The 10 Best Ice Cream Shops In Minnesota 2026

Whether it's the dead of winter or the height of summer, Minnesotans have a well-documented love affair with ice cream. Fortunately, the state is loaded with outstanding options — from small-batch artisan creameries in the Twin Cities to beloved seasonal spots on the shores of Lake Superior.

After combing through customer reviews on Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Explore Minnesota, with a little help from AI, here are ten shops that consistently rise to the top, listed in no particular order.

The Top 10 Ice Cream Shops In Minnesota

Again, these are in no particular order. Just visit them, and your sweet tooth will be very happy!

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Sebastian Joe's, at 1007 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis: A Minneapolis institution since 1984, Sebastian Joe's is the kind of neighborhood scoop shop that earns fierce loyalty. Everything is made from scratch daily using all-natural ingredients, no artificial colors, and locally sourced cream whenever possible. Cult favorites like the Pavarotti — caramel, banana, and chocolate chips — are always in demand, but regulars will tell you: always order the Oreo. Always.

Grand Ole Creamery, at 750 Grand Ave, St. Paul: Locals have known about this place for decades, and word has definitely gotten out. A family-owned staple since 1984, Grand Ole Creamery is best known for its massive, housemade waffle cones and bold flavors like Black Hills Gold and Cotton Candy Confetti. Their signature touch? A jellybean tucked in the bottom of every cone — a quirky little tradition that customers remember for years.

Milkjam Creamery, at 2743 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis: If you're looking to explore unique flavor combinations, Milkjam Creamery is your place. This small-batch Minneapolis shop consistently ranks at the top of Yelp's Twin Cities ice cream lists, winning fans with daring creations like Cereal Killers — made with fruity cereal milk — and Ridin' Duuurty, a mashup of Oreo, peanut butter, and salted caramel. They also do excellent dairy-free and vegan options.

Love Creamery, at Canal Park & Lincoln Park Craft District, Duluth: Duluth's Love Creamery has earned its accolades the right way — one handcrafted scoop at a time. This locally woman-owned creamery churns its ice cream fresh daily using locally sourced ingredients, and the results speak for themselves: Star Tribune Minnesota Best 2025 Gold Medal winner in the Frozen Treat/Ice Cream category, Duluth Reader's 2025 People's Choice Award for Best Dessert, and Best Ice Cream Parlor in the Midwest by Midwest Living Magazine in 2022. With two locations open year-round, there's no excuse not to try it.

Sonny's Ice Cream, at 3403 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis: One of the oldest continuously operating ice cream shops in Minnesota, Sonny's has been making handcrafted gelato, sorbet, and ice cream in small batches on the same corner of 34th and Lyndale since 1945 — using organic cream from Minnesota cows, no artificial flavors, and no corn syrup. The vibe is artsy and European, with a charming patio and a flavor board that rotates constantly. It's the kind of place that slows you down in the best possible way.

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Bebe Zito, at 704 W 22nd St, Minneapolis: Bebe Zito has built a passionate following since opening in 2019 by combining Latin American roots, chef-driven creativity, and small-batch craftsmanship. Flavors like Vietnamese Coffee, Churro Churro, and Campfire S'mores keep the menu fresh and buzzy, and their ongoing collaborations with local restaurants and breweries mean there's always something new to discover. Yelp reviewers consistently call it one of the best in the Twin Cities.

Sweet Science Ice Cream, at 3919 Market St, Edina: Owner Ashlee Olds has been crafting all-natural, locally sourced ice cream in small batches for over a decade, and Sweet Science has earned a devoted following for both its creative flavors and its environmental commitment — using compostable packaging long before it was required. Flavor names are styled like a periodic table: GPi for Grasshopper Pie, CT for Coffee Toffee, ScB for Sweet Corn Blueberry. You can find their pints at Whole Foods and Kowalski's across the metro, but the scoop shop at 50th & France is the place to go.

Portland Malt Shoppe, at 716 E Superior St, Duluth (Open seasonally May–September): Built in 1921 as a gas station and lovingly converted to a malt shoppe in 1989, the Portland Malt Shoppe is one of the most recognizable ice cream destinations in northern Minnesota. Thick malts served from a walk-up window, classic flavors like mint chocolate chip in a fresh waffle cone, and a stunning view of Lake Superior and Canal Park. If you're in Duluth this summer, this is a non-negotiable stop.

Flapdoodles, at 2525 US-52 N, Rochester: According to its founder, Flapdoodles is a place "where the only thing that makes sense is the ice cream" — and Rochester residents clearly agree, given that the shop had to open a second location, at 4540 Canal Place SE, to keep up with demand. Everything is made in-house using high-quality ingredients. Flavors include Monster Cookie Dough, Caramel Sea Salt Truffle, and Lemon Blueberry Swirl.

Honey & Mackie's, at 16725 County Road 24, Plymouth: This western suburb gem stands out for doing two things exceptionally well: premium small-batch ice cream and killer hand-cut fries. The rotating menu features creative combos like Blueberry Lemon Bar, Sweet Corn Caramel, and Chocolate Bacon Toffee, and the family-friendly atmosphere is a terrific and much-appreciated bonus.

The bottom line is that whether you're on a road trip or finding a hidden gem in your own community, there's great ice cream to be found throughout Minnesota. If you've been to any of these shops, or if you think we missed one that deserves to be on this list, we'd love to hear from you.