NYC's Finest: Summertime Ice Cream Spots
Sure, you can consume ice cream all year round if you want to. But for most of us, there’s something about an ice cream cone that calls to mind glimmering sunshine and hot summer days. Lucky for us, NYC has no shortage of standout spots to get that ice cream fix. On our quest to find the best ice cream in the city, we narrow it down to a few favorite spots.
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Davey’s Ice Cream
An East Village favorite, Davey’s was founded by David Yoo, who left behind a career in fashion and design to launch his equally aesthetic (there are a lot of pastels in the ice cream biz) company. Notable for its colorful signage and storefront, Davey’s offers ice cream cakes, sandwiches, sundaes and more. And we especially love the collabs he is known for, partnering with local restaurants and bakeries to offer unique flavors like Cinnamon and Chocolate Babka (Moishe’s Bake Shop) and Pine-Apple Hibiscus Rose (upstate’s Angry Orchard).
309 E 9th St, Manhattan; (212) 228-8032
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Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Founder Jon Snyder’s grandparents owned an ice cream shop. After working there as a teenager, he went on to discover the wonders of gelato in Italy and became obsessed with the idea of bringing a “true Italian gelato” to Manhattan. And he did it! The Lower East Side’s Il Laboratorio del Gelato was designed to look like a lab, concocting delicious gelato and sorbet with strict adherence to the traditional, artisanal method of gelato-making. You’ll find surprising and delicious flavors like cheddar cheese, peppercorn, Turkish coffee and olive oil–all made with local and organic ingredients.
188 Ludlow St, Manhattan; (212) 343-9922
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The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
A family-owned business, The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has been an unofficial landmark in the city since 1978. Its golden storefront with a dragon emblazoned on its signage consistently draws both tourists and locals alike. And it’s not just for the visuals. Their traditional ice cream flavors are delightful, including black sesame, lychee, green tea along with candy toppings—an ode to the spot’s previous life as a dual ice cream parlor and candy shop.
65 Bayard St, Manhattan; (212) 608-4170
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Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
Designed to look like a 1950s ice cream parlor, it’s only fitting that Morgenstern’s should also offer hot classics like burgers and fries alongside with your milkshake. But what’s surprising here is that Morgenstern’s also boasts a liquor license and your milkshake can be made boozy. Not every day do you find an ice cream parlor that manages to double as a lactose-heavy cocktail bar. Even more impressive is the vast array of gourmet flavors offered here. You’ll find unique combinations like pineapple salted egg yolk, tahini and jelly and olive oil chocolate eggplant among the more traditional options. And being that founder Nicholas Morgenstern comes from a background in pastry at fine dining spots like Gramercy Tavern, you would be wise to pair your ice cream with a slice of their unforgettable pie.
88 W Houston, Manhattan; (212) 209-7684
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Caffè Panna
Modeled after the all-day cafes in Rome where founder Hallie Meyer spent a summer working at a gelateria, Caffè Panna also offers a focus on coffee. Not surprising considering “Caffè Panna” translates to “coffee and cream”. Espressos can be ordered with a dollop of fresh “panna” and then, of course, there’s the affogato… With a focus on high-quality ingredients, importing olive oil from Italy and sourcing fresh fruit from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket, you’ll find some of the most delectable Italian-inspired gelato in the city.
77 Irving Place, Manhattan; (917) 475-1162
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Further Afield
And if you’re up for a trek, you’ll find some equally appetizing options just a couple boroughs away. Our favorite Brooklyn options include Oddfellows (Williamsburg) and Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain (Carroll Gardens). And in Queens, you’ll find the oldest ice cream parlor in New York City, the beloved Eddie’s Sweet Shop (Forest Hills).
WORDS Hillary Sproul
