Who doesn’t love a good scoop of ice cream? It’s quite possibly the most heart-filling, make-you-feel-good food. No matter what your age, ice cream can make you calm, cool, and collected. Denver has on average 300 days of sunshine beaming down and has a crazy number of ice cream shops to please all kinds of pallets of ice cream tastes.
There is nothing a motorcycle rider loves more than to ride their bikes and end the day with a great ice cream treat!
Sweet Cooie’s
Congress Park
Three words for you at this shop also owned by the creators of Little Man: The Gooey Cooie. Pick your favorite scoop flavor and watch it get ever-so-gently squeezed into the middle of a hot-pressed brioche donut. The uber-sweet, hot-and-cold dessert is definitely one for the books, but you can always rely on the simplicity of a single scoop in a handmade waffle cone in a pinch.
How to order: Walk into the classic, baby-blue shop Sunday – Thursday from 12 pm – 9 pm or Friday – Saturday from 12 pm – 10 pm.© Happy Cones CoThe 16 Best Ice Cream Shops in Denver
Happy Cones Co.
Edgewater, Golden
What started out as a converted school bus and the first imported New Zealand-made ice cream blending machine to grace America has since turned into two full-fledged brick-and-mortars and a private catering business, too. So what’s New Zealand-style ice cream, you ask? Simply put, it’s a mixture of ice cream (using Colorado dairy) and a scoop of your choice of fruit, blended seamlessly together into creamy, two-thirds ice cream, one-third fruit soft serve. If you want to experience quintessential New Zealand flavor, opt for the Hokey Pokey (aka, vanilla ice cream with chunks of honeycomb toffee).
How to order: The Edgewater and Golden locations are open daily from 11 am – 10 pm, and the original Happy Cones Co. truck can still be reserved for private events.
Eiskaffee
Capitol Hill, Greenwood Village
Meet Eiskaffee, the new-to-the-scene concept blending your favorite caffeinated beverage with everyone’s favorite dessert. Using custom nitro cold brew as a base, you’ll then add two scoops of your preferred flavor and top things off with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a crispy waffle wedge. The full menu contains complete coffee and ice cream offerings, from lattes to milkshakes and everything in between. Really looking for something special? Order the “spaghetti ice” secret menu item for $6.95—a base of Bavarian Cream ice cream with strawberry sauce and shaved white chocolate “grated cheese.”
How to order: The newest location on Broadway and 11th Ave is open Sunday – Thursday from 8 am – 8 pm and Friday – Saturday from 8 am – 9 pm, and the location inside Grange Hall is open Fridays and Saturdays 5 pm – 9 pm and Sundays 12 pm – 8 pm.© Milkbox Ice CreameryThe 16 Best Ice Cream Shops in Denver
Milkbox Ice Creamery
Union Station
You may be well familiar with this Union Station staple and for good reason. Since 2014, this has been the downtown spot for small batch frozen goodness, where you can find all your classics from cones to cups to shakes. It’s even a treat for history buffs, who might know that the space was formerly a barbershop adjacent to the iconic Crawford Hotel and still retains some original architectural features like mirrors, flooring, and tiles.
How to order: Head over to Union Station Monday – Thursday from 11 am – 7 pm or Friday – Sunday from 11 am – 8 pm.© Sweet ActionThe 16 Best Ice Cream Shops in Denver
Sweet Action
Broadway, Uptown, Wash Park, Jefferson Park
In addition to having ice cream that rivals every other place on this list, Sweet Action is also the spot to get a cold summer treat if you’re looking to help out the planet a bit. Dairy-free and vegan ice cream are plentiful here, as is locally sourced, high-quality Colorado dairy (and fresh fruit, too). Even cooler (literally) is that the entire Sweet Action franchise runs on wind energy and uses compostable packaging at all four locations, meaning it walks the walk when it comes to sustainability. If you haven’t been yet, you can’t go wrong with chocolate fudge brownie, Colorado white Russian, blackberry lavender, or vegan milk & cookies.
How to order: Stop in at any location; Broadway and Uptown are open daily from 12 pm – 12 am, Wash Park runs Sunday – Thursday 12 pm – 10 pm and Friday – Saturday 12 pm – 11 pm, and Jefferson Park is open Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm, Monday – Thursday 2 pm – 10 pm, and Friday – Saturday 2 pm – 11 pm.© Little Man Ice CreamThe Best Ice Cream Shops in Denver
Little Man Ice Cream
LoHi
This shop quickly became a Denver icon since it first opened in 2008 thanks in large part to its unique architecture—aka the 28-foot-tall, 14,000-pound cream can from which the scoops are served. Lines will almost inevitably get long, but it’s well worth the wait for the most famous flavor alone, Salted Oreo. But you can’t go wrong whether you opt for a banana pudding float, seasonal honey almond in a waffle cone that’s made on site, or one of their sorbets or vegan options. It also gives back through the Scoop to Scoop initiative which donates a scoop of rice, beans, or other essentials to those in need for every scoop of ice cream the place sells.
How to order: The walk-up window is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 am – 11 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am – 12 am.
Magill’s World of Ice Cream
Lakewood
This is the classic ice cream shop of your childhood dreams, seemingly unchanged in the four decades that it’s been open. The shop first debuted in 1981 and maintains that nostalgic feel, complete with old-school ice cream sandwiches, brightly decorated ice cream cakes for every special occasion, and of course, scoops of their house-made flavors—there are 40 of them available daily, including customer favorites like seven layer coconut and Jack Daniel’s chocolate chip.
How to order: Magill’s is open Monday – Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 10 am – 9:30 pm, and Sunday 11 am – 9 pm.
Milkroll Creamery
Congress Park, Aurora
If scoops have somehow grown dull, Milkroll allows folks to forgo the traditional method and experience ice cream in the ever-popular Thai-style instead. Made to order on sub-zero metal plates, flavors, and add-ons are stacked together and rolled into lavish displays full of decadent charm. You start by picking your base from flavors like chocolate, caramel, matcha, and ube. Then you can customize your creation with options that include everything from M&Ms and gummy bears to Poky Sticks and red beans. There’s also a selection of house-made combos, like the colorful Unicorn Magic which is loaded with strawberry waffle sticks, frosted animal crackers, and sprinkles, then crowned with fluffy blue and pink cotton candy.
How to order: The Aurora location is open every day from 1 pm – 9 pm, with the Congress Park location open Tuesday – Sunday from 1 pm – 9 pm.
Smith+Canon Ice Cream
Cheeseman Park
This spot gets extra creative with their flavors, even going into spicy territory. But the real highlight is that they also serve nitro cold brew and espresso, which means you can get the ultimate caffeinated ice cream mash up: the affogato, aka espresso amped up with a scoop of your choice of ice cream flavor. But whether you want that coffee-enhanced kick or not, flavors like strawbeñero and their signature Foxy Brown (think cinnamon rolls and cheesecake) will keep you coming back.
How to order: The shop is open for walk-ins Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 6 pm, or you can order online.
High Point Creamery
Hilltop, Berkeley, RiNo
Do you have a hard time choosing just one flavor? Three words: ice cream flight. High Point’s signature flights are perfect for sharing (although that’s definitely not required) and include five flavors of your choice and a side of chocolate sauce. Current seasonal flavors include Tin Cup Whiskey & pistachio brittle, basil with blackberry swirl, and coconut crème brûlée.
How to order: RiNo and Berkeley locations are open Sunday – Thursday from 12 pm – 9 pm and Friday & Saturday from 12 pm – 10 pm, and the Hilltop location is open alternating hours Friday – Monday.
Sweet Cow
This spot’s got a winning ice cream trifecta: ice cream that’s made daily; earth-friendly recyclable and compostable cups and spoons; and cookie sammies. Yes, you can get any flavor neatly smashed between two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. If you’re not a cone fan, opt for a cup topped with a heaping drizzle of their caramel sauce made with local Hammond’s Candies caramels.
How to order: Both Boulder locations, Longmont, and Louisville are open Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 10 pm and Friday – Saturday 10 am – 11 pm, the Highlands location is open Sunday – Thursday from 10 am – 11 pm and Friday – Saturday 10 am – 12 am, and the Stanley Marketplace location is open every day from 10 am – 10 pm.
Dang Soft Serve Ice Cream
Park Hill
Have you ever dipped French fries into a frosty and wondered why that’s not more of a thing? Well, now it is. This shop from the same owners at Little Man specializes in the sweet and salty combo of soft serve and fries. But they go beyond the typical vanilla, chocolate, or swirl. Flavors change frequently but are likely to include options like peanut butter, lilikoi, and matcha, with multiple vegan choices, and an array of fun toppings—cookie butter sauce, anyone?
How to order: Walk up and order any day from 12 pm – 10 pm.
Sherry’s Soda Shoppe
Five Points, Boulder
Since opening the original Rosenberg’s Bagels in 2014, Josh Pollock has continued to bring a taste of the East Coast to Denver with Famous Original J’s pizza and Lou’s Italian Specialties. Then in March 2020, he opened an old-school soda shoppe, complete with retro favorites like malts, phosphate sodas, and orange creams, along with black and white cookie ice cream sandwiches and CBD soda add-ins. Much of the real magic can be enjoyed via sitting on one of the wooden barstools and reminiscing about a simpler time you may or may not have experienced.
How to order: Both locations are open Sunday and Tuesday – Thursday from 11 am – 9 pm and Friday – Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm.
Ice Cream Riot
Cheeseman Park
Munchie cravings meet ice cream at this shop with the slogan “roll joints not ice cream.” Yeah, they’re not afraid to call things as they see it, and they’re also not afraid to have some fun with their flavors—one of their signature options is cheddar goldfish after all. Other items to not skip: Pop-Tart ice cream sandwiches, Philly water ice, and ice cream cannoli.
How to order: It is open for walk-ups Sunday – Thursday from 1 pm – 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 1 pm – 11 pm. Delivery is still available online.
Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
Washington Park
This old-school, family-owned joint that makes ice cream fresh daily has been around since 1986 and remains one of the standards in Mile High ice cream perfection. They offer 30+ flavors daily, including vegan options, and while most flavors stay in the traditional range (rocky road, rum raisin, and mint chocolate chip are all accounted for) they’re not afraid to play around with new ingredients too. Chocolate cardamom? They’ve done that. Monkey Fingers and Udder Budder? Those are around, too.
How to order: Open Sunday – Thursday from 11 am – 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am – 11 pm.
Eskimo Bros. Nitro Ice Cream
Various locations
Eskimo Bros. is another newcomer, opting to serve its liquid nitrogen-produced ice cream from a cart at locations across the city. Using local ingredients and a technique that makes for smaller ice crystals and a creamier end result, the Bros. have found a way to update the classic model and present it with fun ever at the forefront. Especially since flavors tend to change, the Nutella Oreo is worth chasing the Bros. to whatever corner town they’re currently peddling at.
How to order: Directly from the website.
Pint’s Peak
Various locations
Pint’s Peak popped up during the pandemic when trained pastry chef Caitlin Howington decided she wanted to start doing small-batch, often limited runs of generally remarkable flavors. Options like Smoked S’mores, Thai Basil, and Triple Berry Pie—triple berry basil compote, almond brown sugar streusel—are generally nabbed up shortly after they go on sale each Monday. With a seemingly endless knack for coming up with new flavors, Howington has made clear that expecting the unexpected is just part of the program.
How to order: Currently, orders can be done on Pint’s Peak’s website. Though at the end of July, the weekly deliveries will come to an end as Howington works to get the ice cream into more stores across the Denver area. Updates can be found on Pint’s Peak’s Instagram.
