Summer Guide to Ice Cream, Gelato & Frozen Desserts In CT (2023 Get Licking Edition)

Ice cream on a hot day. Ice cream on a rainy day. Ice cream for dinner or to delight a toddler. Ice cream just because. It’s summer and all of these reasons are 100% legit. Hell, any time of the year they are, right? Connecticut currently ranks #15 in the US for the most ice cream consumed (zippia.com) nationally. However, NY, NJ, VT, and RI eat more…guess this list is just what we need to show them what us Nutmeggers are made of. Or at least, what we enjoy on a hot summer afternoon. Grab a cone, enjoy the drips, and have a summer piled high with the creamy, dreamy stuff. One more thing: for your ease of finding these sweet establishments, we have broken the list down by counties in CT!

Fairfield County

Mr. Frosty’s-Norwalk

www.mrfrostysicecream.com

Mr. Frosty’s is obsessed with all things ice cream! They believe in rich flavors, real ingredients, and a big assortment of toppings. Mr. Frosty’s in Norwalk, CT is proud to serve locally made ice cream and they invite you to come experience all their frosty goods. Always innovative, they are constantly introducing different flavors and creations, hosting memorable events, and making unbelievable ice cream cakes, sundaes, Cravers (layered ice cream sundaes), smoothies, shakes and more! Stop by one evening or hot summer day to try their Vegan Ice Cream; bet you won’t believe it’s dairy free! With a ton of outdoor seating, stop by to make your day a little brighter and a lot sweeter, one scoop at a time. Open 7 days a week from 11am - 10pm.

Heibeck’s Stand-Wilton

www.heibecksstand.com

Established in 1931, Heibeck’s Stand continues their legacy with 3rd and 4th generation owners, Bobbie and Skylar. They offer over 20 flavors that rotate on a daily basis with at least 2 vegan/non-dairy options available. Their ice cream is sourced from multiple small batch creameries that utilize fresh and premium ingredients. While most of the ice cream is naturally gluten-free, up-and-coming GF baker Rachel Williams makes sure there are options for those that are gluten intolerant. The delectable brownies used in the brownie sundae or as a topping are gluten-free and if you get to the Stand early on the weekends, her famous cookies are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They have hoped for a long time to one day make ice cream in-house like their Great Aunt and Great Grandmother did back in 1931, where over 100 flavors were made on a weekly basis. Happily, that will resume this summer when Heibeck’s will be offering house-made, super premium, micro-batch pints again with weekly rotating flavors. Don’t forget to check out their award-winning food menu featuring Lobster Rolls, burgers and more. 

Gelato and Cioccolato-Greenwich, Norwalk

www.gelatoecioccolato.com

Alessandro and Lucio are making authentic Gelato the artisan way, as if they were back in Italy. Many flavors, like Bacio, Cremino, Stracciatella, and Tiramisu are from authentic Italian recipes and make you wonder if you are in Fairfield or back in Venice or Florence. Gelato is made by them daily, with only natural ingredients and fresh fruit from local sources and from, of course, Italy. You can find dairy-free gluten-free sorbet like watermelon, pineapple, mango, banana, raspberry and dark chocolate. Have you ever heard of a Gelato Cake? They’ve got them and you can pick your flavors, your toppings and get one for your loved one’s birthday. With their Gelato pushcart they can be seen at events like the Stamford Block Party or Adopt-a-Dog in Greenwich, as well as weddings, graduations or birthdays. They are in Greenwich where they opened their first store in Cos Cob six years ago, and in Norwalk in the SoNo Collection shopping Mall. Both open 7 days a week: Cos Cob from 12pm to 10.30pm and Norwalk from 11am to 8pm.

Cold Fusion Gelato-Westport

www.coldfusiongelato.com

Cold Fusion Gelato located at 178 Main Street in Westport, CT has become a must-visit for ice cream and gelato fans who want to try their award-winning, all-natural handcrafted gelato and sorbet. Opened in July of 2021, they feature 32 artisan gelato and sorbet flavors with a mix of traditional and new flavors for customers to enjoy. They’ve curated the world’s finest all-natural ingredients and fused them with the freshest cold, local dairy to craft an authentic product without any food coloring, powders or preservatives. Their wide selection of sorbet is dairy-free, vegan and made with fresh whole fruits. They even grind their own pistachio butter to flavor the pistachio gelato. Additionally, their product is Kosher-certified. While coming in for gelato, you can also pick up some locally sourced chocolates and enjoy some espresso, cappuccino and coffee from local roasters. To round out your experience, relax and enjoy your gelato in their Adirondack chairs on the outdoor patio. Fans of its seasonal Newport, Rhode Island store are able to experience the flavors of Cold Fusion Gelato year- round in the Westport location. For fans that can’t get enough, they have to-go pints and their Party-Pan-To-Go offering to enjoy at home. The combination of truly outstanding products and store experience has made this location a local favorite on the dessert scene.  

Lindsay’s Handmade Ice Cream and Sweets-Norwalk

www.lindsayshandmade.com

Lindsay’s Handmade Ice Cream crafts small batches of artisan ice cream in Norwalk, CT. Their customers enjoy a wide array of flavors from sweet, like Italian Rainbow Cookie, to savory such as their Miso Caramel. Her award winning Honey Goat Cheese with Salted Pistachios is an ethereal melange of local honey, tangy goat cheese, and lightly salted toasted pistachios. This isn’t a scoop shop - orders for pints can be placed online at lindsayshandmade.com and picked up in Norwalk, or find them scooped at local ice cream shops and restaurants throughout Fairfield County. If you’re interested in getting Lindsay’s Handmade Ice Cream at a shop or market near you please contact online or on social media. @lindsayshandmade on IG and Facebook.

BE Chocolat-Fairfield
www.bechocolat.com
When a Belgian chocolate company makes ice cream, you can bet it will be good. Pre-order your favorite pints online and pick up in store: Dark Chocolate, Praline, Vanilla, Biscoff, Stracciatella, PB, and Salted Caramel. Make it extra decadent by serving it up in their chocolate egg-shell bowls.

The Country Table-Greenwich
www.country-table.com
Serving delicious, old-fashioned Penny Lick ice cream, straight from Hastings-on-Hudson, NY-classic flavors that you can smother in a smattering of toppings from gummy bears to mini marshmallows. Take home pints, too.

Dave’s Gourmet Paletas-Fairfield, Shelton
www.davesgourmetpaletas.com
Made daily in-house, these Mexican ice pops are a far cry from the Good Humor man. Pick your paleta in flavors from Blueberry Lemonade to Peppermint White Chocolate, then have it dipped (Fluff! Tajin! Caramel! and more, of course) or sprinkled with toppings of your choice.Vegan options available.

Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe-Ridgefield
www.deborahanns.com
Now open at their new location-409 Main Street, Ridgefield! Sit outside on a summer’s day and enjoy a cone of one of their signature ice creams like Mint Patty (made with their homemade mint patties), Red Velvet (cream cheese ice cream with Red Velvet cake) or the classic Rum Raisin. Soft serve dairy-free options available. 

Dr. Mike’s Ice Cream Shop-Bethel
www.drmikesic.com
A Bethel institution for 48 years and counting! With over 150 recipes for delicious flavors, their daily specials are never boring. Don’t miss their Chocolate Lace-a brittle dark chocolate and caramel decadent concoction-the flavor that started it all.

Drop & Fry-Stamford
www.dropandfry.com
A dozen different fried ice cream combos so you can experience the “hot-cold sensation” that make theses desserts so unique. In case fried ice cream wasn’t decadent enough, you can load on the candy or fruit toppings and syrups.

Dubl Twister-Danbury
FB @Dubl Twister
Family-owned and located conveniently near the West Conn campus, they have a several cases of homemade ice creams with flavors from Butter Popcorn to Oatmeal Cookie and Passion Fruit, along with other frozen treats such as frozen chocolate bananas and ice cream sandwiches.

Ferris Acres Creamery-Newtown
www.ferrisacrescreamery.com
They are open and ready for another great season! Home-made daily, offering gluten-free and non-dairy flavors, cakes, a long menu of creative flavors AND they even cater.Go find out what Bada-Bing, Parent Trap, and The MJ Rell flavors are…

Gelatissimo Artisan Gelato-New Canaan
www.gelatissimoartisangelato.com
Since 2005, Gelatissimo has been churning out authentic Italian gelato in classic, seasonal and specialty flavors-Goat Cheese and Fig, Biscottino, Panna Cotta and many more. Check their website for the flavors of the day.

Gelato and Cioccolato-Cos Cob, Norwalk
www.gelatoecioccolato.com
Authentic Italian recipes with simple ingredients from local sources and from, of course, Italy. Have you ever heard of a Gelato Cake? They’ve got ‘em. All flavors are gluten-free and they also have a special gelato that is lactose, gluten and sugar-free. They deliver!

Gofer Ice Cream-Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Riverside, Stamford, Westport, Wilton
www.gofericecream.com
Why wait? Go for…ice cream! Ice creams, both hard and soft serve, shakes, floats, splits, sandwiches, cakes, bites. You’re classic ice cream stand, summertime favorite. 

Goody Bassett’s Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Shop-Stratford
Facebook:Goody Bassett’s Ice Cream, @goodybassetts
Located in the center of Stratford is a sweet bite of town history. As its name suggests, the shop is inspired by the local legend of Ruth “Goody” Bassett. Open daily, year round, the shop offers a variety of traditional & distinct flavors. Famous for their homemade Cannoli ice cream and with over 40 flavors in-season, along with vegan ice creams and sorbets. 

Holy Cow-Newtown
www.holycowct.com
Their dairy is sourced from CT farms and they’ve been scooping since 1969! They stock a dozen handmade flavors like Cakebatter and Mint Monster, along with wide variety of soft serve, floats, and shakes. Care to attempt their Scooper’s Dozen Challenge? 6 flavors, 13 scoops, 3 toppings, whipped cream and cherries.

The Ice Cream Shoppe-Shelton
www.icecreamshoppeshelton.com
30 Homemade and made fresh in-house flavors that can be topped with 40 different toppings. Question is: what kind of topping do you put on S’Moreo ice cream? A happy and delicious dilemma to have.

Il Bacio Ice Cream-Danbury
FB: Il Bacio Ice Cream, @ilbacioicecream
Peruse the big board of homemade flavors which range from Ginger Lemon and Grasshopper to Mallomar and Maple Walnut. They serve Italian ices, too.

Karla’s Kreamery-New Canaan
www.karlaskreamery.com
Karla’s Kreamery is a micro-batch hand crafted artisanal ice cream pop-up in New Canaan, CT that offers interesting seasonal and globally-inspired flavors. Karla is a local chef whose pints are available for pre-sale the last day of every month at 6pm via Hotplate; she sells out within minutes! 

La Fenice Gelato-Greenwich, Westport
FB: La Fenice, @lafenicegelato
24 flavors to get you dreaming of your next Italian vacation. Their gelato is made fresh daily at the Greenwich location, using fruit and dairy from local farms and specialty ingredients coming from Italy. They’ve got a Gelato cart now, too, for your summer events!

Longford’s Ice Cream-Stamford
www.longfordsicecream.com
Small batch ice cream, sorbet and gelato since 1992. Flavors include Cannoli, Lemon Pie, Georgie Peach, Pink Tutu (pink vanilla with crushed chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles).

Milkcraft-Fairfield, New Haven, West Hartford, Greenwich (coming soon!)
www.milkcraftca.com
Milkcraft uses liquid nitrogen which creates smaller ice crystals and results in the smoothest possible ice cream and the best show! And instead of a plain cone, try their Hong Kong waffle bubble cone-a hybrid of a waffle and a pancake for their unusual and fun flavors such as Strawberry Balsamic, Blue Butter Cookie, and Vietnamese Coffee.

Newbury Gelato-Brookfield
www.newburygelato.com
This Italian family creates gelatos and sorbettos using New England dairy products and locally sourced ingredients when possible.The end result? Tastes and flavors of Italy and beyond that you can enjoy all summer long, like Strawberry Balsamic, Mascarpone Pistachio Caramel, and Fresh Cream.

Nutty Bunny-Norwalk
www.nuttybunny.com
Non-dairy, plant-and-nut-based vegan ice cream that is made in small batches in Norwalk, CT and is available in pint-size containers or single serve cups in 7 flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Hazelnut Chocolate Crunch, Creamy Dreamy Orange, Toasted Almond, Salted Caramel, and Cappuccino. 

Rich Farm Ice Cream, Oxford-Brookfield
www.richfarmicecream.com
At this family-owned spot in Oxford, their ice cream is made daily on the farm, using only the highest quality ingredients. They’ve got a full roster of “Every Day Flavors” along with “Specialty Flavors” and “Seasonal Flavors”. Check FB/Instagram for updates on these.

Ridgefield Ice Cream Shop-Ridgefield
@ridgefieldicecreamshop
Throwback roadside ice cream stand, with scads of sundaes, shakes, floats, Slush Puppies and frozen take-home desserts. Pull over and enjoy!

Saugatuck Sweets-Fairfield, Westport
www.saugatuck-sweets.com
Stocking Longford’s ice cream and ice cream cakes. Grab a cone, a Root Beer float, pints and quarts, or fun make-at-home kits like their Ice Cream Sandwich Kits, perfect for a weekend, Dad’s Day, or just ‘cause.

Scoops of Wilton-Wilton
FB:Scoops of Wilton
Hard ice cream and candy shop in the town center. Scoops will also deliver to your party or event-let them help you customize a great party with scoops of fun.

Stew Leonard’s-Newington, Norwalk, Danbury
www.stewleonards.com
Frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream from the World’s Largest Dairy Store (says Ripley’s). Check out their new ice cream counter and bank points on their new App and earn free ice cream.

Sugar Rush-Shelton
www.sugarrushusa.com
Liquid nitrogen ice cream that is also gluten-free (except the toppings). Get it in a bubble or waffle cone, a crepe, an ice cream sandwich, a milkshake or stuffed into a donut or just a plain ol’ cup. Anyway you scoop it, you’ll love it.

Sunny Daes-Fairfield, Stamford, Trumbull, Westport
www.sunnydaesicecream.com
Homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt in cups, cones, personalized cakes and sprinkle-coated sandwiches. Ah, the possibilities! In the mood for an old-fashioned banana split? They’ve got those too.

Sweet Ashley’s Ice Cream-Norwalk

www.sweetashleysicecream.com

Scooping for over 30 years, their small-batch ice cream is a must have on a hot summer night. They’ve got the classics as well as tasty unique flavors like Lavender Chip and Chocolate Bacon. Dairy free, vegan and dog friendly flavors too! 

Tabitha’s Ice Cream-Fairfield

www.tabithasicecream.com

Newly opened in the Trademark luxury apartment building, Tabitha’s features Praline’s Own Made Ice Cream. Any Shirley Temple fans? Try their signature Shirley Temple ice cream and float. Don’t miss the Lorelei Shake either-a coffee milkshake with whipped cream and gummy pizzas. Where you lead, I will follow…

TropiGlace Ice Cream Place-Stamford

www.tropiglace.net
This Educadorian family-owned business has been creating homemade ice cream for  over 50 years. Lots of fruit accompanies their many creations of crepes, waffle bowls, banana splits, cones and sundaes. Be sure to try their Lulu, Passion Fruit, Soursop, Mango and Tamarind ice creams.

Tusk and Cup-Ridgefield, Wilton
www.tuskandcup.com
Choose from rotating flavors of deliciousness, made with care and attention to detail. You can also opt to have your gelato “drowned” in espresso, creating a memorable hot-cold Affogato. 

Van Leeuwen’s-Darien, Greenwich
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com
Simple ingredients, inventive flavor combos and a good dose of happiness to all who like a bite. Or a lick. Or devour the pint. Vegan and traditional ice creams made for all to enjoy equally whether it’s Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, Strawberry Shortcake, Sicilian Pistachio or Earl Gray Tea.

Wells Hollow Creamery-Shelton
www.wellshollowcreamery.com
60+ flavors, including their “Sweet 16”, which contain 16% butter fat (hello, richness), such as Amaretto Cherry, Dark Chocolate Cashew Caramel, Tennessee Toffee. Fat-free, sugar-free flavors, frozen yogurt, sorbet and sherbets as well. 

Hartford County

Dom’s Creamery-Avon

FB @Dom’s Creamery

IG @domscreamery

Enter into this ice cream shop that is itself a confection, all pale aqua walls with pink and gold accents, and you’ve just encountered the enticing warm-up for the main act: their ice cream. Dom’s Creamery ice cream is all made in-house, using only natural ingredients- and what fabulous ingredients they are. Serving up traditional flavors such as Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Cookies and Cream, they also have many flavors that will encourage your taste buds to venture into unknown, but surprisingly scrumptious, territory: Ube (purple yam), Fig and Parm (courtesy of Dom’s Cheese next door!), Charcoal, comforting and sweet Honey Latte, in addition to dairy-free flavors. They fashion their ice cream into fanciful cakes and sandwiches, sell pints to go, and if ice cream just isn’t your mood-of-the-day, they make sweet and savory crepes and waffles. You’ll be hit with that warm, toasty scent as soon as you walk in their door. Stop by, enjoy their instagram-worthy seating area and take some time to enjoy a cone, Dom’s-style.

Bloom Hill Farms-Bloomfield
www.bloomhillfarm.com
21 years and going strong with over 24 flavors (hard and soft serve) and we bet that the one named “Nightmare”(Choc/Peanut Butter ice cream with mini peanut butter cups) is anything but.

Canton Creamery-Canton
www.petalsandpaws.net
Homemade micro-batch ice cream, featuring fresh local ingredients from Connecticut farms. Special flavors for the grown-ups made with Meyers Dark Jamaican Rum, Guinness Extra Stout and more. Note: creamery is located at the Petals and Paws Pet & Garden Supply complex.

Capital Ice Cream-Hartford
www.capitalicecream.com
Ice cream, including non-dairy options, shakes, create-your-own ice cream sandwiches that are made with house-made cookies, and cold plate/mix-in signature desserts too. Just blocks from the Bushnell Theater and park.

Collins Creamery-Enfield
Facebook: Collins Creamery, @collinscreamery
Starting their 26th season, let the scooping and licking begin! The Collins Creamery has over 20 flavors, including fat free and sugar free options. Want a sundae with Red Velvet ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow topping, whipped cream and a cherry? Yeah you do.

Dairy Cream at Bradley International-Windsor Locks
FB:Dairy Cream at Bradley International Airport
Serving ice cream treats since 1954! Soft serve flavors, ice cream cakes, and hard ice cream. Bet you didn’t think something called Dirty Water could be good, but it is (coffee ice cream with choc. cookie swirl and choc. chips).

Frisbees-Bloomfield, Hartford, New Britain
www.frisbiesdairybarn.com
A long list of flavors, many of which are named for local areas/towns such as Berlin Black Raspberry, Stanley Park Strawberry, Newington Nutella, Pulaski Pistachio.

Grassroots Ice Cream-Granby
www.grassrootsicecream.com
Over 100 wicked good flavors made from all-natural ingredients and no artificial colors. Coffee Biscoff, Goat Cheese Blackberry or Blood Orange Chocolate Chip? YES. Classic flavs too, don’t worry. And for your celebrations, order up an ice cream cake.

J Foster Ice Cream-Avon
www.jfostericecream.com
Family run, small-batch ice creams, (vegan options avail) gelato, sorbet, ice cream sandwiches, brownie sandwiches and sliders, such as their Cake Batter and Oreo behemoth. Don’t miss their beautifully decorated ice cream cakes.

Les’ Dairy Bar-Meriden
FB @ Les’ Dairy Bar
A Meriden tradition since 1952. Soft serve real ice cream - shakes, floats, sundaes, parfaits and so much more!

Main Street Creamery & Cafe-Wethersfield
www.mainstreetcreamery.com
Over 50 flavors of hard ice cream, gluten-free options (cones included), lactose and vegan flavors too. Don’t miss their custom ice cream pies with your choices of ice creams and toppings-make up a holiday if you have to.

Mortensen Dairy Ice Cream-Newington
Facebook: Mortensen Dairy Ice Cream, @mortensendairyicecream
Serving homemade ice cream in Connecticut for 100 years! Connecticut Black Bear, Fresh Banana, Native Blueberry…ah, the list is a long one, along with no-sugar options, sherbets, soft serve and sorbets. New this year: ice cream nachos!

Pat’s Main Street Ice Cream-Southington
www.patsmainstreeticecream.com
Open year round! Full service ice cream parlor with seating indoors and out. Get your NE Patriots Ice Cream (“Dough Your Job”-vanilla ice cream, cookie dough, fudge, mini chocolate footballs with caramel), soft serve, milkshakes and freshly spun cotton candy.

Praline’s-Berlin, Meriden, Plainville, Southington
www.pralinesownmade.com
Their mission is to re-educate the public on what real ice cream should taste like! Sounds like a challenge worth taking! You can start with Beez Neez, Espresso Ripple Bean or Connecticut Summer…

Robbs Farm-South Glastonbury
FB: ROBBS Farm Ice Cream
A working livestock farm and their flavor names reflect that: Gravel Road, Cow Pies, Tractor Grease and Udderly Ridiculous. Great scenery while you lick that cone. Now also selling quarts and ice cream pies.

Royal Ice Cream Co.-Manchester
www.royalicecream.com
This family owned spot has been scooping up business since 1926. Ice cream cakes and special desserts by the box for your special events/parties such as classic Spumoni, Turtle Creams, and sorbet-stuffed lemons and oranges.

Smyth’s Ice Cream Stand-Enfield
www.smythsicecream.com
Since 1977, hard and soft ice cream have been served, as well as ice cream cakes, sandwiches, sundaes, splits, floats and boats and Italian ices, making the community darned happy. 

Stew Leonard’s-Newington
www.stewleonards.com
Frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream from the World’s Largest Dairy Store (says Ripley’s). Bank points on their new App and earn free ice cream.

Tulmeadow Farm Store-West Simsbury
www.tulmeadowfarmstore.com
Offering over 50 different flavors of very rich 16% butterfat gourmet ice cream. Their top seller? Red Raspberry with Chocolate Chips. Also available are homemade ice cream sandwiches and vegan flavors.

New London County

Mystic Sweet Shop-Mystic

www.mysticsweetshop.com

For more than 25 years Rita Lara, owner of Mystic Sweet Shop, has been making delicious confections and ice cream. Having attended the Culinary Institute of America for confections and Penn State's Ice Cream School for ice cream, she gained a strong understanding of what people wanted in their sweets. Mystic Sweet shop is located four doors from Mystic’s famous drawbridge. It is tiny but packed to the rafters with handcrafted tasty treats! As soon as you walk in, the smell of fresh waffle cones cooking enchants you. Ah! Aside from their roster of traditional flavors made from CT dairy farmers milk, Mystic Sweet Shop has their own recipe for a “Fool You, it’s Not Milk!” oat milk ice cream. Grab a cone and watch the drawbridge do its thing in one of the cutest towns on the shoreline.

Mel’s Downtown Creamery-Colchester, Pawcatuck

FB @ Mel’s Downtown Creamery

Mel's Downtown Creamery is a 50's style ice cream shop offering an old school vibe with new sweet treat flare. Open daily year round, you can find Mel's Downtown Creamery in two great locations: Colchester and Pawcatuck, CT. Enjoy 30+ Premium hard ice cream flavors, soft serve ice cream, milkshakes, specialty sundaes and more! As featured on Man vs Food, stop by and experience the Big Kahuna, a massive 8 scoop, 7 topping, 1 banana, 1 brownie mound of whipped cream and 4 cherry sundae to share with your friends and family or take on by yourself. Mel's is not only known for its delicious treats but also for how sweet they are to their communities. You can enjoy free fun family events throughout the year, receive sweet treat prizes for reading accomplishments at local libraries, stop by to support numerous fundraising events, and the list goes on. Going to Mel's is more than a trip out for ice cream, it’s an experience and memory you will not soon forget. 

Buttonwood Farms-Griswold
www.buttonwoodfarmicecream.com
Though this farm is famous for their July sunflower display, they also serve up over 50 flavors of farm fresh ice cream. Check out the limited edition flavors such as Non Dairy Cherry Vanilla and Lemon Blueberry.

Mango’s Homemade Ice Cream-Mystic
FB: Mango’s Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream, milkshakes and sundaes in the heart of Olde Mistick Village. Grab a treat, stroll the stores, and enjoy a summer afternoon.

Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream-Mystic
www.mysticdrawbridgeicecream.com
Homemade treats at an ice cream store that has stood on the same site for 100 years. They try to make it easier to decide by dividing their menu into categories: The Classics, The Nutty Ones, The Fruity Ones and the Drawbridge Originals and the Non-Dairy.

Michael’s Dairy-New London
www.michaelsdairynl.com
Located at Mitchell College, Michael’s Dairy has been loved by both college students and the New London community at large for over 80 years. 32 flavors of ice cream, from the classics to originals like Coconut Almond Bar and Graham Central Station, to vegan options and more.

Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe & Cafe-Old Lyme
www.oldlymeicecreamshoppe.com
At woman-owned “O’LICS”, the ice cream is hand crafted with super-premium 16% butter fat cream, so their cones, waffle cones, sundaes, banana splits will make a summer afternoon perfect. 

Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream-Salem
www.salemvalleyfarmsicecream.com
Serving Over 80 (!) flavors since 1988, along with a small-batch series during the ice cream season, you will have your work cut out picking one…Purple Sable, Grasshopper, Salted Caramel Chip, Key “Lime” pie…

Litchfield County

Arethusa Farm Dairy-Bantam
www.arethusafarm.com
You can’t have a conversation about CT ice cream without mentioning Arethusa!  Made with 16% butterfat, the “super premium” old-fashioned ice cream comes in an array of flavors such as their Sweet Cream Chocolate Chip, Coconut with Dark Chocolate Chunks and Peach.

Cowlick’s Creamery-Watertown
www.cowlickscreamery.net
Over 40 flavors of hard ice cream, as well as frozen yogurt, Italian ice, sorbet and soft serve-perfect for those hot summer nights. Check their website for specials like their Peanut Butter Bomb Sundae. You can even order online for easy take-out.

Peaches N’ Cream-Litchfield
FB @Peaches N’ Cream
This woman-owned business aims to provide flawless service, with a generous scoop of energy and nostalgia. Serving hand-scooped traditional gluten-free ice cream with an incredible range of flavors, they also make their own sorbets and sherbets, and dish up yogurt, sugar-free, and dairy-free options too

Middlesex County

Chatham Creamery-East Hampton
FB @ Chatham Creamery, @chatham_creamery
Serving up the famous Gifford’s Ice Cream from Maine, along with live music on their patio many nights. New this year, they have a coffee menu for those of you not in the mood for ice cream.

Cromwell Creamery-Cromwell
FB @Cromwell Creamery
For 40 years, this family business has been churning strong. Their soft serve is made with 10% milk fat while the hard ice cream is made with at least 14% mix…how about some Blueberry Muffin ice cream (would that be for breakfast or lunch?)

Durham Dari Serve-Durham
FB @ Durham Dari Serve
It’s June so that means Strawberry Shortcake parfaits are on deck-but catch them while they last! The board with their new homemade flavors is out (Cannoli, Chunky Bar, Maple Derby Bourbon Pecan and more) so scramble over and grab a cone!

HK Dairy Barn-Higganum
FB @HK Dairy
Family run ice cream barn that dishes out ice cream, splits, waffle cones and custom cakes. Dairy free options available, such as Passion Fruit and Raspberry sorbet.

Honeycone Craft Ice Cream-Chester
www.honeyconecreamco.com
Open year round, check their website for what they are scooping daily for their ice creams, non-dairy versions and sorbet. Hint: the seasonal flavors for spring are going to make you swoon-hello, Blueberry Lemon Curd.

Mortensen Dairy Ice Cream-Cromwell
FB @Mortensen Dairy Ice Cream, @mortensendairyicecream
Serving homemade ice cream in Connecticut for 100 years! Connecticut Black Bear, Fresh Banana, Native Blueberry…ah, the list is a long one, along with no-sugar options, sherbets, soft serve and sorbets.

Praline’s-Essex
www.pralinesownmade.com
Their mission is to re-educate the public on what real ice cream should taste like! Sounds like a challenge worth taking! You can start with Beez Neez, Espresso Ripple Bean or Connecticut Summer…

The Scoop at Rocky’s Aqua-Clinton
www.rockysaqua.com
Head to Rocky’s Aqua for lunch or dinner with a view and then pop into The Scoop for well, a scoop. Or two. Why not? It’s summer by the shore. Oreo ice cream sandwiches rolled in sprinkles, cups and cones of flavors such as Toasted Coconut, Espresso and Butter Pecan.

Sweet P’s-Essex
www.sweetpsessex.com
Scooping up icy treats in the heart of quaint Essex since 1989, Sweet P’s 24 flavors of Ashley’s ice cream, including dairy-free, sugar-free and vegan, will turn a summer day into a great day. Turn those faves like Essex Mud and Coconut Raspberry into to floats, shakes, sundaes and more.

Tall Man’s Homemade Ice Cream-Cromwell
www.tallmansicecream.com
Hard ice cream, soft serves, Italian ices-all perfect for a hot summer’s day. P.s.-Peanut Butter Nutella is back, or snag a taste of their homemade Blueberry Crumb, Orange Pineapple or Almond Joy.

New Haven County

Ashley’s Ice Cream-Branford, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, New Haven

www.ashleysicecream.net

Since 1979, serving everyone from celebs to the average ice-cream lover, their  churned ice cream without artificial colors and flavors, along with frozen yogurt, cakes and shakes has a following. Bring on the Bourbon Brown Sugar! Order online now for quick pick up.

Bananas-Wallingford
www.bananasicecreamct.com
Family-owned and scooping over 50 flavors of CT-made ice cream from the Big Dipper Ice Cream Factory. Be on the lookout for their seasonal flavors such as Lemon Pie, Orange Pineapple and Watermelon Sherbet.

Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlour-Prospect
www.bigdipper.com
For over 35 years, Big Dipper has been creating ice cream cakes, pies and good ol’ cones filled with their more than 50 flavors. As those flavors rotate daily, it’s always a tasty surprises to see what’s offered: Chocolate Mousse? Graham Jam? Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup? Go and find out.

Gelato Giuliana-New Haven
www.gelatogiuliana.com
When the Italian owner couldn’t find good gelato here in the U.S., she decided to make it herself and Gelato Giuliana was born. Enjoy over 24 flavors of gelato, along with non-dairy fruit gelato and yogurt gelato.

Ice and Fire Ice Cream-Milford
FB @ Ice and Fire Ice Cream
Rolled ice cream! Ice cream is smeared and smoothed thin on a stone cold slab and then expertly rolled into delightful curls.

Mr. D’s with Praline’s-Wallingford
www.pralinesownmade.com
Their mission is to re-educate the public on what real ice cream should taste like! Sounds like a challenge worth taking! You can start with Beez Neez, Espresso Ripple Bean or Connecticut Summer…

Scoopin’ Ice Cream Shop-Southbury
FB: Scoopin ice cream shop, @scoopin_icecreamshop
Homemade hard ice cream, soft serve, crepes, waffle cones and ice cream cakes for your summer celebrations at this family owned and operated shop! 48 glorious flavors to choose from from Vegan Oreo to Candy Cane and Black Raspberry Cheesecake.

Scoopy’s Ice Cream-Wallingford
FB @ Scoopy’s Ice Cream
Newly opened and stocking over two dozen flavors of Gifford’s ice cream, they also have homemade Cannoli ice cream-a not-to-miss! Or try the Ice Cream Nachos (waffle chips topped with ice cream, toppings and sauce) or the Neil’s Donut Sundae, two scoops of ice cream with a glazed donut, hot fudge and cherry.

Scoopy Doo’s-Milford
www.scoopydooice.com
Serving Milford’s own Buck’s French ice creams with over 75 flavors, with the newer ones being Dessert Ore-Oasis (peanut butter with Oreos) and Grasshopper Crunch (mint with chocolate chips and Oreos). They also have soft serve and vegan ice creams.

Sundae Funday-Oxford
www.sundaefundayicecream.com
Personalized ice cream? Yep! Pick your soft serve and have them mix in whatever topping you are craving that day. Brain freeze? Choose from one of their unique flavors such as the Rainbow Connection-Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms ice cream, topped Fruity Pebbles, Charms marshmallows and also marshmallow sauce.

The Sundae House-Milford
www.thesundaehouse.com
Scooping since 1963, this family owned-and-operated ice cream shop has flavors you’ll love like Quicksand (caramel ice cream with caramel swirl and crushed Butterfingers), Banana, Cotton Candy and Amaretto. No sugar and vegan options available.

Sweet Claude’s-Cheshire

www.sweetclaudesicecream.com

Open noon to 9:00 everyday, this local landmark has been serving up homemade ice cream, non-dairy, and frozen desserts since 1988. Located next to the Farmington Canal Trail, take a stroll and stop in!

Walnut Beach Creamery-Milford
www.walnutbeachcreamery.com
All their globally-inspired ice creams, sorbets and many toppings are made in their own kitchen. Enjoy rotating flavors such as Banana Bread, Cinnamon Toast and Bittersweet Chocolate Black Night while you can! They also have no-sugar- added ice creams, pops, ice cream cakes and pie, sandwiches and vegan options.

Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream-Hamden
www.wentworthhomemadeicecream.com
Grab a cone, sundae, quart or pints to take home at this ice cream shop nestled near Sleeping Giant State Park and Quinnipiac University. Salty Buttered Cashew or Peanut Butter Oreo will make the trip just fine, she says.

Tolland County

Farmer’s Cow Calfe and Creamery-Mansfield
www.thefarmerscowcalfe.com
The Calfe stocks over 60 different flavors, some with cheeky animal-influenced names, such as Cowabunga Crunch, Purple Cow, Fly Fishing Fudge…or just go with Apple Pie.

Fish Family Farm Creamery & Dairy-Bolton
Facebook: Fish Family Farm Creamery & Dairy
The ice cream here comes straight from the farm’s very own jersey cows… who you can meet as you enjoy your cones and ice cream sandwiches. Plenty special events happen too, so check out their page for updates

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Ice Cream Depot-Stafford Springs
www.icecreamdepotstafford.com
Hard and soft serve ice cream, Italian ices, milkshakes (avail. with Oat Milk), frozen yogurt and no-sugar added flavors-even gluten-free ice cream cakes that are ready to go! Check the specials board/website for extra cool flavors.

Kloter’s Ice Cream Barn-Ellington
www.klotersicecreambarn.com
Sign up for their Lucky Name of the Day promotion and you might score a free ice cream. 22 flavors of ice cream, soft serve, hard yogurt, non-dairy, gluten-free and no- sugar-added options available.

UConn’s Dairy Bar-Storrs
www.dining.uconn.edu
Since 1953, the Dairy Bar has been making dairy products at their own creamery (you can see the cows in the next field) that are a hit with the resident Huskies, along with well, everyone. The ice cream is made using the original recipe and they now have over 20 rotating flavors. Limited Edition Championship Banana Blast or Husky Tracks, anyone? Go, Huskies!

Windham County

Ashford Dairy Bar & Grill-Ashford
FB @ Ashford Dairy Bar and Grill
The perfect place to grab a soft-serve, a cone of Gifford’s ice cream, a specialty sundae, float or milkshake as you cruise through the back roads of beautiful Connecticut on a summer day.

Buck’s Soft Serve-Woodstock Valley
Instagram @ Buckssoftserve
Small farm but big flavors of deliciousness-in fact, over 50 soft serve flavors such as Ginger, Root Beer, Rum, Cranberry, Tea Berry, and Green Apple and Pina Colada. You can even combine flavors to create a NEW flavor

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Ekonk Turkey Farm-Moosup
www.ekonkhillturkeyfarm.com
Eking Hill Turkey Farm’s Brown Cow Cafe (named after their Jersey cow, Blossom) scoops their homemade ice cream from March-November. Pints/Quarts available year round. Delicious and unique flavors like Indian Pudding, Black Currant and of course, Blossom’s Delight (butter pecan w/ butterscotch chips/vanilla crunch).

The Ice Box-Brooklyn
www.theiceboxct.com
The Ice Box opened in 1978 and reopened In 2018 under the ownership of a former employee who began making their own ice cream in-house. They offer twelve standard flavors with six additional flavors that rotate weekly. Vegan, gluten free, and no-sugar-added options at all times. Notable past flavors: Asparagus, Pop-Rocks, Peanut Butter Fluffernutter, and Maple Bacon using their own house-smoked bacon. 

Riverview Ice Cream-Putnam
www.riverviewputnam.com
Homemade ice cream in over 24 flavors (Double Strength Coffee, Blueberry, Cotton Candy) that you can enjoy while you play mini golf right next door!

We-Lik-It-Pomfret Center
www.welikit.com
This 6th-Gen diverse family farm has been making 16% premium ice cream for over 25 years. Serving up delish cups, cones, pints, quarts until the end of October in flavors such as Butter Pecan, Ayrshire Chip (strawberry with choc. chips), Margarita Madness, and Indian Pudding (my seasonal fave), YOU Will-Like-It. P.-They take “end of season” orders for anyone wanting to stock up for the wint