Summers in Austin can get sticky and blazing. So, what’s the only way to get through a brutally hot summer day (or warm winter days) than a delicious scoop (or two) of the best ice cream in Austin?
While you can find tubs of delectable Blue Bell ice cream in the freezer section of any local grocery store, you mustn’t miss out on indulging in the other mouth-watering options here.
Ice cream lovers, feast your eyes on this list of the best ice cream shops in Austin.
Best Places for Delicious Ice Cream in Austin
When it comes to the choice of ice cream, you’ll be dazed by what the capital city of the state of Texas has to offer.
From traditional options and authentic gelato to vegan options and ice cream tacos (yes, you read that right!), you’ll find a tasty treat in each of these places.
Lick Honest Ice Creams
Since its opening in 2011, Lick remains an obsession for Austinites. They use only the purest, wholesome, seasonal ingredients to make their artisanal ice creams. This means non-GMO milk and cream, fresh ingredients from local farmers, and even local spirits.
With over 31 flavors, some of their signature and amazing ones include Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint, Caramel Salt Lick, Goat Cheese, Thyme, & Honey, and Dark Chocolate, Olive Oil, & Sea Salt (a personal favorite).
You mustn’t miss trying the Texas Sheet Cake (with sumptuous chocolate-pecan icing).
You’ll enjoy Lemon Lavender, Dewberry Corn Cobbler, Peach Leaf Graham Crunch, and Blushing Blueberry from their seasonal flavors, made with local ingredients. If you love some alcohol in your frozen dessert, try the Tequila Lime Coconut or Grapefruit with Champagne Marshmallows.
Their vegan Chocolate Chocolate is a dark chocolate coconut milk ice cream that is so good you might like it better than their Milk Chocolate.
Apart from dairy-free and vegan ice cream options, you’ll also find ice cream cakes, cookies, and ice cream sandwiches at Lick.
- Lick Honest Ice Creams, 1100 S Lamar Blvd #1135, Austin, TX 78704. They also have other locations. Do check their website.
Amy’s Ice Creams
With more locations in Austin than you can count on your fingers and over 350 rotating flavors, Amy’s is the quintessential Austin ice creamery. This classic ice cream joint has been around since 1984.
Apart from their six standard flavors, they also release a new seasonal flavor each Tuesday in limited quantities.
Among their constantly changing rotation of specialty flavors, try the Buche de Noel (Butter Brick), made with actual butter (for buttery ice cream that’ll have you drooling). There’s also Matcha Snap, Marshmallow Peanut Butter Cup, and Zilker Mint Chip (sweet cream ice cream mixed with chocolate chips, peppermint oil, and creme de menthe).
Their best-sellers are Mexican Vanilla ice cream (it tastes like cake batter) and Belgian Chocolate. Stop by Amy’s, pick a flavor and crush’ns (crushed-up goodies), and watch how they put it on a cold marble slab, mixing in all the candy.
Are you the adventurous kind? Try the Peach Daiquiri (with roasted peaches, peach schnapps, and a splash of rum).
- Amy’s Ice Creams, several locations in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio
DipDipDip Ice Cream
DipDipDip is a unique Japanese-inspired creamery. The ice creams here are an eye-catching work of art. Sourcing their dairy from Hill Country Dairies, they have some truly unique flavors. If you’re visiting here for the first time, you’ll see some eyebrow-raising ingredients on their menu (fried parsnips, shiitake mushrooms, tamarind-soaked raisins, peppercorn meringue kisses, and azuki puree).
These miraculously come together and get your taste buds dancing. You can take your dessert in dipped waffle cones or pink cups with a dipped waffle chip. The carefully crafted desserts will hit your sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavor profiles all at once.
My favorite flavor is Sum Yum Yuzu (black-pepper Yuzu mascarpone ice cream with shiso leaves, strawberry compote, and meringue kisses), something I’m sure you’ll love too.
Another equally creative one is Barney Poo (Japanese purple sweet potato ice cream). You might have blue teeth for a few hours after having this.
If you’re looking for something beyond ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth, try the ice cream tacos, boozy milkshakes, and assorted pints.
- DipDipDip Ice Cream, 7301 Burnet Rd., Ste.101, Austin
Holla Mode
This is your one-of-a-kind ice cream experience in Austin. Thai-style rolled ice cream served out of a food truck!
It’s more about the preparation method than the flavors. A liquid base of dairy or coconut milk (made to order) poured on a frozen, stainless steel surface quickly freezes with the help of liquid nitrogen!
If this didn’t seem cool enough, you could watch in awe as this frozen mixture is scraped into little rolls to stack in a cup and finished with toppings and syrups. You’ll love these frozen treats made with organic products and sweetened with cane sugar.
Their popular house specials include Sticky Mango, Birthday Cake, Thai Coffee, and Key Lime Pie Cream.
The best part? You can also create your own ice cream. Choose your base, a flavor (Vanilla Bean, among other delicious flavors), chops (real fruits or others), and tops.
- Holla Mode, 1800 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX – 78704
The Baked Bear
Ice cream sandwiches don’t get any better than the ones from The Baked Bear. Choose from cookies or brownies for the sandwich’s top and bottom layers, ice cream flavors to go in between, and toppings (whipped cream, M&Ms, sprinkles, fruity pebbles, etc.) They also have gluten-free and vegan-friendly options.
Want to take it up a notch? Get your ice cream sandwich hot-pressed; it doesn’t get any better than this.
Their ice cream sandwiches are a treat to the eyes and a feast for your tastebuds.
- The Baked Bear, 211 Walter Seaholm Drive, Suite LR150, Austin, TX 78701
Sandy’s Hamburgers
A drive-thru burger place that also serves the most amazing frozen custard and root beer floats, Sandy’s is a true Austin classic that’s been around since 1946.
You’ll love what Sandy’s offers if you love soft-serve ice cream. Try their simple vanilla, chocolate, or mixed frozen custard.
Does that sound too simple for your taste? There are chocolate-rimmed waffle cones filled with a rich chocolate soft serve, or the vanilla cone dipped in chocolate (that hardens instantly).
The challenging part is making it out of the parking lot before it melts. You can also try their sundaes, malts, shakes, or floats.
- Sandy’s Hamburgers, 603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Other Places in Austin To Get Great Ice Cream:
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, multiple locations
- Dolce Neve Gelato, two locations
- The Yard Milkshake Bar, 3400 Esperanza Xing, Austin, TX 78758
- Gati Ice Cream, 1512 Holly St., Austin, TX 78702
The cherry on top!
Austin is home to some of the best desserts and really good ice cream. If you’re eager to try a new flavor, the best ice cream shops in Austin won’t disappoint you.
Want to know an excellent gift idea? Consider gift cards from any of these ice cream places.
