We all scream for ice cream! There are many ways we can enjoy the creamy, frozen treat, but nothing beats visiting an ice cream parlor where you can get an old-fashioned scoop of the slow-churned goodness with all the toppings your hear desires.
In Chicagoland, we have so many great ice cream shops to choose from. We highlighted some of our favorites, including many local mom-and-pop shops that just know how to do ice cream right. Note: Please check ahead on seasonal hours for each ice cream shop before visiting!
Here are the top ice cream shops in Chicago and the suburbs serving up the best double scoop around.
Looking for more kid-friendly activities? Check out our summer fun family guide!
Ice cream shops in Chicago
Lickity Split Frozen Custard
You’ll feel like you’re in a different time as soon as you step in Lickity Split. They offer great custard ice cream with rotating flavors. Kids will love the My Way Sundae where they can choose their own flavor frozen custard and additional toppings.
Margie’s Candies
For more than 90 years, Margie’s has served up hand-dipped candies, homemade sundaes and delicious shakes. Margie’s Candies has seated The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Al Capone and countless others who couldn’t resist Margie’s homemade treats. Don’t leave without a jar of fudge.
Pretty Cool Ice Cream
- Address: 2353 N. California Ave., Chicago
Consider Pretty Cool to be the open-year-round ice cream truck of Logan Square (only with much tastier options). From Peanut Butter Potato Chip ice cream custard bars to the Banana Cream Icicle, there’s a nostalgia-inducing pop for everyone in the family. For dairy-free folks, the shop’s coconut-cream “plant bars” are vegan and delicious.
Shawn Michelle’s
- Address: 46 E. 47th St., Chicago
This Bronzeville shop has shined in the ice cream game with old-fashioned, handmade ice cream. Try their combo flavors including Barack Supreme (Pralines and Cream and Chocolate), or specialty flavors like Jamaican Rum Raisin and Strawberry Cookies and Cream.
The Original Rainbow Cone
- Address: 9233 S. Western Ave., Chicago
The Original Rainbow Cone knew how to make a beautiful ice cream combination long before Instagram rolled around. The signature dessert comes with five colorful flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House, Pistachio and Orange Sherbet. They also have locations at Navy Pier (open seasonally) and around the Chicago suburbs. Plus, you can enjoy a Rainbow Cone at Sox Park the next time your family catches a Chicago White Sox game.
Vaca’s Creamery
- Address: 2324 W Giddings St, Chicago (Lincoln Square) and 1436 W Blackhawk St, Chicago (Wicker Park)
This all-vegan creamery has won over many ice cream loving Chicagoans; so many, in fact, that the creamery was able to expand from a walk-up only window in Wicker Park to a full ice cream parlor in Lincoln Square. Try a dairy-free swirl cone, a PB&J twist or one of the yummy rotating soft serve flavors like pistachio, peanut butter, pumpkin or olive oil, just to name a few. Our favorite? The candy bar sundae: chocolate and vanilla soft serve topped with peanut butter, caramel, a chocolate shell and peanuts. It’s like a dairy-free Snickers and Reese’s cup had an ice cream baby!
Ice cream shops in North/Northwest Suburbs
Capannari Ice Cream
- Address: 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect
While Capannari offers unique and modern flavors like Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel and Bordeaux Cherry Vanilla, you can still expect a classic ice cream experience at this family-owned business. Their homemade ice cream is so good that you can try four different flavors at once with their ice cream flight.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
If you’re planning to go to Ravinia Festival this summer with your family, you have to make a stop at Graeter’s. The family-owned business originated in Ohio generations ago and we’re lucky enough to have two locations in Chicagoland. They’re known for their many chocolate chip ice cream flavors, so make sure you grab a scoop!
Daisy’s Malt Shoppe
- Address: 807 N. Quentin Road, Palatine
You won’t be disappointed on the unique flavors at Daisy’s Malt Shoppe including a variety of classic ice cream brands like Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and Calliope Ice Cream. For families who love root beer, you can’t go wrong with a classic root beer
Dairy Star
- Address: 3472 W. Devon Ave., Lincolnwood
For soft serve ice cream, this Lincolnwood shop should be at the top of your list. You’ll find all the best sundaes including Turtle, Rocky Road and Pina Colada. Plus, depending on the weather, you can enjoy a round of mini golf at Novelty Golf and Games just down the street.
Hooyahs Ice Cream Shoppe
- Address: 3000 Sheridan Road, Lake Bluff
Get ready for the ultimate ice cream flight! The Barge, a 9-flavor sampler, makes it worth the drive to Lake Bluff. If that doesn’t convince you, they also have waffle ice cream sandwiches and ice cream nachos.
Ice cream shops in South Suburbs
The Plush Horse
- Address: 12301 S. 86th Ave, Palos Park
Here’s another ice cream spot that has been serving ice cream for more than 75 years. Other than offering more than 60 flavors of ice cream, sorbets and other frozen treats, your kids will get a kick out of the life-size plush horse in the shop. How cute is that?
Premo’s Ice Cream
- Address: 5540 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn
Fans of soft serve ice cream need to visit Premo’s! The shop gets creative with their ice cream specials (for Fourth of July, they offered a Firecracker Sundae). Customers of all ages will especially love their sundaes and brownies topped with edible eyes.
Hazel Marie’s
- Address: 24030 Lockport St., Plainfield
Hazel Marie’s ice cream flight gives you the option to try their unique flavors like Cotton Candy Twist and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, which is a cheesecake ice cream.
Cool Creations
- Address: 937 S. Hamilton St., Lockport
Cool Creations offers plenty of options to enjoy their homemade ice cream with cake cones, sundaes, shakes, flurries or sometimes even ice cream tacos!
Ice cream shops in Western Suburbs
Banana Split
- Address: 820 Church Road, Aurora
For 40 years, Banana Split has served soft serve, over-the-top sundaes and, of course, banana splits to the ice cream lovers of Aurora. The seasonal walk-up window is beloved by the community. Stop by and find out why for yourself!
The Brown Cow
- Address: 7347 Madison St., Forest Park
This charming ice cream parlor serves up root beer floats from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Their homemade ice creams, pies and cakes are fresh, delicious and definitely worth the trip to Forest Park. Double up on the chocolate-chip ice cream sandwiches — they are divine!
Cookie Dough Creations
- Address: 22 Chicago Ave., Naperville
Cookie dough ice cream fans, you have to go here! This sweet shop features ice cream and milk shakes made with your choice of eight different kinds of cookie dough. Yum! Or, you can just get a scoop of cookie dough, no ice cream.
Kimmer’s Ice Cream
While you won’t be disapointed by the gourmet flavors and homemade ice cream at Kimmer’s, the main reason to go is to try their Sparkle Cone. These ice cream cones are lined with sprinkles to give your ice cream experience a little more pop.
Tates Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
- Address: 25 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange
What’s even sweeter when visiting Tates in La Grange is that you’ll find your favorite old-fashioned candies. But of course, the delicious ice cream and waffle cones will make you want to visit again soon.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
