Every season is ice cream season in Massachusetts but there is no doubt that our local ice cream selections are best enjoyed in the summer. Maybe it’s the sweet reward after a long winter or the perfect pairing with a day at the beach. No matter the reason, there are amazing local ice cream shops across the state.
Greater Boston
Toscanini’s, Cambridge
Called “The Word’s Best Ice Cream” by the New York Times, Toscanini’s was founded in 1981. The crew makes all of their ice cream in store, experimenting with local and international flavors. At their two Cambridge locations, you’ll find complex flavors like Burnt Caramel, Halvah, Earl Grey, and Vienna Finger Cookie, as well as ice cream cakes.
FoMu, Boston
FoMu’s vegan ice cream is hand made from scratch with all plant-based ingredients and natural sweeteners. Signature flavors include Grasshopper Pie and Birthday Cake. You can even get an ice cream sandwich with the shop’s vegan cookies!
Honeycomb Creamery, Cambridge
Using locally sourced, in-season ingredients, Honeycomb Creamery makes all of their small batches in house, from scratch. The quality ingredients and special attention make the difference – you’ll often find a line out the door! Flavors include Salted Caramel Crackle and Honey Lavender, and vegan options include Horchata and Mint Mojito.
Cape Cod & the Islands
Ice Cream Sandwich, Hyannis
The name of the shop is also their specialty – you won’t want to leave Cape Cod before sampling one of their oversized Ice Cream Sandwiches. You can get yours between fresh baked cookies or Cape Cod donuts. If a sandwich isn’t enough, try a giant sundae in one of the shop’s homemade waffle cones!
Four Seas Ice Cream, Centerville
Four Seas is the oldest ice cream shop in Massachusetts, serving up classic New England cones since 1934. Some of the shop’s recipes date back more than 90 years. Named for the 4 bodies of water that surround Cape Cod, they’re particularly known for their fresh fruit flavors – Fresh Peach was Jackie Kennedy’s favorite.
Sundae School, Harwich Port, Dennisport
If you’ve ever wanted to stop by a vintage soda fountain, Sundae School’s Dennisport location is for you – their marble soda bar has been in place for over 100 years! Quality ingredients like in-season fruit, fresh pistachios, and real whipped cream make the difference – the shop has been lauded by publications like USA Today, Food and Wine Magazine, and MassLive.
North of Boston
Richardson’s Ice Cream, Middleton
Richardson’s provides ice cream to shops across the state, but if you want the full experience, you have to visit their working dairy farm in Middleton. Not only can you pick up a delicious cone with a generous portion of homemade ice cream, but you can also stop by their driving range, mini golf course, batting cages, and even meet some cows.
Bedford Farms Ice Cream, Bedford, Concord
Bedford Farms has been a family-run business since they were founded in 1880. Their classic walk-up stand has been Bedford mainstay since the 1950s, and all of their ice cream is made on-property. They are also known for their custom ice cream cakes and ice cream pies.
Benson’s Ice Cream, Boxford
Since 1932, Benson’s has been serving up their premium, artisanal ice cream to locals and tourists alike. They are known for their “Fresh Native” flavors – ice creams made with fresh fruit sourced from local farms, only served seasonally. Vegan options made with soy and coconut ingredients include Coffee, Black Raspberry Chip, and Heath Bar Crunch.
South of Boston
Crescent Ridge Dairy, Sharon
Crescent Ridge’s working dairy farm produces dozens of mouthwatering flavors using their small batch milk. But don’t take our word for it – they’ve received awards from the World Dairy Expo, National Geographic, and Best of Boston. Family-owned since 1932, you can also pick up your farm and dairy needs at their shop.
Ziggy’s Ice Cream, Plymouth
Ziggy’s seasonal stand is a summer staple of Plymouth Harbor . You’ll often find a line out the door, but the wait is worth it. Ziggy’s serves up dozens of different ice cream flavors from Richardson’s Ice Cream, as well as burgers, hot dogs, fried dough, and tuna melts.
Hornstra Farms, Whitman, Norwell
Family-operated for over 100 years, the Hornstra Dairy Farm bottles fresh milk and cream and churns their own butter at their vintage farms. Seasonally, they use their fresh milk to make handcrafted ice creams. Stop by for flavors like Cow Tracks, Blueberry, or Purple Cow.
Central Massachusetts
Kimball Farm, Westford, Lancaster, & Carlisle
Kimball Farm has been treating locals for over 80 years. Today, they offer more than 50 flavors. Specials include Gingersnap Molasses, Pumpkin, and Chocolate Caramel Whiskey. You can also get frozen yogurt, sorbet, and vegan ice cream.
New City Microcreamery, Hudson, Sudbury, & Cambridge
Using a secret process involving liquid nitrogen, New City Microcreamery creates exceptionally delicate ice cream with a one-of-a-kind smooth mouthfeel. With creative flavors like chipotle mezcal, baklava, and Dubai chocolate, New City ice cream is a unique local delicacy that you just have to try for yourself.
Rota Spring Farm, Sterling
Founded in 1911, Rota Spring Farm is in its third generation of family ownership. Since 1998, they’ve created award-winning homemade ice cream with flavors that you won’t find anywhere else. Specialty flavors include Apple Pie, New York Cheesecake, and Ginger. For the kids, there’s a petting zoo on site! For the adults, you can pick up fresh fruit and veggies along with your sweet treat.
Western Massachusetts
Herrell’s Ice Cream Shoppes, Northampton, Amherst
Herrell’s is a Western MA must, and for good reason – their creator invented the ‘smoosh-in’ method of adding ground up toppings to ice creams on a cold marble slab. With over 400 flavors historically (not all offered at all times, but you can usually find up to 40 at a time) and custom mix-ins, you can always try something new.
Mt. Tom’s Homemade Ice Cream and Candy Store, Easthampton
Want to stop back in time? Though they opened in 2003, Mt. Tom’s has the feeling of an old-fashioned soda fountain. With over 50 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and gelato, as well as gourmet chocolates, penny candy, and custom ice cream cakes, your sweet tooth is sure to be satisfied.
SoCo Creamery, Great Barrington
What sets SoCo Creamery’s ice cream offerings apart from others is their ingredients. Whether it’s the local dairy, local blueberries, or real vanilla, regulars have lined up for SoCo’s premium offerings since they were founded in 2004. Don’t miss their creative flavors like Lemon Poppyseed, Ginger, and Mission Fig.
Want another scoop?
Check out the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail for more tasty offerings throughout the state.
