10 Best Ice Cream Shops in Austin

Austin is the capital of Texas therefore, the best desserts can be found all around the city.

When it comes to ice cream shops, there are plenty that’ll make you wish you had gotten a double scoop. From creamy, dreamy, to delicious, these ice cream shops are worth a pit stop.

You will all agree there’s nothing more satisfying on a typical Texas-hot day than a lick of cold, creamy ice cream.

In texas ice cream is synonymous with d Blue Bell which is found in the freezer section of any local grocery store, Blue Bell is made just a few hours away in Brenham, TX, and is a point of pride for any true Texan.

Texas summers last for 8 months of the year so there’s a need to plan how to cool down and the best way is to have a sweet and tasty treat.

Therefore, summer in Austin means it’s time to find the best ice cream in Austin and we have 10 of the best parlours for your sampling.

1. Licks Honest Ice Cream

1100 S Lamar Blvd #1135, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 363-5622

Opening Hours: MON – TUE 4.30pm – 10pm

WED – THU 12.30pm – 10pm

FRI – SAT 12.30pm – 11.30pm

SUNDAY 12.30pm – 10pm

Ilikelick.com

When it comes to ice cream, Lick is a Texas icon. Lick Honest Ice Creams crafts artisanal ice creams with fresh ingredients.

Many of the ingredients come from local farms to ensure top quality. All sauces and syrups are made right in the back of the house!

Opened in 2011, their ice creams are crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced responsibly by several local farmers and artisans who are all committed to sustainability.

They create everything from scratch, including the cakes, cookies, and sauces, to the syrup and marshmallows.

The team at LICK churns every pint and batch of ice cream to serve up the freshest, most honest ice creams in Austin.

Lick is in an area with some other restaurants which makes it perfect to grab lunch or dinner there and then some ice cream for dessert.

They even have a cool club you can join to get a free pint a month Which would pay off the onetime $25 membership fee.

2. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

11601 Rock Rose Ave, Ste 110Austin, TX 78758

(737) 209-0336

Opening Hours: SUN – THU 12pm – 10pm

FRI – SUN 11pm – 11pm

jenis.com

Jeni’s seems to have unique ice cream flavours that are creamy and good. They also have freezers where you can pick up pints.

Jeni’s is easily one of the top Austin ice cream spots. The concept is simple: just really, really good ice cream made from the highest quality ingredients.

There aren’t any gimmicks like mix-ins, cookies, or milkshakes here. You simply pick a flavour or two of ice cream and select a cone or bowl, and that’s it.

Try some of the regular flavours like Gooey Butter Cake, Brambleberry Crisp, or Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks. Or, venture into the rotating specials or vegan ice cream options.

Jeni’s serves up some of the richest, smooth ice cream scoops in town. With funky new flavours like Rocket Pop, Orange Freeze, Mango Cheesecake Swirl, High Five Candy Bar, and Golden Nectar. Visit them at two locations in Austin, on South Congress and at Domain Northside.

3. Dolce Neve Gelato

1713 South 1st street, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 804-5568

Opening Hours: SUN – THU 10pm – 11pm

FRI – SAT 10pm – 11pm

dolcenevegelato.com

Dolce Neve ranks as one of the top spots of this list of best Austin ice cream because of their care and attention to detail.

It’s a cute little gelato shop in Austin whose small size the perfect for a quick treat, and the flavours are ridiculously good because they use real fruits and nuts and high-quality milk.

Any time they have the mascarpone and fig or the fromage black plus jam I get one of those flavours.

This new gelateria is absolutely lovely. It may not have the widest or “weirdest” flavors in town, but it wins for best quality. This is the most authentic gelato that will transport you to Italy.

Dolce Neve is a local family-owned gelato shop that has been a staple in Austin for the last 7 years.

For those looking for a taste of rotating, Italian creamy flavours with ingredients from local farmers and artisans, this spot cannot be missed.

4. Amy Ice Cream

1302 S Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704(South Austin)

(512) 440-7488

Opening Hours: SUN – THU 11.30pm – 11pm

FRI – SAT 11.30pm – 12am

amysicecream.com

Amy’s Ice Cream is possibly the most famous ice cream in Austin as it is one of Austin’s oldest and most original creameries dishing out its original recipes since 1985.

They have lots of fun flavours and mix-ins to try, but be sure to at least sample the Mexican Vanilla ice cream. It’s their best seller, and it tastes like cake batter.

With originals like their famous handmade Mexican Vanilla ice cream, Amy’s focuses on creating ice cream, frozen yogurt, dairy-free fruit ices, and ice cream cakes.

5. DipDipDip Ice Cream

7301 Burnet Rd Ste 101 Austin, TX 78757

(512) 440-7488

Opening Hours: MON – THU 3pm – 9pm

FRI – SUN 3pm – 10pm

dipdipdip-icecream.com

This place wins as far as unique ice cream experiences go. DipDipDip’s “shabu-inspired” ice cream sandwiches and cones are full of the craziest ingredient like tamarind-soaked raisins, fried parsnips, and miso croutons.

They’re pricey, but this makes a fun date night spot. Each cone is full of flavor, and somehow the mix of sweet plus umami works out.

Super fun and unique ice cream experience and it easily won a spot on this best ice cream in Austin list.

Enjoy the Sum Yum Yuzu or Shroom of Doom creations in cup or waffle cone form.

While savoury sandwiches from the pop-up are no longer available, sweet treats like the ice cream taco in panko-fried brioche bun, boozy milkshakes and assorted ice cream pints with flavors like hojicha plus burnt orange or cookies ‘n matcha, will still be available.

It is possible to order via QR code or at the service window.

6. Cold Cookie Company

2512 Rio Grande St Austin, TX 78705

(512) 305-3771

Opening Hours: MON – FRI 4pm – 12am

SAT – SUN 4pm – 12am

coldcookiecompany.com

Cold Cookie Company is anything but ordinary. They not only serve ice cream that’s delicious on its own but also cookies that can be a simple topping or blended into one of their shakes.

They’re also famous for their ice cream sandwiches and “unshakes” which are just like a milkshake but much thicker because of all the ice cream and toppings that you’re getting.

And while they started as a food truck, Cold Cookie Company has recently expanded to a brick and mortar to make their delicious ice cream even more accessible.

The happy hour (11pm-midnight) is such a steal. Their unshakes are only $5 and come with 2 scoops of ice cream, 2 cookies and 1 topping. You could easily split it between 2-3 people and get your ice cream craving satisfied.

7. Austin Scoops

9500 Escarpment Blvd Ste 900 Austin, TX 78749

(512) 535-4489

Opening Hours: SUN – THU 12pm – 9pm

FRI – SUN 12pm – 10pm

austinscoops.com

If you’re looking for classic ice cream with decadent flavours, check out Austin Scoops in southwest Austin.

Here you’ll get traditional options like strawberry, chocolate and vanilla bean, but also flavors for the more adventurous palate like butterbeer and roasted marshmallow which are both on the permanent everyday menu.

They put their focus on the highest quality ingredients which is truly what makes all of their ice creams stand out, even the more classic flavors.

Also on offer is sorbet as a non-dairy and fat-free option.

8. Anti-Social Ice Cream

6550 Comanche Trl #109 Austin, TX

(512) 531-9811

Opening Hours: MON – TUE CLOSED

WED – FRI 3pm – 9pm

SAT – SUN 1pm – 9pm

antisocialicecream.com

Anti Social is a completely vegan ice cream shop using ingredients like almond milk, soymilk, cashew milk and/or coconut milk. They only have six flavors that they rotate.

If you prefer to shy away from dairy, Anti-Social Ice Cream Co. could be your new go-to spot.

Instead of having a few flavors that are vegan, their whole store is dedicated to the concept.

But you won’t feel like you’ve missed out on full fat ice cream with their available flavors like banana caramel, birthday cake and mint chocolate chip.

They have scoopable options, soft-serve, milkshakes and even ice cream sandwiches complete with a number of vegan topping options to please even the biggest dairy advocate

The aesthetic of the shop is perfect for Instagram photos, it’s beautiful, bold and modern. And if the small shop is too full, walk outside to one of the most stunning views in all of Austin.

9. Nada Moo Scoop Shop

1701 South Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704

(512) 359-8441

Opening Hours: MON – SUN 2pm- 10pm

nadamoo.com

Vegan and Lactose Intolerants rejoice, there’s finally an all non-dairy ice cream shop dedicated just to you

If you’re looking for the best 100% vegan ice cream shop in Austin, Austin company NadaMoo! wins.

All of their ice creams is dairy-free and made with a coconut milk base. It’s Austin’s biggest vegan ice cream brand.

The South Lamar scoop shop dishes out their delicious ice cream in dairy-free cones.

My favourite flavour is Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, which works really well with the coconut-milk base. They also have shakes and floats.

NadaMoo is a great substitute to get your sweet tooth fixings. For those who still swear by dairy, you may not enjoy it as much… it’s not as dense and creamy if that’s what you’re looking for.

10. Zed Real Fruit Ice Cream

1814 Harvey St Austin, TX 78702

(503) 395-5038

Opening Hours: MON – TUE CLOSED

WED – FRI 3pm – 10pm

SAT – SUN 12pm – 10pm

zedicecream .com

Zeds is Austin’s newest New Zealand inspired ice cream shop that instead of using artificial flavourings to provide you with flavour, they use fresh fruit instead

Have you ever tried New Zealand fruit-blended ice cream? Zed’s recently opened in Austin and offers the most delectable made-to-order vanilla base mixed with real fruit like strawberry, mango, or cherry.

Some favourites include Piña Colada which is pineapple, coconut drizzle, and toasted coconut. Another great one is just a simple blueberry cup on its ow

If you don’t like desserts that are too sweet Zeds is just the place you are looking for balanced ice cream that is light in fruity sweetness.

Ice cream is the best late-night snack ever, think about it tastes delicious.

First of all, ice cream tastes better than any other sweet treat.

What food could compete with this creamy smoothness, or the delicious feeling of this soft, cold treat as it meets your taste buds? Don’t know of any other food that feels as good.