Looking to start combatting this heat with some delicious, drippy ice cream? Get the scoop by reading below and learn about the very best ice cream on the Upper West Side!
Emack and Bolio’s
389 Amsterdam Ave (between 78th and 79th Streets)
Our tour of ice cream on the Upper West Side begins with Emack and Bolio’s, one of the most Instagram-worthy NYC treats. Once inside, you’ll come across chocolate-inspired creations such as the Cookie Monster which combines Oreos with cookie dough. More bakery-inspired selections like the Red Velvet consists of chewy cake bits with ice cream for one exceptional treat.
Other choices like the smoreo, mudpie, and grasshopper are inspired by renowned dessert chefs and ethnic grocery stores. The cones here also come in different varieties and you can opt for a candy-coated or a waffle cone dipped in marshmallows, Froot Loops, or Rice Krispies. Emack and Bolio’s only uses natural ingredients in the preparation of their ice cream and are against the use of milk from cows that have been injected with genetically modified hormones.
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16 Handles
325 Amsterdam Ave (between 75th and 76th Streets)
Treat yourself to some of the best frozen yogurt around at 16 Handles. Perhaps the most well-known option for ice cream on the Upper West Side, 16 Handles is right next to the Beacon Theatre and Levain Bakery (featured in our Upper West Side Desserts post). This fro-yo shop offers customers an endless array of possibilities and combinations.
There are more standard flavors such as salted caramel and pumpkin to more innovative ones like american apple pie, graham cracker, and caramel popcorn finale. Top your fro-yo with gummy bears, blueberries, chocolate chips, and many other oh-so-sweet flavors. The company has taken many green-friendly initiatives and they help plant 16 trees every day.
Ben & Jerry’s
2722 Broadway (corner of 104th Street)
I couldn’t choose one photo because I’m a complete spaz so I’ve made you a pretty little collage. The iconic and beloved duo from Vermont have dropped a flag on the Upper West Side. Open from 11am to midnight every day, this location also offers cakes and catering. Some of my all time efavorites include Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chunky Monkey and Phish Food.
I prefer going to the Ben & Jerry’s as opposed to getting a pint at the local deli as it helps me with portion control.
Amorino
414 Amsterdam (between 79th and 80th Streets)
The Italian gelato and sorbet chain uses free range organic eggs, high grade whole milk and never any coloring or artificial flavors to create their famous chilled treats. Expect lots of seasonal specialties like the red berries cheesecake featured below. Some other favorites include their banana sorbet, salted butter caramel and passion fruit sorbet!
Also, stop by in the colder months for macarons, hot chocolate, waffles and crepes!
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Screme Gelato Bar
176 West 94th Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus)
This creative Kosher gelato bar brings uber unique flavors to the Upper West Side. You can find all of your favorite childhood candy in frozen form … from Reeses Pieces to Chips Ahoy to Oreos and more. The list goes on and the options seem to never end (plus they have plenty of fruity sorbets to enjoy). Screme is also open until midnight, and offers catering for private events.
Van Leeuwen
448 Amsterdam Ave (between 81st and 82nd Streets)
We’re including Van Leeuwen for our vegan friends, though their classic flavors (like the honeycomb pictured below) are also quite satisfying. This trendy Brooklyn-born ice cream shop is frequently packed, especially on warm summer nights. But luckily they’ve opened another Van Leeuwen on 72nd and Columbus!
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