50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Amherst

“The Wyck Recommendation: Anderson’s Frozen Custard
Rating: 4.4/5
Custard So Good I Questioned My Personality

Intro Scene
I’m not a dessert guy. Not even close. I’ll skip birthday cake, ignore the gelato menu, and politely decline your grandma’s cookies. But then I met this frozen custard. For the record, frozen custard isn’t ice cream. It’s creamier, denser, and made with egg yolks. It’s served a little warmer than ice cream so the texture stays smooth and rich, not icy or fluffy. Think soft serve with a college degree. One bite and I was staring into the swirl like it held answers about my past lives. Spoiler: it did.

What Was Ordered
Chocolate-Vanilla Swirl Frozen Custard (cup)
A few bites of the Peanut Butter Custard (and immediate emotional collapse)
The swirl was dense, silky, richer than ice cream but lighter than gelato. Like soft serve that took a sabbatical to Italy and came back with confidence. The peanut butter? Divine. Like eating a Reese’s that became sentient.

Service Commentary
It ran like a well-oiled teen-powered machine. Everyone was busy and hyper-focused, but still friendly. No slackers, no confusion, no chaos. Just an army of night-shift warriors serving sugar with speed. Even the guy wiping counters had purpose.

Vibe Check
Open-late buzz. Garage doors wide open. Kids running across the lot like it’s a family reunion. Parents exhaling. Friends lingering. The energy was warm, welcoming, a little nostalgic. The kind of place you drive past and instantly regret not stopping.

The Space Itself
The building looks like a diner mated with a fire station. Bold, boxy, and clean as hell. The interior had fast food-style counters and a layout built for high turnover, but there wasn’t a single sticky table or overflowing bin. Bright lighting, smooth operation, no weird smells. It’s a soft-serve cathedral.

About the Neighborhood
Smack in the middle of suburban sprawl. Huge parking lot, easy in and out. No scenic views, no charm, just efficiency. And that’s honestly all you want at 10:30pm when the craving hits. You’re here for the swirl, not the skyline.

Hits and Misses
✓ Peanut Butter Custard — genuinely unforgettable
✓ Chocolate-Vanilla Swirl — dense and addictive
✓ Staff — sharp, efficient, and upbeat
✓ Clean open space — built for busy nights
✗ Didn’t try the savory menu yet
✗ Not a “hangout” vibe if you’re looking for slow and moody

Final Verdict
Anderson’s didn’t just win me over. It made me question who I’ve been all these years avoiding dessert. This isn’t ice cream. It’s something else entirely. Smooth, dense, and oddly emotional. I’d come back every night if I lived nearby. I don’t even like sweets. But I’ll never drive past this place again without stopping.

Perfect For
Late-night drives
Custard-based spiritual awakenings“

“I love crumble cookies so good this is what I got this week

Parking: Nothing bad to say about it

Kid-friendliness: It's very fast so don't have to worry for your kids to be out of control 😂😂 cause of the wait it really fast

Wheelchair accessibility: It's big enough to fit“

“Thank you Insomnia Cookies for delivering this sweet treat to my daughter on her birthday! 🍪 🥳“

“100% recommend, everything is so yummy and worth the price! Definitely my favorite bubble tea spot…and i’m definitely their fav customer!!“

“Ordered an ice cream cake for Easter. It was delicious!!!“

“Went for a chocolate factory tour and the owner was absolutely amazing! The history is incredible and the chocolate is outstanding. They not only have an awesome store,they ship anywhere and they also offer ice cream, specialty coffee and hot chocolate. You can also order a icecream cake or icecream pie. Great business with a great selection and atmosphere. I definitely recommend this incredible business.“

“Highly recommend a visit or several to Nicky 2 Scoops, we head over quite frequently for delicious and affordable ice cream treats for the family. We love the atmosphere and that there is a bonus program for frequent flyers like us to earn some cash back towards future purchases. We also recently rented the space for our daughters birthday party, the owners let us customize the space to our liking and offered an affordable party space so the whole extended family could attend comfortably & enjoy the ice cream with us! We will definitely use the space again for future parties 🎉 The owners are super friendly and very accommodating! Love it!“

“We went here for the first time today from Brantford Ontario. Everyone was so nice and the selections are amazing!!! You can pretty much get anything with ice cream you are craving. Anytime we come to Buffalo now in the season, we are going!“

“Sweet Jenny’s is a staple for our family. We never have a holiday table without chocolate from here. Teacher gifts are a must. Summer ice cream trips making memories! Everything here is amazing, including the owners. If your visiting the Buffalo area this place is a must see, we always bring out of towners here! Thanks for being such an awesome part of our community!“

“Have the best ice cream . Place is very popular with more then ice cream. Had old tractors out front which my granddaughter loved and wanted to ride. There is a mini golf in back which looked like a lot of fun. I recommend going but not sure when they close for season. Lots of tables to sit and eat at.

Kid-friendliness: They have kiddie size cones and doggie cones.“

“Sweet Jenny’s is a staple for our family. We never have a holiday table without chocolate from here. Teacher gifts are a must. Summer ice cream trips making memories! Everything here is amazing, including the owners. If your visiting the Buffalo area this place is a must see, we always bring out of towners here! Thanks for being such an awesome part of our community!“

“Had Dinner and ice cream here with my daughter and everything was amazing! Highly recommend this location for dining and ice cream.“

“I wanted to express my deepest gratitude to Kone King for coming to my rescue when I found myself in a bit of a pickle. After Charlap's bailed on me just two days before the event, I was feeling incredibly stressed and unsure of how to proceed. But then, like a superhero, you swooped in to save the day! Jennifer Johnson Hubert Metro Robert Realty“

“I would love to give a very positive review but as of right now I cannot every time I go to the hertel location there always out of milk . the regular ice cream is great but I only do milkshakes cause I drive alot please fix y'all's problem of running out of milk.“

“Our favorite place to get 🍦! 😊“

“Very Cute Local Neighborhood Ice Cream Shop with very reasonable prices and nice sitting area to enjoy“

“Good portion sizes and very reasonably priced. Lots of flavor options. The best ‘pup cups’ too!“

“Best ice cream I’ve ever had!“

“great food great place and service“

“A Buffalo institution and one of my must visit place(s) if I'm in the area. Personally, I like the original Anderson's location on Sheridan (in Tonawanda) better than the other locations. But this one is not bad. Only got a twist of chocolate and vanilla custard this time but I've had majority of the items on the menu. The custard is always creamy and flavorful. Try one of the special flavors, like pistachios or strawberry, if they have it. You won't regret it and it's worth the calories.

Dietary restrictions: Dairy

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly - who doesn't like custard/ice cream?

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“No I don’t recommend French Road Dairy Queen. The workers are rude. Online says they’re open until 10 so my kids and I ride our bikes a couple miles to French road Dairy Queen looking for a tasty treat. On arrival the inside area is already closed at 9:45. Drive thru is open since they don’t have a walk up window like every other ice cream shop I figured I could get served at the drive thru window. NOPE. No ice cream for you they say like I’m in the Sienfeld episode The soup Nazi only it’s ice cream. My kids and I were so disappointed. The ride home was treacherous with no calories in our systems. We barely made it home Sincerely Disappointed customer“

“Ordered an ice cream cake for Easter. It was delicious!!!“

“I work at cookies and cream 🍦🍨🍪“

“This location is known for serving a variety of treats such as ice creams, Blizzards, sundaes, and fast food items. It's a part of the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill system, which has a reputation for its combination of hardworking people and great-tasting food and treats. The store offers amenities like credit card acceptance, mobile ordering, delivery, gift cards, and outdoor seating.Dairy Queen, one of the largest fast-food chains specializing in ice cream and frozen treats, has a rich history that dates back to 1940. The first Dairy Queen store was opened in Joliet, Illinois, by entrepreneur John Freemont "J.F." McCullough, his son Alex, and their friend Sherb Noble. They developed a unique soft-serve recipe two years earlier and decided to open Dairy Queen following its successful trial at Sherb's ice cream shop.The initial store in Joliet was primarily a place to buy ice cream and refreshments, with no seating for customers. Instead, people were encouraged to take their treats home or eat them on the go. This concept of a quick-service ice cream establishment was new and rapidly gained popularity.Dairy Queen began expanding through a franchise system just a year after its inception. By 1947, the number of stores grew to 100, and by 1953, Dairy Queen had crossed the borders into Canada with a franchise in Melville, Saskatchewan. In the 1950s and 1960s, Dairy Queen became a staple of social life in small Midwestern and Southern towns in the United States, often featuring in stories and memoirs about small-town America.A significant milestone in their menu development was the introduction of the Blizzard in 1985. This new product, combining soft-serve ice cream with candy mix-ins, was an instant success and became a hallmark of the Dairy Queen brand.Over the years, Dairy Queen has continued to grow and evolve. As of the mid-2010s, there were more than 6,400 Dairy Queen stores in over 25 countries, with the majority in the United States. The company became International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) in 1962 and was later acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1998.Dairy Queen's menu has also evolved over the years, from the introduction of malts and shakes in 1949, banana splits in 1951, to the Dilly® Bar in 1955. The Brazier® concept, which introduced an expanded fast-food menu, was launched in 1957. Today, Dairy Queen's offerings include a wide range of frozen treats, fast food items, and specialty items like the Blizzard and GrillBurgers.“

“This Dairy Queen is amazing! It’s right near me so it’s an easy walk, and usually the lines aren’t crowded and the staff are really nice! The atmosphere is nice and the food is great just a bit melty but you can grab a few napkins then you are fine.“

“I love their Dilly bars and Buster bars!!♥️♥️♥️🤍🤍💙💙🎉🎊🎉🎊“

“An absolute must-visit in Kenmore! We just had our first experience at King Condrell's, and WOW—this place is a dessert dream come true! From the moment we walked in, the retro charm and sweet smell of chocolate had us hooked. We ordered a little bit of everything: the iced frozen chai was perfectly spiced and refreshing, the princess chocolate pop was adorable and delicious, and the birthday cake ice cream tasted like a slice of heaven! But the real star? The build-your-own ice cream dish. We chose chocolate peanut butter brownie ice cream and loaded it with Reese’s, KitKat, hot fudge, and whipped cream—and it was every bit as indulgent and amazing as it sounds. What makes it even better? Everything is made from scratch—you can taste the difference. And to top it all off, the incredibly kind owner gave my daughter a free lollipop, which absolutely made her day. The staff was friendly, the treats were over-the-top in the best way, and we’re already planning our next visit. Whether you're craving ice cream, chocolate, or just a fun place to treat yourself—King Condrell’s is IT. 🍦🍫👑“

“was great ice cream and great service and great company!!“

“Best Raspberry Custard that I have ever had.“

“I was looking for a froyo place that serves a more tart style yogurt and the "euro tart" flavor definitely delivers!

Way more topping selection than other places in the area and I couldn't believe how clean it was!

We will definitely come back when we are in the area.“

“So many choices and everything is delicious!“

“Very good food. Lots to choose from and the frozen custard is so yummy!“

“I love their roast beef sandwich with sweet potato fries it always comes hot and fresh keep up the great work guys. I also love their ice cream, they make their own ice cream and custard in house and you can taste the difference it is delicious! Anderson’s is a great place to stop for a good time and an amazing meal that won’t break the bank. The interior is vey nice and clean and I love the way it is themed.“

“Quick, friendly service & IMO THE best ice cream around!!“

“I go to Anderson’s on Sheridan almost every Monday or Wednesday for lunch. I’m a creature of habit and always get the same thing. Beef on weck, hot sauce on the side, large fry. As soon as I walk up to the register, the super friendly staff already knows my order and name! They’ve even carried my food out to my table for me on a slower day for them! I’ve never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly, food is great, service is quick, even when they are understaffed- nobody is ever just standing around. I’d recommend going to the Sheridan Drive Anderson’s to anyone! And order whatever you want! You can’t go wrong!“

“Went with a friend and ordered two scoops of a Perry's (less than $5) and it was the perfect cool down treat! The service was prompt and the staff professional. They also have an large food menu, but that will have to be for another visit/review. The parking lot can feel a little cramped, but it's a nice spot with outdoor seating.“

“the absolute best place to get ice cream fast friendly and reasonably priced they also serve fresh squeezed lemonade and shaved ice in a variety of flavors“

“Helpful staff, outdoor & indoor safe seating, lots of food & ice cream choices.“

“First time here. Service was excellent! My cookie was sooooo good. What a great treat. I think i will get Crumbl cookies for my bday instead of a cake. Bought a gift for a co worker and a treat for my family. They disappeared quickl!

Parking: The store is very easy to get to. You can enter from the plaza, which is behind the store or from Transit road. This makes getting in and out of the parking lot very easy.“

“Great ice cream. The shop is very clean and the lady working was very kind. Perfect experience.“

“It was nice good portions for $2.50 I had a great Sundae that normally cost $8.00 to 9.50 the only thing that takes away from them is they need better quality Hamburger's, I love their Hotdogs but need good quality Chili ? then you'll get 5 stars .“

“Originally from Buffalo but moved away 40yrs ago. Have tried Sponge Candy from all the Buffalo confectioners and Antoinette’s is by far the best - for one reason…. The ratio of sponge to chocolate coating is superb!! Much, much better than their competitors.“

“Very cute Cafe, delightful staff, and some REALLY delicious treats. My wife and I tried the salted caramel and the biscotti gelato flavors, and they were superb! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“Learned about Golden Hour Treats on Grubhub when I typed in ice cream. Oh boy! I had a banana split which was the best I've ever had. The boys had the cotton candy ice cream and were very happy. I then went back in 2 days and had the banana pudding. I intended to eat a few bites and save the rest...well that didn't happen! Delicious!! Atmosphere is clean and the staff are nice if a little slow. It's definitely worth a trip.“

“I love Watson’s Chocolates. I have so many meaningful memories from this place. When I was in pre-school at St. Paul’s down the street, my Papa would bring me to Watson’s after school if I was good. I remember loving picking out some chocolates or the colorful gummy orange slices. I still love going to Watson’s. The sponge candy is my favorite. :)“

“Watson's has become a go-to part of my weekly self-care routine. Cashier James is the picture of customer service, warmth, and generosity. Large ice cream portions, delicious chocolates (available by the piece or pound), great hours, and affordable pre-Elmwood-surge pricing. I couldn't recommend Watsons more!“

“My husband and I go here regularly because it’s SO GOOD. The ice cream quality is great. They make their own in house. They also have a vegan soft serve option that is delicious. My favorite is their rotating soft serve flavors! Strawberries and pistachio. Can’t go wrong with this place if you want some yummy ice cream!“

“We had the gelato cart come to our wedding! It was such a fun treat. Our guests absolutely loved it! The gelato is absolutely delicious and perfect for cooling off from our dance floor! Frankie is such a great human, and we were so happy to have him there!“

“I love this place!!First time visiting there I was greeted with the biggest and most welcoming smile by Yvonne. She always has a great smile and attitude. Her chicken and cheese waffles were to die for! I am not one for cold coffee but she talked me into getting an ice mocha with foam and I am so glad she did it was amazing! I definitely crave her waffles and ice mocha once a week. I can’t wait to see what she talks me into trying next!!!“