Nothing screams summer more than a mound of ice cream sitting atop a waffle cone or a banana split sundae with all the fixings. Sure, finding ice cream shops in New Jersey isn’t hard—but beyond the usual, why not experience an old-fashioned ice cream shop that gives everyone a bit of nostalgia? From a 1950s-inspired diner setting to a classic with a starring role in the last Sopranos episode to singing waiters belting out Broadway’s best, you can’t beat the atmosphere of an old-school ice cream parlor or the taste of their homemade confections. Read on for some of the best ice cream shops in New Jersey with a retro feel, and if you’re craving cake, check out these sweet dessert spots in NJ. (featured photo credit: @coolscoopsnorthwildwood)
Ice Cream Shops in New Jersey with an Old-Fashioned Twist
Who can resist a banana split from Cool Scoops in North Wildwood? Stop by one of the ice cream shops in New Jersey that give you a blast from the past. Photo Credit: @coolscoopsnorthwildwood
Ice Cream Shops in North Jersey
Conrad’s Confectionery
This Bergen County staple has been around since 1928, selling homemade ice cream and delectable chocolate candies. In the warmer months, the store switches over to an old-school ice cream shop to highlight its homemade ice cream (recipes that have stayed the same since the 1930s)—sold in cups, on cones, and even in pints—plus sweet novelties that have an ice cream base, including pies, cakes, and pops. They also have an ice cream truck for private parties serving their popular frozen treats.
107 Westwood Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675
Holsten’s
Fuggedaboutit— if you want to enjoy an old-school diner and ice cream parlor experience straight from Hollywood, this is the place. This Bloomfield restaurant is most known for being featured in the final scene of the popular HBO hit The Sopranos. And although we don’t know what crime boss Tony Soprano ordered for dessert, we can bet it was one of their 19 homemade flavors (or specials of the month) served in a metal ice cream bowl—or made into a sundae. And if you’re hungry, a full diner menu is available—that is if you can resist having dessert first.
1063 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Last Lick’s
One look at the logo of Last Lick’s, and you know the owners are baseball fans. The retro-shop vibe plays into the baseball theme, serving up unique homemade flavors and delicious soft serve. You’ll love to dig into these fantastic flavors, like Brownie Batter and Graham Slam, Banana Cream Pie, Cherry Vanilla, Red Velvet Oreo, and more, including seasonal flavors. Planning a party? Their legendary ice cream cakes (try the pizza one), pies, sandwiches, mini-cone dippers, cannolis, Oreo cookie specialties, and sliced bananas dipped in chocolate are available all year round and can be themed for holidays or parties.
134 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ 07936
Thee Ice Cream Parlor
Nestled in Hunterdon County, this old-fashioned ice cream shop in New Jersey brings you back to the 50s with checkerboard walls and red accents. Choose from over 80 flavors of homemade, gourmet ice cream, including fat-free and sugar-free frozen yogurt, Italian Ice, and soft-serve options. Got a big crowd? Dig into The Big Bopper with six scoops of your favorite ice cream with banana and toppings like pineapple, cookie crunch, and hot caramel, served in a 48-ounce margarita glass.
463 US Highway 202, Flemington, NJ 08822
Ice Cream Shops in Central Jersey
Days in Ocean Grove
Ocean Grove’s oldest continuously operating business makes this one of those famous ice cream shops in New Jersey. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sundaes, milkshakes, floats, and soft-serve ice cream are scooped up onto cones and in dishes all summer. Taste flavors like Toasted Coconut, Salted Caramel Pretzel, or Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Luckily, it’s open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day—a cherry on top of a hot summer at the shore.
48 Pitman Avenue on Auditorium Park, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Hinlickity’s Ice Cream Parlor
With a black and white floor, red retro chairs, and aluminum tables, Hinlickity’s is a 1950s ice cream experience for anyone who enters their doors. Their mouthwatering menu is heavy on classic drinks—milkshakes, orange cream, egg cream, and root beer float—and offers two special sundaes—The Hinlickity Split or The Rickity Hinlickity. And for more retro fun on demand, book their authentic retro Chevrolet Ice Cream Truck with ice cream and all the Good Humor favorites for your next party.
120 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ 07732
The Music Man: The Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
At The Music Man, nicknamed the “Singing Ice Cream Shoppe,” you can enjoy old-fashioned ice cream while watching performers belt out show tunes in a vaudeville-style nightly cabaret. The show is always free when you order a sundae, and there are a bunch of ice cream concoctions, like a Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich, Affogato, and ice cream floats. Table reservations are recommended, though guests without one are seated on a first-come, first serve. Check their website for a calendar of events with times and performances (four nightly shows daily throughout the summer), including a Disney sing-a-long.
2305 Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ 08735
The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour
Join the famous singing Waitri for ice cream, music, and fun at the Surflight Theatre in Long Beach Island. Enjoy theatrically themed ice cream concoctions like The Phantom of the Opera (a luscious chocolate and hot fudge combo), The Sound of Music (vanilla and peach layered with strawberry sauce), and many more. The Show Place has been open since 1975, and the entertainment and ice cream are showstoppers. Don’t miss out on their Sing-A-Grams.
200 Centre Street, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Ice Cream Shops in South Jersey
Nellie Bly’s Olde Tyme Ice Cream Parlour
Named after the famous journalist and the train (which ran through the town), this women-run ice cream parlor has traditional and unique ice cream flavors (Guatemalan Ripple, anyone?) and water ice. Can’t decide between the two? Try a Radio Ball, water ice stacked on top of ice cream. Speciality Sundae options range from the famous Train Wreck, a banana split with five scoops of ice cream and toppings, to the Candy Caboose with two scoops of ice cream, topped with M&M’s, gummy bears, whipped cream, and a cherry.
529 Main St., Riverton, NJ 08077
77 Hartford Road, Delran, NJ 08075
The Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor
You can’t miss this ice cream shop in New Jersey while driving along Ocean Avenue in Ocean City – look for the large carousel horse. This family-owned establishment sells ice cream (30-plus flavors to make your mouth water) and is known for its specialty sundaes. Try Duke’s Famous Banana Split with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream and fruits smothered in chocolate sauce, or indulge in the Dark Side of the Moon with two scoops topped with hot fudge, chocolate chips, whipped cream, homemade chocolate-dipped wafer cookie and, of course, a cherry. The menu includes sugar-free ice cream, yogurt, peanut butter balls, milk, dark chocolate-covered pretzels, and pound cake.
800 Ocean Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
Cool Scoops
The giant ice cream sundae above the entrance gives away what this 1950s-inspired diner is selling – cool scoops of ice cream and a trip down memory lane. The memorabilia is all around, including a jukebox and classic 50s cars made into booths and tables to enjoy more than 30 flavors of ice cream (dairy-free, sugar-free, low-carb options available). Sundaes are a staple and feature yummy toppings like crushed cookies, peanut butter, pretzels, butterscotch, gummy bears, and more. And, whether you have one scoop or two in a bowl or on a (pretzel, cookie/M&M, waffle, or chocolate-dipped) cone, you are sure to leave here with a full belly and a feeling of how it was back in the ’50s.
1111 New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, NJ 08260
UMMM Ice Cream Parlor
With a menu of delish sundaes, fresh waffle concoctions, and classic ice cream sodas, this seasonal ice cream parlor in NJ, has been dishing out homemade ice cream for over 38 years. Everything is made on the premises of the historic building (decorated with turn-of-the-century antiques and accents), and there are always ten basic flavors and nine specials that change regularly throughout the season (hint: they take requests). And if you are all about the cone, make sure to order an UMMMER, a freshly made waffle cone loaded with two flavors, toppings, and whipped cream.
236 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
Lindy Hops Homemade Ice Cream
Step onto checkered floors and back into the 1950s at Lindy Hops. Try all 32 flavors, from Mississippi Mud to Cherry Amaretto Chip. There are also no-sugar soft-serve ice cream flavors and soft-serve no-fat yogurt. Don’t miss out on the homemade water ice with flavors from sour apple to Swedish Fish to Cotton Candy.
401 South Pitney Road, Galloway, NJ 08205
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