We’ve got the scoop on the best ice cream in Chicago!
It’s hot out in Chicago which means there’s one thing you must have at hand at all times–an ice cream! That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best ice cream shops in Chicago to help you keep cool this summer.
Our mapped out list has everything from La Michoacana’s refreshing paletas to Black Dog Gelato’s outrageously cool flavors. We’ve even put together a little map to help you find all of these incredible spots even when you’re looking for a new ice cream shop to check out (just scroll to the bottom of this article!)
1.Black Dog Gelato, West Loop
Each month, this West Loop gelato shop stocks its cases with its incredible array of gourmet signature and specialty flavors. At Black Dog, you’ll be able to enjoy intriguing, boundary-pushing flavors such as sweet corn and goat cheese cashew caramel. These are perfect if you’re feeling a little adventurous and want to expand the boundaries of your gelato connoisseurship!
You can find Black Dog at 1012 W Lake St or at 859 N Damen Ave in Ukrainian Village.
2. BomboBar, West Loop
Summer’s coming in hot this year and so is Bombobar! The fast-casual eatery by MasterChef’s Fabio Viviani has recently reopened its walk-up window in the West Loop with a brand new seasonal menu that will shake your summer right up with mouthwatering cups of Frozé, irresistible gelato shakes and their brand new Italian ice slushies. The bar even has released a vegan, summer version of their famous hot chocolates that looks so amazing its no wonder they call it “The Choc of the Town”. Yum!
Find it at 832 W Randolph St.
3. Buzzed Bull Creamery, Wicker Park
Buzzed Bull is the latest addition to the Chicago ice cream shop scene. This Wicker Park creamery works with liquid nitrogen to create incredibly creamy and smooth ice cream. And if you’re looking to spice things up when it comes to your ice cream, Buzzed Bull also has booze-infused options! With over 30 available flavors on its menu, the possibilities are endless! Buzzed Bull offers up to 12 different pre-designed concoctions such as “Bonfire” with marshmallow syrup, graham cracker, chocolate chips and cinnamon whiskey, and “Tiger Stripes” whipped up with chocolate, peanut butter, peanut butter cups, peanut butter sauce and spice rum.
Find Buzzed Bull Creamery at 1948 W North Ave.
4. La Michoacana Premium, Pilsen
This Mexican ice cream shop and its colorful paletas are a total must-try. La Michoacana’s extensive options, ranging all the way from tangy Michelada to creamy strawberry, will have you coming back and back again for more! The shop also sells tangy mangoneadas, with blended mango sorbet, diced fresh fruit, lime juice and Tajin chili powder, another incredible option for cooling down in the hot summer weather!
Find La Michoacana Premium at 1855 S Blue Island Ave.
5. Lickity Split, Edgewater
At Lickity Split you’ll be able to enjoy amazing frozen custard whipped into dreamy retro treats like concretes and sundaes. Those with a specially sweet tooth should know the shop also offers cookies, cupcakes and chocolates aside from their frozen treats. The star of the show? Their banana split of course!
Find Lickity Split at 6056 N. Broadway Ave. or 7000 N. Western Ave.
6. Legend Tasty House, Chinatown
If you’re a fan of hand rolled ice cream then you should definitely check out Legend Tasty House. At this Chinatown ice cream shop, employees hand roll the ice cream in front of you and finish it off with mix-ins such as fresh fruit, oreo cookies, taro and a bunch of other amazing toppings!
Find Legend Tasty House at 2016, 2242 S Wentworth Ave.
7. Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Logan Square
Peanut butter potato chip? Banana horchata? This place has some pretty cool flavors, so cool you could say they’re ice cold! At Pretty Cool Ice Cream you’ll find an option for anyone, all the way from chocolate-dipped ice cream bars in classic flavors to fruit and buttermilk bars as well as plant-based and dairy-free options.
Find it at 2353 N California Ave.
8. The Original Rainbow Cone, Beverly
This ice cream shop and its stacks of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts plus cherries), pistachio, and orange sherbet have been a total staple of summer in Chicago for more than 80 years now. This year, the Original Rainbow Cone is spreading some love all across Chicago with its brand spanking new van, complete with ice cream paint job, so make sure to follow the rainbow (van)!
You can find the Original Rainbow Cone at 9233 S Western Ave or Navy Pier.
9. Scooter’s Frozen Custard, Lake View
If you’re a big fan of frozen custard then you should also check out Scooter’s Frozen custard, where you can grab totally amazing concrete and sudaes custom-made just for you using top-notch ingredients from America’s Dairyland, a.k.a Wisconsin, and awesome mix-ins like graham crackers, hot fudge and peanut butter cups!
Find it at 1658 W Belmont Ave.
10. Sugar Shack, Bridgeport
Looking to go all out for your ice cream? Sugar Shack’s treats are the stuff of which the sweetest dreams are made off. Take a seat at one of Sugar Shack’s patio tables and enjoy their funnel cake sundaes, ice cream tacos and other frozen treats for the ultimate sugar rush!
Find Sugar Shack at 630 W 26th St.
See also: 9 Wonderful Waterfront Dining Spots In Chicago
[Featured image: @79monique, Instagram]