23 Ice Cream Shops in ILLINOIS (Tasty, Creamy, & Refreshing)
Not many things feel better than the taste of ice cream on a sunny day.
No wonder ice cream is one of the most popular desserts in the world, enjoyed by both children and adults.
You can find ice cream packs in almost every store, but ice cream shops offer fresh ice cream with a wider variety of flavors.
Since they specialize in ice cream, ice cream shops usually have tastier ice cream and may offer things like toppings, pastries, and other desserts for a better experience.
This article has compiled some of Illinois’s best and most popular ice cream shops where you can get yourself and your family a tasty treat.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best desserts in Illinois.
Ice Cream Shops in Chicago, Illinois
1. Legend Tasty House (Locally-Owned Thai-Inspired)
Legend Tasty House is a locally-owned ice cream shop in Chicago specializing in rolled ice cream, a popular sweet treat in Thailand.
The staff and management at Legend Tasty House prioritize providing customers with an excellent dining experience, and their store is neat and conducive.
They have many exciting hand-rolled ice cream flavors for different palates, like their popular Mango Tango, Oreo’s Secret, and Dream Tiffany flavors.
In addition to ice cream, Legend Tasty House offers other delicious and nutritious beverages like milk tea and fresh fruit smoothies.
You can order ice cream or any of their other beverages online through their website, where they also have lots of promotions to help you save money.
Their employees are well-trained in providing excellent customer service, handling your food safely, and offering excellent advice on which flavors or beverages to try.
Address: 2242 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
2. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (Unique Signature Recipes)
Jeni’s Ice Cream is a successful American ice cream company that has been in business for over two decades, providing customers with exciting flavors.
The founder of this ice cream business is Jeni Britton, an award-winning ice cream connoisseur who invented the company’s signature ice cream recipe.
Since then, Jeni and her employees have developed hundreds of exciting flavors you can only find in Jeni’s ice cream shop.
Committed to making quality ice cream available to as many customers as possible, Jeni’s offers online orders and local deliveries anywhere within Chicago.
They also offer various sales offers, discounts, and product collections on their website so you can save some money while enjoying your favorite flavors.
If you’re a big ice cream fan, you can join the Jeni’s Pint Club for a token and receive a package of four signature ice cream flavors each month before they’re available.
Jeni’s stores maintain a warm and customer-focused atmosphere with dedicated staff handling your food with adequate care.
Address: 900 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
3. Pretty Cool Ice Cream (Award-Winning Local Business)
Pretty Cool Ice Cream is a local ice cream business established in 2018 by award-winning pastry chef Dana Cree and her partner, Logan Square.
They established this business to provide customers with signature quality ice cream in and around Chicago.
You can find different types of ice cream at Pretty Cool Ice Cream, and their specialties include ice cream on a stick, gelato pops, ice cream sandwiches, and vegan plant pops.
All their products are made at a gluten-free sanitary facility and packaged with care so you can get them fresh and tasty.
They have a team of skilled ice cream artisans who source the best ingredients to develop hundreds of exciting flavors you can choose from.
At Pretty Cool Ice Cream, stellar customer service is taken seriously, and you’re sure to have a pleasant dining experience at any of their two stores open daily.
Address: 2353 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
4. Cone Gourmet Ice Cream (Irish Immigrant-Owned)
Cone Gourmet is a family-owned and operated local ice cream shop established in 2013 and provides tasty desserts and beverages to customers in Chicago.
The owner, Sean McGuire, is an Irish immigrant who opened the ice cream shop to share some of the fantastic flavors from Ireland with his community.
They serve different flavors of all types of ice cream, including their popular European Style soft serve and ice cream sandwiches.
Beyond ice cream, Cone Gourmet also sells other beverages, including milkshakes, sundaes, soda, frozen fruit on a stick, candy bars, and Irish taco chips.
Their restaurant is neat and conducive, guaranteeing a fantastic dining experience, but you can order their ice cream through Uber Eats or Postmates.
You can check their website to see many special offers, rewards, and incentives to help customers like you enjoy more ice cream for less money.
Address: 1047 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
5. Oberweis Dairy (“Happylicious” Rewards)
Oberweis Dairy is a successful, large American franchise with several dairy-related and fast-food operations nationwide.
Their business includes a chain of hamburger joints, a home delivery service for all their products, and a series of ice cream stores that sells their products,
This business started in 1930 when its founder Peter Oberweiss purchased all interests in Big Woods Dairy and renamed it Oberweiss Dairy.
They opened their first ice cream store in 1951 and have since expanded to hundreds of locations nationwide, selling delicious ice cream and other desserts.
You can visit their store to enjoy their fantastic ice cream flavors and other beverages, like frostbite, sundaes, coffee, smoothies, and milkshakes.
Their employees are well-trained, neat, and friendly, maintaining the customer-focused and service-oriented values of Oberweis Dairy.
They often have “Happylicious” rewards and customer incentives on their website and in stores.
Address: 3055 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Also see our article on Coffee Shops in Illinois.
Ice Cream Shops in Galena, Illinois
1. Galena’s Kandy Kitchen (Wide Candy & Ice Cream)
Galena Kandy Kitchen is a locally-owned confectionary business that has sold delicious homemade candy to customers in Galena for over fifty years.
This locally-owned and operated chocolate business has different types of delicious candy for different palates, including caramel, assorted chocolates, and chocolate-covered fruit.
They also sell other types of confectionaries like popcorn, orange slices, spice drops, Swedish fish, and toffies.
Their candy store also has many delicious ice cream flavors for a refreshing treat.
Galena’s Kandy Kitchen owners are keen on customer service, and all products are neatly made and packaged for a wholesome experience.
Their staff are friendly and know all about Galena Kandy Kitchen’s products so you can expect excellent customer service and great recommendations.
You can visit Galena Kandy Kitchen’s store any day of the week, and they open from 10 am.
Address: 100 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036
2. Elle and Beck Lifestyle Boutique (Unique & Tasty Flavors)
You may have been surprised to see this listing because, as its name suggests, Elle and Beck Lifestyle is a clothes and accessories store.
However, this boutique has a gelato store that sells some of the best gelatos in the area with unique and tasty flavors.
You can visit their boutique to buy a scoop or two or order gelato catering services through their website or by calling.
They also offer bulk gelato orders in case you’re having a large event, and you want your guests to enjoy some tasty ice cream.
While it’s a boutique, the ice cream makers at Elle and Beck ensure that it’s made and packaged neatly for your enjoyment.
Their employees are friendly, polite, and willing to walk you through their fantastic selection of clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
Address: 205 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036
3. Culver’s (Quality Meals & Ice Cream)
Culver’s is an American mega-fast food franchise established in 1984 under Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers.
Since then, the franchise has grown to almost 900 locations nationwide, where customers can get quality, satisfying meals at excellent prices.
Culver’s ice cream is widespread nationwide for its freshness and refreshing taste.
They have many flavors you can choose from, and they sell other beverages, including milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and smoothies.
You can also buy other meals at any of their locations, including burgers, sandwiches, fries, soup, onion rings, vegetables, and chili.
Each Culver’s store reflects the franchise’s dedication to customer satisfaction, and all their employees are friendly, polite, and clean.
You can also order your favorite Culver’s ice cream or meal online through their website, which also has many amazing deals and sales offers you can use.
Address: 11371 Oldenburg Ln, Galena, IL 61036
4. Great American Popcorn Company (Signature Popcorn & Ice Cream)
Great American Popcorn Company is a family-owned and operated business that sells delicious popcorn, puffs, and other snacks to customers around Galena and nationwide.
Their store has been on Main Street for over thirty years, selling their delicious signature popcorn to customers.
They also sell delicious ice cream flavors you can pair with your popcorn for a unique snacking experience.
This business prioritizes customer service, and the moment you walk into their neat and sweet-smelling store, you’re greeted by friendly and polite staff.
As a customer, you can enjoy any of their sales offers and discounts to help you save money on your favorite snacks.
You can also join their Flavor of the Month popcorn club, which qualifies you to receive two bags of popcorn each month with a new flavor to try.
Address: 115 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036
5. La Michoacana Irmanaju (Fresh & Homemade Cuisine)
La Michoacana Irmanaju is a Mexican restaurant and ice cream shop that serves delicious meals, snacks, and homemade ice cream to customers in Galena.
They also sell delicious snacks and confectionaries like street corn, fruit parfaits, birthday cakes, and pop tarts.
As a family-owned and operated business, the employees are hands-on, and each meal is prepared with great care and only the best ingredients,
Their restaurant is neat and conducive, with a welcoming ambiance, and you’re guaranteed a pleasurable dining experience.
They provide excellent customer service; all their staff is knowledgeable about every item on the menu and willing to give excellent recommendations.
Beyond ice cream, La Michoacana Irmanaju is also an excellent option for delicious, homemade Mexican cuisine from fresh ingredients.
The store is open to customers daily from 7 am to 9 pm.
Address: 110 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036
Also see our article on High Tea in Illinois.
Ice Cream Shops in Naperville, Illinois
1. Andy’s Frozen Custard (Largest Custard Franchise)
Andy’s Frozen Custard is an American ice cream company and the largest frozen-custard franchise in the country, with over a hundred locations across fifteen states.
It’s a family-owned and operated business established in 1986 after John and Carol Kuntz tasted frozen custard for the first time in Wisconsin.
Determined to share the experience with others in Missouri, John and Carol learned the ropes of the frozen yogurt business and opened their store.
Since then, Andy’s Frozen Custard has provided customers nationwide with different unique flavors of refreshing ice cream.
Their store in Naperville is neat and has polite and friendly staff who will be glad to recommend any of their exciting flavors.
You can visit their website to order your favorite flavors online and view information on any of their sales offers, discounts, or reward programs.
Address: 3104 Anna Marie Ln, Naperville, IL 60564
2. Ben & Jerry’s (Merchandise Available)
Ben & Jerry’s is an American ice cream company that started as a local ice cream shop in 1978 and has since grown to a global franchise with hundreds of stores nationwide.
They specialize in manufacturing different frozen desserts, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbets.
Ben & Jerry’s is popular for its unique signature flavors, sometimes named after local celebrities and public figures like Phish and Stephen Colbert.
In addition to having a wide variety of unique flavors, Ben & Jerry’s also has different types of ice cream to cater to customer allergies, like gluten-free and dairy-free products.
You can order your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor online and enjoy instant ice cream delivery from a nearby store.
They also sell lots of ice cream merchandise, including shirts, hats, and other accessories you can use to show your love for ice cream or the brand.
Address: 120 Water St, Suite 106, Naperville, IL 60540
3. La Michoacana Deluxe (Mexican Ice Cream Chain)
La Michoacana is a chain of independent family-owned and operated businesses that sell unique Mexican ice cream and popsicle flavors.
This local ice cream shop brings the traditions and tastes from the streets of Mexico to Naperville with its delicious handmade ice cream.
They offer various dairy and non-dairy desserts, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, Mangonada, ice cream bars, and sorbets, with many flavors.
All their products are handmade with love and only the best natural ingredients to achieve a wholesome and delicious taste.
They have a conducive and neat store with friendly staff which you can visit with your friends for a fun night out or brunch.
You can order any of their amazing treats online through their website, which offers many sales offers and customer rewards.
Address: 592 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540
4. Sweet Home Gelato (Clean & Inviting Store)
Sweet Home Gelato is a family-owned and operated business that sells delicious snacks, drinks, and frozen desserts to customers in Naperville.
Their store is a clean and conducive environment that has undergone recent renovations to provide a more welcoming ambiance for customers.
With a focus on customer satisfaction. Sweet Home Gelato makes its gelato with only the best processes and the freshest natural ingredients to guarantee a unique taste.
Their employees are friendly, polite, and willing to guide you in picking the best Flavor from the menu.
They have many unique flavors you can choose from, and they sell other beverages, including milkshakes, sundaes, pastries, and cakes.
You can also patronize their catering services and have them deliver bulk servings of their gelato to impress your family and friends.
Their store is open to customers every day from noon till 9 pm.
Address: 50 S Main St. Ste 138. Naperville, IL 60540
Also see our article on Happy Hours in Illinois.
Ice Cream Shops in Springfield, Illinois
1. Cold Stone Creamery (Unique Butterfat Combination)
Cold Stone Creamery is an American ice cream parlor mega-chain with over a thousand locations in over twenty countries.
They specialize in making delicious ice cream with a unique butterfat combination that gives their product its unique taste.
While most of their sales come from their delicious ice cream, they also sell other amazing ice cream-related snacks and beverages, including ice cream cake, smoothies, milkshakes, hot dogs, and pies.
Each store is operated by well-trained and polite staff with the same level of excellence and focus on customer satisfaction.
Their stores are neat and conducive, featuring the regular Coldstone logo and their signature red color profile.
You can enjoy hundreds of different flavors at Coldstone Springfield, and the ice cream is always made on location, giving it its fresh taste.
Address: 124 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701
2. Baskin Robbins (Online Orders & Merchandise)
Baskin-Robbins is an American multinational ice cream company established in 1945 by Burt Buskin and Irv Robbins.
Both founders were dissatisfied with most ice cream shops selling only the three basic flavors of ice cream, and they decided to open a shop with 31 flavors!
Over seventy years later, Baskin-Robbins has grown into the world’s largest ice cream franchise, serving over 1,400 locations worldwide.
Their Springfield location reflects the brand’s values of customer satisfaction and quality products, with different ice cream flavors and delicious beverages.
The servers are friendly and understand that the number of flavors can be overwhelming, so they’re always willing to recommend exciting flavors for you to try.
You can order your delicious Baskin-Robbins ice cream at any location in Springfield from their website, where you can also find many offers and discounts for customers.
Baskin-Robbins also sells an excellent selection of high-quality merchandise you can buy for yourself or your friends to share the love of ice cream.
Address: 1700 S MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62704
3. Oh-Icee (Rolled Ice Cream Treats)
Oh-Icee is a locally owned and operated fast food and ice cream shop that provides different refreshing beverages and snacks to customers around Springfield.
They specialize in making delicious rolled ice cream treats with different exciting flavors that you can choose from.
Their menu includes other cold beverages, including milk tea, bubble tea, milkshakes, and smoothies.
You can also try out some of their different crepe flavors topped with yogurt, fresh fruits, and nuts.
Oh-Icee has a beautiful shop on Avenue Street with unique and enthralling decor to help you relax as you enjoy your meal.
All their employees are respectful, friendly, and ready to answer any questions you may have or give you some fantastic recommendations.
You can visit their store from 12 pm to 8 pm, Sundays to Thursdays, or from 12 pm to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 1501 Wabash Ave Ste E, Springfield, IL 62704
Also see our article on Bed and Breakfast in Illinois.
Ice Cream Shops in Bloomington, Illinois
1. Baskin Robbins (Premium Ice Cream Flavors)
The mega ice cream parlor chain also has a lovely location in Bloomington where customers can enjoy their premium ice cream and unique flavors.
Baskin-Robbins sells different flavors of delicious ice cream and other refreshing beverages, including sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies, and coffee.
They also sell delicious snacks and baked goods to pair with your ice cream for a wholesome snacking experience.
Baskin-Robbins maintains a culture of excellent service delivery in their Bloomington branch, as the ice cream shop is very neat and conducive.
Their staff are polite and friendly, so you always have knowledgeable hands to guide you if the menu gets too overwhelming.
You can also order your favorite Baskin-Robbins flavors online for instant delivery wherever you are in Bloomington.
Lastly, they also have lots of quality merchandise you can buy and wear to show your love for ice cream.
Address: 2306 E Oakland Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701
2. Dairy Queen (Diverse Ice Cream & Meals)
Dairy Queen is a prominent American fast-food and ice cream parlor chain established in 1940 and has since grown to over 8,000 stores worldwide.
They sell hundreds of fantastic ice cream flavors and other refreshing beverages, including milkshakes, smoothies, hot chocolate, and coffee.
Dairy Queen also has one of the best selections of popular fast-food meals, including burgers, fries, sandwiches, and hot dogs.
You can also buy their unique signature Dairy Queen cake, that’s popular with many customers for its unique sweet and crunchy taste,
They have a rewards program that you can sign up for to accumulate points and get amazing discounts, and sale offers on Dairy Queen products.
You can also browse their inventory of Dairy Queen merchandise for cool clothes and accessories that show your love for ice cream to the world.
Address: 1718 S Main St, Bloomington, IL 61701
3. Carl’s Ice Cream (Fresh & Nutritious Menu)
Carl’s ice cream is a locally-owned ice cream and fast-food shop that opened in 1980, selling premium hard ice cream to customers across Bloomington.
Today, it has grown to a foremost fast food and ice-cream restaurant in Bloomington and is the only shop that makes its premium ice cream.
They sell a variety of ice cream flavors, all made from fresh, natural ingredients to guarantee their signature premium taste.
You can also patronize them for their delicious and nutritious menu items, including burgers, sandwiches, chicken, fries, and hot dogs.
With a long history of customer satisfaction, Carl’s Ice Cream ensures that all staff provide excellent customer service and are knowledgeable about their menu offerings.
Their stores are neat, with a welcoming atmosphere and more than enough space for you and your friends or family.
Address: 601 W Locust St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Ice Cream Shops in Paris, Illinois
1. Dairy Queen (Mega Fast-Food & Ice Cream Business)
Dairy Queen is a mega fast-food and ice cream business with hundreds of stores nationwide.
Their Paris store upholds the brand values of fantastic customer service, quality products, and a conducive dining environment.
You can walk into their store with friends, a date, or kids to enjoy their fantastic ice cream flavors or other refreshing beverages.
They also have delicious food items, including burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken baskets, and soda.
Each product sold at Dairy Queen is made with the best ingredients, and their unique taste will surely satisfy you.
You can visit their store anytime or order your favorite ice cream or meal through their website.
They also have a fantastic rewards program that you can sign up for to enjoy various discounts and sales offers on your favorite menu items.
Address: 1117 N Main St, Paris, IL 61944
2. Kurly Q (Clean & Attractive Diner)
Kurly-Q is a family-owned and operated fast food restaurant that has provided delicious snacks and beverages to customers in Paris for over forty years.
They have many delicious snacks, including hot dogs, burgers, soups, fries, chicken, sandwiches, and different sides.
You can pair your food with over seventy-five ice cream flavors made on-location to guarantee a fresh taste.
Kurly-Q has built a solid customer base and reputation based on putting its customers first and ensuring that each order is of the best quality.
They use high-quality ingredients, and you can always speak to their friendly staff about any allergies you have so they can give you menu recommendations.
Their diner is a clean and attractive environment with a warm atmosphere, but they also offer food deliveries if you’re not in an outdoor mood.
Address: 309 W Jasper St, Paris, IL 61944
3. Rolled Wright Creamery (Fresh Natural Ingredients)
Rolled Wright Creamery is a local ice cream shop that sells delicious rolled ice cream treats to customers in and around Paris.
As a specialty service, their frozen treats are made with the freshest natural ingredients, which gives them their unique and delicious taste.
They have a clean and conducive diner with a welcoming ambiance, and you’re sure to enjoy your time out with your family or friends.
While they guarantee a wonderful dine-in experience, you can also opt to get your order to go, but they don’t make deliveries.
You can choose from any of their delicious flavors, and all flavors come with a cheesecake topping for more decadent spoonfuls of America’s favorite treat.
Their staff is friendly, polite, and trained to offer excellent customer service while handling your food with the neatness and care you deserve.
Address: 1249 N Main St, Paris, IL 61944
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Desserts, High Tea, and Coffee Shops in Illinois.
Looking beyond Illinois? Check out our article on the best Ice cream Shops in Texas and California.