Denver River Eats Top Stories

I Scream, You Scream…for the Best Ice Cream in Denver

by Taryn Shorr
May 25, 2021 3 minute read
Several colorful ice cream cones lying on a white cloth

Denver is a foodie’s paradise. Whether you’re craving a munchies-busting Hot Cheeto Burrito, a classic burger, or want to crash a neighborhood happy hour, dining options are practically endless in the Mile High City.

As temperatures climb, there’s one type of food on the minds of Denverites collectively: ice cream. It’s the perfect summer treat (let’s be honest, ice cream is the perfect anytime treat). Thankfully, there are many fantastic places to find sweet concoctions throughout the city.

Here, we’ve rounded up eight of our favorite spots to get the best ice cream in Denver.

8 places with the best ice cream in Denver:

Do you prefer tried-and-true classics or edgy, innovative flavors and ingredients? Either way, these shops dishing up the best ice cream in Denver have something for everyone.

1. Peteybird

There’s nothing quite like ice cream sandwiches, and there’s no better place to find them than RiNo’s Peteybird. Specializing in bite-sized artisan sammies made with home-baked cookies, be warned that this shop is seriously addicting.

2. High Point Creamery

High Point Creamery takes homemade to a whole new level. Everything the shop uses is house-made, including all three cookie varieties in the Cookies (3 ways) & Cream. If you simply can’t make a decision, good news: High Point offers five-scoop ice cream flights.

3. Little Man Ice Cream

Aside from having some of the best ice cream in Denver, Little Man is one of the city’s most recognizable shops. That’s largely thanks to its giant 28-foot-tall vintage cream jug, but the wide range of flavors (including several vegan options) and pup cones help, too.

4. Magill’s World of Ice Cream

Many people associate Magill’s with the best ice cream in Denver. The Lakewood parlor has been around since 1981 and makes everything in-house using local Colorado dairy. Magill’s also offers low-fat and dairy-free options, so there’s truly something for everyone here.

5. Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato

Most shops specialize in ice cream or gelato, but Glacier Homemade does both. All three locations make everything in-house, but what makes Glacier one of our go-to’s for the best ice cream in Denver is the DIY sundae bar.

6. Smith + Canon Ice Cream

With flavors including El Chupacabra, spicy chocolate, and Strawbenero, strawberry-habanero, Smith + Canon is truly unforgettable — and very crave-able. Need more convincing that Smith + Canon is the best ice cream in Denver? Check out the perfect Yelp reviews.

7. Sweet Action

This Broadway shop is well-known for having the best vegan ice cream in Denver, but it’s all phenomenal. Sweet Action has hundreds of unusual-but-delicious flavors and rotates 24 a day. Noteworthy flavors of the past include Earl Grey Orange Absinthe Swirl and Hatch Green Chile.

8. Sweet Cow

Calling all salty-sweet flavor enthusiasts! Sweet Cow is a locals’ favorite for Denver’s best ice cream, primarily thanks to its unique pretzel cones. The shop’s impressive sustainability efforts also earn major brownie points: all serving items are recyclable and compostable.

So, are you as hungry as we are after reading this? Which shop is your favorite for the best ice cream in Denver? Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook and let us know!

Feature image by Brooke Lark on Unsplash 

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