Houston’s heat demands a great scoop of ice cream, and the city delivers with an incredible mix of classic parlors, inventive small-batch creameries, and globally inspired flavors. Whether you’re after a nostalgic cone or a modern twist on a frozen treat, these ten spots serve up some of the best ice cream places in Houston.
Cloud 10 Creamery
Cloud 10 Creamery crafts small-batch ice cream with a chef-driven approach, creating bold flavors like Nutella & Marshmallow, Mango Sticky Rice, and Strawberry Basil. Each batch is made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a smooth, rich texture.
Founded by acclaimed pastry chef Chris Leung, Cloud 10 elevates ice cream into a culinary art form. The minimalist space offers a perfect backdrop for the vibrant flavors, with seasonal specials that showcase local ingredients. Don’t miss their ice cream sandwiches, which pair their signature flavors with house-made cookies for a perfect textural contrast.
Fat Cat Creamery
This Heights favorite focuses on locally sourced ingredients, making flavors that highlight Texas produce. Try their signature Cat’s Meow Mexican Vanilla or the seasonal specials like Pumpkin Cheesecake. They also serve homemade waffle cones and sundaes topped with house-made sauces.
Fat Cat’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond their ingredients to their packaging, which is 100% compostable. The cozy shop has a retro feel that adds to the nostalgic experience of enjoying their premium ice cream. During the holidays, look for their limited-edition flavors like Bourbon Eggnog and Chocolate Peppermint, which have developed a cult following among Houston ice cream enthusiasts.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s is known for ultra-creamy textures and innovative flavors like Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. The bright, welcoming shop invites guests to sample as many flavors as they like before deciding on their perfect scoop.
What sets Jeni’s apart is their unique base recipe, which skips synthetic flavorings and commercial stabilizers in favor of cream, milk, and cane sugar. The result is a distinctly smooth texture that lets their thoughtfully sourced ingredients shine through. Their seasonal collaborations with local artisans often create limited-edition flavors that capture the essence of Houston’s diverse culinary scene.
Milk + Sugar
With flavors inspired by nostalgic treats, Milk + Sugar serves up creative combinations like Cereal Milk and Birthday Cake. The shop’s whimsical approach to ice cream makes each visit a fun experience, with ever-changing flavors on the menu.
The interior of Milk + Sugar is as playful as their flavors, with Instagram-worthy neon signs and colorful decor that creates a joyful atmosphere. Beyond scoops, they excel at ice cream cakes and custom desserts for special occasions. Their late-night hours on weekends make them a perfect spot for satisfying sweet cravings after dinner at nearby restaurants.
Dolce Neve
Dolce Neve takes a traditional Italian approach, crafting gelato in small batches using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Favorites include Pistachio, Stracciatella, and Texas Honey & Lavender, all made with a rich, creamy texture.
The family-owned shop follows recipes passed down through generations, with techniques learned in Italy’s prestigious gelato schools. Their gelato contains significantly less air than American ice cream, resulting in a denser, more intense flavor experience. The bright, airy space invites lingering, and their gelato-making classes offer curious customers a chance to learn the craft firsthand.
SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet
SweetCup blends Italian craftsmanship with bold flavors, offering choices like Masala Chai, Goat Cheese & Blueberry, and Vietnamese Coffee. Their small-batch process ensures an ultra-smooth consistency, perfect for warm Houston days.
Owner Jasmine Chida draws inspiration from her Persian heritage and Houston’s multicultural food scene to create unique flavor combinations you won’t find elsewhere. The shop also offers dairy-free sorbets and vegan options that don’t compromise on flavor or texture. Their gelato pops, dipped in chocolate and adorned with toppings, make for a portable treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen started as a Brooklyn-based truck and now brings its French-style ice cream to Houston, using more egg yolks for an extra-rich taste. Their menu includes both classic and vegan flavors, with favorites like Honeycomb and Earl Grey Tea.
The Houston location maintains the brand’s signature aesthetic with a minimalist interior and friendly service that encourages sampling. Their vegan options, made with cashew milk, coconut cream, and cocoa butter, are so creamy that even dairy lovers can’t tell the difference. The shop also offers freshly baked cookies, making it easy to create your own custom ice cream sandwich with any flavor combination you can imagine.
La Argentina Gelato
For a taste of Argentina, this family-run shop serves creamy gelato in flavors like Dulce de Leche and Malbec Wine. Their rich, handcrafted gelato pairs perfectly with an espresso for an authentic experience.
Owner Vanessa Fernandez brings authentic recipes from Buenos Aires, creating a true taste of Argentina in Houston. The shop often features special flavors inspired by Argentine holidays and traditions, giving customers insight into the country’s rich culinary heritage. Their alfajores – traditional Argentine sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche – make for a perfect accompaniment to their signature gelato.
Houston’s ice cream scene is as diverse as the city itself, offering everything from soft serve and Italian gelato to chef-crafted small-batch creations. Whether you’re looking for a classic cone or an adventurous flavor, these ten spots guarantee a scoop worth savoring.
Best Ice Cream in New Jersey
When the weather heats up, there’s nothing like cooling off with an ice-cold treat. From newfangled ice cream shops to historic roadside stands, these parlors serve some of the best ice cream in New Jersey!