Summer in Austin means it’s time to find the BEST ice cream in Austin! Let’s be real…I eat it year-round in this city (because it’s occasionally really hot in December), but I’m especially keen on cold, creamy treats in the hot Austin summer months.
I grew up on Bluebell ice cream; my dad would keep a minimum of 4 half-gallon tubs in our outdoor freezer at all times, and he was always searching the ads in the mail for the “2 for $5 deal” to stock up.
Related: the ultimate guide to the best cookies in Austin
Now that I’m living in Austin, I’m a big fan of all of the ice cream shops that source their ingredients locally, provide dairy-free options, and offer some of the most Instagrammable treats imaginable. (Like number 10 on my list…)
I’m pretty sure I never want to live a life without ice cream in it. Here’s a new updated list for 2019 of the Best Ice Cream Shops in Austin…including some vegan options!
11 Best Ice Cream Shops In Austin
1. DOLCE NEVE GELATO (vegan available)
I should really be a part-owner of this shop by now. I mean, I’m kind of obsessed with it. I’m at Dolce Neve all. the. time.
It’s the cutest little gelato shop in Austin! Anytime I have guests in town, I bring them here. The small size is the perfect for a quick treat, and the flavors are ridiculously good because they use real fruits and nuts and high-quality milk. Any time they have the mascarpone + fig or the fromage black + jam I get one of those flavors.
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S First St, Austin TX 78704
512-804-5568
Also see: your guide to the best pizza in Austin
2. Amy’s ice Cream
Amy’s Ice Creams was my first ice cream shop to try in Austin. I was visiting a friend, and she took me here while we were walking near UT campus, and I fell in love and moved to Austin!
Amy’s is sort of like Austin’s version of Cold Stone Creamery – you pick a flavor and some mix-ins, and they put it on a cold slab of marble and mix in all the candy.
They have lots of fun flavors and mix-ins to try, but be sure to at least sample the Mexican Vanilla ice cream. It’s their best seller, and it tastes like cake batter!
Amy’s ice cream
3500 Guadalupe st, Austin TX 78705
512-886-5933
3. Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon
This is some of the best ice cream in Austin and also the hardest sell…because it comes from a grilled chicken restaurant. Unconventional, I know, but it helps to know that Laura Sawicki, the award-winning pastry chef at Launderette, is the mastermind behind these incredible pints.
Flavors rotate, but expect something amazing every time. A few of my favorites have been Lemon Meringue Pie Ice Cream with big swirls of meringue, Mexican Chocolate (spicy!), and Rice Krispy Treat Ice Cream.
You can get it as dessert after your meal, or just go to the walk-up window and order a pint to take home.
Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon
1703 S First St, Austin TX 78704
512-992-9246
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4. Lick Honest Ice Creams (vegan available)
Lick’s ice cream is made with the highest quality local ingredients they can find, and all of the Lick scoop shops have the friendliest employees who encourage you to try lots of samples!
If I had my way, I’d always keep 4-5 pints of this ice cream in my freezer at home. Lick’s approach to ice cream is simple: use the highest-quality local ingredients you can get, and the ice cream will be superb!
My favorite flavor is the Texas Sheet Cake, but the rotating seasonal flavors (Blueberry Crumble! Lemonade Pound Cake!) are crazy good, too.
PS: their vegan flavors are amazing! Sometimes I even prefer them over the milk-based ones.
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1905 Aldrich St #150, Austin TX 78723
512-502-5949
5. Nadamoo Scoop Shop (vegan)
If you’re looking for the best 100% vegan ice cream shop in Austin, Austin company NadaMoo! wins in my book!
The South Lamar scoop shop dishes out their delicious coconut-based ice cream in dairy-free cones. My favorite flavor is Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, which works really well with the coconut-milk base. They also have shakes and floats!
Nadamoo Scoop Shop
1701 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78704
512-359-8441
6. DipdipDip Ice Cream
WOW! This place wins as far as unique ice cream experiences go. DipDipDip’s “shabu-inspired” ice cream sandwiches and cones are full of the craziest ingredient like tamarind-soaked raisins, fried parsnips, and miso croutons. They’re pricey, but this makes a fun date night spot. Each cone is full of FIREWORKS of flavor, and somehow the mix of sweet + umami all works out. Super fun and unique ice cream experience! [photo source]
DipDipDip Ice Cream
7301 Burnet Rd, St 101 Austin TX 78757
512-893-5561
Related: top 20 restaurants in Austin Texas
7. Dolce Bacio (Vegan Available)
If you want authentic Italian gelato in Austin, you must go check out the hidden truck in East Austin! It’s still relatively unknown to the tourists, but I have a feeling that’s going to change pretty soon because this stuff is LEGIT.
A sweet Italian couple moved to Austin to start their business here, and all of the gelato and sorbet flavors are made from scratch daily with real, fresh ingredients.
Here’s what totally wows me about this place: whether you’re ordering a milk-based gelato or a fruity vegan sorbet, the flavors are RICH! I mean, the pistachio ice cream legitimacy tastes like real pistachios (they don’t dilute it with almonds like most ice cream shops do), and the cantaloupe sorbet tastes like sweet, cold, juicy cantaloupe.
It’s the cutest little gelato shop in Austin! Anytime I have guests in town, I bring them here. The small size is the perfect for a quick treat, and the flavors are ridiculously good because they use real fruits and nuts and high-quality milk. Any time they have the mascarpone + fig or the fromage black + jam I get one of those flavors.
Dolce Bacio Gelato
2207 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin TX 78702
512-945-4542
8. Cow Tipping Creamery
They started as a little food truck in Austin and have expanded to multiple locations in Texas. Cow Tipping Creamery has soft-serve “stackers,” which are layers of their made-from-scratch soft ice cream alternated with baked goods and toppings. Think: funfetti cake chunks, rum caramel sauce, and brown butter Ritz crumbs. There are literally thousands of possible combos, and they’re all crazy delicious. It can get a bit overwhelming, so they have some pre-made stackers that you can choose from, too. [Photo source]
Cow Tipping Creamery
4715 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78705
512-904-0033
9. Cold Cookie Company
Do it for the ‘gram! Oh my goodness….the cookie sandwiches “Unshakes” at Cold Cookie Company are MASSIVE, so plan on splitting one with a friend unless you want to go into a sugar coma!
The bright colors make this one of the most instagramable ice cream stops in Austin, but the ice cream/cookies are absolutely delicious, too!
Cold Cookie Co.
2512 Rio Grande St, Austin TX 78705
512-305-3771
10. Sweet Ritual (vegan)
Sweet Ritual is another fantastic vegan ice cream shop in Austin! (Gosh…we have a lot of dairy-free options in this town..)
Most of their ice creams are coconut or nutmilk based, so they have an irresistibly creamy texture.
The toppings are vegan as well, and they offer gluten free cones. If you have any dietary restrictions, Sweet Ritual is for you. [photo source]
Sweet Ritual
4631 Airport Blvd, Austin TX 78751
512-666-8346
11. Sandy’s Frozen Custard
Go to Sandy’s Hamburgers if you want to experience a true Austin classic restaurant. This little drive-thru burger, custard, and root beer stand has been in South Austin since the 1940s.
Sandy’s frozen custard is one of my favorites for a quick, cheap summer snack. Here’s a little tip: don’t attempt to eat the chocolate dipped custard in the car….you’ll just make a mess!
Sandy’s Frozen Custard
603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX 78704
512-478-6322
A few other ideas:
Jeni’s Spendid Ice Creams has opened two locations in Austin. It’s originally from Columbus, OH, and if it had originated in Austin it would probably be first on this list…but I’m keeping things local. However, it’s some SERIOUSLY crazy good ice cream with the most decadent, fun flavors! |WEBSITE|
Luv Fats Ice Cream is available every Sunday at the Mueller Farmers Market (preorder here.) This yummy ice cream is made out of appreciation for healthy fats using avocado and coconut milk. |WEBSITE|
The Baked Bear has these big, decadent ice cream and cookie sandwiches. Like Jeni’s, it’s not a local Austin place, but it is SO much fun (makes great photos and really fun for kids!) |WEBSITE|
Lou’s Bodega is a fun stop in east Austin; it’s a simple menu of custard + mix-ins, and it’s cold, sweet, soft, and a fun stop after getting barbecue at La Barbecue across the street! |WEBSITE|
Thai Fresh (vegan) is a Thai restaurant, bakery, and coffee shop that has some seriously delicious vegan ice cream. |WEBSITE|
Looking for more Austin restaurant ideas? Head to my Austin Index to run your own search by part of town, type of food, or time of day!
My mouth is watering girl…. I used to live by an Amy’s on 32nd st and went all the time. I don’t think I ever tried any of the others though. Pinning this to reference for next time!
– Claudia
http://www.justalittleblush.com/
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[…] Also see: The 11 Best Ice Cream Shops in Austin (With Vegan Options!) […]
Baked Bear needs to be on this list – a new fav!
Baked Bear is sooo good! Totally Instagrammable, too. 😉 I tried to stick to ice cream shops that are from Austin for this blog post, and Baked Bear is from San Diego (but thank God they opened that Austin location, right?!)
[…] Check this out: The 11 Best Ice Cream Shops in Austin (Including Vegan Options!) […]
[…] Also see: 11 Best Ice Cream Shops in Austin (Including Vegan Options) […]