It’s hot out in Boston which means there’s one thing you must have at hand at all times–an ice cream! Plus, July 16 is National Ice Cream Day! That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best ice cream shops in Boston to help you keep cool this summer.
Our mapped-out list has everything from Emack & Bolio’s totally cool cones to Eataly’s gourmet Italian gelato. 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. Cookie Monstah, Back Bay
This iconic ice cream truck roams the streets of Boston selling amazing cookie sandwiches made with gooey freshly baked cookies. Cookie flavors include S’mores, Red Velvet and Snicker Doodle among others. You can choose to build your own ice cream sandwhich or you can choose to order one of their predesigned combos such as “Buttahscotch” with butterscotch cookies with butter crunch ice cream or “The Salty Dog” with salted caramel cookies with totally turtle ice cream. The options are endless!
2. Emack & Bolio’s, Back Bay
Could we even have an ice cream round-up without Emack & Bolio’s in it? We think not. This Back Bay ice cream shop serves amazing scoops and award-winning smoothies, which are whipped right in front of you using seasonal ingredients. Oh, and their awesome flavored cones dipped in marshmallow fluff and toppings like fruity pebbles and shaved coconut don’t hurt either.
Find Emack & Bolio’s at 290 Newbury St.
3. Eataly, Back Bay
Eataly’s creamy gelato is an absolute must-try on a hot summer’s day. At Eataly, they make their gelato fresh every day using local dairy products from High Lawn Farm, MA, and imported add-ins like Sicilian pistachios and hazelnuts from Piemonte. Buonissimo!
Find Eataly at Prudential Center on 800 Boylston St.
4. FoMu, Allston
Calling all vegan Bostonians! FoMu has just the ice cream for you! Their creamy treats with a gelato-like consistency are made with a coconut milk base and flavors like avocado, bourbon maple walnut, mango habanero, and the summer-only almond raspberry crumble and are totally plant-based. Their shop in Allston also makes vegan-friendly ice cream cakes. Yum!
FoMu has multiple locations including one in Allston on 481 Cambridge St, near Packard’s Corner, and one in South End on 655 Tremont St.
5. J.P Licks, Jamaica Plain
Another Boston classic, J.P Licks has locations all over the city and is a total staple in Boston’s ice cream scene. The ice cream shop always has awesome seasonal flavors like such as PB & Chili, made with sriracha, alongside with all-time faves like Brownie Batter.
J.P. Licks has multiple locations including one in Beacon Hill at 150 Charles St and one in Back Bay at 1106 Boylston St.
6. Taiyaki NYC, Seaport and Harvard Square
The famous NYC ice cream shop opened in Boston’s Seaport District just last year! The store, as it name says, sells Japanese Tayaki and is well known for its totally Instagrammable colorful soft serves served on a fish-shaped waffle. Tayaki NYC also serves matcha frappes, Taro slushies and the famous Japanese fluffy pancakes! The store is currently open for take out only.
Find it at 119 Seaport Blvd Suite B., Boston and 6 Church St, Cambridge, Massachusetts
7. Toscanini’s, Cambridge
Named the ‘best ice cream in the world’ by the New York Times, Toscanini’s never disappoints! The Cambridge shop serves some unbelievably cool ice cream flavors including Goat Cheese Brownie, Peanut Butter Fluff and B3-the Tosc signature which has brown butter, brown sugar, and brownie chunks. Yum!
Toscanini’s is currently open at 159 First St, Cambridge at 899 Main Street
8. Honeycomb Creamery, Cambridge
Using honey throughout most of their flavors, you get a uniquely floral aftertaste with each lick! We love their torched fluff and honeycomb candy as toppings and flavors made with seasonal produce! Make sure to also check them out on a Tuesday when they offer up ice cream taco Tuesdays!
9. Gracie’s Ice Cream, Somerville
With flavors like Wildberry Pop-Tart and Mango Sorbet, Gracie’s is the perfect spot for some summer ice cream.