Your Go-To Guide For Some of the Best Ice Cream in Chicago! 🍦🍨

There are so many things that come to someone’s mind when they think about the city of Chicago. Some of those things would likely include: the massive O’Hare Airport, delicious Chicago style pizza, or the turbulent weather conditions that give Chicago its “Windy City” nickname. Whether you are flying into Chicago on family vacation or spending some time in the city on a business trip, be sure to check out some of the best ice cream places in Chicago while you are there!

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Another great advantage to the GiftYa eGift card is that the recipient can choose to activate it to a debit or credit card, use it as an eGift, or even switch merchants if they would prefer a different one. Now that you know how awesome the GiftYa eGift card is, let’s talk about where you find some of the best ice cream in Chicago! 

1. Vaca’s Creamery 

Interested in Some Yummy Ice Cream That Includes Vegan Options? Give This Place a Try.

📍 1436 West Blackhawk Street | Pulaski Park | vacascreamery.com 

If your daily travels take you through the Pulaski Park area, stop in at Vaca’s Creamery, and grab a delicious treat to sweeten up your day! 

Light up your tastebuds with delicious menu options that include flavors such as: Chocolate, Vanilla, Swirl, and Cherry Blossom Matcha. You can order your ice cream in a Waffle Cone, Kids Cup, Regular Cup, Large Cup. You can also add a waffle one on top if you want. Some Topping and Sauce options include: Chocolate Shell, Peanut Butter Shell Chocolate Sauce, Peanuts, Toasted Marshmallows, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and more. If you would rather have a milkshake, choose from delicious flavors such as: Chocolate, Strawberry, Salted Carmel, Vanilla, Mint, Coffee, and others. 

“My favorite ice cream spot in chicago! The flavors are great and I love the many different varieties of add-ons. I also love the different sedona;/holiday add-ons that go on throughout the year. Awesome employees and service.” - Yelp Review  

2. Kurimu 

Interested in trying some ice cream crafted to fit the season? Come check out of Kurimu’s Locations

📍 1632 West Division Street | Wicker Park | kurimuchicago.com  

During this spring season, stop by Kurimu’s pop-up location in Lincoln Park, and see the Dutch rabbit, Miffy. Enjoy limited springtime flavors at all locations around Chicago this spring season! Be sure to call ahead of time to see what flavors are available, as they can change from time to time. 

Some everyday soft serve options on their menu include: Kurimu Swirl, Kurimu Solver, Kurimu Gold, Kurimu Premium and Messy Boba. Interested in ice cream By-The-Scoop? You can order in One Scoop, Two Scoops, Extra Scoop, or Pint-To-Go. Options for toppings include choices such as: Crushed Oreo Matcha Powder, Mini Mochi, Boba, and others. If you prefer a drink instead, they offer options including: Boba Milk Tea, Black Sugar Boba Milk Tea, Matcha Milk Dream, Mango Snow Tea, Strawberry Lava, and more. 

“So so good. Best ice cream place in Chicago. Always great and quick service and such amazing flavors. Solid ice cream texture and yummy flavors.” - Yelp Review  

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3. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams 

No Matter Where You Are Located in Chicago, A Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Shop Is Not Too Far Away!

📍 3404 North Southport Avenue | Southport | jenis.com 

Stop in at one of Jeni’s many locations, and get some of the best ice cream in Chicago. No matter which part of Chicago you may be visiting on any given day, there is sure to be a Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream shop near your location. 

Some of the options available on their menu include flavors such as: Sweet Cream, Citrus Glazed Pound Cake, Raspberry Rhubarb Delight, Tropical Bloom, Double Dough, Cookie In Cream, Green Mint Chip, Salty Carmel, Honey Vanilla Bean, Darkest ChocOlate, Buttercream Birthday Cake, Boston Cream Pie, Milkiest Chocolate, High Five Candy Bar, and many others. 

If you want to share the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams experience with someone else, they provide gifts for special occasions. Gift options for special occasions include, but are not limited to: Birthday Gifts, Mother’s Day, Thank You, Corporate, For Any Occasion, and Gift Cards. 

“My favorite ice cream spot whenever I am in Chicago. Their flavors are always so unique with the best quality ingredients. Favorites are brambleberry crisp and brown butter almond brittle. Always get the waffle cone because they’re made fresh and are perfect holder :)” - Yelp Review  

4. Graeter’s Ice Cream 

Stop In For Some Delicious Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt.

📍 1347 Shermer Road | Northbrook | graeters.com  

Looking for a place in the Northbrook area where you can get some delicious ice cream? Stop in at Graeter’s Ice Cream, and see why it is considered to have some of the best ice cream in Chicago. 

You can choose from a wide variety of menu options including: Strawberry Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Milkshake, Strawberry Shortcake Sundae, Chocolate Chip Flavors by the scoop include options such as: Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Black Cherry Chocolate Chip, Boldly Bearcat, Buckeye Blitz Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip, and others. Classic Flavors include: Birthday Cake, Butter Pecan, Cookies & Cream, Dark Chocolate Brownie, Dutch Milk Chocolate, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, and more. 

“In town visiting family and saw this ice cream shop on Yelp. Took the whole family and it was amazing. The service was awesome and the food was delicious and I know if we are ever in town again we will be dropping by again.” - Yelp Review  

5. Legend Tasty House 

Come In on a Hot Summer Day, and Cool Off With Some of The Best Ice Cream In Chicago!

📍 2242 South Wentworth Avenue | Chinatown | legendarytastyhouse.com  

Warm summer evenings are meant for trips to the local shop with friends and family! If you are spending an evening in the Chinatown area, be sure to stop in, and get some ice cream or frozen yogurt. 

Some of the tasty Thai Hand Rolled Ice Cream options available on the menu include: Pink Lady, Mango Tango, Giant Gree, Vanilla Princess, Monkey Business, Good Friend, Strawberry Smile, Oreo’s Secret, Morning Latte, Chocolate Party, and many others. Fresh Fruit Smoothies and Whole Milk & Milk are also available. 

“Best rolled ice cream!!! If you haven’t tried this place in China Town, you should. So many flavors to select from. I personally loved Strawberry with nutella, the mango and dragon fruit, and the chocolate party.” - Yelp Review  

While we are on the topic of tasty treats, don’t forget to try some of the best bakeries in Chicago!

6. Scooter’s Frozen Custard 

Grab Your Whole Family, and Treat Them To Some Delicious Frozen Yogurt!

📍 1658 West Belmont Avenue | LakeView | scooterfrozencustard.com 

Want to know some history about Scooter's Frozen Custard ? The ice cream shop was opened on June 19, 2003. On the evening they opened, the owners were surprised to see a long line of customers waiting to get their first taste of the ice cream!. Ever since then, the Scooter’s staff has been working hard to make sure that the product you get and the environment of the shop makes you want to come back again. Now that you have some history, let’s talk about all the yummy ice cream options that they have to offer you.

Some Concrete options available on their menu include: Strawberry Concrete, Coconut Cream Pie, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Chocolate Yum Yum, Chocoloreo Concrete, Mocha Snicker Madness, and Create Your Own Concrete. Sundae options include choices such as: Turtle, Brownie, Banana Fudge Overload, Peanut Butter Hot Fudge, Banana Splice, and Create Your Own Sundae. Some other great options include: Cone or Cup, Boston Shake, Floats, Parfait, Shakes & Malts, Scooter’s Fruiter and Italian Ice. 

“Go-to spot for frozen yogurt or sherbert, they even have rotating shaved ice flavors. Usually pretty busy but the wait is never long. Always delicious!” - Yelp Review  

7. Runaway Cow 

Stop By For Some Ice Cream Or a Tasty Dessert!

📍 609 West 31st Street | Bridgeport | runawaycowvegan.com 

Traveling through the Bridgeport area, come in and see why the Runaway Cow has some of the best ice cream in Chicago. Keep reading to see some of the delicious treats that they have to offer.

Some options on their menu include: Cones, Milkshakes, Sundaes, and Snowstorms (soft serve with toppings). Some Sundae and Milkshake flavors include: Chocolate, Strawberry, Blueberry, Pineapple, Raspberry, Cherry, Hot Fudge, Banana, Caramel, Peanut Butter, and Marshmallow. Snowstorm options include: Oreo, Milky Way, Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Cups, Strawberry Shortcake, S’mores, German Chocolate, and many others. 

“Staff was very friendly and was able to explain all food and products they had. Helps that everything tasted really good too.” - Yelp Review 

8. Annette’s Italian Ice 

This A Great Place To Get Some Delicious Ice Cream or Italian Ice in Chicago

📍 2009 North Bissell Street | Lincoln Park | annettesitalianice.com 

Are you looking for a place in Chicago where you can choose from ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ice, and fruit bars? If so, Annette’s Italian Ice in the Lincoln Park area is the perfect place for you! 

Some Italian Ice options available on their menu include: Banana, Blackberry-Lime, Black Cherry, Blackberry-Lemon, Coconut, Chocolate, Lemon, Mango, Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry, Lemon, Watermelon, and others. Featured Ice Cream Flavors include options such as: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, Cool Mint Cookie, Banana Pudding, MooseTracks, Butter Pecan, Cookie Dough, and more. 

“10/10 ice cream. Love the walk up window, be prepared to wait on a nice night, but I promise it’s worth it. You can’t go wrong with any of their flavors/combos. Cash only.” - Yelp Review 

9. 26th Street Sugar Shack

Spend an Evening Out With Your Friends and Treat Yourselves To Some Ice Cream Or a Sundae!

📍 630 West 26th Street | Bridgeport | sugarshackchicago.com 

If you are interested in supporting a local business, then check this place out. This ice cream shop is family-owned and operated and has been in business since May of 2006. Stop in at their location, and taste some of the best ice cream in Chicago! 

Some ice cream options on their menu that you can choose from include: Soft Serve Ice Cream, Hand Scooped Ice Cream, Build Your Own Sundae, Banana Split, Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, Milk Shakes, Soft Serve Parfait, and more. Choose from a variety of soft serve flavors such as: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Cheesecake, Cookie Dough, and more. They also serve Slushies and Italian Ice if you are not in the mood for ice cream. 

“This place is a summer favorite. I look forward to a funnel cake sundae every year. My go to is a mini funnel cake with strawberries and marshmallows but honestly you can put any topping and it would be delicious!!!!” - Yelp Review  

Well….That Wraps Up Our Discussion About Some of The Best Ice Cream in Chicago!

Be sure to try out some of the best ice cream in Chicago the next time you visit, and let us know which shop was your favorite. Speaking of Chicago, make your next visit a little more luxurious by staying in one of the best hotels for a Chicago getaway!