Nothing feels better than having a fresh scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day. Whether you’re loyal to classic flavors like vanilla and cookies + cream or opt for something a little untraditional (this is a callout to cookie monster ), a creamy sweet treat is truly the ultimate nightcap — and lucky for us, New Jersey knows how to do ice cream. Well. From Absolute Ice Cream in Montclair to Conrad’s Confectionary in Westwood, the Garden State is full of creameries to check off your list. Keep reading for a list of the best ice cream shops in Northern New Jersey.
Absolute Zero Ice Cream | 410 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Sometimes dessert lovers may need a little something more than a soft-serve cone. The Thai-inspired ice cream rolls may be just the delectable treat. Starting with fresh milk and cream as the base, this place hand rolls all the ice cream for patrons. Once toppings are added, it’s all mixed, diced, and put together in the most lovely thinly rolled ice cream to snack on. There is a flavor palette for everyone, but The Montclair Girl loves the Camp Chill flavor.
Alpine Creamery | 14 White Deer Plaza, Sparta
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Open only during the summer months, Alpine Creamery is a delicious stop after a fun day in the sun. Diners can also pick up a sundae kit if they’re looking to take the ice cream home and enjoy. It comes with ice cream, toppings, and cones. Non-dairy folks should rejoice because it also has vegan flavors like cookies-n-cream and vanilla peanut butter.
Applegate Farm | 616 Grove Street, Upper Montclair
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Applegate Farm has a rich history. Opening in 1848, its tagline is “sweet scoops of the past.” While it has changed owners a few times, the delicious ice cream has been a staple for many in the region. There are signature products to try including ice cream pies, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and of course, regular ice cream. Come try the ice cream and check out some of the yearly events around holidays, like Valentine’s Day, Oktoberfest, and more.
Bayside Creamery | 273 Front St #4416, Perth Amboy
Sometimes ice cream just hits better when enjoyed bayside, which is exactly what patrons can do here at Bayside Creamery since it’s across the street from Raritan Bay. Stop in for a cup or cone of so many flavors (customers love the cappuccino crunch), or get it as a shake or sundae. Visitors also enjoy the ambiance and decor, like the blue bike hung on the wall.
Benvenuti Montclair | 20 Church Street, Montclair
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Two first-generation Italian-American families — the Browns and the Mazzeos — bring an authentic Italian gelato and café experience right here to the heart of New Jersey. They were inspired by the quintessential Italian experience of strolling through town, after dinner, enjoying gelato. The gelato is made in-house, and flavors change regularly. There are also vegan, gluten-free, and CBD-infused gelatos available.
Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream | 1475 US-46, Ledgewood
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This stop off Route 46 might not look like much, but during the summer months, it’s the place to be. Park and head up to the window to order — and you really can’t go wrong with any flavor. There are 11 flavors of soft ice cream, 60 hard hand-dipped flavors, and seasonal options to choose from. While the vanilla and chocolate chip cookie dough is good, there are more adventurous choices including holy cannoli and graham central station.
Read More: Where To Find Frozen Yogurt in North Jersey
Conez Hard & Soft Ice Cream Shop | 415 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City
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This Ice Cream Shop brings delicious frozen desserts to the Jersey City area. Not only does it serve ice cream and milkshakes at the storefront, this place also brings ice cream to nearby daycares. There are so many flavors and options to choose from, including 30 milkshake flavors, 15 soft serve flavors, and 4 fruit-based flavors, among other options. Come by the colorful storefront and try one for yourself. The best part is, it’s right off the Light Rail.
Conrad’s Confectionery | 107 Westwood Avenue, Westwood
This classic ice cream parlor makes visitors feel nostalgic, just like they’re walking back in time. There are so many delicious flavors, including sea turtle (salty caramel ice cream with Conrad’s chopped Turtle candy). Conrad’s also has ice cream sandwiches and love bars (ice cream dipped in dark chocolate). If ice cream isn’t the move, there are also delicious candy options including chocolate-covered pretzels gummy bears, and chocolate peanut butter cups.
Guerriero Gelato | 571 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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This local franchise originally started in Caldwell and has made its way to Montclair providing locals with dozens of gelato, hard ice cream, and Italian ice flavors. The shop even represented New Jersey in the 2021 Gelato World Masters. There are vegan and gluten-free options, and patrons can pre-order treats online.
Häagen-Dazs | Various Locations
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While this may be a big chain, Häagen-Dazs’ PB&J sundae is just too delicious not to include. This sundae is part of the City Sweets campaign that introduced new flavors based on street vendor treats in various cities. This sundae uses one of the flavors, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel, and toppings of jam and banana slices. Head to one of the locations in Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Millburn, Livingston, or Edgewater to have a taste.
Jun’s Macaron Gelato | 410 Washington Street, Hoboken
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Jun’s Macaron Gelato creates sweet treats inspired by French and Italian desserts. The menu is quite extensive and has different types of ice cream. There is regular gelato and then rolled gelato, similar to ice cream rolls. There are also macarons and even macaron gelato sandwiches (pretty self-explanatory, but the gelato is in between two macarons). Milk snowflake ice cream (a specific way to make ice cream) is also on the menu.
Milk Sugar Love | 19 McWilliams Place, Jersey City
Milk Sugar Love is more than just ice cream; it has ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream minis (4 ounce cups), among other items. There are classic flavors, and diners can even order for delivery. For any furry friends, there is also a small frozen treat for furry friends, known as puppy froyo, ‘made with peanut butter, yogurt, and banana, and topped with two crunchy treats.”
Nasto’s Old World Desserts | 236-40 Jefferson Street, Newark
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Nasto’s began as a mom-and-pop shop back in 1939. Today, this ice cream shop uses the state of the art production equipment to make sweet delicacies. Nasto’s serves local and regional businesses, and this flagship store serves sweet treats as well. Everything is more than just ice cream; its delicious desserts including Reginetta (a fruity/chocolatey dish designed around amaretto ice cream), cake rolls (devil’s food cake with vanilla ice cream), and so much more.
Nicholas Creamery | 84 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands
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After a fun day at the beach, stop by Nicholas Creamery for a nice, cool treat. Located right on the main drag in Atlantic Highlands, guests can come and grab a cup or cone and head to the water to watch the boats go by. This creamery creates unique flavors made in small batches using all-natural, seasonal ingredients. The Tahitian vanilla may sound boring, but it’s some of the best vanilla ice cream around.
Scoops the Ice Creamery | 2014 Route 22 East, Scotch Plains
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Scoops is a fan favorite in the area. There are so many ice cream flavors and toppings to combine, the possibilities are endless! Peanut butter lovers should definitely try the Reese’s dream. Ice cream enthusiasts also enjoy the blueberry cheesecake flavor.
Read More: Unique Ice Cream Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City
South Street Creamery | 146 South Street, Morristown
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South Street Creamery is a staple for locals in the Morris County area. The flavors are so wholesome and rich, and visitors will want to go back for another scoop. There is also a cafe that has delicious, healthy menu options including pizzettes, sandwiches, and crepes. If you’re looking for ice cream for a larger group, then try South Street Creamery’s catering option (minimum of 10 people).
Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor | 18 Main Street, Chester
Taylor’s might be one of the most quintessential small-town stops in New Jersey. Located on the Western edge of Chester’s adorable main street, it’s a watering hole for the locals, especially after sports games. Open year-round, it’s great to order one of the many delicious flavors and sit outside on the benches (first-come, first-served). The options seem endless from bubble gum to mocha chocolate chip. There are even ice cream cakes to try.
The Chocolate Bar | 112 Quimby Street, Westfield
Technically this is not ice cream, but it’s gelato and extremely delicious. Opened in 2020, this place not only has gelato, but also hand-dipped chocolate delights and coffee too. There are so many gelato flavors to choose from, but guests love the classic chocolate.
Thomas’ Ice Cream Cafe | 214 Jefferson Street
Talk about indulging — Thomas’ Ice Cream Cafe is the ultimate place to lean into your cravings. Not only does this spot serve up delicious ice cream, but it also makes gourmet flatbreads and pizza. There are a ton of ice cream flavors on the menu —from classics like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry to more interesting flavors like cinnamon bun, coffee Oreo, and Nutella. There’s a soda float, a shake float, and a malted shake on the menu to dip into some nostalgia. Plus, any spot where you can get pizza and ice cream is a winner
Torico | 20 Erie Street, Jersey City
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Anyone in downtown Jersey City has seen the endless line for Torico Ice Cream during the hot summer days. Ordering inside as the line wraps around the small storefront is great, but coming up to the window to get your scoops makes it feel almost as if you aren’t having ice cream in the big city, it gives small-town nostalgia. The flavors change depending on the season, but there are always amazing options. Come to Torico for more than just a cup or a cone; there are also cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and even sundae boxes with all the fixings to make a delicious ice cream sundae at home.
Van Dyk’s | 145 Ackerman Avenue, Ridgewood
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At Van Dyk’s, guests can order cones, cups, cakes, sundaes, milkshakes, and quarts/pints to go. Make sure to bring cash though, because this place does not accept credit cards. Here, guests can find classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla or more rare tastes like peppermint stick and Key Lime pie.
