When summertime rolls around in metro Phoenix and the temperatures repeatedly top over triple-digits, many Valley residents will head to ice cream shops to cool off with a sweet treat. After all, ice cream is always a good idea, but somehow the dessert tastes even better in hot weather. With that in mind, here are 15 shops you must visit next time the craving hits.
Sugar Bowl
Founded by Jack Huntress in 1958, Old Town Scottsdale’s Sugar Bowl remains one of the area’s oldest family-run businesses. It’s so iconic that Bill Keane, who created the Family Circus, featured the Sugar Bowl in his comic strip many times.
It’s easy to pick out the bright pink façade, swimming in a sea of mostly beige buildings. Once inside, the rosy hue continues in the booths and heart-shaped tables. The space has soda fountain vibes, as if you’ve stepped right out of the film Grease. The menu reflects the feeling too, with classic flavors running the gamut from Vanilla to Strawberry to Chocolate Mint. Order a scoop plain or as a shake, malt, or even an epic banana split. Or, go off the rails with the shop’s signature Camelback Sodas, which features soda water with ice cream. 4005 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, sugarbowlscottsdale.com
Sweet Republic
Former investment bankers Helen Yung and Jan Wichayanupar founded Sweet Republic in 2008. Today, the shop has four locations around the Valley, all focused on artisanal ice cream made with local ingredients. Expect unique seasonal flavors on the menu, along with classics. For example, on the exclusive side, Sweet Republic has churned out Carrot Cake, Lemon Bar, a savory Dill Pickle, and, during the winter holidays, the Peppermint Ice Cream Pie.
Regular ice cream staples include Vanilla Bean, Brown Butter Pecan, Brownie Fudge Swirl, and Cookies and Cream. Don’t skip the sundaes either, we’re a fan of the weekend special Toffee Banofi, a treat with two scoops of vanilla, banana slices, almond toffee brittle, whipped cream, and a salted caramel drizzle. Multiple locations, sweetrepublic.com
Churn
Attached to Windsor, a trendy comfort food spot, Churn sells handmade ice cream and nostalgic candy in a whimsical environment. All the ice cream remains chemical, preservatives, and stabilizer free, giving guests a fresh and unbeatable treat.
Flavors rotate daily and can include Vietnamese Coffee, Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate, Sweet Cream, and Strawberry. Guests also can order Fat Elvis, Strawberry Shortcake, and S’mores sundaes, or the shop’s famous ice cream sandwiches, which are customizable. 5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, churnaz.com
Petersen’s Ice Cream & Café
Everything about Petersen’s Ice Cream & Café is decidedly retro, from the cafe’s turquoise neon sign at its downtown Gilbert location to the pink-and-white striped walls inside. The business got its start in Chicago back in 1919, and came to Arizona over a decade ago. Now, there’s three locations around town.
Ice cream flavors get listed on Instagram, and have included Chocolate, Cappuccino, Green Mint, and Raspberry Sorbet. Check out the sundae menu too, which includes 12 options, all served with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Guests can also indulge in root beer floats, banana splits, an affogato, and milkshakes. 366 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert; 4764 S. Higley Rd., Gilbert; and 7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. #103, Scottsdale, no website
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Named after founder Jeni Britton, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream started in Columbus, Ohio, and has been crafting ice cream since 2002. Britton uses the motto “inspired by our curiosities” when it comes to developing flavors, and the menu lineup shows that. Think Key Lime Pie, Black Tie Tiramisu, Maple-Soaked Pancakes, Watermelon Taffy, and Honey Vanilla Bean. Don’t worry about trying them all right there, you can take home a pint of ice cream for future desserting. 7051 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale; and 15323 N. Scottsdale Road, #100, Scottsdale, jenis.com
Crispy Cones
Indulge in an ice cream cone like you’ve never had it before. Crispy Cones, a chain known for rotisserie-cooked dough cones rolled in sugar and cinnamon, has been revolutionizing the classic dish since 2018. Created by Jeremy Carlson, the first version of Crispy Cones started in a tent in Idaho, inspired by the idea behind European chimney cakes.
The brand came to Arizona in 2023, opening its first location in downtown Chandler, though that spot is now closed. The state still boasts two other shops, giving customers a chance to try the Shark Tank-famous ice cream cones, which are filled with soft serve.
Flavor options include Vanilla, Chocolate, and a blend of the two. Customers can also enjoy weekly specials like Blackberry and Vanilla Swirl. Customize each cone with toppings like Oreos, Kit Kat, brownies, and peanut butter cups. 420 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 107, Tempe; and 8280 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, crispycones.com
Gelato Cimmino
Scottsdale resident Mario Cimmino, a native of Southern Italy, opened Gelato Cimmino in Old Town Scottsdale in 2018. Some of Cimmino’s favorite memories revolve around family and gelato, which is why he wanted to share these homemade creations with locals.
Using his own family’s recipe, the Italian gelato comes in flavors such as Chocolate Chip, Coffee, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Milk Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, and Hazelnut. Add on a coffee, and you have a classic Italian combination. 7140 E. Main St., Scottsdale; and 339 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, gelatocimmino.com
Luna Gelateria
Luna Gelateria comes from the folks behind the popular Italian restaurant chain, Pomo. Owner Stefano Fabbri’s family has been in the hospitality industry for decades, and Fabbri himself attended Carpigiani Gelato University. Given the owner’s expertise, all gelato gets made from scratch, using traditional preparation methods.
The shop’s signature offering is the Luna 1969, a decadent creation featuring a blend of pistachio, chocolate, and caramel gelato with brownie crumbles, pistachio crumbles, chocolate pearls, and Valrhona chocolate sauce and curls. 705 N. 1st St., Unit 120, Phoenix; and 8977 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, lunagelateria.com
Sweet Provisions
Sweet Provisions, from celebrated chef Christopher Collins, resides next to his other restaurant, Grassroots Kitchen & Tap. Specializing in ice cream and baked goods, visitors can pick up fresh desserts made daily. Sweet Provisions uses locally-sourced, Arizona milk, which isn’t common in the local ice cream scene.
Look for the inventive flavors of the month, such as The Bees Knees, which is a honey ice cream with graham cracker chunks and a caramel swirl and cherry, dark chocolate, and candied walnut. Also try the classic banana splits, shakes, floats, and sundaes. 8120 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, sweetprovisionsaz.com
Novel Ice Cream
Founded in 2017, Novel Ice Cream creates award-winning ice cream two pans at a time. The chefs place special attention on the flavor, texture, and toppings of each and every scoop, eschewing additives or processed stabilizers.
Diners can dig into flavors such as Cookie Monster, Chocolate, Strawberry, Butter Pecan, Honey :avender, and PB Wasted, which features a peanut butter base, peanut butter swirl, and crushed raw peanuts. One of Novel’s most notable creations is The Dough Melt, a doughnut split in half and filled with ice cream. Be on the lookout for more locations of Novel Ice Cream, coming soon. 1028 Grand Ave., Ste. 6, Phoenix; and 40 N. Macdonald, Ste. 2, Mesa, novelicecream.com
Salt & Straw
Caption: Portland-based Salt & Straw serves creative ice cream flavors like Chocolate Malted Potato Chip Cake. Photo courtesy of Salt & Straw.
Based out of Portland, Oregon, Salt & Straw has three locations in metro Phoenix. What started at a pushcart in 2011, the ice cream favorite has rapidly grown thanks to creative flavors and high-quality ingredients.
Guests can sink their spoons into Chocolate Malted Potato Chip Cake, Cherry Red Velvet Cheesecake, Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Chocolate Gooey Brownie, Double-Fold Vanilla and Pear, and Blue Cheese. One of Salt & Straw’s newest options is the Tacolate, or an ice cream taco, created in conjunction with Taco Bell. Multiple locations, saltandstraw.com
Screamery Ice Cream
The Screamery proudly proclaims it sells “handcrafted old fashioned ice cream with modern day flavors.” Think Vanilla made with real vanilla beans. Strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries in the mix. And Coffee Toffee whipped up with coffee ice cream and homemade butter toffee pieces.
The Screamy also scoops out creative flavors like Banana Cream Pie and Blueberry Cheesecake. But for something totally different, try the Ice Cream Nachos, which uses waffle cone chips topped with hot fudge and a single scoop, customer’s choice. Can’t decide? The Screamery also offers a flight of ice cream. Multiple locations, thescreamery.com
Onyx Ice Cream
Family-run Onyx Ice Cream has created a signature black ice cone to pair with its vibrantly-colored ice creams. Try Lavender Bergamot, Thai Tea, Sea Salt, Ube, Yuzu, Oat Milk Matcha, and Saguaro, made from bahidaj, the fruit of the Saguaro cactus. Monthly specials include Chocolate Tobacco and Strawberry Rosemary Sorbet. Also to note, each of the Onyx cones come torched–making it both caramelized and bruleed–which is done in front of guests. 5813 N. 7th St., Ste. 102, Phoenix, onyxicecream.com
Allora Gelato
Inspired by a trip to Capri, Italy, owner Lalo Fuentes started researching the food in far-flung destinations like Morocco and Turkey. He took that research and opened Allora Gelato in 2024. All the gelato is made fresh in-house. with all-natural ingredients. Flavors include Chocolate Brownie, Ricotta and Croatian Fig, Bourbon Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and Mint Cookies & Cream.
Step into the stark white shop and place your order from the screen up front. If you want to taste any of the treats, staff is on hand to doll out samples. 6990 E. Shea Blvd., Ste. 106, Scottsdale, alloragelato.com
Topo Arizona
Downtown Gilbert’s Topo Arizona stands out along the stripe thanks to the gopher with a heat statue on top of the building. The shop takes inspiration from roadside attractions along Route 66, and apparently gophers are one of them.
Joe Johnston, owner of Agritopia, Joe’s Farm Grill, Joe’s Real BBQ, and Liberty Market, opened Topo in 2019. On the ice cream side, the restaurant serves Vanilla and Prickly Pear ice cream, either separately or as a twist. For $1 more, have your cone dipped in Chocolate, Lime, or Orange. 301 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, topoarizona.com
