Boston is home to some of the world’s very best ice cream! What would summer be without a scoop (or two or three) of the sweet, creamy, frozen treat? Read on for a roundup of 15 of our favorite Massachusetts scoop shops.
1. Toscanini’s
Cambridge
Dubbed the “best ice cream in the world” by the New York Times, Tosci’s is a long-standing Boston favorite with a fiercely loyal following. The super-rich ice cream is custard-like in its thickness, and the 32+ exquisite flavors (all house-made!) will bring you to Cambridge again and again. Our faves: Burnt Caramel, Gingersnap Molasses
2. Emack & Bolio’s
Boston, Charlestown, Orleans, Wellfleet, Chatham, and beyond
Founded by a Boston music lawyer in the 1970s, Emack & Bolio’s stays true to its hippie roots, offering self-declared “outrageous” flavor combinations made from hormone-free milk and without dyes. And don’t miss their sweet selection of homemade chocolates, plus fantastic fruit smoothies with a huge variety of vitamins and herbs to mix in. Our faves: Chocolate Addiction, S’mOreo
3. J.P. Licks
Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, Wellesley, Andover, Lynnfield, Dedham
J.P. Licks has racked up dozens of “best of” awards over the last three decades, and for good reason. Not only is the ice cream simply outstanding, the hard and soft frozen yogurts are intensely flavorful. Our faves: Coffee Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Fresh Peach
4. Picco
It’s the Pizza and Ice Cream Company, and both foods at this South End spot are first rate. Picco goes for pure and simple with their dozen flavors, which are all made in-house and with the best of ingredients — like the perfectly decadent melted Scharffen Berger chocolate used in the dark chocolate ice cream. Our faves: Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon
5. Kimball Farm
Carlisle, Westford, Lancaster, and Jaffrey, NH
Kimball Farm’s various locations boast everything from mini-golf to pony rides to antique car shows, but their claim to fame is the ice cream. Portions are downright sinful — the kiddie cone alone is a multi-scoop tower of rich, creamy goodness. If you’re feeling brave and have many hungry mouths to feed, go for the mammoth banana split. Our faves: Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Black Raspberry
6. The Ice Creamsmith
Dorchester
This 40-year-old family-run shop creates small batches featuring fresh, whole ingredients. Though their flavor profile may seem limited (banana, chocolate, mocha, sweet cream, and a handful of others), The Ice Creamsmith’s ample mix-ins allow happy customers to create hundreds of flavor combinations. Our faves: Frozen Pudding, Maple Walnut
7. FoMu
Fenway, South End, Quincy Market
Even the most die-hard ice cream purists crave FoMu’s “alternative” plant-based, kosher ice cream. Using carefully sourced and local ingredients, FoMu’s ice cream uses creamy coconut milk as its base, with natural sweeteners like organic agave and unrefined cane sugar. Our faves: Salted Caramel, Almond Raspberry Crumble
8. Christina’s
Cambridge
Regularly recognized as one of the very best cones in Boston, Christina’s ice cream is beyond ordinary. With more than 50 flavors on the menu at any given time, you’ll be just as enthralled with the inventive variety as you will be with the taste and texture. Our faves: Carrot Cake, Adzuki Bean
9. Gracie’s
A perfect fit with the hipsters of Somerville, Gracie’s flavors are edgy (salty whiskey) and hyper-local (chocolate Fluff). And be sure to try one of their specialty cones, like the torched-to-order Fluff cone. Our faves: S’mores, PB & J
10. Rancatore’s
Belmont, Lexington, Newtonville
Ranc’s is the suburban brother to Toscanini’s (literally — they’re owned by brothers), and it was founded with a vision to provide great customer service, an outstanding product with made-from-scratch toppings, and an attitude of giving back to the community. Our faves: Hydrox, Bittersweet Chocolate
11. Ben & Jerry’s
Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Watertown, Natick, and beyond
What would a Boston ice cream roundup be without Ben & Jerry’s, a New England classic? Aside from the amazing ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s is awesome for their social missions, their commitment to incorporate wholesome and natural ingredients, and their wacky flavor names (Tonight Dough, anyone?). Our faves: Save Our Swirled, Chocolate Therapy
12. Lizzy’s
Cambridge, Waltham
With an array of frozen treats in addition to the beloved hard ice cream — like sorbet, sherbet, yogurt, sugar-free ice cream, and “adult” options — Lizzy’s has something for everyone. Add one of 20+ toppings, and you can really make an already superb flavor your own. Our faves: White Pistachio, Columbian Fudge Avalanche
13. Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe
Gloucester, Peabody, Salem, Dennis Port
This North Shore shop’s ice cream isn’t just delicious — it’s award winning. Holy Cow brought home the North American Ice Cream Association flavor of the year award recently for its “Ritzy AF” salted butter cracker ice cream and the Northeast flavor of the year award for “Jackpot,” a salted butterscotch ice cream base with chunks of house-made caramelized Biscoff cookie bark. And the other flavors here are just as creative and amazing! Our faves: Corner Piece, Milk & Cookies, Eazy Peazy
14. Richardson’s Farm
Middleton
What better place to go for ice cream than an actual dairy farm? Richardson’s has been family run for the last 300 years, and their super premium ice cream has been on the scene for more than half a century. This spot features two mini-golf courses, batting cages, a driving range, and outdoor tables overlooking the working farm, complete with sheep, chickens, ducks, and the dairy cows themselves. Our faves: Coffee Kahlua Brownie, German Chocolate Cake
15. Cookie Monstah
Beverly, Burlington, Danvers, Needham, Newton, North Andover, Swampscott
Nothing beats an ice cream sandwich! Even better when it’s farm-fresh ice cream and fresh-baked, from-scratch cookies! You can find the Cookie Monstah food truck roaming around Boston if you’re not near one of the Cookie Monstah storefronts. Our faves: Peanut Buttahcup, Salty Dog
