The Best Ice Cream and Frozen Treats in Philly

It’s getting hot in here, Philly! And the absolute best way to cool down is with an ice-cold treat. Whether you prefer gelato over ice cream, or water ice over just about everything, we’ve identified the best places to get your frozen fix with the help of City Cast Philly food contributor and creator of Feeding Time TV, Dave Wez.

Here are a few spots Dave and our host Trenae Nuri just can’t get enough of 😋

Mister Softee

📍 throughout Philadelphia

Let’s start with a classic. Most of us grew up on that catchy Mister Softee jingle and remember running to a grown-up to get that much-needed soft-serve cash. Trenae is a big fan of Mister Softee’s (if she can catch that truck, of course), and she really loves topping a cone with colorful sprinkles (or is it jimmies?!).

1-900-ICE-CREAM

📍 Rittenhouse and Fishtown

This is Dave’s go-to for soft serve. He recommends getting the choco taco, which he says tastes as phenomenal as it looks.

Milk Jawn

📍 Passyunk Square

This spot is scooping out small-batch, premium ice cream in South Philly, and they have cool flavors you may not see anywhere else. Plus, they have great vegan options, such as the tahini fudge swirl.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

📍 Center City, Rittenhouse, and Fishtown

This NYC outpost is great if you love experimenting with flavors. Try the lemon poppyseed muffin, or maybe even the glass onion ice cream (if you’re really about that life.) Plus, a new location is coming soon to UPenn!

Kook Burger & Bar

📍 Logan Square

More of a milkshake person? Go to this restaurant for gigantic glass mugs of slurpable shakes. You can also get a slice of cheesecake on top of your milkshake! Trenae loves the smores shake, where the gooey chocolate takes her back to a summer campfire.

John's Water Ice

📍 Bella Vista

This would not be a true Philly frozen treats roundup if we didn’t include water ice. While there are so many places to choose from, John’s is Dave’s favorite spot to get Cambodian noodles, pizza, and cheesesteaks before cooling off with their ice-cold water ice.

Rita’s Italian Ice

📍Various Locations

Shout out to this regional staple! Trenae loves their delicious flavors, especially the mango strawberry. Plus, if you can’t make up your mind, you can order a frozen ice sampler. Did we mention their flavors are iconic? Dave says he knows people who are addicted to the Swedish fish flavor (is that you!?).