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We all scream for ice cream!
Years ago, I sampled garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which was a once-in-a-lifetime event. If you love a cold treat, any ice cream is worth trying at least once. Do you have a thing for unusual flavors? Homemade small batches? Or just the classics done right? We’ve rounded up the best ice cream spots in Seattle, scooping unique and artisan flavors, that will have you coming back for more. Grab the kids and get ready for the most delicious brain freeze ever.
First up: a family original
Laina’s Handcrafted Ice Cream, Seattle
Laina’s Handcrafted Ice Cream is family-owned and operated in Seattle’s Rainier Valley. All of their ice cream is made in house in small batches with non-dairy options available. Follow Laina’s social media for the flavor of the month, and pop by the shp for a monthly ice cream social where you will find limited-time flavors and discounts on pints.
Find it: 9701 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle
Next up: swirls and fish cones
Matcha Man Ice Cream Co., Seattle
These might be some of the most beautiful ice cream cones we have ever seen. The flavors may feel unfamiliar to some (Horchata and Pineapple, or Matcha and Black Sesame), but those fish-shaped cones will encourage kids to give new flavors a try. Located in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, this is a great place to stop on a hot day. Be sure to check Matcha Man’s Facebook page for the most current information regarding ice cream flavors (which change monthly).
Find it: 6014 12th Ave. S., Seattle
Salt & Straw, Seattle
You have to be a confident ice cream business to open new stores in winter, which is exactly what Salt & Straw did a few years ago. The legendary Portland foodie favorite arrived in Seattle in February 2018, launching its first Emerald City locations in Ballard and Capitol Hill. (A third local shop opened in Kirkland in 2020.)
You can smell eau de waffle cone before you get to the entrance. Inside, the scoopers will literally let you sample every single flavor, so I did, thank you very much. The only flavor I tasted and didn’t like was Beecher’s cheese with peppercorn toffee. I like cheese, I don’t like peppercorns, and I definitely didn’t want either of those in my ice cream.
What’s new for summer? Three words: Berries, berries, berries. Dive into luscious flavors bursting with summer vibes such as Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero or GoNanas Banana Blueberry Crumble, a vegan option.
Pro tip: Try the tasting flight (four golf-ball-sized scoops), which is the most economical (and I like getting a deal if I’m shelling out for gourmet ice cream). The kids’ favorite, hands down, was the chocolate gooey brownie.
Find it: 714 E. Pike St., Suite A, Seattle (Capitol Hill shop);. 5420 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle (Ballard shop); 12620 120th Ave. N.E., Kirkland (Totem Lake shop)
Next up: artisan original
Molly Moon’s, Seattle and the Eastside
Owner Molly Moon Neitzel arguably started Seattle’s artisan ice cream boom when she opened her first scoop shop way back in 2008. Her ice cream empire now tallies eight shops, and she’s embedded activism into her business model. She’s adamant about giving her employees solid pay and great benefits. So you can eat your scoop of Molly Moon’s entirely guilt-free — each mouthful is doing good in the equity and social justice scene. Molly Moon’s comes out with new flavors every season. Seasonal flavors include creations such as Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet, Milk Chocolate Fudge Stripe and Vegan Brownie Batter.
Pro tip: You can also donate directly to one of Weitzel’s pet causes, the Anna Banana Milk Fund (created in honor of her sister), which provides local, organic milk to families in need.
Info: Find Molly Moon’s shops in Seattle in Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Madrona, Queen Anne, U Village and Columbia City and on the Eastside in Redmond and Bellevue. Both the Bellevue flagship store and walk-up window are conveniently located right near Bellevue Downtown Park, with its seasonal spray park and phenomenal Inspiration Playground.
Next up: La Michoacana
La Michoacana, Renton
Bright, colorful and cheerful, La Michoacana in Renton warmly welcomes you to a quick getaway to Mexico — by way of tasty Mexican-inspired treats and cool ice cream flavors. You’ll find all kinds of enticing flavors, from chocolate brownie to pistachio and tamarind to tequila. Generously scooped, fruit varieties such as mango and strawberries and cream are brimming with fresh fruit chunks. There are also lots of dairy-free and vegan-friendly options. With all these choices, there is truly something to satisfy everyone’s cravings, even if you are a plain vanilla fan.
There are photo stations set up throughout, so be sure to snap a selfie for a sweet souvenir! (Pro tip: Say it “la Meech-wah-cah-nah”.)
Find it: 3700 N.E. 4th St., Suite 205, Renton
Next up: bluebird day
Bluebird Ice Cream, Seattle
Stepping into Bluebird Ice Cream is like entering a time warp — the shop features a restored vintage soda fountain. Sitting on the rotating stools at the marble counters, you get to experience what Pioneer Square pharmacy hospitality felt like 100 years ago.
Everything on the menu is good, but chocolate chunk and snickerdoodle are sure hits for both kids and adults. For grownups, there’s stout ice cream and red wine ice cream (yes, way).
A lot of gourmet ice cream spots have weird flavors on the menu, but Bluebird is particular about making the non-traditional flavors — say, maple hickory — something you’ll want to scoop up. “If we’re going to do something wacky, we’re going to make it a home run,” says owner Josh Reynolds.
In addition to its Phinney Ridge location, you can also find Bluebird staff scooping at farmers markets all across the city.
Find it: 7415 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle
Next up: old-school deli ice cream
Husky Deli, West Seattle
Husky Deli doesn’t actually have anything to do with the University of Washington. Through the Depression, Jack Miller’s grandfather made ice cream cones called “huskies” because they were big, not because of the university mascot.
The family-run West Seattle icon was started in 1932, and third-generation owner Jack Miller took it over more than 40 years ago from his dad. “Never sold anybody’s ice cream here but our own,” he says. Husky Deli is known for its deli sandwiches and good ol’ fashioned ice cream. Popular flavors include salted caramel and coffee Oreo, or go with a classic like rocky road or pralines and cream.
In addition to sandwiches and ice cream, choose from among the inspiring selection of European candy and specialty foods.
Pro tip: There is also an old-fashioned candy counter where kids can buy their favorite goodies by the pound.
Find it: 4721 California Ave. S.W., Seattle
Next up: gourmet Maltby
Snoqualmie Ice Cream Scoop Shops, Maltby and Snoqualmie
Delicious Snoqualmie Ice Cream has two scoop shops: the original in Maltby and a newer one in its namesake Snoqualmie. Best news? They’re both open daily — hooray! The barn attached to the Maltby scoop shop is where the ice cream is made and you can peek in to see the process. This all-natural ice cream maker supplies the base for several Seattle chains, including Molly Moon’s and Full Tilt. This shop has lots of seating outside, so there’s plenty of space to hang out. Chocolate and vanilla are always popular, and you won’t want to miss out on the lavender.
Pro tip: When visiting the Maltby shop, take a hike at the nearby Paradise Valley Conservation Area in Woodinville. In Snoqualmie, thrill your train fans at the Northwest Railway Museum.
Find it: 21106 86th Ave. S.E., Snohomish (even though the address is Snohomish, find this shop in the town of Maltby, between Woodinville and Snohomish); 8102 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie
Next up: spicing it up
Spice Waala, Seattle
Looking to spice things up this summer? Try the Indian-inspired soft serve from Spice Waala. Spice Waala’s soft serve highlights Indian flavors like Rose and Cardamom. Swoon!
Spice Waala has two Seattle locations, in Capitol Hill and Ballard. The restaurant offers only one flavor at a time and will rotate it monthly. The owners’ advice? Check social media to find out what flavor is currently flowing — or just show up and be surprised. Wondering what other flavors your tastebuds might look forward to? They’ve previously featured such delights as Mango and Pistachio & Cardamom.
Find it: 340 15th Ave. E., Suite 202, Seattle (Capitol Hill); 2008 N.W. 56th Street, Seattle (Ballard)
Author’s picks for delicious at-home ice cream treats
Can’t get to the ice cream shop? Try one of these tasty treats from the grocery store.
1. Halo Top birthday cake flavor: Halo Top is low-calorie, low-sugar and high protein, so that means it tastes like cardboard, right? It’s not as rich as regular ice cream, but the birthday cake flavor (280 calories in a pint) actually does taste like birthday cake.
2. Tillamook Fireside S’mores flavor: It’s like a tub of ice cream and a s’more got together and had a baby. You can almost smell the bonfire.
3. Lopez Island Creamery by the pint: You know this little ice cream company is doing something right when there are seven different chocolate flavors. PCC Community Markets, Metropolitan Market and Whole Foods all carry the line so you can savor this treat on the mainland.
Editor’s note: Julie Dodobara contributed to this article, which was originally published in 2018 and updated for 2023.
