others (over 30 flavors, in fact), Yardley Ice House brings its customers ice with a twist; many of the options here are made with delicious ingredients, such as cookies, chocolate, custard, and more.

This article was updated in 2025 by writer Alyce Wilson.