Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Salted caramel ice creams on blue plate

It’s not just a summer treat anymore. New Englanders seemed to be obsessed by ice cream, or is it just me? Nah. We all scream for ice cream and here you’ll find the cream of the crop ice cream shops in Boston and slightly beyond.

In a recent article from Time Out Boston, they named their top 16 favorite frozen treat haunts. They named these ice cream shops in Boston as “amazing.” Stating their choices range from adventurous to traditional, these are the places impressed the online local entertainment and news publication. They cover everything from theater to restaurant, activities, movies, events, shopping and must-see attractions.

Ice Cream Shops In Boston That Stand Out

In the list below, you’ll discover a few sweet spots that score points for their creativity in concocting unique combinations. Meanwhile, a few others take the traditional flavors of days gone by and meld them into modern offerings. Here, I’ll dig into 5 of the 10 listed.

In your wildest dreams, could you come up with an ice cream flavor that tastes of Guinness and cornbread? How about mango habanero? These are the things dreams are made of. These are just a few of the creations floating around ice cream shops in Boston.

If you are an ice cream purist, there’s always a home for you. And you will find it here as well. It’s funny, I have a friend who owns a homemade ice cream shop on the Cape, and she tells me people are always sharing their ice cream dreams with her. They love to suggest flavors, when in fact they top seller year after year is generally vanilla.

Perhaps man cannot live on ice cream alone. In that case, you may want to try one of our fabulous bakeries for your sweet tooth fix. Did you know Boston was recently named a top city for bakeries in the United States?

Yes, we love ours frozen treats year round, but is there anything better than a spoonful of cold, sweet creamy dessert slithering its way from your tongue to your tummy? Spoons up, Boston! And cheers to these fabulous and flavorful ice cream shops in Boston.

(Let me know if you have a favorite)

  • 1. Gracie' Ice Cream

    Locations: Union Square in Somerville and Kendall Square in Cambridge

    Gracie’s Ice Cream boasts some truly unique flavors. Above, I mentioned the Guinness and Honey Cornbread. You can always expect the unexpected here and you may want to enjoy your frozen concoction on their toasted Fluff cone. At least I would! You can also take ice cream making classes here. Oh, and they post their flavors daily. Here’s one that caught my attention: “800 Hearts of Fury” (cinnamon ice cream with 800 cinnamon hearts. Yes, please.

     

  • 2. Toscanini's

    Locations: 159 First St. East Cambridge and 899 Main Street


    Cambridge Toscanini’s is the OG of flavor-buster ice cream shops. They’ve been around, making incredibly adventurous flavors since 1981. I’m currently salivating over this flavor: “B3” (brownies, brown sugar, brown butter) and salty caramel. But I wouldn’t say no to maple either.  

     

  • 3. Honeycomb Creamery

    Location: 1702 Mass. Ave, Cambridge

     

    At Honeycomb Creamery,  they think outside the cup. I mean, you can indulge in a new summer flavor of “gin and tonic sorbet!” Their small batch craft ice cream is made from scratch and locally sourced. There are always vegan options. And with flavors like Banana Rum Caramel and Cold Brew Coffee Chip, everyone is going home happy and feeling fearless.  

     

     

  • 4. JP Licks

    Location: 659 Centre St. Jamaica Plain (and many other locations you’ll find HERE) 

    JP Licks served it’s first homemade ice cream in 1981 in Jamaica Plain. They became so popular, new stores popped up year after year. Now, with 17 locations in the Greater Boston area, JP Licks gives you the traditional flavors, along side some very unusual like Noodle Kugel and Fruity Pebbles Cereal Milk. Plus, they dabble in much more than ice cream, like cakes, pies and coffee. They set the gold standard for future small chain ice cream shops. 

     

    Eeny meeny miny moe… catch a Black Raspberry Cookies ‘n’ Cream Frappe and Fruity Pebbles Cereal Milk Frappe by the...

    Posted by J.P. Licks on Wednesday, May 8, 2024

  • 5. Cabot's Ice Cream

    Location: 743 Washington St. Newton

    Cabot’s Ice Cream has been a popular Newton attraction since 1969. Cabot’s is a family owned and operated old-fashioned ice cream parlor and restaurant. They are famous for their generous portions of award winning ice cream and frozen yogurts. It’s like stepping back in time when you go into Cabot’s.  And there’s no lack of interesting and traditional choices with 70 different flavors and a variety of over 35 different toppings! My favorite is Almond Joy, but I think you’ll also love their Cinnamon Apple Crisp, Ginger Bread Cookie and Maine Black Bear. 

     

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