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 a rainbow sprinkles? Here are six local ice cream shops in Seattle to help you savor warm weather days.
Frankie & Jo’s
Photo credit: Sara Billups
Seattle-based Frankie & Jo’s (with location 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 tastebud-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 it’s 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.
Bluebird Ice Cream
Bluebird sprinkles. Photo courtesy Bluebird Ice Cream.
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.
Address: 7415 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Lil’ Tiger Ice Cream
Photo credit: Lil Tiger Ice Cream
Lil’ Tiger Ice Cream is a charming ice cream shop located in the heart of Lake City and 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.
Address: 12348 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream. Photo by @hellomariko
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 blueberry lemon custard, orchard blondie, blackberry sorbet and vegan coconut raspberry. There are multiple locations (Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Madrona, Queen Anne, U Village, Redmond, Columbia City, and Bellevue Flag Ship).
Salt & Straw
Photo credit: Salt and Straw
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. At locations in Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Totem Lake, 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 if you want to eat it in a cup or a cone. Locations: Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Totem Lake.
Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
Photo credit: Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
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 Ballard, Bellevue, Capitol Hill, and the University District.
More at Seattle’s Child:
For more cold treats on hot summer day, check out these gelato, fro-yo, and other ice cream shops.
