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The Best Ice Cream Shops In New Jersey

There are few things I love more than ice cream. It’s particularly delicious in the summer, but to be honest, I can eat this delicious treat year-round. On my recent trip home I made it my mission to search out the best ice cream in New Jersey. Hopping from ice cream parlor to ice cream shop I sampled a myriad of flavors and styles. (I know, blogging is hard) From delectable small batch homemade ice cream to creamy soft serve, New Jersey knows how to do ice cream.

In this post, I’ll cover the top 10 places you can go to taste the best ice cream in NJ. From popular ice cream shops to lesser-known hidden gems, these are the best ice cream shops in NJ.

Cliff’s

Located in Ledgewood, NJ Cliff’s has been a New Jersey institution since 1975. I grew up going to Cliff’s but it’s not just the nostalgia that makes this one of my top choices. The ice cream is genuinely out of this world good, and most of New Jersey agrees. Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream regularly tops best of New Jersey lists.

Cliff’s has an impressively large menu. They offer 11 types of soft ice cream flavors and more than 60 flavors of hand-dipped hard ice cream made in small batches. They also offer sugar-free and dairy-free options. They are open year-round, serving flavors like Oreo Cheesecake, Holy Cannoli, and Whiskey Turtle Fudge. Cliff’s also makes a mean ice cream cake, which was the highlight of my childhood. Just view their Instagram for mouth-watering goodness.

There’s a picnic area out back for those warm weather days. In cooler temps, most patrons choose to eat their ice cream out front in their ample parking lot.

Location: 1475 US-46, Ledgewood, NJ 07852

2. Van Dyk’s Ice Cream

Van Dyk’s of Ridgewood, NJ is a cash-only ice cream shop that serves by the scoop, pint, quart, or half-gallon. Their rotating menu often offers signature flavors like Cappuccino Oreo, Cheesecake Brownie, Nutella, and Salted Caramel Truffle as well as traditional favorites like vanilla and chocolate. Patrons will enjoy that they serve ice cream flavors in cones, waffle cones, sundaes, and milkshakes. They also offer new vegan flavors.

Van Dyk’s is opened seasonally, beginning in March. The only downside is their popularity. There are long lines; no seats, and the parking lot is a bit of an obstacle course, but the prize is delicious, creamy goodness.

Location: 145 Ackerman Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

3. Skipper Dipper

If you’re looking for ice cream in South Jersey, look no further than Skipper Dipper. Skipper Dipper is a Long Beach Island tradition that opened its doors in 1978. As legend has it, sisters Eileen and Susan wanted to open a family business their own families could enjoy. As lovers of ice cream, they set out to deliver hard flavors, soft-serve, milkshakes, and sundaes. Skipper Dipper serves that plus floats, ice cream sodas, and Dole Whip. Another favorite is Eileen’s Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae. Hard ice cream flavors include tasty offerings like Fat Elvis, Party Cake, S’mores, and Cheesecake.

Location: 9305 Long Beach Blvd, Beach Haven, New Jersey 08008

4. Humpty Junior’s

I may be a bit partial to retro ice cream shop, Humpty Junior’s because my sister literally lives directly next door to this amazing ice cream shop/ diner. While the ice cream is out of this world good, the real highlight is the freshly made milkshakes coming in 50 flavors like Chocolate Jalapeño, Banana Split, Carmel Coffee, and my favorite ice cream flavor, the Birthday Cake. Menu options include sundaes, malts, floats, sugar-free ice cream, and soft serve.

This local favorite is located in Deleware, NJ in Warren County, Humpty Junior’s is the perfect stop after a day of white water rafting on the Deleware River.

Location: 72 US-46, Columbia, NJ 07832

5. Denville Dairy

Denville Dairy has been open for more than 50 years, serving up premium handmade ice cream, sherbet, and Italian ice in a variety of flavors. There are always 28 flavors available on the menu including sugar-free, fat-free, and vegan choices. They also offer more than 100 specialty flavors throughout the year including seasonal options and signature flavors. They also have Dixie cups, ice cream sandwiches, and amazing ice cream cakes and ice cream pies.

Location: 34a Broadway, Denville, NJ 07834

6. The Bent Spoon

I found myself on a quest to find the best ice cream in Central Jersey while visiting my niece at Princeton University. (humble brag) Enter the Bent Spoon, a quaint-looking ice cream shop mere steps from the Princeton campus. The farm-to-spoon parlor offers artisan ice cream and sorbets made from organic ingredients in all sorts of flavors, including some unexpected delights like Sweet Corn, Buttered Popcorn, Garam Masala, Blueberry Mascarpone, and vegan Coffee Coconut. I tried the Sweet Corn and the Tiramasu during my trip opting for something out of the box and something more traditional. The Sweet Corn was a delight, tasting like an icy cold creamy cornbread and the Tiramisu was pure perfection.

There are hundreds of variations in rotation and they’re happy to offer samples. Other items include cold-brew floats, mini cupcakes, and pet-friendly ice cream.

Location: 35 Palmer Square W, Princeton, NJ 08542

7. Magic Fountain

Continuing on the hunt for the best ice cream in Central Jersey, I was led to Magic Fountain in Summit, NJ. This much-loved iconic outdoor ice cream stand attracts huge crowds and long lines throughout the summer. But the ice cream is worth the wait. There’s something for everyone, including hot-fudge sundaes, banana splits, strawberry shortcakes, blended milkshakes, twisted soft-serve, and more. Avoid the lines by ordering ahead online, but keep in mind they only accept cash or Venmo at the window. Flavor highlights include Pistachio Cashew, Salty Caramel Pretzel, and Peanut Butter Cup.

Location: 498 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

8. Halo Pub

Touting themselves as the world’s largest micro-dairy, Halo Pub ice creamery is located within The Shoppes at Nottingham Point in Hamilton Square, Lawrenceville, NJ. Halo Pub curates a limited selection of specialty flavors. They source ingredients from their nearby farm in Lawrenceville, Halo Farm, to create a half-dozen standout ice cream options. Their current flavors include Chocolate Peanutbutter, Amaretto Toasted Almond, and Maple Walnut. They also put their own unique spin on classic Chocolate, Strawberry, and Tahiti Vanilla Bean flavors.

They homogenize and pasteurize their rBST hormone-free milk on site and their ice creams rarely contain more than 5 ingredients, ensuring they’re made from the freshest, most pure ingredients. They also make their own lemonade, orange juice, iced tea, and fruit punch.

Location: 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542

9. Thomas Sweet

With locations in Princeton, New Brunswick, and Montgomery, New Jersey, Thomas Sweet is known for its homemade ice creams and blend-ins as well as its assortment of chocolates. They also have a freshly roasted coffee shop at each location serving up cappuccinos, macchiatos, or a plain old decaf with room for milk. Ice cream highlights include Dulce De Leche, Mounds, Butter Pecan, and Vanilla Heathbar Crunch. Thomas Sweet is one year-round.

Location: 55 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

10. Holsten’s

Famously known as the final dining place of Tony Soprano, Holsten’s is a classic old fashioned ice cream parlor. Aside from their popular homemade ice cream and milkshakes, Holsten’s creates chocolates, candies, and fudge.

Their old-fashioned atmosphere is matched by classic booth seating and a classic and specialty flavors menu. Of course, they serve traditional Egg Creams in Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry, or Vanilla flavors. Meanwhile, their signature loaded Brownie Sundae comes with two scoops of ice cream, a brownie, plus hot fudge. They also offer sugar-free ice cream flavors which my mom who’s diabetic proclaimed the best sugar-free ice cream she’d ever had. Flavor highlights include Cherry Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Peanut Butter.

You can also order up burgers, fries, sandwiches, and onion rings from their dine-in menu.

Word of warning, this is a vintage ice cream shop and is not ADA compliant. We took my dad here and were surprised by the lack of accessibility. There is a single step to the entrance and the restrooms are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair comfortably. My dad was barely able to fit in with his rollator. Still, if you’re a Sopranos fan this is a must-see spot, just make sure you don’t have to use the bathroom.

If you’re lucky you may even get to sit in the Sopranos booth. You’ll recognize it by the table jukebox.

Location: 1063 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Final Thoughts On The Best Ice Cream Shops In New Jersey

From ice cream stalls to old school ice cream parlors in NJ, the state has a lot to offer when it comes to soft serve, hard ice cream, sundaes, cones, milkshakes, egg creams, floats, and other frozen novelties. I was only in New Jersey for a week, but I tried to find a nice mix of north, south, and central New Jersey ice cream locations for this list.

I call on my biggest ice cream fans to weigh in with their votes for the best ice cream in New Jersey in the comments below.

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