Best Ice Cream In Chicago

Not much is more satisfying than indulging in the best ice cream in Chicago on a hot, muggy day. From traditional ice cream, to thick custard, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and even Italian ice.. Chicago provides it all.

Jeni s Splendid Ice Creams – $$
Jeni’s take pride in their product – they utilize the freshest ingredients around to create their ‘from scratch’ goodies. Their menu is quite extensive, with new flavors being introduced pretty regularly. If you are a chocolate fiend, they have you covered. If you prefer fruit, they have you covered. Maybe you live dangerously and prefer to mix the two – the provide you the option.

Besides ice cream, they offer : frozen yogurt, sorbet, ice cream sandwiches, and a plethora of toppings to accent it all.

Lakeview
3404 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-7139

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – $$ [cash only]
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream knows what it takes to create quality ice cream that people lust over – the key is cream and lots of it. Rich Wisconsin cream is used as the base for their tantalizing ice cream. Their motto is “you want nutrition, eat carrots.” Over the years [since 1962] they have been growing in popularity and expanding in reach across the states. While not all flavors are available at all shops at all times, they have around 100 to choose from. They range from caffeinated ice cream, sugar premium, non-sugar, non-dairy, Italian ice, non-dairy soy, non-fat yogurt, and the classic sherbet. There is literally something for everyone. Besides their main shops, you can find many independent shops that also serve their ice cream. There is a on their website.

Forest Glen
5337 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-9778

Scooter s Frozen Custard – $
Scooter’s Frozen Custard is “a darn good hot dog”. Confused? Mardi and Denny Moore had a dream of opening some form of business of their own – Denny dreamed of a hot dog stand, but is more than happy with their outcome. Scooter’s sources fresh ingredients and prepares their custard daily. The offer vanilla, chocolate, and a flavor of the day – which constantly rotates. Their small flavor selection is made up by the toppings, mix-ins, and ways to eat your custard. Small numbered production assures quality control, which is very high here. For those of you that are unsure of custard, it is basically a thicker, gourmet style of ice cream – but it tends to contain less butter fat. It takes the perfect combination and procedure to create a perfect custard – which they have.

Lakeview
1658 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 244-6415

Lickity Split Frozen Custard – $
Lickity Split is much more than just an ice cream shoppe. They have a vast selection of candies and sweets that will take you back to your childhood. They aim to be an all around venue of sweet tooth satisfaction – they succeed immensely. They may specialize in custard, but really that is only because Lickity Split Frozen Custard, Sundaes, Concretes, Shakes, Malts & Floats, and of course Coffee & Espresso with a side Pastries & Candy.. is a little too long to fit on the sign. Go and indulge in everything.

Edgewater
6056 N Broadway Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-0830

Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor – $
Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor is the quintessence of ice cream parlors. It is not outdated at all, but it has that classic presence to it. Besides fantastic homemade ice cream, they make their own root-beet for floats. Not many places can claim that. Their fresh cakes and pies complimented by a scoop or three of their ice cream hits every single sweet spot perfectly. They have twenty-eight different flavors of ice cream, including: vegan, dairy free, and nut-free options to name just a few. Plus, you can order or ice cream in many, many different forms.

Forest Park
7347 Madison St
Forest Park , IL 60130
(708) 366-7970

Annette s Italian Ice – $ [cash only]
Annette’s Italian Ice is a place that neighborhood locals have a hard time passing-up whenever they walk by. They specialize in Italian ice, which is basically flavored shaved ice. With almost twenty flavors to choose from, and even more if you decide to opt for it in smoothie form. They also offer over fifteen flavors of ice cream that all seem like they could be served as dessert in an upscale restaurant. It is a whole in the wall [literally] parlor, but it is definitely one to seek out.

Lincoln Park, DePaul
2009 N Bissell St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 868-9000

Sugar Shack – $
Sugar Shack offers your fix of sugar cravings. Their main attraction is their funnel cake sundae; yep, you read that right. They have a plethora of toppings to choose from; for example your funnel cake could be topped with ice cream, whipped cream, peanut butter, cinnamon toast crunch, cherries, brownie bites, caramel, and chocolate. Besides their ridiculously amazing funnel cakes, they offer ice cream in almost any form imaginable – they even have Italian ice if that is more your style.

Bridgeport
630 W 26th St
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6568

Margie’s Candies – $
Best Ice Cream in Chicago Sundae Margie s
via Flickr :: Lisa Harbin

For more than ninety-years Margie’s Candies has been serving Chicago. That makes this some of the best ice cream in Chicago for almost a century. The same family recipe has been in place since their doors opened. Everything is made fresh using all natural and Kosher ingredients. They serve over ten flavors of ice cream, along with yogurt and sherbet for variety. Not only do they make tantalizing ice cream, their homemade candies are like nothing you have every experienced. Do yourself a favor and check out what Chicago has been raving about for almost 100 years.

Logan Square, Bucktown
1960 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-1035

Tate’s Original Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop – $
Tate’s ice cream shop established itself in the La Grange community nearly thirty-years ago. The shop is small, but that is perfectly fine – it keeps the atmosphere to a personal level. The owners want nothing but the best for their patrons, and they have proven to go out of their way to make sure people have the best experience possible. If the atmosphere and hospitality is not enough for you, their ice cream does not fall short at all. They have a good variety to choose from; none of them will disappoint.

La Grange
25 S Ashland Ave
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 352-4848

Bobtail Ice Cream Company – $
Bobtail Ice Cream Company has humble beginnings dating back to 1950. Each creation is prepared with the same thought in mind – compliment each ingredient so you can taste each one. Nostalgia takes over when you walk through the doorway. It is exactly what you hope for in an ice cream parlor. Their menu is expansive and offers basically every form of ice cream treat that you can even crave, plus more. Perfection is what they strive for, and they have reached it – making Bobtail Ice Cream Company one of the places for the best ice cream in Chicago.

Lakeview
2951 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-7372