Ice Cream, Ice Pops, and More

Looking for the best ice cream places in NYC? Look no further for icy cold treats! We rounded up the coolest only-in-NYC favorites.

When it came to ice cream treats in the Midwest in the ’80s, we had one ice cream option: Dairy Queen. Don’t get me wrong, that twist cone hit the spot, but its simplicity certainly makes the variety of cold treats in NYC that much more impressive. The top of the parental joy list has to be those excited eyes my girls get when presented with a frrrozen hot chocolate, gelato, or ice pop! Go beyond the basic cone and try something new and cool this summer.

From ice pops in Crown Heights to Little Italy’s plant-based gelato, we’ve got the tastiest and most unique icy treats in town. We’ve also rounded up the best ice cream places in NYC and the top spots for outrageous ice cream sundaes in NYC. Beyond these sweets, find more kid-approved eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

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Choose your soft-serve twist favors at Marvel Frozen Dairy, Inc.

Best Ice Cream Places and Cold Treats in NYC for Kids

1. Marvel Frozen Dairy, Inc. – Astoria, Queens

Sweltering summer in the city beware, this classic Queens spot is ready to deliver soft-serve ice cream treats that are sure to beat the heat. With a variety of flavors and cones, you can’t go wrong. The walk-up window also makes it a great option for a sweet treat on the go, though feel free to chill at its outdoor seating area.

What to order: My girls love twisting up the plant-based birthday cake and mango soft-serve in a homemade sugar cone.

2. Dreamery – Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

This is my kiddos’ new favorite spot, and I can see/taste why. This hip new spot offers plant-based ice cream treats and some local flavor to boot. The last time we were there, there was face painting and a DJ out front. It’s like an ice cream dance party; quite frankly, a childhood fantasy! With multiple soft-serve stations—be forewarned you’ll pay by weight—milkshakes, and gelato ice cream sandwiches, every choice is the right choice.

What to order: Have them make you an ice cream sandwich on the spot with housemade cookies and gelato.

RELATED: 18 Insane, Must-Try NYC Desserts for Kids

Figo Il Gelato Italiano serves up traditional and plant-based gelato. Photo by the author

3. Figo Il Gelato Italiano – Little Italy

Speaking of gelato, fuggedaboutit! Little Italy’s Figo is arguably the best in the city. Rich, creamy, and authentic, you’ll leave here feeling full of frozen goodness. As a bonus, it also has plant-based ice cream treats for vegans and lactose-intolerant individuals.

What to order: The panino gelato, a homemade brioche bun with a scoop of gelato inside. It’s even better with cannoli flavored gelato!

4. Ro’s Diner – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Probably the “coolest” (get it?) diner in Brooklyn. Ro’s Diner (formerly Champs) is the place to go for a twist on all the NYC diner staples. Think the classic bacon and egg joint in the morning, a Cuban sandwich for lunch, and meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. The kicker is they are all plant-based! This includes the ice cream treats, which let’s be honest, are good any time of day.

What to order: You gotta go with a classic root-beer float at Ro’s, and for the parents, snag it with craft-made cold brew

5. Van Leeuwen – Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn Locations

You may have noticed this long-time favorite has been expanding, with new locations popping up throughout the city recently. A new one just opened up next to me in Astoria, score! There’s a reason for that, its ice cream treats are stellar. It also changes up its flavors on the reg, so depending on how often you head out for your frozen fix, there’s a chance for a new experience.

What to order: If it has strawberry shortcake on the menu, you really shouldn’t choose anything else.

RELATED: Heat Wave Hot List for Things To Do With NYC Kids When It’s Hot

Pick up some ice pops at Davey’s Ice Cream to keep cool.

6. Davey’s Ice Cream – Greenpoint, Brooklyn

From the East Village to the streets of Brooklyn in 2017, Davey’s Ice Cream quickly became a go-to, cool-down spot for Greenpoint locals. But, with the care it puts into its ice cream treats, word has gotten out. Bonus: The best slice joint in Brooklyn, Screamers, is right down the street. Ice cream treats and pizza, c’mon life is good!

What to order: Get a large Roasted Pistachio to share with the whole fam, and I promise you won’t be sorry.

7. Serendipity 3 – Upper East Side

It’s hard to imagine an NYC ice cream treats list without this iconic dessert shop. There’s a reason for that—it’s delicious! Newly revamped and reopened, Serendipity 3 has been cooling down New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike for more than 70 years.

What to order: Locals already know what I’m going to say here: You gotta go with the Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate, which is 14 types of cocoa blended to make one of the best chocolate milkshakes you’ll ever try.

RELATED: 20 Iconic Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

Unique flavors help keep you cool at Island Pops.

8. Island Pops – Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Let’s round off the list with the often-forgotten summer savior; the ice pop. With a multitude of flavors of handmade popsicles, Island Pops brings a little taste of the Caribbean to the City. For those who still poo-poo these frozen treats, it also has unique flavors of handcrafted dairy and vegan ice creams.

What to order: Grab a guava pop in one hand, lemon-lime basil in the other, and check out a beautiful Brooklyn neighborhood that most people miss.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the shops