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Food & Drink, Guides,

The 10 Best Ice Cream Shops in Chicago

By J.P. Anderson By J.P. Anderson | April 10, 2025 | Food & Drink, Guides,

Cone or cup? Here, our top 10 spots for Chicago's best ice cream on a hot day.

Black Dog Gelato

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859 N. Damen Ave / Website

From goat cheese cashew caramel to espresso chip and dairy free lemon passionfruit (plus signature flavors like chocolate, mint cookie and goat cheese cashew caramel), these creative concoctions from pastry chef-turned-gelato-queen Jessica Oloroso have been wowing sweet tooths since 2010.

Bombobar

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832 W. Randolph St. / Website

It all started with Top Chef star Fabio Viviani’s famous holeless bomboloni doughnuts, but now this West Loop concept is even better known for its delectable homemade gelato, which comes in flavors like italian vanilla bean, maple bourbon and hot cocoa.

Scooter's Frozen Custard

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1658 W. Belmont Ave / Website

Renowned for its “concretes”—a blend of frozen custard and mix-ins so thick it can be served upside-down—this Lakeview spot is a favorite for families and canines, who can enjoy a free cone with their owners.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

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Multiple locations / Website

Possibly Chicago’s most popular ice creamery, Jeni Britton Bauer’s dessert dynasty boasts scoop shops in 27 cities—including 10 locations here in the Windy City. A James Beard Award winner for the book Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home, the brand scores with flavors like honey vanilla bean, powdered jelly donu and blackout chocolate cake, and it ships nationwide.

Margie's Candies

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1960 N. Western Ave.; 1813 W. Montrose Ave. / Website

Beloved by generations, this ice cream shop and candy store have drawn lines out the door since 1921 for homemade sundaes, shakes and banana splits.

Rainbow Cone

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Multiple locations / Website

Long before the age of Instagram, this nearly 100-year-old Chicago institution was serving up the ultimate post-worthy frozen treat, a signature five-layer towering concoction of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (that would be vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet.

Lickity Split

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Tags: ice cream Apple News

Photography by: Lori Sapio Photography; Lindsey Simon; Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams; Rainbow Cone

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