28 Best Ice Cream Shops in Boston

“Ron’s is truly a hidden jewel, the ice cream is amazing and you’re going to love the bowling alley.“

“Great customer service and delicious gelato. Clean and such a cute shop. So happy we stopped in!“

“This was a fantastic ice cream spot.

They had a bunch of different, unique favors, and the guy working there was super helpful in letting us try out a bunch of different flavors and then telling us his favorites.

I ended up with the honeycomb, some kind of coffee flavor (I forget the name) and the apple cinnamon one. All three flavors were excellent, but I think the honeycomb was the best.

Would definitely recommend it if you are looking for ice cream in the area!“

“It was really cute shop and I liked the ice cream. I walked down to the Kennedy Greenway and took in the skyline views with it. Great night!

I took off one star cause the ice cream is close to being perfect, but not quite. The cookie dough ice cream just simply didn’t have enough cookie dough bites in it. We all know those are the best part so what are we skimping for!

The cake batter ice cream had too many sprinkles for my taste. It’s already a very sweet flavor so it would be nice to have the option to add sprinkles instead.

On the other hand, the fruit and sorbet style flavors were perfection!

Last point, the employees all seemed like they hated their lives here. I respect that ofc cause I’ve worked many jobs that I hate, but it gave me the sense something could be done behind the scenes to make it a better work environment.

I don’t mean to sound too harsh cause clearly this place is great! But that’s my two cents, keep going!“

“Great family-owned ice cream shop! Great management and staff! We enjoy partnering with them regularly!“

“First time there and we just got in love with this place“

“What I love about Van Leeuwen is that it's the only Ice Cream store that's open late. After dinner in the Seaport with 3 friends we decided to go get Ice Cream. It was 10pm and Van was the only late night Ice Cream store in the Seaport. That was very helpful and we all order a triple scoop. It's also the best tasting ice cream in the neighborhood.“

“Super leckeres Joghurteis in einer riesigen Auswahl, dazu ein riesiges Angebot an Toppings. Super lecker :)“

“The taste is very good, the service is very good“

“I have been going to JP Licks for years. I was telling the young lady who was serving us. That I use to come to JP Lick when I was in high school. And JP Licks was the only place that made me smile when I was happy, sad , mad or even upset. And their ice cream would cheer me up😃 Thank you JP Licks for always making me smile and also now my kids😃😃😃“

“Walking into this shop is like entering a colorful world of pure happiness and sweet treats. I absolutely loved looking through all the creative and chunky flavors with those famous names, and getting a freshly made waffle cone made the whole place smell amazing. The ice cream is incredibly rich and creamy, and I really like that they care about using good ingredients and supporting local communities. It’s a fun, upbeat spot where the staff is always happy to let you try a few samples until you find your perfect scoop. Ben & Jerry’s is the best place to go when you want a treat that’s both delicious and full of personality.“

“Still great 40 years after first going there! This is the OG flavored waffle cone and mix-ins place before it was even a thing. Quality ice cream, solidly good flavor, nice staff. Don't be fooled by the fancy gelato and Asian ice cream shops... Have the real deal legit quality ice cream here.“

“After visiting museum of illusions with my dad and 2 year old son, was thinking of buying a treat or dinner. Passed by this place and we grabbed an ice cream each. My son knocked the ice cream on the floor and the girl who worked there grabbed us a new one. Great customer service with a 2 or three tables to sit at. Not a lot of seating but great overall experience“

“The best! A+ espresso to the cappuccino to the espresso martinis are awesome. Cannolis are the best around. The owner Frank is keeping the family tradition!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹“

“Best Ever!!! Must try delivery available“

“Cute little location in the heart of Fenway Park. I knew going in that I wanted to try the Marshmallow Sky flavor that's exclusive to Scoop Shops, so I can't speak to the variety of flavors available. I wanted to grab a pint, but apparently this shop doesn't do pints. Regardless, I enjoyed my ice cream and the employee was very friendly. Ben & Jerry's is a great addition to the neighborhood (but not to my wallet)!“

“Wow. What a gem you have here in Boston. Some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. If you ever decide to franchise sign me up.“

“This is the first time I have been in this store was cozy and amazing. The owner is reliable, honest and operates with integrity. I would like to recommend this store to anyone who is looking for fast food and craving ice cream or needs anything. This store is so convenient and in the nice Boston neighborhood.“

“I absolutely love Frio Rico! This store has so many authentic Peruvian snacks, cooking ingredients, seasonings, pastries/baked goods, teas, meat, but my favorite is the raspadilla (shaved ice). I got the strawberry & coconut flavor and loved it, especially when they added the leche condensada on top. 10/10 recommend!“

“Finally, got to try This place. They had soft Opening which was not to best. The ordering process was pretty smooth . The wait was not to long. We got the infamous Sho-Gun Matcha/Vanilla Soft Serve Mix With Edible 24K gold , Maiko Special (Parfait) Hojicha/Strawberry Mix Soft Serve and Matcha Latte Float. Everything was so rich in favor. The matcha favor is probably the best that I had so far. You can taste the quality of the soft serve. It's a bit pricy but worth every penny. Definitely, need to try them out“

“Come for the ice cream, stay for the coffee. 🥰“

“cookie was really good! i went in with my friend because we saw no customers so we went ahead and tried the red velvet cookie!!! was really good and pricing was 5.89 for a big cookie, much better than crumble because their portions are smaller. would definitely come back here with my friend again!! 10/10 service btw they know the good cookie recommendations:)“

“Crumbl cookies in Brighton is the best location! The cookies and deserts always come out perfect. Their customer service is excellent, the store is super clean and very friendly staff. I definitely recommend this location to anyone. A+ service!“

“Cookies and Cream“

“Mike's Pastry is one of Boston's most iconic bakeries and a place that almost every visitor has on their list. Walking in, it's easy to see why it has remained so popular for decades. The display cases are packed with cannoli, cakes, cookies, lobster tails, and countless Italian pastries, making it difficult to decide what to order. The atmosphere is busy and energetic, with a constant flow of customers, but the staff keeps the line moving surprisingly efficiently.

The cannoli are the signature item and the main reason to visit. The shells are crisp and filled to order with a rich, sweet ricotta filling that has a smooth texture without feeling overly heavy. There are plenty of flavors to choose from, including classics like chocolate chip and pistachio, along with seasonal and specialty options. The pistachio cannoli stands out for its generous coating of crushed pistachios, while the chocolate chip version offers a more traditional take. Beyond the cannoli, the lobster tail pastry is another highlight with its flaky layers and creamy filling, and the bakery offers enough variety that it's worth trying more than one dessert.

One thing I liked is that the portions are very generous. Most of the pastries are large enough to share, especially if you're planning to sample a few different items. Everything is displayed behind the counter, making it easy to browse before ordering, although having so many choices can make it take longer to decide.

The biggest thing to plan for is the crowd. There is often a line extending outside, especially on weekends and during the summer, but it usually moves faster than it looks because the staff is well organized. Seating is extremely limited, so most people take their pastries to go. It is also worth remembering that the original North End location is cash only, so bringing cash can save you from any surprises.

Overall, Mike's Pastry is a classic Boston destination that lives up to its reputation if you enjoy rich Italian pastries. The cannoli are the obvious reason to visit, but the wide selection, generous portions, and historic atmosphere make it worth experiencing at least once. Even with the crowds, it remains one of the city's most memorable dessert stops.“

“Literally the best ice cream I’ve ever put in my mouth! And if you don’t have a spoon in your hotel room the end of your toothbrush works almost as well! (Photo n comments!)“

“So happy they're back open for the season! The creamiest and yummiest gelato in the North End, ALL made IN HOUSE! If you're looking for a sweet treat or even just a simple espresso this place is a must try. And bonus points for being able to support a small women owned business <3“

“In reference to Ben and Gerry’s, located at the Prudential Center,, Boston, MA, a young employee named Maggie went above and beyond to provide exceptional service. I took my children and grandson for ice cream on Thursday, July 17, in the afternoon.
Aside from Maggie’s professionalism and beautiful courtesy in serving us (often a rare combination in the service industry) I watched her deal with an incredibly rude customer with such graciousness and self control. The customer was completely out of line and I was so impressed with how Maggie de-escalated the situation and kept her professional composure, especially for such a young woman. Maggie is a credit to the company and I would highly recommend this establishment based on the character of this young woman. I hope she is recognized for her invaluable contribution to Ben and Gerry’s, Prudential Center, Boston.“