50 Best Ice Cream Shops in Philadelphia

“Amazing definitely go try rainbow or cotton candy. Great sized!“

“Pasta making class Olivia was excellent. She understands the regions of Italy and was able to prep and explain with ease and grace. A participant asked about cacio e pepe, which was not on the agenda, and Olivia quickly prepared the basic but difficult to nail sauce. It was spot on. Would def recommend HBB to friends and family. One suggestion though - supplying guests with aprons would be helpful!“

“Get the sorbetto! Great food, great service.“

“Best pretzel I have ever tasted and at a great price!“

“1-900 is right in Rittenhouse Square and they had a long line that ended up moving pretty quickly. The staff were lovely, giving me recommendations and fast service. The soft serve is silky smooth and the flavors are strong but not artificial or overwhelming. I could see the vanilla beans throughout the ice cream which translated to the flavor as well and the chocolate was so balanced that I could eat plenty of it. The dip is perfectly thin and crisp, with a good flavor overall! The waffle cone was fine. Would recommend giving it a try, they have tons of interesting flavors that I didn’t get a chance to check out!“

“Water ice and ice cream yummy!!!“

“I've been waiting on this location to open up and boy was it worth the wait!!! Dre's has the BEST water ice and ice cream in Philly... and if your looking for gourmet ice cream try the sweet potato pie or banana pudding flavor they are to die for I noticed it at the retail location but it can also be found at all Browns Family Shop-rite stores.“

“They have the best customer service. I got a cookie tin and canolis. Both were of such high quality. Great Italian bakery!“

“I got to try your Earl Grey tea ice cream over the summer, and recently tried your London Fog ice cream bars, and they're both awesome!! Thank you for creating these!!“

“It is the best water ice in Philadelphia.“

“Best Gelato I've had, Cherry...(I will be trying all flavors). Best in the city in my opinion!! The Soft Serve is soft, thick and creamy, so delicious!! The prices are very reasonable and the portions are plentiful. Nice, friendly staff, clean establishment. My family and I have made this our #1 Ice Cream 🍨🍦 Spot!!!! 😋“

“This is just too good not to post. THEIR HONEYDEW water ice...made of real fruit is not too heavy on flavor or sugar so the $5 size is so perfect! I'd come down and have some just to see. Not just the water ice but the funnel cake is addictive so why not give it a try?“

“I am a migrant worker from Korea.
Working at the shipyard under the blazing sun has given me a heat-struck face and a work uniform coated in sweat and dust — a collaboration that makes locals step away from me.
Yes, that’s right! People don’t avoid poop because it’s scary… they avoid it because it’s dirty.
My English? Not great. But the staff here? Extremely kind.
And the moment I take a sip of their shake, I taste heaven itself.
My only regret… I discovered this ice cream shop in August.
If I had found it in June, my shake consumption would have been legendary.“

“So I have been to Philly several times and this restaurant has been on my radar to try. Finally made sure it got included in my culinary trip to Philadelphia. After asking for a recommendation between some didhes I could not decide on...my main and desert, my waiter gave recommendations that did not disappoint. The Carbonara was excellent.and the Budino di Pane scrumptious! I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience. It was busy and just a little too noisy for me, but if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of an eatery, you will love this restaurant! I recommend and hopefully get to come again on another visit to Philly.“

“My first time there was a little confusing finding the entrance/window to order (by the way, it’s in the back).

Secondly, they don’t offer samples, which is disappointing, but it’s their policy. Buying a full scoop of a flavor I’ve never tried before is a gamble I don’t like taking.

Third, it’s about $6–7 for a single scoop. I think that’s a bit pricey (IMO), but since I only go once in a while, I guess I don’t mind paying it.

Fourth, seating is limited if you want to sit and enjoy your ice cream. I’ve only been there twice, and both times I ended up eating in my car. It kind of takes away from my summer evening ritual: sitting outside while the warm air melts into the ice cream and I have to eat it as fast as it melts (the little kid in me still loves that, lol).

That said, their banana pudding ice cream was delicious. I’ll definitely stop by one last time to treat my sweet tooth before they permanently close.“

“Eat before you get here because the portions are monstrous, so huge I’m sure I gained a pound —or two— in one eating.

Ashamed? Not!

The swirl soft serve with rainbow jimmies was so worth it. Not only was it truly yummy but the ice cream never melted like they do at the other shops. Not sure of the machine they decided to invest in but my cone maintained its shape to the very end.

I’m so glad that I decided to give them a chance.“

“I tried the tequila and mamay, omg, so delicious. The woman there was very pleasant a d helpful with choices. Thank you for making my ice cream just right! Definitely recommended“

“Delicious, lots of water ice in a large variety of flavors and they make for a nice little summer treat. They absolutely need a trash can up front so patrons don't litter though, so don't forget to take your trash with you if you visit.“

“The best ice cream I tasted in Philly. I ordered the coconut ice cream with almond toppings. Do note that the almond toppings are very expensive. The taste of the coconut ice cream is delicious. I will definitely come back again when I visit Philly the next time. The shop is small and is decorated nicely.“

“I have only try four different flavors and they’re delicious 😋 next time I may have to order a bigger size 🥰“

“A great selection of ice-cream to choose from! Feels super cozy once your inside, and really has that old-timey feel. The Honey comb and sea salt caramel flavors are my favorite so far. The prices are bit on the higher side for my liking personally, but the flavors are amazing!“

“Nice store and they sell ice creams, coffee, biscottis, chocolates and many more. This bakery is owned by the Termini Bros bakery as the receipt and bags are from Termini’s. I ordered the Pistachio ice cream, chocolate almond biscotti and cranberry pistachio biscottis. The ice cream is very creamy and delicious. I personally liked the chocolate biscotti than the cranberry and chocolate chip cinnamon biscotti. The staffs are friendly and courteous.“

“I took my nephew here today and he passed out on the car ride there and it’s mid nap time I did not want to wake him up and the young girl behind the counter Olivia was so sweet she even brought the food and water ice out to the car because I didn’t want to wake him up just to grab the food! Every single time I’m there it’s always an amazing experience all the workers are very sweet. A friend and I just went there two days ago for some water ice and another amazing Experience! Plus they definitely have the best water ice and food!!!! Highly Highly HIGHLY recommend if you haven’t been there before you need to go and check it out!!!! They even have a cute little outdoor seating area! Thank you Chloes Corner for always making it a pleasure to come back!“

“Cookies and ice cream were great!“

“One of the best ice creams I’ve ever had anywhere. Hands down. (Two ultimate favs are the Earl Grey with Honeycomb and the Pistachio. Just perfect.)“

“This is easily some of the best ice cream with some of the best service I’ve ever had. We literally just came from a different ice cream place (that place was so bad we tossed it) and this was a 10x upgrade. Shoutout to Hannah, who served us by herself in peak rush hour. Thank you so much! Made the end of the day fantastic :)“

“I gave 5 stars because of the alone hardworking girl. Please can you schedule someone else to help her. She is doing a great job but there is always line.
Nice flavors nice location very close to smart kids at UPenn but again always line of people.
PS. I got the fall flavors : hazelnut & pumpkin. 🎃“

“Great Ice Cream, friendly staff, good prices, & quick service“

“Stopped by Curly’s Carnival Eats & Creamery and had such a great experience! The staff was super friendly and welcoming from the start. Everything was fresh and delicious — the cookies were soft and loaded with chocolate chips, the fried Oreos and funnel cake were perfectly made and dusted with powdered sugar, and the ice cream and milkshake were rich, creamy, and full of flavor (the waffle cone was a nice touch too!).

The whole place has a fun, bright carnival vibe, and you can tell they take real pride in what they serve. Great customer service, great food, and a great atmosphere overall. Definitely worth checking out — I’ll be back to try the chicken tenders; I’ve heard great things about them!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – A Love Letter in Every Scoop

If heaven had a freezer, it would be stocked with Van Leeuwen.

I came in for a treat and left with a religious experience. Their Coffee Affogato flavor is everything an espresso-lover dreams of—intensely bold, silky, with that creamy finish that wraps your tongue like a velvet curtain call. It’s not just coffee ice cream—it’s an Italian café pressed into a cone.

Then there’s Pistachio—not the artificial neon green kind, but the real-deal roasted pistachio essence. Nutty, rich, and quietly luxurious. It’s like they churned up a Mediterranean summer and handed it to me in a biodegradable cup.

But the showstopper? Marionberry Cheesecake. A fever dream of tart berry swirls and thick cheesecake folds, each bite a layered masterpiece. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, it’s slightly sinful—and completely addictive.

The staff were kind, the shop smelled like toasted sugar and happiness, and every flavor felt like it was made to be somebody’s favorite.

Glowing doesn’t even begin to cover it—Van Leeuwen is a shrine to the art of ice cream. Run, don’t walk.“

“This ice cream, funnel cake and water ice shop is fantastic! The staff are super fast and always make sure you’re satisfied with your order. There’s a wide variety of delicious choices on the menu, and everything tastes amazing. The employees are not only polite but also really funny. I highly recommend this spot — I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s always worth it!“

“Absolutely delicious locally homemade ice cream. Great addition to the neighborhood, but also a destination worth traveling to!“

“I was dreading eating dinner at the game due to lack of time, but when I saw this new place we tried it out and was not disappointed! The shack stack is one of the best burgers I've ever tasted and I will happily eat more every time I return. Everything is overpriced at the Wells Fargo Center- but this is the first time I felt like it was all worth it.“

“Yes I am reviewing a hamburger restaurant.Never dreamed I’d do it; but, Shake Shack is worth a review! I didn’t t have dinner at home ‘cause I had to start for Dead & Co at Phillies stadium. Figured I’d get something safe to eat there and hold my stomach quiet. I saw Shake Shack. Never been. And decided to try it. Burger, lettuce and tomato, hold the cheese. Hold the “special” sauce!That burger was really good. Nice cook. I did see a griddle so these bad boys are not like flame grilled. The burger was slightly larger than the bun which I liked cause who wants to OD on bread. Nice, fresh lettuce and tomato. All groovy. The crinkle cut fries were nice and crispy without being greasy or over salted. That meal hit the spot! And you know it was around $16 which is a little excessive except when you understand you’re in a stadium where highway robbery is perfectly legal. A bottle of water is $5.So Shake Shack is for real in my view. I would go in again for a replay on that burger and fries.Well I can’t give a hamburger joint a 5, can I?But I say Shake Shack is at the top of the hamburger food chain! Yes. It is. Go get ‘em.PS Dead & Co were about as good as they get last night! Thanks, Bobby!!!“

“Hot delicious simple burger! Double cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and tomato! The 2 thin patties had a nice char from the flat top. The fries were also very tasty!“

“I love this place all the yummy 😋 ice cream“

“I absolutely love Kilwins in Midtown Village. I came across this location early this year after going for wine with some friends at Vintage Wine Bar. I got some of the butter peanut ice cream, fudge for my little ones, and chocolate covered pretzels. When I tell you that ice-cream hit! It's so fresh and not too sweet. The hand dipped Graham crackers, pretzels, Rice crispy treats are divine! The seafood chocolates were so good. The chocolatier explained it as having the same consistency the inside as a butter finger. He was so spot on. It was such a different kind of chocolate experience. Lori the owner and her crew are so welcoming and friendly. A trip to Kilwin's is worth every cent!“

“Had a great day with my kid. Ended the evening at Weckerly’s. The Ice Cream Sandwiches were great. Fun time, highly recommended.“

“Tried a homemade apple ice cream that was out of this world!“

“Omg! I ordered a smoked turkey hoagie with cooper sharp cheese, and it was amazing! The store was clean, well stocked with chips and other goodies. The staff today was small, but my sandwich was made with very little wait! The young lady who took my order was friendly and polite. The owner, if I'm not mistaken, made my order, and the love and care she put into my lunch was too tier.
Thanks Sistas! You guys are doing your thing!“

“Without a doubt, the best Italian Water Ice around!“

“As the weather begins to warm up, I start my Sunday night tradition of going out to get a couple of scoops of ice cream or water ice. A couple months back, I wanted to try something different and go someplace I'd never tried before. So, good old Google found me a place, less than a mile away, which I never knew existed! I jumped in the car, drove down, and (long story short), I was blown away! I will ALWAYS choose a small local business over a corporate owned or franchised operation any day, and this wonderful couple not only serves delicious ice cream, incredible waffles, PLUS extremely delicious homemade waffle cones and bowls, but they also serve up love and hospitality! This is MY go-to place now, MY neighbors, and a part of MY extended family of sole proprietors! I am so glad I wanted something different that night! I sure got more than I asked for! If you are a customer already, you KNOW what I am talking about! If not, please give ScoopAffles a try! I promise you will not be disappointed and... will absolutely get hooked! 😁“

“Service with kindness great flavors no one else has“

“Almost all of the flavors offered are wonderful. I love the rotating seasonal flavors and the fact that samples are offered so you can try things out. It is a bit pricey, but the ice cream is very high quality and many of the flavors are unique, so it is worth it. My favorite flavors are darkest chocolate and rainbow buttermilk frozen yogurt, both of which pair very well together!“

“said said saidsaid..........“

“I love this spot. My go-to order is the Earl Grey bubble tea topped with the Vietnamese iced coffee ice cream. It’s perfectly balanced: the tea’s floral notes shine through while the ice cream adds a deep, mellow sweetness that never feels overpowering. I’ve been back a few times now, not just for the sweet treats but for the aesthetics—the desserts look gorgeous, and the space itself is bright and great for hanging out with friends. It’s become an easy favorite!“

“I think the flavors Piña colada and Key Lime are the best here... everytime I go there I received excellent service...“

“Got a half scoop of milky chocolate and a half scoop of darkest chocolate. They were SO delicious! I want more!! It was served with a piece of waffle cone.
When you enter, you are immediately greeted by the smell of fresh waffle cones. The staff were super friendly on a Saturday evening. I didn’t realize this place was so big in the area when I went, but I’m so glad I tried it out. I’d definitely be back when I am in the area!

Parking: Paid street parking“

“mixture of flavors freeze ur brain and all ur senses #ScoopDeville #buzzybooth“