Minneapolis' Most Unique Ice Cream Flavors
One of the best parts of summer in Minneapolis? The ice cream. But not just any ice cream. Sure, you can still get chocolate or vanilla. But we're talking about those flavors and concoctions that you can't get anywhere else. Keep reading to see where to pick up some of the best scoops!
EDWARDS DESSERT KITCHEN
Edwards Dessert Kitchen is an expert in sweet treats with a twist. From chocolate kumquat puddings, to purpleberry pavlovas, to plant-based passion raspberry cookies they’re always putting their own spin on things to make something truly unique and delicious. And they definitely don’t hold back when it comes to their ice cream. Sea salt caramel with coriander, White Peach & Jasmine Sorbet (we can attest, it’s delicious!), Raspberry Thai Chili Sorbet. Trust us when we say, you just have to try it for yourself!
MN Nice Cream
Would you like some edible glitter with that? Yep, at MN Nice Cream you can even get glitter on your cone, just ask! The thing to get here is one of their special cones. Try “Fun Cone” with fruity pebbles, gummies, sprinkles, and cake pop. Or “Gone Bananas” with puppy chow, sprinkles, peanuts, PB sauce and (of course) bananas. Or our personal favorite, the Camper Cone with toasted marshmallow, graham crackers, peanut butter, granola and caramel. Plus, don’t forget to snap a pic of your Instagram-worthy cone!
Sugar & Salt
Sugar & Salt's ice cream is all about variety. They have 13-18 flavors on rotation at any given time, and while they definitely offer the classics, our favorites are the ones that push the boundaries a little. Try Marzipan Chip, Mango Pineapple Ginger (non-dairy), and Raspberry Honey. Bonus: many of their flavors are dairy-free and vegan!
Milkjam Creamery
During the summer months, you’ll often find a line at Milkjam full of people waiting to try their most recent creations. Don’t let it scare you off – it moves quickly and it’s completely worth it! If the names of their concoctions don’t lure you (“Cereal Killers” – orange coriander milk with candied fruity pebbles, or “Ridin Duuurty” – Oreo milk with Oreo chunks and salted peanut butter), their flavor combinations certainly will. They have vegan and gluten-free flavors, too!
Crepe & Spoon
Specializing in vegan treats, Crepe & Spoon is more than just your typical ice cream shop. Their flavors are always rotating, but expect things like citrus saffron, rose cardamom, and ube. They also have a rotating crepe menu that includes combinations like vegan ham & cheese, pesto & sausage, and elote. Even if you’re not a vegan, it’s worth a stop!
Bebe Zito Ice Cream
Bebe Zito serves up unique flavor combinations that have us drooling. Peanut Butter Puppy Chow, Animal Frosting, Tres Leches w/ Strawberry Churros, and Brazilian Brigadeiro Chocolate are just a few we have our eyes on. They also have a variety of vegan and gluten-free options.
Dream Creamery
The flavors here are what dreams are made of. There's not just one unique flavor at Dream Creamery, most of their scoops are crazy fun combos. Take Spiced Pina Colada for example, rum spiced-infused coconut cream with a swirl of pineapple jam. Or how about a Cherry Yuzu, sweetened condensed milk, filthy cherry, maraschino cherry, yuzu? All these tasty flavors make it almost a guarantee that you'll want to make it back for a second round.
Sebastian Joe's
Sebastian Joe’s is a Minneapolis classic. It’s one of the go-to’s for locals to get their ice cream fix. While their flavors aren’t always as outrageous as some mentioned above, we can’t possibly have a round-up of ice cream shops without telling you about Sebastian Joe’s. Grab a homemade cone and a scoop or two of our favorite, Nicollet Avenue Pothole (chocolate, caramel, Heath bar chunks, fudge truffles, fudge swirl, sea salt). If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try some seasonal flavors like the honey cinnamon crisp (fall), Danish nut roll (summer), or candy cane (winter).
La Michoacana Purépecha
An emerging favorite on the Minneapolis ice cream scene, La Michoacana serves up unique ice cream flavors you might find in Mexico. Think pine nut, strawberries and cream, and even tequila. You also can't miss their case of fresh fruit popsicles.
Pumphouse Creamery
You've heard of farm-to-table, well how about farm-to-frozen? That's what the owners at Pumphouse Creamery like to call what they are doing with their ice cream. When you use natural and organic locally-sourced ingredients you are bound to come up with some unique flavors. The menu rotates depending on the season, but some of our favorites include, Local Honeyberry and Black Raspberry Crisp or Lemon Infused Olive Oil and Sea Salt. Check the website for latest delicious concoctions.
Pizzeria Lola
James Beard award-winning chef, Ann Kim is known to make some of the best pizza in the city. Her south Minneapolis restaurant, Pizzeria Lola, serves up incredible pizza, but also top notch ice cream. The homemade vanilla soft serve topped with olive oil and sea salt is worth the visit alone (but really, don't miss the pizza either).
Treats Cereal Bar & Boba
Mixing cereal with your ice cream? Genius! Find all your sugary childhood favorites mixed-in with delicious soft-serve ice cream. Like the Bananagram, Honey Bunches of Oats, Honey Nut Cheerios, Banana & Nutella Mixed In Vanilla Ice Cream. Topped with Teddy Grahams. Or the Cocoa Party, Cocoa Puffs, Cocoa Pebbles & Chocolate Chip Mixed In Vanilla Ice Cream. Topped with Toasted Marshmallow.