The best ice cream shops in NYC right now

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A post shared by Albero - ALBERONYC (@alberonyc)

What is it? Open in the warmer weather, this window-only scoop shop is a standout on 5th Avenue’s ice cream row. (With Van Leeuween and the gone-viral Culture just steps away, it can be hard to decide where to stop after dinner.) Albero only uses locally sourced and sustainably produced ingredients to fill their rotating case of flavors like peach, green bean and mint, goat cheese with strawberry and spirulina topped with edible flowers. 

Why we love it: The gelato here is as pure and creamy as you’ll find in Italy. Be surprised by the depth of flavor in a straightforward cone of hazelnut or their deep, smooth chocolate, but at least ask to taste whatever seasonal special they’ve got on their board.

Time Out tip: A scoop of their “butter and salt” flavor transcends its stated simplicity: it’s so perfect, you’ll wonder why it’s not up there with mint chip and fudge ripple in the ice cream flavor hall of fame. 

Address: 341 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1:30pm–10:30pm; Sat–Sun 11:30am–10:30pm

What is it? Known for slices of breakfast pizza topped with bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese, and for massive sandwiches stuffed with chicken and vodka sauce, chicken Caesar salad, and even steak frites, L’Industrie also serves a gorgeous cup of gelato. 

Why we love it: Time it right, and you’ll get a cup of this pizzeria’s iconic-on-IG pastel pistachio gelato swirled with cantaloupe sorbet. The whole thing comes topped with a drizzle of olive oil and flaky sea salt. 

Time Out tip: Their swirls of gelato are so thick they pass the Dairy Queen Blizzard test. (For the uninitiated, that’s when you tip your cup of ice cream upside down.) But be warned: if you feel compelled to try it, make sure to do it over your mouth in case of sweet, sweet disaster. 

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

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What is it? This classic scoop shop uses milk and cream from upstate dairies and hand-churns every flavor in small batches in Manhattan. Classic flavors like butter pecan, cherry vanilla, peppermint stick and orange sherbet add to the nostalgic vibe. 

Why we love it: One scoop is good; three scoops is better. A Julia Jean’s sundae is best of all, from a classic Julia’s Banana Split with a scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry topped with a banana, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry, to the sweet-and-salty Otis with a chocolate chip cookie, salted caramel sauce, your choice of ice cream and (of course) a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry.  

Time Out tip: Sundaes are available in a kid size, so you can keep every bite of your own sundae all to yourself. 

Address: 202 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Wed, Thurs 2–10pm; Fri 2–11pm; Sat–Sun 1pm–11pm

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What is it? The annual March reopening of this scoop shop heralds the arrival of spring in the city. When nearby McGolrick Park begins to defrost, The Screen Door starts serving up their flurry sundaes—vanilla soft serve whipped with marshmallow fluff and toppings and served in a big bowl—alongside egg creams, slushies and more. 

Why we love it: Sure, there’s old-fashioned vanilla, but there’s also a newfangled ice cream pizza, with vanilla soft serve on a graham cracker crust served in six slices, plus ice cream nachos with waffle cone pieces and a drizzle of hot fudge. 

Time Out tip: In a world where a single scoop can run into the double digits, The Screen Door serves it up for $5. 

Address: 145 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Daily 2-9pm

What is it? An Italian-inspired gelato shop from Hallie Meyer.

Why we love it: Yes, the lines are still long at Caffè Panna, no matter which location you go to. And as much as we are allergic to waiting, we grin and bear it just for a taste of Meyer's Italian-inspired ice cream. The shop offers flavors that are always on hand, like chocolate with a hint of salt and Caffè Bianco Stracciatella, but the daily specials keep things just as exciting, folding in treats like Nutter Butter brittle, tart passionfruit and soft-baked oatmeal cookies. Each scoop comes with an airy dollop of panna, finishing out the decadence in style. 

Time Out tip: The Brooklyn location houses Caffè Panna’s production facility, so you can see how the gelato gets made while you eat.

Address: 77 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003; 16 Norman Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 1:30pm–9:30pm

What is it? A Portland import that finally made it out to New York in 2024. 

Why we love it: What started out as a pushcart in Portland now has 42 locations across the nation, including two locations in Manhattan. Co-founder and head ice cream innovator Tyler Malek's creativity seems to know no bounds, as some of his 600 flavors include bone marrow and coconut toffee candied mealworms. If you prefer your cone not to challenge you, the shop's Honey Lavender and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons might be more up your alley. 

Time Out tip: Each store gets a few scoops tailored to the area, and New York is no different. The Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge Ice Cream uses babka from Breads Bakery. 

Address: 540 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014; 360 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Opening hours: Daily 11am–midnight

What is it? A community-minded ice cream shop from a husband-and-wife team that doles out lavender-infused and sweet cobbler creations. 

Why we love it: To celebrate the “sweet life,” husband-wife team Nick Larsen (Blue Hill, Telepan) and Petrushka Bazin Larsen opened a community-minded ice cream parlor in their neighborhood of Mount Morris Park District in Harlem. The duo purveys creative flavors like coffee ice cream with turmeric and orange blossom water with gluten-free pistachio cake. Additional treats include milkshakes, ginger beer floats and ice cream sandwiches. Peep the gallery wall as artist Raúl Ayala showcases rotating portraits of local neighbors. 

Time Out tip: Their menu changes with the seasons, so expect to see winter treats like ice cream hot chocolate and a summertime peach cobbler flavor. 

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Daily 2–10pm

What is it? A retro-looking ice cream shop run by a WD-50 alum.

Why we love it: This circus-striped ice cream spot has expanded into multiple locations across NYC and the country. Chef-owner and WD-50 alum Sam Mason whips up unique flavors, such as lemon thyme shortbread and matcha rocky road.

Time Out tip: Many of their flavors are only available for a limited time, so if you see something you’ve gotta try, head there ASAP.

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Varies by location

What is it? A family-run Chinatown institution that’s been around since 1978. 

Why we love it: Even though this scoop shop is nearing its 50-year mark in business, a queue still forms outside, as if the doors had just opened yesterday. The line scoots along fast enough, giving you time to snap a few shots of their iconic sign and sample a few tastes of durian, pandan and red bean before committing to a scoop. 

Time Out tip: The place is compact, like a one-in-one-out situation, so plan on taking this perfect treat for a walk through the neighborhood.

Address: 65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

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What is it? An old-fashioned ice cream parlor designed to bring you back in time. 

Why we love it: If you want a real trip down memory lane, Eddie's Sweet Shop paved the road with sugar and cream. The Forest Hills staple's been scooping frozen treats for more than 100 years. Their simple homemade ice cream and malted milkshakes make it look easy to withstand the test of time.

Time Out tip: Make your own egg cream with your choice of syrup, milk and seltzer. 

Address: 105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 3–10pm; Fri–Sun 3–11pm

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What is it? Two locations, in Cobble Hill and Manhattan, serve up South Asian-inspired ice cream, kulfi pops and “ice cream sandos” with flavors like cardamom snickerdoodle rose and chocolate chili peanut crunch.

Why we love it: At her first permanent scoop shop location, which debuted in NYC back in 2019, founder Pooja Bavishi serves up egg-free flavors like golden turmeric, date tamarind, cherry black cardamom and butterscotch butter pecan. 

Time Out tip: Their newly opened Manhattan location is serving up swirls of saffron and pistachio soft serve, just in time for a summer treat.  

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–11pm

What is it? An old-timey ice cream shop found inside a 1920s apothecary.  

Why we love it: If you're searching for proof that New Yorkers are nostalgic for simpler times, this old-timey soda fountain is the pudding. The antique-y spot evokes a Rockwellian universe where sweethearts dip straws into a single egg cream and scrappy dogs lap up milkshake spills. Plus, there's an emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients—just like in the old days.

Time Out tip: The shop won the first-ever “Golden Syphon” award at the inaugural Brooklyn SeltzerFest, making it even more legit.  

Address: 513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 2-10pm; Fri 2–11pm; Sat 1–11pm; Sun 1–10pm

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What is it? Once a simple operation out of a yellow ice cream truck, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is now serving its artisanal scoops to the masses. 

Why we love it: Although it first came to fame as a fairly precious artisanal, local ice cream truck and then a more widely known scoop chain, Van Leeuwen's more recent (and national) renown is for its successful stunts like a "limited edition" mac and cheese flavor. But it still offers options like chocolate, honeycomb and Sicilian pistachio, all churned from scratch.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of vegan options here that are actually pretty legit. Get them by the scoop, the pint or even pressed inside an ice cream sandwich. 

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Varies by location 

What is it? An all-American ice cream shop that’s easily spotted by its blue awning.  

Why we love it: Nick Morgenstern’s flagship parlor in Greenwich Village has tons of fun flavors to choose from, and they're tinkering all the time. Among the ever-inventive options they've been scooping up since 2014, you'll find non-traditional stuff like olive oil chocolate sorbet, raw milk, pineapple salted egg yolk and cardamom pear gummy.

Time Out tip: Want even more Morgenstern’s? Order a custom ice cream cake for shipping or pickup, with your choice of flavors and frostings including toasted meringue and matcha whipped cream. 

Address: 88 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Daily noon–midnight