50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Winnetka

“We ate ice cream at multiple locations across Chicago and this one was an unexpected stop since we were touring locations from the filming of Home Alone... well, let me just say the ice cream is the BEST we've ever had... and we come from the land of Braum's, so that's saying a lot. The raspberry chip was my personal favorite, but our group tried multiple flavors and loved them ALL. We also tried iced coffee which was so-so - I'd recommend sticking to the ice cream. Go early and often!“

“Really good ice cream. Me and friends went here today since everything was closed and we thought this place would be mid.But, man this ice cream really is good. I would say it’s even on par with basking robins or prolly even way better than that. I would recommend the dark cherry and coconut scoops which was recommended to me by one of the employees. Also, I gotta say this is also the only place in Chicago that is very hospitable and service is amazing. The employees gave us many flavors to try before proceeding with our order.Vegetarian options: Vegan marshmallows“

“This place is amazing. The owner is extremely friendly and willing to share information about the coffee and food with no hesitation.I order an espresso every time, and I can full heartedly say that this is the BEST one in town. Not to mention the incredibly low price for the espresso. 2.49 for what I'd say is a triple shot is unbeatable. The coffee is from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee.Instead of going to larger chains, visit this cafe for a change! Supporting this little cafe goes a long way, definitely go give a try if you are in the area.“

“The decor was super cute! The service was very friendly and welcoming. They had many tables of two. The matcha latte was good, and I loved their bakery items. If you can't find a seat in here, there's public seating available outside. Great place for the summer. Definitely will be returning to try the ice cream!Parking: The cafe is hidden next to a restaurant. The street next to the cafe has free parking spaces since there's lots of stores and different restaurants. You can try to find parking there!“

“The place is cozy and welcoming, the aroma inside is divine. We went in for a quick to go order of freshly baklava and there were so many varieties.Husband and I will definitely be back to enjoy more than the desserts. A perfect place for a coffee date.“

“Cute spot for great frozen custard! I went with the OMG concrete which had peanut butter brownie pieces and hot fudge. It was good but got very rich towards the end (did not stop me from finishing though!). The custard itself was very creamy and had a great flavor. Will definitely be back to try more!“

“Exactly what you’d expect, and more. Amazing house-made gelato with unique flavors, and very quirky kids side shows! Very 80s retro vibe. Owner Jay is such a sweetheart. Adult shows are also really cool. Since 2 months ago, I’ve been coming here almost every weekend with my step kid. I’d just come here for good quality gelato but the entertainment is just cherry on top. Highly recommend. Definitely a great add-on to the neighborhood.Dietary restrictions: They have lots vegan options.Kid-friendliness: Very kids friendly. They have lots good flavors and kids shows.“

“This place has the most incredible crepes, both sweet and savory. The only bad part is choosing what to get. We always go way overboard and get a couple different ones to eat as a family, but you can't help it. It's all delicious.“

“The Oreo milkshake I fell in love since I'm an Oreo fan lover! I appreciate the workers there were giving me recommendations of different milkshakes. Will be coming back once the warm weather arrives to try out their refresher and smoothies.“

“Awesome little spot! My family and I stumbled over it just because it was a local spot which was just walking distance from where we live. Even though Ice cream can pretty much sell itself, this spot's customer service was on point. The lady helping us behind the counter was nice and helpful. Another guy came from around back to greet us and handed all 4 of my kids gum off the display rack. We all got ice cream or milkshakes, while I was waiting I noticed they had little Hispanic street food menu. I ended up ordering some "Elote" with Flaming Hot Cheetos. I would upload pictures, but I finished the elote before I could get home. We will definitively be back soon.“

“I was told this Dairy Queen was at this location for over 65 years and had that fantastic atmosphere for my day gone by. I enjoyed my ice cream treat and so did my wife and we were very happy coming to this location and we'll again. This location at a narrow parking lot in back because it was on a major corner but I no problem in parking or enjoying my Ice cream.“

“Today was my first time trying this place, and after seeing the reviews, i was just expecting a generally good burger. I was genuinely surprised by the PHENOMENAL burger and fries! The shake was good as well. This was honestly the best burger i've had in a really long time. I will definitely be eating here again. I hate doing reviews, but they deserve the praise.“

“I love this place and appreciate having an Italian bakery being near by. An authentic one serving lots of delicious baked item and Gelato /sorbetto,coffee. I was sad becaus3 a couple times I ordered some pasteri3s,they were old and also the Gelato and sorbetto were freezer burned. I guess I'll stick with the cannoli which is made fresh and probably in summer the Gelato will be fresher.“

“Went in a few days ago and was greeted by the owner who totally over-served my 2 kids in the best way possible. We ordered minis and he gave huge portions with lots of the toppings we ordered. You could see he did it because he thought it was fun and wanted to see my girls happy. That's a perfect local business, and one that serves up delicious treats alongside the excellent and warm service.“

“More than helpful on the different sweets,Cannoli's were delicious and made to order, fresh! Everyone friendly, took my order with a smile...and a cookie for my grandson! :)Kid-friendliness: Person who took my order offered my grandson a cookie, sweet.“

“The staff at Yogli Mogli are so sweet and so helpful. The yogurt was fresh and so delicious. I cannot rave more about this place. I plan on coming more often. 10/10 recommend! :)Kid-friendliness: The staff are so sweet towards kids and it’s such a kid friendly place!“

“"Hey everyone! I recently had the chance to try the strawberry ice cream at Rita's, and let me tell you, it was absolutely amazing! ?? The flavor was so rich and creamy, and you could really taste the freshness of the strawberries. The staff was super friendly and helped me pick the perfect flavor. If you're a fan of strawberry ice cream, you definitely need to give Rita's a try. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! ♥️“

“We love these cookies! The chocolate chip is always a family favorite but we like the fun of the variety too. Curbside or delivery service are a huge plus!Vegetarian options: Dessert!Parking: Huge lot. Dedicated spots for curbside service.Kid-friendliness: Nowhere to eat inside. But the flavors are always exciting for the kids. Especially the extras like shark gummies.“

“Amazing place. I suggest changing the name to the Michoacana Elite! I was amazed at how nice it looked compared to any other location I have visited. The food is fusion, and the samosa smash pizza was to die for. I highly recommend this place! Of course, the sweets are fantastic, “

“Excellent eating experience, the food was absolutely wonderful, from preparation to presentation, very pleasing, all staff are friendly, helpful and kind, We highly recommend..Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of our family during our visit to the Sauganash Grill.“

“I come here often, and the cookies & service is always exceptional.HOWEVER, I want to make note of my experience on Friday night of 2/23/2024. The staff that night provided the best service I've experienced anywhere in years. Their phenomenal energy and service always makes my visit memorable. The two working tonight are by far my favorite across the board. Boss, if you're seeing this, please give them the full raise! They're the best ?“

“The quality and variety seemed great. The cashier seemed distracted. The atmosphere was cramped at best, unmovable at times. Nice for a nice date night stop. Not so great for my kid, He felt rushed by other customers. Would recommend the melt aways. We had mint and likened them to juicy Andies mints.“

“This is the perfect place for family and friends to gather and for any reason to celebrate. The owners are so kind and it's such a cozy place to stay a while with board games and plenty of seating. They always have at least 2 dairy-free flavors too!Dietary restrictions: They always have at least two dairy-free flavors!“

“Taste is always great as the name stands for.Juice yummy burger patty and crunchy fries. Fruit smoothie is also yummy (must try berry smoothie)Parking: plenty of parking as well as drive thruKid-friendliness: They have kid meals with ice cream.Wheelchair accessibility: Easy to enter and exit the store for wheelchair users.“

“This is a great place to pick up a quick lunch. Prices are fair and I love that the soups constantly differ. Usually when I go I pick up a cold soup from the fridge as well! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad soup. Sandwiches are a bit lacking in my opinion. Ice cream is also amazing. Not the biggest space so I usually treat it as a grab and go more but there are a few tables available.“

“Our family loves C & W the restaurant, the ice cream and the pantry. The food is yummy - love the cheesesteak in particular. The owners The Weavers are amazing people who give back a TREMENDOUS amount to the Evanston community like holding walk up food pantries on a regular basis for those in need. A wonderful business to support!“

“I love this cafe so much u will always catch me here studying or having lunch w friends after school. The atmosphere is amazing I love the vibes and the setup it’s so earthy and peaceful. It gives studio ghibli cozy cafe and the food is super hearty and filling. Also love their drinks menu they have so many delicious drinks like milk teas, loose leaf tea, boba, smoothies, and milkshakes. Their deserts are also so good I will 100% reccomend this place.“

“We visited an ice cream shop for the first time in Park Ridge, and what an experience it turned out to be! The establishment boasts a modern and impeccably clean ambiance. The array of ice creams and donuts, coupled with a plethora of toppings, was truly impressive. Additionally, their menu offers a delightful selection of sundaes, shakes, and floats. Opting for two scoops each, we found it to be more than sufficient to satisfy our sweet cravings. If you find yourself in the area, I highly recommend paying this place a visit. The delicious flavors are definitely worth trying!“

“This place is soooo good! It’s currently almost February and I’m still patiently waiting for it to open back up. I’m basic so I usually get a mixed cone with butterscotch and girllll it’s bomb. My man’s got some sort of apple caramel sundae one time and oooooOoOoO, to die for!The absolute only thing I wish was different is the parking situation. If you go here, just park on the main road, don’t pull into the lot.The small town non-corporate vibes are fantastic, the service is quick and super friendly, the prices are sooo affordable. I usually spend less than $10 on 2 people. Everybody should absolutely bring your money here!Parking: The parking lot is extremely tight in space. There’s only about 10 spots in the parking lot itself. BUT just park on the main street and you’ll be fine.“

“A Chicago staple! This place gives authentic ice cream shop vibes and it's a great place to stop when I'm home in the summertime. Shop workers were quick and kind, and the place was pretty clean considering it had quite a few groups of people in there.I went with a classic Mint Chip and it hit the spot! The kids size is packed with ice cream, so save a couple dollars and get that instead of the small.“

“Yum, our first visit here in years and it was a treat. We used to frequent the long ago closed Village Creamery in Skokie years ago but never came here much for whatever reason and despite passing by frequently. I had a halo-halo shaved ice for $10.29. It was a colorful, flavorful, delicious, and satisfying treat. Besides the various content items, I also really particularly enjoyed the shaved ice, which with the frozen milk flavoring, was really more ice cream like than say the regular shaved ice that you might find in a Korean bingsoo treat. At $4.95 per scoop, the prices here are slightly elevated, but there are a lot of nice and exotic Filipino based Asian flavors. There is btw a 3.5% credit card charge here also, so bring cash if you want to save a little bit. This ice cream shop stop also had the same typical and uncanny customer traffic flow I've come to expect. It's totally empty one minute (like when we stepped in), and at any moment a herd will step in, and sure enough it happened again while we were here. It's also a smallish space here, so it doesn't take much of a herd to fill it up. It all makes for fun people watching while enjoying your treat. I will endeavor to return sooner than later next time around.“

“There’s no doubt that this is the best ice cream shop in the greater Chicagoland area, however the staff is what makes the experience much more worth it each time we come. We came in a few nights ago and were helped by the lovely manager Zelle, who made my little brother’s birthday 10x better by not only treating him to a delicious sundae with a fun candy face and lots of sprinkles, but served it with a beautiful smile! Her and other staff were having lots of fun behind the counter and engaging in jokes and conversation with my family. They really made us feel like we were old friends to them, like regulars that they’ve known their whole lives, something you really don’t see anymore. You would think that’s how every service worker would be while working in ice cream? Nope, only at this Graeter’s. Thank you Zelle and thank you Graeter’s team!“

“Beautiful Spot! So glad I finally got to stop in. It was really packed when we went, but the service was great. The flavors that I got definitely missed the mark and I wish I got/had more time to taste them before ordering, but I didn’t want to hold the line up.“

“The ice cream here is solid. I came with my husband and ordered a banana split with vanilla, strawberry, and one of the coffee flavors (the name slips my mind), but all of them were delicious. The ice cream was not icy, but it was hard-packed, and I wish it was softer. Also, I wish they had crushed peanuts as a topping, but they only had walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Overall, I would come again. I really liked the cheekiness of the decor and the names of some of the flavors. It's a chain, but it has a family feel. The owners were friendly, and the place was clean.“

“As far as fast food restaurants go, I would rank Culver's above McDonald's Burger King and Wendy's. Wendy's is closer and quality to this place though. But service is always quick as it can be as your food really is cooked fresh. Have yet to not get hot french fries and my food is always good to go. Prices are about the same as all of them. But on the overall their food is actually good. You won't see me getting snarky about this place, they're okay.“

“Usually, come here for my fruit water-based smoothy. Good flavor, and it's nice and cold. I still get it in the winter. Staff are great people. I usually see the same servers. The location is nice and clean. I haven't tried any of the food since I only come for drinks and ice cream. I'll try the food another time. I will continue to come back when I'm in the area.“

“It was a pretty decent dessert shop. Overall a 4.5. Great customer service. If you check in on Yelp, you get $1 off any size froyo bowl. Wide selection of drinks and froyo flavors. I got the strawberry mango real fruit drink with tapioca balls. 5/5. For the froyo I got a medium size with ube, lychee, and sea salt caramel pretzel. Ube flavor wasn’t very strong. Lychee was very refreshing. Sea salt caramel pretzel was very good. You can choose as many toppings as you want, as long as they can fit. I kept it simple with fresh strawberries, fresh cherries, and pomegranate boba.There is seating but be warned, kind of limited depending on how long loitering families will stay. When we got there, there were a couple Indian families hogging two tables. They were already finished eating/drinking when we arrived. They were still there after we ate. They were probably there for a couple hours. Parking lot is also very tight and small. Difficult for cars entering/exiting. No restrooms.“

“We love Hartigan’s so much it’s not even funny! They have so many flavors to choose from but we especially love that they have Peppermint Stick year-round! That’s our favorite. It also has ample outdoor seating and such charm. We can’t wait to continue building memories here!“

“There are so few frozen yogurt places in Chicago, we’re lucky to have such a nice once near us. We love forever yogurt and are regulars when we need a sweet treat! They take really great care of the yogurt machines and topping stations and have delicious flavor options. Only con is they don’t have cookie dough as a topping.“

“Let’s face it. There are La Michoacana ice cream stores on every other block on North Clark. We stopped here for dessert and it’s easily our favorite! The helado (ice cream) is to die for! The coconut is outstanding as is Abuela’s Chocolate. There are regular flavors and some (Rum Raisin!) are so creative and delicious. And the paletas! The BEST Arroz, Fresa, Mango, Coconut...the list goes on. And the couple that run the place are just the sweetest people! Highly recommended.“

“I have been to this location multiple times in the last two months. The owner and his staff are incredibly welcoming and he greets each customer when they come through the door.The Pistachio ice cream is my favorite flavor maybe ever. You cannot go wrong with their popsicles either.Great place for families on a warm or cold evening, date spot, or on your commute home like me!Kid-friendliness: Without a doubt!“

“This is a great place to help that sweet tooth in all of us. The frozen custard dishes are amazing as are the baked goods. They also have a candy section that is like a walk down memory lane. You will see candies that you haven't seen in years (or decades). Well worth the trip no matter how far away you are.“

“I do like Culver’s fish sandwich. My sister went to pick up 3 sandwiches for my dad, myself and my sister. When she got home I put my hand in the bag to get sandwich out and felt something warm and in just a wrapper was my fish without a bun. I felt like I was in a horror movie about to unwrap a warm heart or something. Who was the dipshit that did that? My sister always ask for a hamburger bun because I do not like the thick bun the fish comes with. To all workers at Culver’s please pay attention when an order is placed.“

“this is some of the best gelato and sorbet i've ever had. the sorbet were the real winners for me -- they are so incredibly creamy and flavorful that i couldn't believe there wasn't any dairy in them. how is this even possible?? ugh so delicious, and i especially loved the lemon and peach sorbets. i saw some people here on yelp say they were charging for samples, but i came in and everyone in my party got 1-3 samples and were not charged a penny.“

“Coffee Cup Therapy ☕️In the morning. Just did a review on Atmosfy ! Charmers is the perfect spot if you're a fan of a rich, dark roast like Starbucks, although personally, it's not my cup of tea. However, if you're like me and prefer a lighter roast, their coffee will definitely hit the spot, especially when paired with one of their delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. The atmosphere inside is incredibly cozy, making it a wonderful choice for a first date. They have a beautiful outdoor patio that can accommodate small and large groups. Charmers truly lives up to its name and is definitely a charming place to visit. Note: Pet friendly Friendly Staff“

“They have the best ice cream! So good I normally only eat 1 scoop but when I go here I get 2 or 3 because they're so good. The employees are so nice, especially the teenage girls. The girl with blond highlights and the girl with dark hair are so sweet! On vacation I went to a gelato place, thier gelato was FULL OF SUGAR all I tasted was sugar but here I actually taste the flavor. The flavors are so good. I 100% recommend the banana and strawberry .I would have given this place six stars but it only goes up to 5.“

“Our family loved the rainbow cone! All the flavors were very tasty, and it was fun to watch the staff build the tower on our cones.The original rainbow cone flavors are:Orange Sherbet, Pistachio, Palmer House, Strawberry, and Chocolate. All sliced (not scooped) into a cone or a cup.You can also order these flavors separate, or choose from numerous other seasonal flavors. They also have some non-dairy alternatives for those who might have allergies.“

“Definitely 1of the Nicest Cleanest !! Dunkin / Baskin Robbins I've been in . Very spacious actually have nice size PARTY ROOM w a Giant TV inside, Tvs throughout, benches , stools, booths, nice comfortable Lounge chairs n sitting area n Sitting area for kids w kiddie takes an chairs !! And Realy Great People Working There Very Friendly Great Attitudes actually met a part owner today and complimented Him !! And Fresh DOUGHNUTS PRETTY SURE THEY MAKE N DISTRUTE FROM THIS LOCATION !? EITHER WAY THIS MY NEW ALLTIME DUNKIN BASKIN ROBBINS. NO MORE HOCKEY PUCK FRENCH CRUELLERS FOR ME !!!??“

“The Churos were seriously delicious, crunchy, sweet and nutty. The variety of toppings and sauces adds to the deliciousness! The place is small, looked like its geared for to go orders only. Orders take about 10-15 minutes since they make it fresh every order. The staff was friendly, recommended!“

“Best ice cream around! You gotta love the unique flavors- they've got everything under the sun in a combination! The chocolate fudge brownie is a smash with both my kids and me. My wife likes "Phish food"... sounds weird as heck but it's so good! The staff were quick and easy, too. There are a few tables in there, so be wary if ya got a big group and you come at a crowded hour. But I've never had a problem! And the ice cream is absolutely delicious!“