Dreamy, Creamy, And Downright Indulgent - The Best Ice Cream Shops in San Jose

Whether it’s summer, winter, Halloween, Christmas, or any special occasion, it’s always the right time for ice cream. A giant cone of chocolate goodness is the fastest way to forget a rough day. Ice cream shops are among the unique places where you leave feeling noticeably better. After all, how could anyone feel dull after having that scoop of a lifetime with creative flavors and concoctions that are super refreshing?

In San Jose, there’s certainly no shortage of ice cream shops, but there are quite a few that stand out from the crowd. We’ve got the scoop on some of the best ice cream spots in town. Grab a spoon and dig in.

If you have a friend who is ice cream-obsessed, you should get them a GiftYa virtual gift card to all of the favorite ice cream spots on this list. These cards are completely customizable for any occasion including birthdays, weddings, graduations, and any other special occasion. You can even add a personal message to the card before sending it to your friend or loved one.

Sweet Rendezvous

668 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123 sweetrendezvous.net

Whimsical ice cream shop serving 52 different flavors plus European-style desserts!

With 52 unique cream flavors and plenty of European desserts, Sweet Rendezvous is home to magical scoops and tasty memories. One of the outstanding features of this ice cream shop is its teaser. Every order includes a free Sweet Rendezvous teaser.

Go ahead and try something out of the ordinary like macapuno (Filipino treat made with macapuno or young coconut sport) or horchata (a scoop based on the cinnamon sweet Mexican drink). Let your imagination run wild with the caramel flavored scoop topped with Oreo crumbles and fudge. It’s actually the most sought flavor. You can also indulge in other flavors such as Kahlua Krunch (coffee-flavored treat with pieces of toffee and creamy fudge), malai kulfi (an Indian treat made with cardamom, rice milk, and pistachios), and much more. If you want something a little more chocolatey, consider the chocolate showers vanilla option with granulated chocolate and malt powder.

From the Heaven bowl filled with vanilla ice cream and brownie pieces to the Persian Lemon Sorbet filled with crunchy rice noodles and lemon zest, you may surely have trouble picking just one bowl when you come to Sweet Rendezvous.

Icicles

1275 Lincoln Ave #1, San Jose, CA 95125 iciclescreamroll.com

Small storefront with outdoor tables serving rolled ice cream with unique toppings!

If you have never had rolled ice cream before, now is the perfect time to try it out. And there is no better place to enjoy bowls of rolled ice cream treats than at Icicles. Their handcrafted ice cream is prepared daily using only the freshest fruits and ingredients around. The best part, each bowl is made right in front of you. Just make sure you select your favorite flavors from the menu and let the ice cream gurus roll it up for you. They also have a wide selection of toppings to add to your ice cream and they customize it based on what you like.

Craving something fruity? Try the Strawberry Fantasy, which features rolled ice cream topped with strawberries, Graham cracker, and condensed milk. If you want something simple and creative, try Baesic the original vanilla custard and don’t forget to add your choice of toppings. Feel like you’re on a Thai treat with Mai Thai, the traditional Thai tea that comes with the right amount of cream

Still on the menu, you will find 8 non-dairy and vegan flavors for the vegans. All ice creams come with your choice of unlimited toppings.

La Original Paleteria y Neveria

273 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95120 laoriginalpaleteria.net

Mexican ice cream spot dishing up favorites such as Aguas Frescas, paletas, and fruit cups!

If you love exotic Mexican cuisines especially ice cream, then you should come to La Original Paleteria y Neveria, one of San Jose’s more unique ice cream establishments. This ice cream shop offers real fruit paletas, Aguas Frescas, fruit caps, and more flavors. For example, The Zapote fruit contains papaya and cantaloupe flavors. Strawberry with cheese has that sweet and salty balance that you will like. Guanabana is a citrusy cross between a strawberry and an apple. The atmosphere is lively, the staff is friendly, and the ice cream is delectable.

Go ahead and try some sweet treats like café Moka, raspado, super bionico, sundae, rusa, and more. With so many flavors available, ice cream fans will find something new and different to try. And they come with unlimited topping based on your choice. Why settle for the ordinary ice cream when you can treat yourself to amazing creative flavors at La Original Paleteria y Neveria?

Happiness Café

1688 Hostetter Rd # C, San Jose, CA 95131 happinesscafesanjose.com

An ice cream chain serving creative cold treats in a colorful environment!

Colorful and sweet is the perfect word to describe the ice cream at Happiness Café. It’s a cornerstone in the San Jose community and has been recognized for its super friendly staff, excellent service, and outstanding vegetarian cuisine. They also use high-quality fresh ingredients which makes them stand out from the crowd.

Now to their sweet treats. They offer plenty of them with unique flavors. Get started with something simple like the waffle with ice cream served with seasonal fruits, whipped cream, maple syrup, and two flavors of ice cream of choice. A banana split is also a great option which includes two flavors of ice cream of your choice topped with banana, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and nuts.

They also serve to make your own treats that come with three toppings of your choice. The House Special Shaved Ice is also a great treat especially because it comes with a little bit of everything including strawberry, mango, condensed milk, and kiwi. Make sure you stop by the Happiness Café for the best ice cream and other creative treats!

Willow Glen Creamery

‍1100 Lincoln Ave #130, San Jose, CA 95125 willowglencreameryca.com

Snug counter-serve shop that offers ice cream, frozen yogurt, and a range of toppings!

Part of the fun of coming to Willow Glen Creamery is watching the ice cream specialists mixing your flavors on the cold marble before putting it in a cup or cone. They offer plenty of different flavors and a range of toppings too. On a hot day, the shop has a line out the door and down the street. But don’t let that worry you, the lines move quickly, and the frozen treats are well worth the wait.

They care about the quality of everything they offer. That’s why their frozen yogurts are blended in-store every day, prepare locally handmade Ice Cream, offer low-calorie options, carry real frozen custard, and serve it all with the incredible hospitality that the locals deserve.

When you come here, make sure you try their Dole Whip especially the vegan option that tastes incredibly sweet. It’s dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegan. Their ice cream selections, custard, and shakes are delicious too. The best part is that all their flavors change frequently so you can be sure to get something fresh and unique every time you come in.

Don’t forget to take a photo for your Instagram followers!

Smitten Ice Cream

3055 Olin Ave #1055, San Jose, CA 95128 smittenicecream.com

Enjoy authentic ice cream treats and creative flavors at this splendid ice cream shop!

If you have ever strolled along Santana Row especially on a weekend evening, you know that the Smitten Ice Cream shop is the place to be. Here, they serve the freshest, smoothest scoops prepared with only authentic locally sourced ingredients. They have earned the local’s trust because they make ice cream right before your eyes. The outcome is a super creamy, smooth texture that’s as fresh as it gets. You can even order it and it will be delivered right to your door.

And now to the flavors. They have a wide selection of flavors on their menu. Make sure you try the Spiced Apple, a Smitten’s twist on an American favorite that comes with caramel made from local fresh-pressed apple juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. You can also try the Chai-Spiced Caramel treat made with black tea, cardamom, spices of cinnamon, clove, anise, and orange peel – it will definitely make your taste buds sing.

Another option that will surely excite you is the Cookie Dough with hand-chopped pretzels and chocolate chips that are churned fresh. Any time you come to Smitten’s, you will never lack something exciting to enjoy!

CREAM

49 S First St, San Jose, CA 95113 creamnation.com

Counter-service chain serving ice cream sandwiches made with a choice of flavored cookies and unlimited toppings!

Known for its handcrafted ice cream cookie sandwiches made from local ingredients, the CREAM has built a loyal customer base over the years. And it’s easily the reason why. It’s so refreshing and whimsical that it makes a great stop for family or even a group of friends.

They specialize in unique flavors and they make their ice cream cookie sandwiches with fresh baked cookies. Enjoy handcrafted and warm baked goody with a generous scoop of your super-favorite premium ice cream or even try a seasonal flavor to spice things up. Top things off with a generous selection of toppings to make your sandwich complete and sweet altogether.

All their flavors are formulated to ensure the richest and creamiest of treats. Enjoy options such as French vanilla, chocolate chip cookie dough, salted caramel, chocoholic, very berry strawberry, and more. Try their delicious sundaes and add either a brownie, cookie, or caramel to make it even more delightful. Ice cream tacos, milkshakes, and baked goodies are also available to enjoy.

Going out is about many things, but if it’s on a hot day, a special occasion, or just a regular day, you can’t help but look for the best shop to grab an ice cream with toppings of your choice. These ice cream shops in San Jose are unique, delicious, and have creative flavors that every ice cream lover would be glad to try. So, which is your favorite ice cream shop in San Jose? Let us know in the comments!

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