A Sweet Guide to Summer’s Coolest Treats
When the sweltering summer heat calls for a sweet and refreshing treat, nothing beats a scoop (or two) of ice cream. Our neighborhoods are a haven for ice cream lovers, with each neighborhood offering its own unique flavors and experiences. Today we’re exploring some of the best spots to satisfy your ice cream cravings in Greenwich Village and the East Village.
Greenwich Village
Surreal Creamery, 126 MacDougal Street
Surreal Creamery isn’t just fun to say; it’s also fun to visit. This ice cream and bubble tea shop is as amusing as it is delicious. And no matter how hard you try, you can’t resist talking to the person next to you about what they ordered, so the socializing scene is convivial, to say the least. You can opt for just a cup of soft serve in fantastic and interesting flavors like taro, matcha, or Earl Grey vanilla, and customize it, or you can splurge and order the fabulous mixtures in a mason jar! But the “floateas” (soft serve on top of bubble tea) are probably the reason to come here. Take a few sips of tea, then have a bite of the ice cream swirled on top. Wait until the two layers begin to mush together, and you basically have a bubble tea milkshake. The South Village outpost makes soft-serve flavors that feel almost inconceivable (except we’re grateful that someone conceived them). There’s a cookies and cream flavor the exact shade of Cookie Monster, as well as a plethora of whimsical toppings. What a cool way to chill on a scorching NYC day!
Cones, 272 Bleecker Street
Located on Bleecker Street, Cones has been serving the Village since 1988. This South Village ice cream store was founded by Argentinian brothers Manu and Mauro Teyssandier, who brought their passion for Argentinean ice cream from their native country to New York City. Their dedication to using traditional techniques and the finest ingredients has made Cones a staple in the Village for over three decades. Known for their artisanal approach, Cones offers a range of flavors with a South American twist. Try the Dulce de Leche or Zabaglione for a rich, indulgent experience. Their sorbets are also a refreshing option on a hot day.
The Teyssandier brothers have infused their shop with the flavors and textures of their homeland, offering a genuine taste of Argentina. Their ice cream is known for its smooth, creamy consistency and rich flavors where quality is paramount. Each batch of ice cream is made with fresh, natural ingredients. From locally sourced milk to imported Argentinean dulce de leche, the ingredients are of the highest quality and are truly delightful.
Gelateria Gentile, 43 8th Avenue
If you are a lover of real Italian gelato, then Gelateria Gentile is the perfect spot for you. This little shop in the West Village is a true taste of South Italy. Old traditional recipes and a passion for quality raw materials are what distinguish the family-owned Gelateria Gentile.
But Gelateria Gentile is more than just a gelato shop; it’s a celebration of Italian culture and culinary tradition. Their gelato recipe hails from Bari, a picturesque city in Southern Italy. Gelateria Gentile has a long-standing tradition of crafting high-quality gelato using age-old techniques and the finest ingredients. The art of their homemade gelato has been handed down for generations, offering a genuine gelato experience and a new reference point for lovers of real Italian gelato. If you find yourself in the West Village, make sure to stop by and indulge in the authentic flavors of Italy. One scoop is all it takes to fall in love with Gelateria Gentile.
East Village
Davey’s Ice Cream, 309 East 9th Street
Davey’s takes ice cream seriously. And yet they’ve “been cool since 2013.” The owner David Yoo is the genius behind the frosty magic at this colorful East Village shop. Davey’s Ice Cream is made on-site from raw ingredients, and each batch requires a four-day-long production schedule. Their signature flavors include “Strong Coffee” and “Speculoos Cookies & Cream.” Davey’s also offers an array of creative toppings, making every scoop customizable. But by far our favorite thing about Davey’s is that the shop prides itself on making everything in-house from scratch, using locally sourced ingredients and local collaborations with other neighborhood businesses, which have yielded scoops filled with cinnamon and chocolate babka from East Village legend Moishe’s Bake Shop, as well as a Marcona almond flavor in partnership with Jonah Miller’s Basque restaurant Huertas. We love it when our favorite small businesses get together to create!
Ray’s Candy Store, 113 Avenue A
Ray’s Candy Store has been a staple of East Village life since 1974, and proprietor Ray Alvarez, who works night shifts at the store, is at its helm. Ray’s Candy Store was a 2020 recipient of a coveted Village Award.
Ray’s Candy Store is the epitome of the East Village vibe. It’s not only one of the few 24-hour places in the neighborhood, it’s also an ad hoc community center where locals come to chat with Ray and learn the local news. And importantly, Ray’s Candy Store offers soft-serve support 24/7. This classic, cash-only spot off Tompkins Square Park has walls covered with newspaper articles and pictures of everything you can order, from the ice cream served in a coffee cup to fried Oreos. Ray himself, who’s owned the place since the 1970s, will likely be there when you stop by, so make sure to wave hello. There might be no place better for a chocolate, vanilla, or swirled soft-serve ice cream.
Milk Bar, 251 East 13th Street
Originally an offshoot of David Chang’s award-winning East Village based restaurant group Momofuku, Milk Bar is helmed by acclaimed pastry chef Christina Tosi. Milk Bar takes the combination of baked goods and milk to a whole new level at their flagship store on East 13th Street. While Milk Bar is generally more famous for its cookies and cakes, their quirky and iconic Cereal Milk soft-serve ice cream, which tastes exactly like the milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl, is a nostalgic and delicious treat that will truly transport you back to your childhood. While there, you can also indulge in their infamous crack pie, cornflake or compost cookies. And then there are the packages of cake truffles — slices of cake that are condensed into supremely dense balls of sugary goodness. Definitely worth a bite or two…or three. Milk Bar also donates a portion of every dairy sale to various independent and family dairy farmers in need. All in all, Milk Bar is a dessert lover’s heaven.
Our neighborhoods offer some of the best ice cream experiences in the city. Each shop brings its own unique twist to the classic confection, making each visit a delightful adventure. So grab a friend, take a stroll, and treat yourself to the best ice cream our neighborhoods have to offer. Your taste buds will thank you!
To learn about the history of ice cream and even more terrific spots for the tasty treat, check out this ice cream dreams blog post.