In the warmer, sunnier spring and summer months, what kid wouldn’t go bananas for a scoop of luscious ice cream simply scooped or with rainbow sprinkles? Here are six local ice cream shops in Seattle to help you savor warm weather days.
Frankie & Jo’s
Multiple locationsÂ
Seattle-based Frankie & Jo’s (with locations in University Village, Capitol Hill, and Ballard) has proven without a doubt that delicious ice cream does not require dairy. These shops are all about serving up taste-bud-popping plant-based ice cream — and inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to eat more plants. Frankie & Jo’s is certified as a B-Corp, which means the company is committed to sustainability, addressing climate change, organic practices, fair supply chain practices, taking care of its employees, and supporting the community. This is ice cream at its radical best, riding on flavors like chocolate tahini supercookie, salty caramel ash, beet strawberry rose sorbet, and a very creative rotating list of seasonal scoops.
If you’re looking for a soft-served option, their Ballard Sundae Shop is the only location that offers soft-served. This shop has a lush outdoor garden and an interactive children’s play space.
(Image courtesy Sara Billups)
Bluebird Ice Cream
415 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Greenwood’s Bluebird soda fountain serves homemade ice cream scoops and sundaes, plus floats made with soda brewed fresh in kid-approved flavors like Snickerdoodle. Grab a stool at an authentic, 80-year-old gooseneck soda fountain from a pharmacy on Second and Yesler that owner Josh Reynolds had painstakingly sourced and restored to its original glory.
(Photo courtesy Bluebird Ice Cream)
Lil’ Tiger Ice Cream
12348 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125
Lil’ Tiger Ice Cream is a charming ice cream shop located in the heart of Lake City and is locally owned. All ice cream is made from scratch and includes flavors like classic vanilla and chocolate, to more unique flavors like huckleberry, orange creamsicle, cookies and cream, and much more! Check out their entire list of flavors here. The Shop also offers a variety of toppings, homemade waffle Cones, and milkshakes. They even have vegan and dairy-free options.
(Image courtesy Lil Tiger Ice Cream)
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
Multiple locationsÂ
A cookbook and five locations later, Molly Moon Neitzel is credited with kicking off the specialty ice cream craze that’s swept Seattle in recent years. Some flavors, like balsamic strawberry and salted caramel, haven’t changed since day one. Others rotate seasonally, like Apricot Crisp, Cherry Chunk, Strawberry Sorbet, and Blueberry Cheesecake. There are multiple locations (Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Madrona, Queen Anne, U Village, Redmond, Columbia City, Bellevue Flag Ship, Edmonds, Waterfront, West Seattle, and Kirkland).
(Image courtesy @hellomariko)
Salt & Straw
Multiple locationsÂ
Kim Malek started the company with the community in mind, so she teamed up with her cousin to create a space for a sweet treat and a gathering place for friends. You’ll find plenty to drool over with seasonal flavors and out-of-this-world combinations. Try the strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper or birthday cakes with blackberry flavors. The easiest choice you’ll have is whether you want to eat it in a cup or a cone. Locations: Ballard, Capitol Hill, Totem Lake, Queen Anne, Redmond, Bellevue, and Pike & 1st.
(Image courtesy Salt and Straw)
Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
Multiple locationsÂ
On a mission of sustainability, this small-batch ice cream shop in Seattle uses local ingredients sourced within 100 miles of their location. Stop in for a pint of ice cream or order a custom ice cream cake for a special occasion. They have retail shop locations in Bellevue, Capitol Hill, and the University District.
Plus other locations where you can pick up a pint, see these here.
(Image courtesy Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery)
