When you walk into a great ice cream shop, there’s an unmistakable aroma. It’s this magical combination of sweet, creamy, and cold. I’m not exactly sure that makes any sense, but to me, that’s what gives an ice cream shop its personality—a comfortable chill that feels like a cool hug.
Growing up in Boston and the New England area, we have no shortage of cool hugs. With legendary restaurants like Friendly’s, Carvel, and the now-defunct Brigham’s (my personal favorite), the people of the Great Northeast have had the tremendous luxury of growing up with an embarrassment of sweet, creamy riches. But sometimes those titanic franchises dwarf the many smaller albeit just as impactful, neighborhood ice cream shops that have served Beantown and points north for decades.
For every Dairy Queen style major ice cream franchise that acts as an all-walks-of-life congregation for the Bay State, you have a dozen independent spots that you’d only hear about if you lived in a particular community or through legendary word of mouth. From a sort of community institution originating in Jamaica Plain like JP Licks to the much more obscure favorites like my hometown of Dorchester’s Chill on Park and all the way up to Peaks Island Maine staple Down Front Ice Cream for you road trippers that offer everything from traditional flavors like vanilla or chocolate to funky experiments such as Dutch apple and Cookie Monster I present to you a list of easily accessible locations that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Check these places out!
Boston Seaport
- Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — Seaport
- Taiyaki NYC – Boston — Seaport
- Ben & Jerry’s — Seaport
Back Bay
4. Amorino Gelato – Boston Newbury Street — Newbury Street
5. J.P. Licks — Newbury Street
6. Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream — Newbury Street
Somerville
7. Gracie’s Ice Cream — Union Square
8. J.P. Licks — Davis Square
Cambridge
9. Honeycomb Creamery — Massachusetts Avenue
10. Toscanini’s Ice Cream Co., Inc. — Central Square
