Summer season is sort of formally right here! Which implies it’s lastly time to attend in monstrously lengthy strains for scrumptious ice cream.
Philly’s ice cream sport is made from legends. Our very personal Bassetts is credited as “America’s oldest ice cream model” after opening its doorways in 1885 and churning out creamy wondrousness. Since then, town’s ice cream scene has continued to innovate and ideal the chilly, velvety deal with.
In honor of the season, we’ve put collectively a listing with a few of our tried-and-true favourite ice cream retailers, in addition to a set of newbies to take a look at.
Malai
Malai has simply opened a model new retailer in Rittenhouse. From the thoughts of chef Pooja Bavashi, the store first began 10 years in the past in Brooklyn and has since expanded to D.C. Bavashi’s ice cream is infused with daring, spiced flavors from her South Asian heritage like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom and saffron. The identify, Malai, means “cream of the crop” in Gujarati. The shop additionally serves vegan flavors like “passionfruit cilantro,” and is at the moment that includes a particular “honey bun” scoop for the brand new debut!
260 South 18th Avenue, Rittenhouse

Irv’s Ice Cream
Irv’s Ice Cream first made its mark final summer season as just a little refurbished trolley on the Cherry Avenue Pier. This yr they’re again with Bella, a brand new brick-and-mortar retailer in Bella Vista. The small store has a nostalgic vibe and focuses on custard-based ice lotions. Proprietor Ilissa Shapiro named her place after her grandfather, who used to have an old school soda fountain in his basement. Shout-out flavors embody “horchata,” “banana chocolate tahini swirl,” “lemon blueberry” and “candy corn.”
932 East Passyunk Avenue, Bella Vista

Weckerly’s in Rittenhouse
OK, Weckerly’s isn’t precisely new, however their Rittenhouse location is. Plus, if having one other Weckerly’s location within the metropolis is improper, we don’t wish to be proper. The beloved store, which began in Fishtown in 2012 after which had a stint as a “micro-creamery” in Globe Dye Works, was purchased by Cristina Torres in 2024. The brand new location, together with Malai, is popping the neighborhood right into a can’t-miss spot for ice cream.
9 W. Girard Avenue, Fishtown
160 N. Gulph Highway, King of Prussia
New! 1600 Spruce Avenue, Rittenhouse

The Franklin Fountain
Over 20 years in the past, brothers Eric and Ryan Berley got down to create an ice cream parlor with an old-timey vibe. They greater than succeeded with The Franklin Fountain. The spot in Previous Metropolis matches its historic neighborhood. Strolling inside, the decor is a blast from the previous, with traditional menu objects like root beer floats and banana splits. The flavors are completely creamy and style recent. For a pleasant classic scoop, the Franklin Fountain is the spot to be.
116 Market Avenue, Previous Metropolis

Gran Caffe L’Aquila
Gran Caffe L’Aquila focuses on scrumptious Italian gelato and sorbetto from Stefano Biasini, winner of the 2014 World Cup of Gelato. With traditional flavors like “pistachio,” “stracciatella” and “mango,” it’s onerous to decide on a scoop. The store, which doubles as an acclaimed restaurant, additionally presents knowledgeable espressos. So, in case you’re an affogato particular person, Gran Caffe L’Aquila is a can’t-miss.
1716 Chestnut Avenue, Rittenhouse

Bassetts
Bassetts is the O.G. for a purpose. Not solely is the ice cream silky and flavorful, however the retailer has been working since 1861. Their recipes have been handed down over generations, and flavors run from “banana” and “butter pecan” to extra trendy choices like “matcha.” Situated in the course of Studying Terminal Market, ordering a traditional Bassetts scoop is a no brainer.
45 N. twelfth Avenue, Middle Metropolis

John’s Water Ice
OK, sure! John’s Water Ice is firstly a water ice spot – however a very good water ice store isn’t price a lot with out some epic delicate serve to make a scrumptious gelati. Combining all-time flavors like “cherry” and “lemon” with creamy delicate serve has been a staple for over seven a long time at John’s. The ice cream is so clean and engaging it could even stand by itself.
701 Christian Avenue, Bella Vista
2975 Philmont Avenue, Huntingdon Valley

Milk Jawn
Whereas some ice cream purists desire a menu with traditional flavors, these on the lookout for trendy, elevated, but unpretentious fare ought to take a look at Milk Jawn. The small-batch, premium store started as a passion from co-owner Amy Wilson’s kitchen in 2012. Now, they’ve expanded from East Passyunk into one other store in Northern Liberties, and simply launched a summer season cookie-and-ice-cream collab with Levain Bakery. Some staple flavors embody “lemon curd with blueberry basil swirl,” “vegan mango sticky rice” and “earl gray with honeycomb.” Our mouths are already watering.
1439 E. Passyunk Avenue, Passyunk
946 N. 2nd Avenue, Northern Liberties

1-900-ICE-CREAM
The road at 1-900-ICE-CREAM is usually out the door and down the block. Nonetheless no must telephone 911, because the 1-900 line strikes quick. Tender-serve doesn’t all the time get the love and a focus it deserves, however that’s not the case at this little store. The shop options distinctive swirls each week, like “ube and graham cracker” and “strawberry and cheesecake custard.” Plus, various kinds of enjoyable, nostalgic choices are all the time on rotation, together with a peanut butter snickerdoodle ice cream sandwich and their “Dankaroo.”
229 S. twentieth Avenue, Rittenhouse
1244 N. Entrance Avenue, Fishtown

Float Dreamery
Vegans rejoice! Float Dreamery just isn’t solely amazingly tasty, however they focus on dairy-free choices. You may order from the Fishtown store’s window flavors with distinctive and enjoyable names like “cookie monsieur” and “globzilla.” In the event you’re feeling further hungry, pints might be pre-ordered on-line.
1255 E. Palmer Avenue, Fishtown

Cloud Cups
Cloud Cups creator Galen Thomas first offered his signature gelato at festivals and meals vans; then got here his Fishtown retailer to a lot acclaim, and most not too long ago a brand new flagship location in Kensington. The flavors on the menu change weekly, and lots of are enjoyable and eccentric like “strawberry french toast,” “froot loops” and “frose.”
2311 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown
3525 I Avenue, Kensington

Zsa’s
Because it started practically 15 years in the past, Zsa’s has been a colourful and enjoyable addition to Philly’s ice cream scene. Sadly, that is the final summer season to benefit from the retailer’s daring ice cream flavors, like “banana pudding” and “black magic” in a gourmand cone from The Konery. On the finish of final yr, proprietor Danielle Jowdy introduced that 2025 could be Zsa’s final. The store is closing this December. With cups, cones, ice cream sandwiches and pup cups, we’re greater than prepared to absorb the solar and revel in Zsa’s till it’s formally time to say goodbye.
6616 Germantown Avenue, Mount Ethereal