NYC's Best Ice Cream Shops & Frozen Treats to Try This Summer

Summer in New York City comes with steamy subway rides, rooftop sunsets, beach days and most importantly, an excuse to treat yourself to as much Ice Cream as possible. From cult-favorite shops to shops made famous on the big screen to trendy over-the-top creations, the city's ice cream competition is as iconic as its skyline. 

Here's your guide to hunt down some of the most popular treats this summer: 

1. Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream

A fairly new comer to the game, Owner and founder Nicholas Morgenstern focuses on serving texture-driven small-batch ice creams with a renewed attention to flavor and palate. Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary, this place will surely give you sleek and retro feel along with nostalgia served on a cup or cone. 

Distance from Moderne: 3.3 Miles

2. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Since the 1970's, this family-operated institution in Chinatown has served ice cream to a steady crowd that still queues up the door to this day. Shop originals include Black Sesame dotted with sesame seeds, the neon green Pandan and the Almond Cookie that folds in cookies from Famous Fung Wong Bakery. You can also find traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate but either way, expect a line as it's definitely worth the wait.

Distance from Moderne: 4.5 Miles

3. Serendipity 3

Three friends, Calvin Holt, Stephen Bruce, and Patch Carradine, opened the restaurant in 1954. Serendipity 3 quickly became known for its whimsical decor, eclectic menu, celebrity sightings, and over-the-top desserts, particularly the now-famous "Frrrozen Hot Chocolate" which is a rich blend of 20+ kinds of chocolate piled high with whipped cream. For the past 70 years, Serendipity 3 has been a place of celebration, delectable treats, and an homage to New York’s rich history.

Distance from Moderne: 1.6 Miles

4. Amorino Gelato 

If you're looking to add some European flair to the city, we recommend trying out Amorino Gelato. Although they have multiple locations in the city, the one that you want to visit is up on 63rd street across the street from Lincoln Center. Their signature flower-shaped cones with as many flavors as you want, plus add-ons like a gelato-filled macaroon will definitely leave you wanting more!

Distance from Moderne: 0.6 Miles

5. Venchi Chocolate & Gelato

Another iconic location and sacred to Italian chocolate and artisanal gelato. At Venchi, the gelato is rich, velvety, and crafted with ingredients straight from Italy. Some of these famous additions include hazelnuts, pistachios and fresh fruit. Some of their shops also feature a flowing chocolate wall, so you're in good hands if you decide to stop at Venchi for a cold treat. 

Distance from Moderne: 0.3 Miles

6. Kith Treats

Where fashion and frozen treats collide. Kith Treats is part of streetwear brand Kith’s immersive stores which brings next-level cereal-infused ice cream culture to the city and it's other locations. The menu is curated with creative combinations featuring soft-serve swirled with nostalgic cereals (like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cap’n Crunch, and Cocoa Pebbles), layered with your choice of toppings like: cookie crumbles, Nutella, or swirls of peanut butter.
Every Kith Treats combo is named after celebrity collaborators. Customize your own creation at the Kith Treats Bar. It’s cool, creative, and very NYC.

Distance from Moderne: 3.5 Miles

Whether you're having a cold treat between meals or planning a full dessert crawl, New York has a multitude of options for you to try. Invite your friends and make sure you get a portable fan for those hot subway stations and lastly, ensure to bring a big appetite, you've got a whole city of sweetness to explore!

Stay chill this summer!