It might be the smallest state in the United States, but you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the best ice cream in Rhode Island.
The Ocean State sure knows how to whip up some delicious frozen treats. From classic cones and creamy gelato to home-churned ice cream and delightful sundaes, here’s my scoop of Rhode Island’s best ice cream.
Best Ice Cream Shops in Rhode Island
Sunshine or rain, head to these spots for some sweet treats that will have you craving for more.
Lincoln Creamery
The Lincoln Creamery deserves to be atop the list of the best places for sumptuous ice cream in the state. Ask any Rhode Islander and most likely they’ll tell you the same.
They have over 50 ice cream flavors, you’ll definitely find your favorite flavors here to satisfy your sweet tooth. Choose from their hard ice cream, soft serve, or frozen yogurt for a sweet treat, or combine any flavors for the perfect milkshakes, sundaes, or banana splits.
Here are some of my top flavors: Sea Salt Caramel, Midnight Caramel River (creamy golden vanilla and dark chocolate ice cream with a thick caramel swirl), and Graham Central Station (Graham-flavored ice cream with chocolate-covered honeycomb candies and a crunchy graham cracker swirl)
They have some great dairy-free options as well: oat milk-based Simply Vanilla, Classic Cookie, and Chocolate Chunk or Raspberry Sorbet. Also on their list are some amazing ice cream cake.
- Lincoln Creamery, 276 Front St, Lincoln, RI 02865
Newport Creamery
Among the many local shops in Rhode Island, Newport Creamery has made its mark since its opening in 1928. From a Milk Bar serving ice cream in 1940 to becoming a state-famous institution, it’s seems to have always been there.
Whether it’s their thick ice cream shakes dubbed Awful Awful, sundaes, or ice cream sandwiches, there’s something for everyone to relish here.
With ‘Good Mood Food,’ Newport Creamery is a family favorite across Rhode Island, offering delicious food and some of the best scoops of ice cream.
If you’re up for a challenge, try their Holy Cow! Sundae (10 scoops of ice cream, four toppings, banana wheels, and walnuts).
- Newport Creamery, multiple locations
Chelsea’s Creamery
Chelsea’s Creamery is a great place to visit for delicious homemade ice cream. Owned by Chelsea da Silva, the shop opened in 2018 and also specializes in cake making.
While they make ice cream in small batches, you can find a wide variety of flavors here. Some of their signature flavors that I can’t miss include Apple Pie, Peanut Butter Cup, Cookie Dough, Coffee Oreo, Cotton Candy, and Maple Walnut.
However, the Cookie Monster on their menu is sure to please! This blue-tinted vanilla ice cream has pulverized Oreos and Chips Ahoy blended in – their own version of the traditional Cookies n’ Cream.
If you fancy some yogurt instead, the creamy Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip and Coffee Fudge Brownie are incredibel
Vegans aren’t left out; they have non-dairy soy-based Lemon Blueberry and Chocolate Chip Cookie.
- Chelsea’s Creamery, 654 Metacom Ave #2300, Warren, RI 02885
Frosty Freez
Add Frosty Freez to your list of summer places! Well-known among the Aquidneck Island residents since 1956, this old-fashioned shop with walk-up windows is a great place to find some excellent ice cream.
Get the best ice cream sandwich, sundae, Nor’Easter, or banana split at Frosty Freez; you won’t be disappointed. Classic flavors in soft serve and hard ice cream, vegan and sugar-free options, fro-yo, sherbet, and sorbet; they have it all and more.
Their sundae toppings and cone coatings take the ice cream to the edge, whether it’s scoops of vanilla ice cream or Play-dough (yes, they have this flavor).
Frosty Freez, 496 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842
The Wright Scoop
Taking pride in being Rhode Island’s only cow-to-cone ice cream, you can’t go wrong with any flavor at The Wright Scoop.
An ice cream parlor in the form of a Streamliner with one located right next to their dairy farm and bakery, what you pick from the take-out window is bound to be of the highest quality.
While this scoop shop may not have too many choices, they have genuine homemade flavors from the freshest local ingredients.
From the creamy Coffee ice cream and Tractor Tracks (vanilla ice cream with a thick caramel swirl, Oreo pieces, and crushed peanut butter cups) to the delightfully colorful Unicorn and Mint Chip, it’s a treat for any hot summer day.
- The Wright Scoop, 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd, North Smithfield, RI 02896
Gray’s Ice Cream
Serving old-fashioned homemade ice cream since 1923, Gray’s Ice Cream is an award-winning shop that has also appeared multiple times in the Rhode Island Monthly Magazine.
Apart from the classic flavors, you can dig into the more summery flavors like Blueberry, Lemon, and Orange Pineapple. Their seasonal flavors include Pumpkin and Eggnog.
It doesn’t stop there; they also have yogurts, seasonal sherbets, sugar-free options, and some specials (try the Apple Caramel Spice).
- Gray’s Ice Cream, 16 E Rd, Tiverton, RI 02878
The Inside Scoop
Were you looking to try any new flavors? With over 64 delicious homemade ice cream flavors, you’re bound to find something new at The Inside Scoop.
This award-winning place offers flavors like Apple Pie, Bing Cherry, Chocolate Coconut Almond, Ginger, Health Bar, Peppermint Stick, and Sweet Cream.
Smoothies, Parfaits, Ice Cream Cakes, and homemade waffle cones – you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
- The Inside Scoop, 30 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852
Other Places With Great Ice Cream in Rhode Island
- Atomic Blonde Ice Cream truck
- Cold Fusion Gelato, 389 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840
- Tricycle Ice Cream, 70 Battey St, Providence, RI 02903
- The Ice Cream Machine, 4288 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864
- Clementine’s, 2934 South County Trail, East Greenwich and 62 Wave Avenue, Middletown, RI
The cherry on top!
Rhode Island will satisfy your sweet cravings, anything from premium ice cream to equally delightful offerings from a food truck and everything in between. The beach and ice cream make a smashing combo.
