Webster’s might have a pretty specific definition for the term “expert” that involves an individual possessing a vast amount of knowledge of a certain topic (or something like that). An expert can be someone who has spent their life devoted to science and has learned everything that there is to know about this discipline. An expert can also be someone who has mastered a very high level of a video game. It seems to me that the term “expert” is subjective and can have a different meaning, depending on the situation being referenced. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’d like to make a proclamation. I believe I am an expert ice cream taster.
Being an expert in the world of New York City ice cream has a lot of expectations and pressures. It is my honor and duty to serve my city by providing as much information about ice cream as I possibly can. My expertise will only continue to flourish if I am able to share my knowledge with the world. I’m going to be honest with you, I have not tasted every single ice cream from every single ice cream shop in NYC. Ignoring the fact that I’m an A.P.E. and don’t like to try new things, it would still be an impossible task to accomplish. I don’t even think I’ve been alive for enough years to actually attempt that venture, but I’m really bad at math.
So, having officially made this audacious statement, I will now share my top list of best ice cream in NYC. To keep it simple, I’m only considering ice cream scoop shops. Gelato, Shaved Snow, Rolled Ice Cream, etc. will not be included in this list. Oh and one more thing! This list isn’t in any particular order because I love them all!
Best Ice Cream in NYC, Summer 2015
Emack & Bolio’s – When you go to E & B, you have to get an ice cream cone. The cones are a treat all on their own. I’d say S’MOREO is my favorite of the flavors I’ve had. It’s basically cookies & cream mixed with s’mores ingredients.
Mikey Likes It – You have to get a “Mac Daddy” here. That’s what they call the Belgian Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich. The waffles come in a few flavors, I suggest Red Velvet and you can pick whatever ice cream you want in the middle. The ice cream flavors at Mikey Likes It are fun because of the inventive ingredients and the creative pop culture names. There is also a “flavor of the month” and new ice cream is constantly being developed.
OddFellows Ice Cream Co. – OddFellows has two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn (I’ve been to both). The one in Brooklyn is much bigger and has a larger variety of daily flavors, as it is the flagship store. OddFellows makes all of their ice cream in the Brooklyn location and has flavors on rotation. You can actually check the website, that gets updated multiple times daily, for the current flavor offerings at each location. If you’re like me, I suggest going for a more basic flavor like Sprinkles, but if you are the adventurous type, you might want to try Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I heard that was good.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream – Van Leeuwen is an ice cream shop in New York and Los Angeles as well as an ice cream truck. You can also buy their ice cream in some stores and markets. Van Leeuwen makes several vegan flavors (not that I would eat those personally) in addition to the classics. The two flavors I always end up getting here are Strawberry and Espresso. Van Leeuwen only makes a certain amount of ice cream per day, so if you want something specific, the earlier you go the better. I’ve yet to make it in time to taste the Cookies + Cream before it’s sold out!
Davey’s Ice Cream – Hands down best Cookies & Cream ice cream I’ve ever had! Davey’s makes an incredible ice cream sandwich too. It’s completely customizable and you can pick any topping that you want for the sides. The ice cream at Davey’s is made in house and you can actually watch through a big glass window in the back of the shop.
Ample Hills – Voted number one ice cream in America by The Food Network, Ample Hills lives up to the hype. The flavors are unique, but not too crazy that I wouldn’t eat them! There are a total of five locations throughout New York City, and each one has it’s own special flavor named for the location of the shop. So far, I’ve been to two Ample Hills, the one in Manhattan and the original location in Gowanus (Brooklyn). The “Snap Mallow Pop” might just be the best ice cream I’ve ever had and if not, it’s pretty damn close. The flavor is basically marshmallow infused ice cream with chunks of Rice Krispies mixed in.
Webster’s might have a pretty specific definition for the term “expert” that involves an individual possessing a vast amount of knowledge of a certain topic (or something like that). An expert can be someone who has spent their life devoted to science and has learned everything that there is to know about this discipline. An expert can also be someone who has mastered a very high level of a video game. It seems to me that the term “expert” is subjective and can have a different meaning, depending on the situation being referenced. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’d like to make a proclamation. I believe I am an expert ice cream taster.
Emack & Bolio’s – When you go to E & B, you have to get an ice cream cone. The cones are a treat all on their own. I’d say S’MOREO is my favorite of the flavors I’ve had. It’s basically cookies & cream mixed with s’mores ingredients.
Mikey Likes It – You have to get a “Mac Daddy” here. That’s what they call the Belgian Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich. The waffles come in a few flavors, I suggest Red Velvet and you can pick whatever ice cream you want in the middle. The ice cream flavors at Mikey Likes It are fun because of the inventive ingredients and the creative pop culture names. There is also a “flavor of the month” and new ice cream is constantly being developed.
OddFellows Ice Cream Co. – OddFellows has two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn (I’ve been to both). The one in Brooklyn is much bigger and has a larger variety of daily flavors, as it is the flagship store. OddFellows makes all of their ice cream in the Brooklyn location and has flavors on rotation. You can actually check the website, that gets updated multiple times daily, for the current flavor offerings at each location. If you’re like me, I suggest going for a more basic flavor like Sprinkles, but if you are the adventurous type, you might want to try Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I heard that was good.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream – Van Leeuwen is an ice cream shop in New York and Los Angeles as well as an ice cream truck. You can also buy their ice cream in some stores and markets. Van Leeuwen makes several vegan flavors (not that I would eat those personally) in addition to the classics. The two flavors I always end up getting here are Strawberry and Espresso. Van Leeuwen only makes a certain amount of ice cream per day, so if you want something specific, the earlier you go the better. I’ve yet to make it in time to taste the Cookies + Cream before it’s sold out!
Davey’s Ice Cream – Hands down best Cookies & Cream ice cream I’ve ever had! Davey’s makes an incredible ice cream sandwich too. It’s completely customizable and you can pick any topping that you want for the sides. The ice cream at Davey’s is made in house and you can actually watch through a big glass window in the back of the shop.
Ample Hills – Voted number one ice cream in America by The Food Network, Ample Hills lives up to the hype. The flavors are unique, but not too crazy that I wouldn’t eat them! There are a total of five locations throughout New York City, and each one has it’s own special flavor named for the location of the shop. So far, I’ve been to two Ample Hills, the one in Manhattan and the original location in Gowanus (Brooklyn). The “Snap Mallow Pop” might just be the best ice cream I’ve ever had and if not, it’s pretty damn close. The flavor is basically marshmallow infused ice cream with chunks of Rice Krispies mixed in.
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They all look and sound amazing!!