There’s no doubt ice cream is one of the summer’s sweetest pleasures, and NJMOM’s picks for some of the best ice cream in NJ will give you a reason to make the most of this delish pastime. From nostalgic, creamy soft serve at Denville Dairy in Denville to vegan frozen treats at Cookman Creamery in Asbury Park to gourmet recipes and fresh flavor combos from Latteria in Swedesboro, there’s a scoop to satisfy every flavor craving. Grab a spoon or a cone, and get ready to sample ice cream with your kids in NJ’s best shops. And if you want more frozen treats, check out these old-fashioned ice cream parlors for a sweet sundae. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
30+ places for the best ice cream in NJ
Ice Cream in North NJ
Cool down with a delicious ice cream cone this summer at Applegate Farms. Photo Credit: @applegatefarminc
Amanda Bananas
Looking for an alternative to ice cream and frozen yogurt? Amanda Bananas’ frozen treats are made 100% from fruit and are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. But this isn’t a brick-and-mortar shop, so be on the lookout for the Amanda Bananas food truck. P.S. Visit the truck at Pier 13 in Hoboken on select dates.
Amanda Bananas
Food Truck in Hoboken, NJ
Text for hours and location (973) 495-7718
Applegate Farm Ice Cream
Enjoy sweet scoops of the past at Applegate Farm. This stellar sweet spot has deep family roots, dating back to 1848, with tradition to match taste and quality. The entire family contributes to continuing to churn out some of the best homemade ice cream in NJ.
Applegate Farm Ice Cream
616 Grove St, Montclair, NJ 07043
Beenie’s Ice Cream
Like the family dog it was named after, it is truly one of a kind with creative and classic flavors. Try fun flavors like Cherry Blossom, Dunkaroos, Glazed Donut, and Vanilla Caramel Brownie. Dairy-free flavors include Flamingo with piña colada sorbet, made with pineapple puree, shredded coconut, and cream.
Beenie’s Ice Cream
38 Morris St., Morristown, NJ 07960
Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream
Since 1975, Cliff’s Ice Cream in Ledgewood has served up scrumptious homemade memories. With over 60 unique flavors (Homemade Sticky Buns and Huckleberry Buckle among them), your family’s homemade ice cream dreams come true at this classic, open year-round.
Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream
1475 US-46, Ledgewood, NJ 07852
Das’ Creamery
The handmade, gourmet blends take inspiration from around the world, with maple ice cream inspired by Quebec, Canada, and creamy gelatos from Florence and Rome, Italy. The unique combinations include Banana Oreo, Dark Knight (licorice), and Fig. They also have vegan and dairy-free options.
Das’ Creamery
The Shoppes at Village Green, 100 US-46, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Denville Dairy
Although you might have to wait in line to sample all your faves at Denville Dairy, we assure you it’s well worth it. This place is packed in the summertime, with families waiting to get a cone or a scoop, order a legendary ice cream cake, or bring home their homemade flavors.
Denville Dairy
34 Broadway # A, Denville, NJ 07834
Holsten’s
Long before it made TV history as the setting for the iconic last scene of The Sopranos, Holsten’s ice cream parlor was a favorite for generations of North Jersey families. This old-fashioned ice cream parlor has been doling out homemade ice cream, sundaes, ice cream sodas, and milkshakes from its counter for decades of dessert goodness.
Holsten’s
1063 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Ice Cream Charlie’s
Famous for its rotating specialty flavors, regular customers check Ice Cream Charlie’s Facebook page daily to see the exciting new ice creams of the week. Our favorites are Lucky Charms, Purple Cow, and Fluffernutter.
Ice Cream Charlie’s
200 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070
Milk Sugar Love
How does Lemon Olive Oil, Hazelnut Chip, or Matcha Oreo ice cream sound? Oh wait, there are even more unique flavors like Honey Lavender and Guava Cream Cheese. Travel and restaurants inspire the flavors, and the name of this sweet shop represents ice cream in its simplest form—milk, sugar, and love.
Milk Sugar Love
19 McWilliams Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Nasto’s Ice Cream Co.
With flavors like Holy Cannoli and Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel, this spot is a Newark landmark dating back to 1939. They’re famous for old-world Italian frozen favorites that satisfy any sweet tooth with homemade ice cream, spumoni and tortoni, Tartufo, cakes, fresh fruit sorbets, and many other specialties.
Nasto’s Ice Cream Co.
236 Jefferson St, Newark, NJ 07105
Torico Ice Cream
Serving happiness since 1968, Torico Ice Cream was originally a deli serving tropical ice cream flavors the owners craved from their native Puerto Rico. Since then, it’s become a homey, welcoming neighborhood ice cream shop in Jersey City. Feast on homemade flavors year-round, order pints to go, and try out cool flavors like green tea or ube (purple yam).
Torico Ice Cream
20 Erie St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Ice Cream in Central NJ
A delicious shake on a hot day? Yes, please. Photo Credit: @jerseyfreeze1952
Magic Fountain
This family favorite is known for its delicious flavors and affordable sweets. Their Magic Blends are a unique, creamy, drinkable ice cream akin to Dairy Queen’s Blizzards. Craving a cone but don’t want to deal? Skip the line and order ahead online so that when you arrive, it’s ready for pick up.
Magic Fountain
498 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ 07901
Nicholas Creamery
Brown Sugar Cookie Dough—with a name like that, how could you not give it a try? Or what about PeanutButterpalooza or Mint Oreo? Small-batch, all-natural ice cream with seasonal ingredients is available at five locations in Monmouth County, offering milkshakes, sundaes, and even fresh, house-made waffle cones.
Nicholas Creamery
84 1st Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
586 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704
1201 Sycamore Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
444 Ocean Blvd N, Long Branch, NJ 07740
1500 Route 35, Middletown, NJ 07748
OwowCow
Handcrafted super-premium ice cream from scratch with local organic and natural ingredients—yes, please. Local roasted fruits and vegetables and organic extracts are used in their frozen treats, and the bakers make homemade cookies. When you visit, you can choose from 12 signature flavors like Blueberry Lemon, I Hate Chocolate, and Honey Lavender. Also, look out for monthly specials, seasonal favorites, dairy-free sorbet, and vegan ice cream.
OwowCow
237 N. Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Sundaes The Ice Cream Place
A popular Jersey Shore ice cream spot, Sundaes has several locations throughout New Jersey with a yummy assortment of flavors, such as Mississippi Mud Pie, Cake Batter, Razzle Dazzle, and Ooey Gooey Oreo. It is also one of the only spots on the East Coast with Dole Whip, a pineapple freeze favorite usually found in Hawaii and Disney World.
Sundaes The Ice Cream Place
1059 NJ-34, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747
2211 NJ-35, Manasquan, NJ 08736
3217 NJ-88, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
324 Atlantic City Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08757
Surreal Creamery
With locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Texas, Surreal Creamery is also known for ice cream in NJ. Try the Mason Jar Special in flavors like Earl Grey Everyday or Chocolate Blackout. Or try a Floatea, which is bubble tea combined with ice cream—yum!
Surreal Creamery
8 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
130 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
The Bent Spoon
Using clean, innovative, and sometimes even “boozy” ingredients, The Bent Spoon is the perfect place to dip into during your next ice cream craving. The warm atmosphere of this rustic-style parlor invites families in for anything from an ice cream sandwich to a classic cone.
The Bent Spoon
35 Palmer Square W, Princeton, NJ 08542
Thomas Sweet Ice Cream
For over 40 years, this Princeton favorite has been churning out homemade ice cream, blend-ins, pastries, and chocolates. With shops in Skillman, New Brunswick, or their two locations in Princeton, you can try their unique flavors like Bittersweet Chocolate, Mississippi Mud Pie, or Banana Pudding.
Thomas Sweet Ice Cream
29 Palmer Square W., Princeton, NJ 08542
183 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
US-206, Skillman, NJ 08558
55 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cookman Creamery
Cookman Creamery is a local favorite in hip and happening Asbury Park, and we know your fam will love it too. Step inside this unique ice cream shop for traditional, vegan, or gluten-free options like Honey Lavender, Belgian Cookie, PB Monster, and much more.
Cookman Creamery
711 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Halo Farms
With light and airy flavors like Strawberry Amaretto, Chocolate with Cherries, and Strawberry Heath bar, it’s hard to pick just one of these ice cream options at Halo Farms, a working micro-dairy in Lawrenceville. If you can’t make it to the original store, check out the other pub locations in the area, which are more cafes offering ice creams and espressos. Make sure to stop by Halo Fete Princeton, America’s first ice cream patisserie specializing in unique and pretty ice cream cakes, where they sell single slices.
Halo Farms – 970 Spruce St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Halo Pub Princeton – 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Halo Pun Hamilton – 4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Halo Fete Princeton – 5 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Hoffman’s Ice Cream
Drive by one of these Jersey Shore institutions, and you’ll likely see a line out the door. Hoffman’s Ice Cream has served the Garden State the sweetest scoops since 1955. Stop by for one of the signature flavors (Jersey Monkey and Cookie Monster are must-tries) or a shake. Bonus: You can book Hoffman’s ice cream truck for social events, birthday parties, and weddings now, too.
Hoffman’s Ice Cream
800 Richmond Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
569 Church Street, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762
Jersey Freeze
This legendary soft serve has your family’s name written all over it. Since the ’50s, Jersey Freeze has been known for the best ice cream in NJ. They serve soft-serve cups or cones (we love the Pistachio) and 50s-era favorites like burgers, malts, and shakes. Their shake-of-the-month creations are out-of-this-world creative (and delicious). Check out their location at Bell Works in Holmdel.
Jersey Freeze
120 Manalapan Ave, Freehold, NJ 07728
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Ice Cream in South NJ
Ice cream is always a good idea. Photo Credit: @dufferswildwood
Alaura Candy Co.
With unique flavors like Pink Cotton Candy, Raspberry Peppermint Bark, or Vegan Ripple Vanilla Ice Cream, Alaura changes flavors daily and lists them on its website. You can also order online to pick up pints or ice cream pies, milkshakes, and food.
Alaura Candy Co.
36 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe
Nacho Ice Cream Tray? Yes, you read that right—at Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe, there are some truly unique ways to eat ice cream in NJ. They pride themselves in incredible creations, like the Cookie Monster or Birthday Cake.
Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe
26 S. Main St., Mullica Hill, New Jersey 08062
Duffer’s Restaurant & Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor
Indulge in delicious homemade flavors, sugar-free ice cream, dairy-free ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and low-fat frozen yogurt. But wait, there’s more—Duffer’s also has a restaurant, mini-golf course, and arcade for a fun day.
Duffer’s
5210 Pacific Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260
Fleck’s Ice Cream
Cozy up to this adorable ice cream parlor with lots of outdoor seating. Try sundaes like the Frutti Loop, Almond Joy, and the Boston Cream Puff, or indulge in a Sugar Cookie Big Chill to cool off.
Fleck’s
1600 Bayshore Road, Villas, NJ 08251
Gelato Dolceria
The taste of Italy in South Jersey—indulge in Cherries and Cream, Spumoni, Honeycomb, or Dulce de Leche Gelato. Or try Blood Orange or Melon Chili Sorbetto. There are also pastries, cookies, and hot drinks like Americano or Affogato.
Gelato Dolceria
147 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Latteria
Produced by hormone-free cows raised on family farms, Latteria stocks the creamery daily with 30 hand-picked flavors from their comprehensive recipe book. Try cheesecake, mango tango, mint Oreo, and Lochness (cake batter Oreo flavor with sprinkles and chocolate chip cookie dough). P.S. It’s cash only, so come prepared.
Latteria
Swedes Plaza, 95 Woodstown Rd, Unit i, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Richman’s Ice Cream
Since 1894, Richman’s has been providing sweets and treats for South Jersey. Cotton candy ice cream, a hot chocolate chip sundae, a cannoli sundae, and delicious treats will keep you coming back to this ice cream shop. And if you are looking for more substantial food, Richman’s also has a burger company.
Richman’s
3107 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, NJ 08203
Sundae Best Homemade Ice Cream
With two locations in Avalon, you can enjoy the traditional ice cream sundae, ice cream floats, and banana splits at Sundae Best. Or taste their well-known flavors like Avalon Mud, Smurf, and Garden Mint.
Sundae Best
2900 Dune Dr., Avalon, NJ 08202
2801 Boardwalk, Avalon, NJ 08202
The Ice Cream Parlour
Get under the big top at this circus-themed mom-and-pop parlor, which features an adorable working miniature carnival display and lots of colorful details everywhere you look. Kids can play the spinning wheel for a prize while you place their orders for delish milkshakes, candy-topped sundaes, soft serve, and delicious water ice in flavors like Mango and Island Breeze.
219 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
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