Beat the Heat with Austin’s Best Ice Cream Treats

Amy’s Ice Creams

Multiple locations

No list of Austin’s best ice cream is complete without Amy’s. Now with 14 locations around town, plus more in Houston and San Antonio, Amy’s enthusiastic employees, known as Scoops, have been slinging their signature Mexican Vanilla and Belgian Chocolate for over 40 years.

Lick Honest Ice Creams

1100 South Lamar Blvd.
6555 Burnet Road #200
1905 Aldrich St. Suite 150

For a more artisanal scoop, head to Lick. Founded in 2011 with the mission to offer Austinites “honest” ice cream made with pure, sustainable ingredients, the team behind Lick prides themselves on their ability to trace each of their ingredients back to its source. Locals are invited to visit as the seasons change to get a taste of their ever-changing flavors — and don’t forget to add one of their homemade toppings!

Sandy’s Hamburgers

603 Barton Springs Road

Sandy’s serves up soft serve from a drive-in that’s been open since 1946. A beloved icon of ‘old Austin,’ Sandy’s has all the classics, like hot fudge sundaes, root beer floats, malts, milkshakes and cones. Grab a hamburger with fries and finish it off with your go-to frozen treat. It’s a charming experience that’s tasty as can be.

Dolce Neve

1713 South 1st St.
1109 E 5th St. Suite 170

Take one bite of Dolce Neve’s scrumptious gelato and you’ll be transported to Florence. The Italian-owned shop, with a name that means “sweet snow,” carries 12 to 18 flavors everyday, with staples like stracciatella, vanilla from Madagascar and salted caramel, as well as rotating and seasonal flavors. On top of the delicious gelato, the team also creates frozen treats like granita, gelato bars and our favorite of all — affogato.

Zeds

1814 Harvey St.
2727 Exposition Blvd. Suite #128
3736 Bee Caves Road Suite 8

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? If it’s anything fruity, Zeds is worth a visit. Originally founded in Portland, Oregon, Zeds opened in East Austin in 2021. Their made-to-order treats start with a vanilla or vegan coconut base that is then blended with your choice of fruit, making it a particularly refreshing treat for kids and adults alike.

Tiny’s Milk & Cookies

1515 West 35th St.

Houston’s beloved Tiny’s Milk and Cookies made the jump to Austin in 2019 and has been loved by locals ever since. Try the eponymous Milk & Cookies flavor for a taste of their epic chocolate chip cookies or go for the luxurious Lemon Tart flavor, made with a lemon mousse swirl. All of their decadent desserts are available at the adorable walk-up shop in Kerbey Lane Village.

Allday Pizza

3111 W 35th St.
4300 Speedway

While Allday is known for its New York-style pizza, it also makes a mean soft serve. At its Hyde Park location, guests can choose between sweet cream, chocolate or a twist of both, with toppings such as homemade birthday cake crumbles, crushed pretzels and dark chocolate sauce. For those who want a little kick with their ice cream, Allday also serves a cold brew affogato topped with an Italian maraschino cherry.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

4616 Triangle Ave., Unit 200
1208 S Congress Ave.
11601 Rock Rose Ave. #110

Jeni’s has taken the country by storm, now boasting over 60 locations nationwide. Their three Austin scoop shops are conveniently located around town, with each location serving up inventive flavors that are consistently yummy and always changing on the menu. Highlights include Gooey Butter Cake, Skillet Cinnamon Roll and Wildberry Lavender — plus many more rotating options.

Gati

1512 Holly St.

After selling coconut milk-based mango ice cream at Thai Fresh, owner Jam Sanitchat opened spinoff spot Gati to offer more flavors of her vegan and gluten-free treats. Also serving up coffee and baked goods, Gati is an ideal stop for your next afternoon pick-me-up.

The Baked Bear

211 Walter Seaholm Drive

Ice cream sandwiches are on the menu at The Baked Bear, located downtown in the Seaholm District. Mix and match any homemade cookie with premium ice cream to make a one-of-a-kind dessert. The family-friendly shop is perfect for kids looking for a sugar rush thanks to its fun flavors and unique creation process.

Bésame

3901 Promontory Point Drive

Everything’s homemade at Bésame, a family-owned creamery serving up balanced, fresh flavors in a trailer at Meanwhile Brewery. The Bésame team is known for their many collaborations with local chefs, bloggers and eateries, including Tavel Bristol-Joseph, A Taste of Koko and Cookie Wookie Kitchen. Try a new creamy concoction with each visit!

Gelato Paradiso

1400 South Congress

For genuine Italian Gelato and Sorbet in Austin, Gelato Paradiso is your go-to destination. Nestled on South Congress Avenue, it’s an ideal place to unwind after a sunny day of shopping on SoCo. Indulge in decadent gelato, refreshing sorbet, and artisanal gelato cakes—all crafted with care and served beautifully.