Ice cream is the perfect treat for Arizona. Though there are plenty of places to choose from, these 10 ice cream parlors stand out from the rest of the pack. You’ll find the likes of a Fruity Pebble-laced ice cream sandwich, a massive 11-pound sundae, and even something called ice cream nachos at these local spots. Here are the best ice cream parlors in Arizona!
Sweet Republic is an award-winning ice cream parlor specializing in handcrafted ice cream. They combine fresh, local ingredients from independent Arizona dairy farms to make their delicious artisan ice cream. Sweet Republic has a rotating list of over 20 inventive flavors—including the renowned salted butter caramel swirl and basil lime sorbet. Their floats, cookies, milkshakes, and sundaes have been drawing rave reviews since the parlor’s opening in 2008. You won’t want to miss the legendary toffee banofi sundae. It combines sweet, salty, crunchy and smooth flavors by including vanilla ice cream, almond toffee brittle, fresh bananas, salted caramel sauce and whip cream all served in a waffle bowl.
Churn is a classic ice cream parlor in every sense of the word. They make their ice cream with all natural, fresh ingredients. They sell nostalgic items like old-school candy and toys. They also have a rotating selection of flavors available in scoops, sundaes, floats, and shakes. For an extra layer of sweetness, add a topping to your ice cream treat. You can get everything from hot fudge to butterscotch chips and Oreo’s on your ice cream. The star flavors include Vietnamese coffee ice cream and butter pecan. Grab a scoop in a pretzel waffle cone for a salty compliment your sweet treat.
The Screamery is Arizona’s first ice cream parlor certified to pasteurize its ice cream. Their homemade ice cream is made using milk from grass-fed cows and all natural ingredients. The result is creamy and delicious ice cream that is sure to leave you wanting more. You don’t have to try their tasty ice cream as a boring old scoop. Rather, try one of their non-traditional serving methods. You can try a flight, where you can test six flavors in sample sized scoops. You can try the ice cream nachos, or a single scoop with waffle chips drizzled in fudge. There’s also the farmhouse. It’s a massive eight scoops topped with cookie, brownie, and buttercake and your choice of toppings.
Sugar Bowl has been an Old Town, Scottsdale staple for nearly 60 years. You’ll feel like a kid at a candy shop when you walk into their iconic pink building. Their ice cream menu is chock-full of childhood favorites. You can grab a scoop or two of 11 classic flavors of ice cream including rocky road and cookies ‘n cream. You can pick from a selection of creamy shakes and malts. Or you can try their Camelback sodas. These tasty treats are a combination of vanilla ice cream scoops and flavored soda water.
Melt is a trendy ice cream parlor that has equal amounts charm and flavor. Melt’s artisan-crafted ice cream is served in an array of unique flavors. Melt is located in a converted home in the middle of Phoenix’s arts district and fits right in with the creative culture. You can get more traditional flavors like mint chocolate chip or go for bold flavors like the cereal-inspired Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch, or Trix. The ice cream is even served in a Chinese take-out container and topped with a fortune cookie.
Hub is as a destination restaurant in the middle of Tucson’s historic downtown district. Restaurant customers know not to skimp on dessert. That’s because Hub has some of the best and most inventive ice cream flavors in Tucson. You’ll find delicacies like bourbon almond brittle, horchata, and oatmeal cookie dough at their ice creamery. You can now get their rotating list of 300 ice cream flavors at the Hub Factory. This expansion of the Hub’s ice creamery was created to meet the endless demand for Hub’s creamy, flavorful treats.
Mary Coyle Ol’ Fashion Ice Cream has been dishing up tasty treats to Phoenix since 1951. This long-running ice cream parlor serves up ice cream scoops, cookie sandwiches, and milkshakes in a shop filled with retro décor. Their menu includes flavors of “ol’favorites” including cookie dough, chocolate chip, and burgundy cherry. You can try out their creamy flavors in two-ounce servings with an ice cream flight or in a handpicked pint to go. If you’re craving a sugar coma, try the Grand Canyon. You’ll get 11 pounds of mixed flavored ice cream with six toppings whip cream and cherries.
Superstition Farms knows dessert. They are the masterminds behind Udder Delights. This ice cream parlor sells handmade farmer’s cheeses, artisan butters, and cheese based, award-winning ice cream. You’ll get farm fresh flavors ranging from classics like cookies and cream to new creations like the orange vanilla Arizona sunset. Udder Delights also specializes in ice cream cakes, cheesecakes, and other irresistible delicacies.