Seattle, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant city life, is also home to some of the most delectable ice cream parlors. As the city constantly buzzes with activities and events, indulging in a frozen treat suits the chilled-out vibe that Seattle emanates. Whether you’re a local craving a scoop or a tourist seeking the best treats in the Emerald City, our guide to Seattle’s best ice cream parlors is a must-read.
These renowned ice cream parlors have mastered the craft of creating indulgent and innovative flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more. From small-batch, artisanal creations to plant-based and gluten-free innovations, Seattle’s ice cream scene caters to diverse palates while pushing the boundaries of what it means to deliver incredible ice cream experiences.
In the following list, we explore the cream of the crop when it comes to Seattle’s ice cream destinations, uncovering the top spots to satiate your cravings for a delicious and unforgettable frozen treat. As you join us on this flavorful journey, prepare to discover your new favorite spots to indulge in the best ice cream Seattle has to offer.
Top Ice Cream Parlors
Molly Moon’s
Molly Moon’s is a popular ice cream parlor in Seattle known for its homemade ice cream featuring classic and unique flavors. They source quality and local ingredients to make deliciously creamy scoops. They also have seasonal flavors throughout the year, keeping the menu fresh and diverse.
Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw is a highly-regarded ice cream chain in the Pacific Northwest. Their Seattle locations offer a selection of rotating specialty flavors that draw inspiration from the city’s food scene. They also incorporate ingredients from local artisans and farmers, contributing to the community feel.
Laina’s
Laina’s offers a distinctive twist on ice cream by providing dairy-free dark chocolate ice cream in a cozy atmosphere. Made with high-quality cacao powder and organic coconut cream, their ice cream is a must-try for chocolate lovers.
Fainting Goat Gelato
Fainting Goat Gelato is notable for its authentic Italian gelato crafted with traditional ingredients imported from Italy. The gelato is made fresh daily in small batches, ensuring a perfectly smooth and creamy treat. Their rotating lineup of flavors offers something for everyone’s taste preferences.
Frankie & Jo’s
Frankie & Jo’s is a plant-based ice cream shop that’s become popular for its unique and deeply flavored scoops. Created by experienced food entrepreneurs Kari Brunson and Autumn Martin, their plant-based lineup shows that ice creams can cater to alternative diets without compromising on taste.
Husky Deli
Husky Deli is an iconic Seattle ice cream parlor, known for its rich and creamy flavors made from scratch on-site. They churn out over 40 flavors, including their famous Swiss Chocolate Orange and Java Chip. Aside from ice cream, they also have a deli counter offering imported meats, cheeses, and sandwiches.
Indigo Cow
Indigo Cow specializes in micro-batch ice cream crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. Each batch is made with love and care by the owner at the shop’s location in Pike Place Market. This results in a unique, rotating variety of adventurous flavors that you won’t find elsewhere.
Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery serves delicious ice cream made from organic and locally-sourced ingredients. They offer a sizable variety of flavors and also provide local delivery. With locations in the University District, Ballard, and Capitol Hill, they cater to a broad audience in Seattle.
Vegan and Dairy-Free Options
Seattle is home to a variety of ice cream parlors that offer delicious vegan and dairy-free options. One of the top ice cream shops in the city catering to plant-based diets is Frankie & Jo’s. Their ice cream is made using house-made cashew and coconut milk, seasonal vegetables, and superfoods. You can order their vegan and gluten-free ice cream online or visit one of their scoop shops in Seattle.
Another popular spot for vegan ice cream in Seattle is Sugar Plum, a subset of the vegan restaurant Plum Bistro. Located at 324 15th Ave. E., Sugar Plum not only offers vegan ice cream but also serves soft serve and other vegan pastries and desserts.
Here are some highlights of vegan and dairy-free ice cream spots in Seattle:
- Frankie & Jo’s: Offers a wide range of vegan, gluten-free ice cream flavors made from cashew and coconut milk, seasonal vegetables, and superfoods.
- Sugar Plum: A part of Plum Bistro, Sugar Plum serves vegan ice cream, soft serve, and other vegan pastries and desserts.
In addition to these dedicated vegan-friendly ice cream spots, there are other bakeries and cafés in Seattle that offer dairy-free ice cream options as well. Places like the Olympia Baking Company, which is predominantly a gluten-free bakery and bistro, also provide dairy-free, vegan, and keto options. Meanwhile, The Park Side Café is a vegan restaurant with casual eats for breakfast and lunch, decadent sweets, and a full coffee bar.
Street Treats is yet another excellent place to consider for vegan ice cream in Seattle. Known for its custom ice cream sandwiches using freshly baked cookies, Street Treats also offers vegan and gluten-free variations of their sweet treats.
In conclusion, Seattle offers plenty of choices when it comes to vegan and dairy-free ice cream parlors. These locations are not only focused on providing delicious plant-based options but also on promoting sustainable and healthy ingredients. Whether you’re vegan or just looking for a dairy-free alternative, Seattle’s ice cream scene has got you covered.
Gelato and Soft Serve
Seattle offers a diverse range of ice cream choices, including gelato and soft serve options that cater to different preferences and tastes. With the city’s appreciation for quality and innovation within the realm of desserts, finding a top-notch gelato or soft serve establishment is not a difficult task.
A well-known gelato place in Seattle is Fainting Goat Gelato, highly regarded for its creamy, authentic Italian flavors. Since 2009, this shop has worked closely with Smith Brother Farms to create some of the city’s creamiest gelatos, boasting unique flavor combinations such as Earl Grey, Lavender, Tiramisu, and Double Espresso.
Soft serve ice cream, a nostalgic childhood favorite, can be found at various establishments throughout Seattle. Matcha Man, a newcomer in the ice cream scene, innovatively swirls flavors like green tea and black sesame into the fish-shaped mouth of freshly made taiyaki, offering a visually appealing and delectable dessert experience.
In addition to their wide selection of gelatos and soft serves, many Seattle ice cream parlors also cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences. For instance, Frankie & Jo’s offers non-dairy options such as sorbet and vegan ice cream, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a delicious frozen treat.
To summarize, here are some recommended establishments for gelato and soft serve in Seattle:
Gelato
- Fainting Goat Gelato: Known for creamy Italian flavors and unique combinations, collaboration with Smith Brother Farms.
Soft Serve
- Matcha Man: Offers innovative swirls of flavors like green tea and black sesame, served in fish-shaped taiyaki.
Dietary Options
- Frankie & Jo’s: Provides non-dairy options like sorbet and vegan ice cream for those with dietary restrictions.
In conclusion, Seattle boasts a wide range of establishments offering delicious and innovative gelato and soft serve options to satisfy every craving and preference, making the city an ideal destination for ice cream enthusiasts.
Unique Flavors and Seasonal Offerings
Seattle’s ice cream parlors offer a delightful experience for those with a taste for unique and inventive flavors, as well as classic favorites. Many of the city’s best spots emphasize local and seasonal offerings, ensuring that there’s always something new and exciting to try.
Molly Moon‘s, a popular Seattle ice cream shop, is known for its tasty seasonal flavors. By sourcing local ingredients and showcasing what’s currently in season, Molly Moon’s provides a fresh and delectable ice cream experience for its customers. Some of their standout seasonal flavors include ‘Scout Mint’, made with Girl Scout cookies, and ‘Lavender’, made with locally-grown lavender.
Salt & Straw, another celebrated ice cream spot in Seattle, prides itself on its handmade small-batch ice cream concoctions. Their inventive menu is full of unique flavors, such as ‘Pear & Blue Cheese,’ ‘Arbequina Olive Oil,’ and ‘Fish Sauce Caramel with Palm Sugar.’ In addition to their year-round offerings, Salt & Straw also has an ever-changing rotation of seasonal flavors, ensuring that there is always something new and intriguing to sample.
Frankie & Jo’s, a plant-based ice cream shop, is known for its deeply flavored and decadent scoops. Despite being free of dairy, their ice cream treats are far from a dietary consolation prize. This shop boasts an impressive roster of flavors that cater to a variety of palates. Some of their standout options include the fermented “crème fraîche” with a rich berry swirl, and the mind-blowing ‘Tahini Chocolate.’
Local Dessert Spots
Despite being known for its coffee culture, Seattle boasts a wide variety of dessert spots that cater to all tastes and preferences. While there are plenty of renowned tea shops and specialty bakeries in the city, Seattle’s ice cream parlors have gained a local following worth mentioning.
Frankie and Jo’s is a fan favorite among Seattleites, with locations in Ballard, Capitol Hill, and University Village. This plant-based ice cream shop, founded by Kari Brunson and Autumn Martin, offers unique and decadent flavors that don’t compromise on taste. Their deeply flavored scoops have made them a go-to spot for both vegans and non-vegans alike.
For a more traditional ice cream experience, check out Sweet Alchemy, located in the U District, Ballard, and Capitol Hill. They also offer local delivery, making it easy to satisfy your ice cream cravings. Their flavors and commitment to quality ingredients make it a must-try dessert destination in Seattle.
Lil’ Tiger Ice Cream is another popular gem among the best ice cream parlors in the city. Occupying a cozy space, this parlor features an extensive range of flavors, making it a perfect destination for ice cream enthusiasts.
For those seeking a wider selection of desserts, Seattle has plenty to offer as well. Simply Desserts is a quaint bakery hidden in the Fremont neighborhood. Specializing in cakes, this cafe delights the taste buds with its made-from-scratch Lemon Blueberry Cake, a light yet moist dessert full of fruity flavors. It’s a perfect stop for those who prefer a slice of cake over a scoop of ice cream.
With all this variety at your fingertips, you’ll never run out of delightful treats to indulge in while exploring Seattle’s vibrant dessert scene.
Neighborhood Gems
In Seattle, ice cream lovers can find a variety of neighborhood gems offering delicious and unique frozen treats. Visiting these locations can provide not only mouth-watering ice cream, but also an authentic experience of the local culture.
In Beacon Hill, KRYSE Ice Cream brings creative and rich flavors to the community. The shop, founded by Kryse Martin, features ice cream inspired by her Filipina-American upbringing. Whether you’re craving something traditional or a taste of the Philippines, KRYSE is worth a visit.
Wallingford boasts another popular ice cream shop – Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream. With 14 different flavors on their menu, including ten year-round options and four seasonal rotations, Molly Moon’s satisfies the cravings of any ice cream aficionado. The shop focuses on locally sourced ingredients, highlighting fresh and authentic Washington flavors.
Moving to Phinney Ridge, you’ll find another ice cream hotspot, Nutty Squirrel Gelato. This family-owned gelato shop prides itself on crafting small batches of Italian-inspired gelato and sorbetto. With an ever-changing selection of flavors, Nutty Squirrel Gelato adds a European touch to Seattle’s ice cream scene.
Frankie & Jo’s has also made a name for itself in Seattle with its plant-based ice cream shops. With locations in Ballard, Capitol Hill, and University Village, the brainchild of Kari Brunson and Autumn Martin offers deeply flavored, decadent scoops that cater to those with dietary restrictions or simply seeking a healthier alternative.
Lastly, Scoop Du Jour, located in Madison Park, is a beloved and unpretentious Seattle tradition. Known for its waffle cones and delightful ice cream, this neighborhood favorite also offers kid-approved burgers and grilled cheese.
To sum up, Seattle’s best ice cream parlors are distinctly spread across different neighborhoods, offering visitors and locals alike diverse flavors, experiences, and environments to enjoy their frozen treats.
Ice Cream at Farmers Markets and Events
Seattle is known for its vibrant farmers markets, and delicious ice cream definitely has a place in these events. One of the must-try options is Full Tilt Ice Cream, which offers small batch ice cream with rotating seasonal flavors. Their location is at 9701 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, but you can also find them in some farmers markets around the city.
Some of the flavors you can expect to find from Full Tilt Ice Cream when visiting farmers markets are Dole Whip, the tantalizingly tart lilikoi, and a charcoal concoction flavored with coconut and cocoa. Make sure to check their website or social media for updates on where they’ll be selling their incredible ice cream treats.
Another popular ice cream vendor often present at Seattle’s farmers markets and events is Street Treats. They specialize in ice cream sandwiches, using delicious homemade cookies to sandwich their delectable ice cream flavors. Their selection of ice cream and cookies change seasonally, meaning there’s always something fresh and new to try when you spot their stand or truck in a market.
When visiting Seattle’s farmers markets and events, be sure to look out for these amazing ice cream vendors:
- Full Tilt Ice Cream: small batch ice cream with exciting seasonal flavors
- Street Treats: homemade ice cream sandwiches with ever-changing cookie and ice cream combinations
Overall, experiencing the ice cream available at farmers markets and events in Seattle is one delicious way to taste the local favorites and seasonal offerings from some of the best ice cream parlors in the city. Keep an eye out for Full Tilt Ice Cream and Street Treats to ensure you don’t miss out on these scrumptious treats.
