The Absolute Best Ice Cream in Chicago

In Chicago, ice cream is not a dessert. It is a civic obligation, pursued with the same seriousness as deep-dish or the Cubs.

You will find your best scoop in a Lincoln Square walk-up window, at a hundred-year-old soda fountain where the Stones once sat, or from a truck idling at a block party in Pilsen. The range runs from animal-faced gelato to a spicy Buldak chorreada that will make you question every flavor you thought you knew.

We ate the evidence so you do not have to guess. Start with the list.

Chicagoland ice cream truck

Highlights
Fresh, delicious, friendly service
Respectful treatment of everyone
Highly recommended tasty treats

You will probably find the Chicagoland ice cream truck at a park, a block party, or idling outside a summer festival. The service is friendly, and the treats are fresh. The staff treats every customer with respect, which is rarer than you might think. You order, you wait briefly, and you receive something delicious. That is the whole transaction. It is simple, honest, and highly recommended. If you see the truck, do not hesitate. The ice cream is worth your time.

You might also want to check out the best ice cream in Chicago Suburbs.

Firecakes Donuts

Highlights
Fresh, large, inventive donuts
Delicious ice cream donut option
Stocked case, appealing displays
Compact, take-away focused shop
Generous, quality fillings throughout

Firecakes Donuts is a compact shop designed for take-away. You will stand, order, and leave with a box. The donuts are large, fresh, and inventive. You should try the ice cream donut option. It is a donut, split, filled with ice cream, and it tastes as good as it sounds. The case is stocked, the displays are appealing, and the fillings are generous. You will not find seating, but you will not need it. You will eat on the sidewalk, and you will be satisfied.

You might also want to check out the best ice cream in Naperville.

PLANTA Chicago

Highlights
Twice in one visit
Eggplant nigiri surprises
Mushrooms soak flavor
Lemonade on edge
Staff kind, service valued

You may visit PLANTA Chicago once, but you will likely go back for a second visit within the same outing. The eggplant nigiri will surprise you. It is soft, savory, and unexpectedly convincing. The mushrooms soak up flavor and do not disappoint. The lemonade has a sharp edge, which cuts through the richness. The staff is kind, and the service is valued. You will leave thinking about the eggplant, not the ice cream, but the overall experience is memorable.

You might also want to check out the best ice cream in Schaumburg.

The Village

Highlights
Oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago
Homemade mozzarella sticks stand out
Exceptional Chilean sea bass preparation
Festive, historic interior decor
Efficient seating without reservations

The Village is the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. You will walk into a festive, historic interior that feels like a set. You will be seated efficiently, even without a reservation. The homemade mozzarella sticks stand out. They are not the frozen kind. The Chilean sea bass is exceptional, flaky and well-seasoned. You come for the atmosphere and the food. You stay because the room feels alive. It is a classic, and it earns its reputation.

You might also want to check out the best mexican seafood restaurants in Chicago.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Highlights
Pricey but quality scoops
Attentive staff service
Peanut butter standout flavor
Calorie-conscious ordering tip
Compact flavor selection

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is expensive. You will pay more than you expect for a scoop. The quality is there. The staff is attentive, and the service is efficient. The peanut butter flavor is a standout. It is creamy, salty, and rich. If you watch calories, order a kid's scoop. It is smaller, but you will not feel shortchanged. The selection is compact, which helps you decide. You will leave a little poorer, but not disappointed.

You might also want to check out the best pancakes in Chicago.

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

Highlights
Creative, nostalgic ice cream bars
Thoughtfully made, high-quality ingredients
Seasonal and limited-edition offerings
Bright, playful neighborhood atmosphere
Friendly, patient staff service

Pretty Cool Ice Cream is a bright, playful shop in a neighborhood that feels like a small town. You will order bars that look like childhood favorites, but they are made with high-quality ingredients. The flavors are creative and nostalgic. You will find seasonal offerings that change, so you never know what you will get. The staff is friendly and patient, even when the line is long. You will feel good about eating here. It is thoughtful work.

You might also want to check out the best croissants in Chicago.

Amorino

Highlights
Rose-shaped gelato artistry
Rich, authentic Italian flavors
Clearly labeled dietary options
Relaxed European cafe atmosphere
Staff patient during rushes

Amorino is a gelato shop that looks like a European café. You will order a cone, and the staff will shape the gelato into a rose. It is artful. The flavors are rich and authentic. You will see labels for dietary options, which is helpful. The staff remains patient during rushes. You will find a seat, relax, and eat your rose. It is a pleasant, unhurried experience. The gelato is good, but the rose makes it memorable.

You might also want to check out the best date spots in Chicago.

Vaca’s Creamery

Highlights
Non-dairy, tastes full-dairy
Flourless molten cake pairing
Pumpkin soft serve standout
Generous free samples offered
Walk-up window, worth trip

Vaca’s Creamery is a walk-up window. You will stand outside, study the menu, and order. The non-dairy options taste full-dairy. You will not believe they are vegan. The flourless molten cake pairs with the ice cream in a way that is decadent. The pumpkin soft serve is a standout. It is spiced, creamy, and not overly sweet. You will be offered free samples, which is generous. The trip is worth it. You will leave with a full stomach and a satisfied mind.

You might also want to check out the best halal restaurants in Chicago.

Eli’s Ark

Highlights
Adorable animal-faced gelato
Delicious, not overly sweet
Worth the wait
Gluten-free and vegan options
Friendly, fast service

Eli’s Ark serves gelato with faces. You will see animals on your scoop, and you will smile. The gelato is delicious, not overly sweet, and worth the wait. You will find gluten-free and vegan options, which is thoughtful. The staff is friendly and fast. You will order, receive your animal-faced treat, and eat it with a child’s glee. It is a small thing, but it is done well. You will not regret the stop.

You might also want to check out the best prime rib in Chicago.

Margie's Candies

Highlights
Over one hundred years old
Legendary sundaes, huge portions
Homemade chocolates, true classics
Beatles and Stones visited here
Warm, family-style service

Margie's Candies has been open for over a hundred years. You will walk into a room that feels preserved. The sundaes are legendary, and the portions are huge. You will leave with a sugar headache if you finish. The homemade chocolates are true classics. The Beatles and the Stones visited here. That fact is not a gimmick. The service is warm and family-style. You will be treated like a regular, even if you are not. It is an institution for a reason.

You might also want to check out the best boba in Chicago.

KURIMU

Highlights
Hokkaido Black Sugar is transcendent
Asian-inspired flavors, genuinely novel
Friendly staff, samples encouraged
Clean, artful, welcoming space

KURIMU is a clean, artful, welcoming space. You will be greeted by friendly staff who encourage samples. You will try the Hokkaido Black Sugar. It is transcendent. The flavor is deep, caramel-like, and unlike anything you have had. The Asian-inspired flavors are genuinely novel. You will not find these combinations elsewhere. You order, you eat, you think about the black sugar again. It is simple, and it is excellent. You will come back.

You might also want to check out the best hibachi in Chicago.

La Xhula Michoacana Ice Cream Shop

Highlights
Buldak chorreada is incredible
Staff friendly and helpful
Extremely clean establishment
Wide fruit dessert variety

La Xhula Michoacana Ice Cream Shop is spotless. You will notice the clean floors and cases. The staff is friendly and helpful. You will order the Buldak chorreada. It is incredible. The combination of spicy and sweet is unexpected and works. You will also see a wide variety of fruit desserts, from mango to tamarind. You can try samples. You will leave with a new favorite. It is a small shop, but it is a big find.

You might also want to check out the best cinnamon rolls in Chicago.