50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Windsor Heights

“It’s nothing fancy, but the ice-cream is always delicious. I like that there’s always new flavors but often your tried and true are always there. We really like the ice cream pizzas for birthdays. I like that I can pick up a quart to bring home too. Don’t expect frills. Just good ice cream.“

“The girls at Sweet Swirls today were so accommodating! We brought in, from Rock Creek, 12 residents in at once. They listened, took their time, and made sure every order was right. We appreciate it so much!“

“Delicious, locally owned and operated. Remembers their customers and are always gracious and welcoming. Way better than any other ice cream shop.“

“We stopped by Al's for the first time last night, and while it was a bit out of our way, it was absolutely worth the drive! The drive thru was packed,(good for the business!) but surprisingly, the line went fast. The service was great and the ice cream was phenomenal and fairly priced! We will definitely be back.“

“I love this place so much!! The ice cream is always fresh and delicious. I know the owners because I use to have their kids in daycare and they are such a sweet family. Definitely my favorite ice cream shop in the area!“

“Fun gathering place with great summer treats!“

“Ordering your paleta at Monarca is an adventure. The options are endless and you can’t go wrong with any choice. I’m officially addicted to their strawberry cheesecake dipped in white chocolate and rolled in graham crackers. Yum!“

“Great little place. Fun selections and very tidy.“

“This is the BEST place in Ankeny for ice cream! It’s all homemade, friendly staff and such a cute place!“

“Nice variety of ice cream flavors with many non dairy, GF, and vegan options. Their cake was absolutely delicious. Nice clean and spacious store front and great customer service!“

“Best ice cream in the Des Moines area.“

“The ice cream tastes sooo good!! Our whole family loves it. We usually have a gallon or two in our freezer.“

“This place is amazing! The flavors were all so delicious I could hardly pick one! 😋“

“This place is the best i honestly can’t believe ive never heard of this place before, my car broke down on the side of the road due to a popped tire, this girl with glasses waiting outside to clock in walked out of her own car to lend me a hand and completely changed my tire on her own in return i offered her 80 bucks but she said no and it was just a kind gesture i went inside got a couple of snacks for my nicks and the food is just so amazing they can’t stop eating it.“

“Had an awesome first visit!! I had the Dole Whip & my son had a Pina Colada shake. Both were delicious!!! 🍍 What a great spot!!“

“We submitted a large order for a 500+ person annual event--very impressed with the communication, professionalism, and high-quality of the chocolate, personalized with our logo and packaged as gifts, for our guests. Chocolaterie Stam will definitely top of our list for future gifts as a special treat!“

“Crumbl never disappoints! The cookies are always fresh, soft, and packed with flavor. I love the rotating weekly menu because there’s always something new to try. The staff is friendly, the store is clean, and the ordering process is quick and easy. Whether you’re treating yourself or bringing cookies to a gathering, Crumbl is always a hit. Highly recommend for anyone with a sweet tooth!“

“I have come to this location many times and the employees are always very friendly and efficient!! The only downside to this crumbl bakery would be the location it is in such a bad spot and the parking is always super busy and very tight. I’ve almost been hit multiple times by people parking basically on top of my car.“

“We loved having Outside Scoop as a vendor at our event! They were friendly, professional, and their ice cream was a favorite with attendees of all ages. A great addition to the event—we’d happily welcome them back anytime! 🍦😊“

“Had kpop demon hunters ice cream. 1 scoop demon marks. 1 scoop Jinu greater Rumi. Another person in my party had the Soda pop flavor.“

“SO good I got the pecan hot chocolate + the chicken tamales with the salsa verde. 11/10 seriously! I can’t wait to come back and try the ice cream!🥰🖤“

“Hubby and I decided to take a getaway weekend to Des Moines, Iowa. We stumbled upon Mollys frozen!! The cookie ice cream sandwich was outstanding!!! Hubby has the lemon cheesecake ice cream! He said 5 stars!!! Thanks for having us Iowa!! The root beer was so refreshing !!“

“Service and product was exceptional! I tried the lavender latte which was fantastic and well prepared by the barista. Chocolate is also very tasty here.“

“A special place to create great memories 🍦🍨“

“Ice cream was excellent as always!!“

“Bullseye because this place doesn’t miss! Had a craving for fried chicken and decided to grab some fried fish as well. Not a lot of talking over dinner tonight, just lip-smacking and humming some negro spirituals! There was a little glitch with the phone ordering and had to wait a little longer than expected due to the dinner rush, but hey, it was so worth it in the end. Price was right, portions were sufficient and the food was hot n ready. Wings, fish, greens, mac n cheese, and sweet potatoes!!“

“Vegan menu! Tortas were soft and delicious and the nachos were the best I ever had!“

“As Senator Grassley says, it's a good place for u kno what. I agree.“

“SO good I got the pecan hot chocolate + the chicken tamales with the salsa verde. 11/10 seriously! I can’t wait to come back and try the ice cream!🥰🖤“

“They have the best coffee and yummy food!!“

“The lady that works there is very nice and I like the Facebook deals they offer.“

“because the Ice cream is the best 👌 🍦🍦“

“8 Degrees Cafe & Boba is a trendy and casual bubble tea café that offers a fun, relaxed spot for drinks, light snacks, and social hangouts, especially for students, young adults, and anyone who enjoys boba culture. The café has a modern, laid-back vibe that makes it a comfortable place to sit, chat, or grab a quick drink while spending time in the area.
One of the strongest aspects of 8 Degrees Cafe & Boba is its drink variety. The menu includes a wide selection of bubble tea flavors, fruit teas, milk teas, slushes, and specialty drinks, giving customers plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer classic milk tea with tapioca pearls, fruit-based refreshing drinks, or more creative specialty combinations, there is usually something that fits different taste preferences. The customization options for sweetness levels and ice levels also add flexibility, which is a big plus for boba lovers.
The taste of the drinks is generally enjoyable and refreshing. Many of the milk teas are smooth and flavorful, and the fruit teas have a light, refreshing quality that works well for casual drinking. The boba pearls are typically soft and chewy, providing the right texture that fans of bubble tea expect. While not necessarily the most premium or high-end boba experience available, it delivers a satisfying and consistent quality that works well for everyday visits.
Another positive feature is the atmosphere of the café. The space feels modern, clean, and designed for casual social visits. It is the kind of place where people can sit with friends, study, or relax with a drink without feeling rushed. The environment is generally calm and welcoming, making it appealing for both quick takeout orders and longer stays.
Customer service is usually friendly and approachable. Staff members are generally helpful when explaining menu items or assisting first-time boba customers. Orders are prepared in a reasonable amount of time, and the overall service experience is smooth and efficient during normal hours.
However, there are a few areas where the café could improve. During busy times, wait times can increase, and the service flow may feel slightly slower than expected. Some drinks may also feel inconsistent in flavor strength depending on preparation, which is common in many bubble tea shops but still noticeable here.
Pricing is fair for the type of drinks offered, though some specialty items may feel slightly higher compared to basic options. Overall, the value is reasonable considering the portion sizes and customization options.
Overall, 8 Degrees Cafe & Boba is a solid and enjoyable bubble tea shop that offers a wide drink selection, a relaxed atmosphere, and generally good-quality boba drinks. While there are occasional inconsistencies in speed and flavor balance, it remains a popular and comfortable spot for bubble tea lovers looking for a casual and social café experience.“

“10/10 kids loved it and the workers make it just that much better!“

“Vegan menu! Tortas were soft and delicious and the nachos were the best I ever had!“

“Favorite coffee spot in Iowa!“

“Large catered pizza order arrived hot & fresh, a couple minutes early and was enjoyed by all! Thank you!“

“fast food. great service.“

“Friendly staff, great hours, solid treats.
I was happy to have a clean, well lit, well staffed, fully stocked DQ that is open late.
I see the bad reviews and hope to never have such an experience, but I would return to this location any time.“

“amazing chill atmosphere as well as staff. The food is great. I actually cried on my way home from the genuin kindness the cashier showed me on a hard day. 10/10 recommend. the iced coffee and Americono are my go to. My bf likes the espresso. WHO EVER WORKED TONIGHT THANK YOU!!!“

“Menchie's Frozen yogurt is a great treat. I like that it has no preservatives and no additives. It has a great variety of flavors. I'm so glad I found a good frozen yogurt place. I also love the friendly staff.“

“Cute froyo shop, good place for a fun treat. Lots of variety with toppings and flavors, staff was friendly, store was clean. Came in right before close and felt bad about coming in when they were ready to close shop but the workers didn’t rush me and were super helpful. I would like to see more machines working at a time, a few were out of order. Other than that it is a nice place and I would definitely recommend. Overall, the shop has a fun atmosphere and great service. Will be visiting again next time I’m in the area.“

“Great service. We were asked if we qualify for the senior discount. No one had ever asked us that before. We do. So, received a 10% discount. The blizzards were good but looks like the medium size is not as big as in the past. Not surprising

Parking: No problem this time.“

“Great custom service and such an awesome atmosphere“

“My 50th birthday is coming up and my favorite ice cream is a seasonal flavor at BR, but there aren't any close to us anymore. I had to come to the DSM area for an outpatient surgery. I was able to call the day before and ask them to pack up some of that flavor so I could put it in the freezer until my birthday. When I was there yesterday, the owners were so kind and gracious and I was pleasantly surprised to unpack the ice cream at home to find that the female employee, who packed up my ice cream after taking my call-in order, had written a personal birthday message on my packed ice cream! That above-and-beyond customer service is pretty rare these days in Iowa, sadly, and I can appreciate that as both a customer and as the former owner of a store. THANK YOU.“

“Are you keeping Cherry Dip Cones? since you are a franchise?“

“We have nothing but good comments about the food, desserts and staff. We enjoy all sandwiches and love the fries. Staff are very friendly and courteous. We keep returning 🩷“

“People are great. Drive thru is fast.“

“My favorite place to hang out with a friend and grab healthy refreshments or a nice cup of kava. Great ambience, super high ceilings. The owners and the staff are really nice. Sometimes there can be a huge rush of people and they turn up the efficiency so words get concise, but they get the orders out as quickly as they can and that's all that really matters to me. My friends and are are usually catching up on our lives as we wait. Highly recommend if you're looking for a healthy spot to socialize, do some work or study for a class. I love this place as it was born as an extension of the top Natural Health clinic in the Des Moines area. I highly recommend coming here if you are in the area. For all the haters on here... they probably needed more kava in them... it's from an herb that has helped many people calm their anxiety. Just ask the oceanic islanders who drink it before any type of mediation.“

“Fabulous!! Great service! Food was yummy, hot and fresh!“