Ice cream is the one sweet treat that delights both kids and parents. You can’t go wrong grabbing a scoop or two at your favorite local shop. But what about taking the frozen classic to the next level? Chicago is not shy about rolling out over-the-top ice cream to impress your whole family.
From adorable animals creations to warm waffles topped with ice cream, we rounded up four unique ice cream spots to add to your family bucket list. Let us know which place you are going to try first in the comments below!
Read more: Treat Your Kids to Chicagoland’s Best Ice Cream Shops
Best over-the-top ice cream in Chicagoland
Adorable animal gelato cones at Eli’s Ark
- Address: 1843 W. North Ave., Chicago
This women-owned gelato shop in Logan Square loves to get creative with their handcrafted scooped turned into the cutest critters you’ve ever seen. Whether it’s a panda or bunny, each cone is almost too cute to eat. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to order — just pick your favorite animal and the team at Eli’s Ark will bring it to life, one scoop at a time. Can’t choose just one? Go for a “piggybacking” cone and stack multiple animal friends together for double the cuteness (and flavor).
Build your own taco at Dessert Dealer
- Addresses: 108 N. Green St., Chicago; 1824 W. Division St., Chicago; 405 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
If you’re planning to dine at Pizza Parlor, you have to save room for dessert! Not many people know over their totally cool dessert menu featuring their tacolatos. The dessert tacos are served on sweet waffle shells with fun options like Cookie Monster and Gimme S’more (a recreation of the famous Choco-Taco). You can even build your tacolato with a long list of type of shell, gelati, sauces and toppings.
No dairy worries with these over-the-top sundaes at Vaca’s Creamery
- Addresses: 2324 W. Giddings St., Chicago; 1436 W. Blackhawk St., Chicago
Vaca’s Creamery is known for their vegan ice cream, which is music to parents’ ears with kids who have dairy allergies and dietary restrictions. But what really sets this spot apart is that their treats are anything but boring. Think indulgent sundaes piled high with cookie dough, brownie bites and all your favorite sauces. And with rotating seasonal creations that are as fun as they are flavorful, you’ll definitely find yourself coming back for more.
Bubble waffle sundaes worth the sugar rush at Eiffel Waffle
- Addresses: Locations in Chicago, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Tinley Park and more opening soon
There’s one reason why Eiffel Waffle has expanded across the Chicago area and beyond — their bubble waffle sundaes. Imagine warm, fluffy bubble waffles folded into cones and packed with ice cream scoops, fun toppings and drizzles galore. You have so many sundae options to choose from or even build your own! If you’re not feeling ice cream, we suggest checking out their Waffle Towers too.
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