
The Infatuation, known for their restaurant recommendations, has compiled a summer essential: “The Best Ice Cream in New York City.”
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Kate Hines
This is all of it. I'm Kate Hines filling in for Alison Stewart. All week long, we're celebrating the best eats in New York City. Yesterday we talked hamburgers. Tomorrow is taco Thursday. But today, today we are turning our attention to one of life's greatest pleasures, ice cream. The website the Infatuation has released a guide to the best ice cream in New York City, and we are here for it. The list highlights everything from a peach cobbler scoop in Harlem to some tasty Vietnamese coffee ice cream at a wine bar on the Lower east side to Clinton Hill, where you can find a cart that has bright orange cantaloupe gelato. And listeners, we want to know what is on your best of list. Tell us your favorite ice cream spot. Does your neighborhood have the best ice cream in New York City? Do you have an Italian ice cart you love? Give us a call or text us at 212-433-9692. That's 212-433-WNYC or tell us on social media llovenyc. Shout out your favorite ice cream. Editor Sonal Shah and staff writer Willa Moore are here from the Infatuation to discuss what scoops the city is serving up. Welcome to all of it.
Sonal Shah
Thanks for having us.
Willa Moore
Yeah, thank you.
Kate Hines
So I assume you both ate. You did a lot of personal taste testing for this list?
Sonal Shah
Yes, we have. So at the Infatuation, we provide expert restaurant recommendations for every single kind of dining situation. So that includes, of course, dessert. And we go out and personally try. We have a team of four writers and myself, and we try everything. So everything on this list has been tried and tested.
Kate Hines
So you've eaten a fair amount of ice cream, lady. What makes a scoop stand out for you, Ella?
Willa Moore
Well, I like chocolate. That's like my base flavor that I prefer. So anything chocolate I gravitate towards. Although that cantaloupe ice cream, which I'm sure we'll talk about more, is also one of my favorites. But, you know, I'm looking for creamy dreamy cones. You know, I like a sugar cone, but, yeah, those are some things that I look for. Sonal.
Sonal Shah
Yeah, the flavor has to really come through. Like, I need a strong flavor in my ice cream. Unless I'm, like, pairing it with something else. Yeah, I want a good punchy flavor, freshness, creaminess, all important things.
Kate Hines
That sounds all delightful. And it's going to be. I don't get to eat lunch until a little after two, so this is going to be a real challenge. We already got a text Eddie's Sweet Shop on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. I don't even know it. I already want to go to it. It sounds great. Just from the name alone. How did you go about organizing this guide? Is it done by neighborhood type of ice cream?
Sonal Shah
So we actually have had a version of this guide for a while, and we kind of just keep updating it. So we keep an eye out on social media when we're walking around different neighborhoods. The writers go out five times a week to dinners at different restaurants. So they're always looking around to see if there's something they could check out. And yeah, whenever we see something noteworthy, we go check it out. And then if it's worth it, we add it to the guide.
Willa Moore
And we also do love Eddie's Sweet Shop. They make, like, fantastic sundaes, banana splits. It's a real New York institutions.
Kate Hines
Let's start with Cafe Pana. I don't know if I'm pronouncing that correctly. It has two locations, one in Gramercy and one in Greenpoint. Why is this one such an instant New York City classic?
Willa Moore
Well, I actually revisited Cafepana last night just because I was in the mood for ice cream. They have a lot of really creative flavors. I think one of my favorites is called the Odds Dream. It's like a vanilla sweet cream ice cream with, like, these thick shards of peanut butter in it. So good. But they also do these rotating sundaes and affogatos. So it's kind of like anyone who likes coffee or ice cream could definitely find something for themselves there. And the affogato that they currently have has, like, these huge brownie chunks in it. So they're just always switching it up and always trying something new.
Kate Hines
What is affogato?
Willa Moore
Affogato is, I think, traditionally espresso and vanilla ice cream. But they take it to new heights.
Kate Hines
And you write that they have. The quality of their ingredients is part of what makes it so special. They have whipped cream made from an Italian dairy, fresh fruit from the Union Square Farmer's Market with weekly rotating flavors. And you say there are no simple options. What does that mean?
Willa Moore
It's definitely a maximalist take on ice cream, but like Sonal was saying, I think that the freshness of the ingredients really shines through in all of their flavors.
Sonal Shah
They also do collabs with different restaurants. So, like, every week they'll have. I think it's almost every week they have a new partnership with someone doing, like, key lime pie. And then they come together, and that Sort of symbiosis is what makes it really special and exciting to go again and again.
Kate Hines
Someone texted my favorite ice cream is from Frozen cow ice cream in Long Beach, New York. They have a fig cheesecake flavor. That's delicious. Wow, that sounds awesome.
Willa Moore
It does.
Kate Hines
Another place on your list that I know is a fan favorite here at wnyc, but I have never been is Sugar Hill Creamery in Harlem on Malcolm X Boulevard. What are some standout flavors there?
Sonal Shah
So I love Sugar Hill. It's my local ice cream spot and they have a couple of locations. What I like about them is they're constantly changing and they're a very community oriented ice cream shop. So they'll have like drum circles and kids events out there. And their ice cream flavors reflect that too. So they kind of take New York history. They take the communities that live in Harlem. They also have like a Brooklyn and Stuytown too locations, but they will work those in. So for example, this spring they had an orange blossom ice cream, which was inspired by. Yeah. With little pistachio cake in it. Inspired by a historic train that used to go down from New York to Miami every winter with like snowbirds, I guess.
Kate Hines
Oh, wow.
Sonal Shah
And so it was like a springtime, like, Return to New York Orange Blossom Express special. That was great. And then they have a cafe tuba, which is a Senegalese coffee inspired ice cream with like clove in it and peanut brittle and brownies with spice. And it's just fantastic.
Kate Hines
Oh, my God. And we actually have a caller who wants to shout out his love of Sugar Hill. Hi, Joe, you are on the air.
Joe
Hello. Thanks for taking my call. Yeah, I have. I have one of the Sugar Hill Creameries around the corner and across the street from me. I'm up in Harlem and the one I'm talking about is on Broadway. And I've always been a fan of coffee ice cream. And they occasionally have an extraordinary one that actually has pieces of honeycomb in it, little chunks of honeycomb. But everything I've tasted there is extraordinary. So do go out of your way for Sugar Hill Creamery.
Kate Hines
Definitely will. Listeners, we want to hear from you. What are your favorite ice cream places in our area? 212-433-969. And our guests are Infatuations editor Sonal Shah and writer Willa Moore. There's another Harlem option on your list I want to talk about, mainly because its name is so amazing. Nun left N U N and it's on Convent Avenue.
Sonal Shah
That is correct. I found out about this place through my local Coffee shop, which is a little hub of various creative people coming together. And this is my favorite aspect of discovery in this job is just kind of like going to one place and then hearing about it another place from them.
Kate Hines
So.
Sonal Shah
So nun left is this woman, Jane. She actually is a pastry chef at Per Se. Found her through Instagram again, was intrigued by this logo of a nun on a skateboard. And she does small batch ice creams at home. It's the only one on this guide currently that's pickup or delivery only, although I think we're going to be seeing more of these in the future. Just a really great small batch, really high quality control. And her flavors are very fresh. So there's like strawberry basil with lemon pepper shortbread in the spring. Right now she's doing like a peach, brown butter, peach flavor, a smoky s' more flavor, which actually involves some kind of campfire, I believe. So, yeah. Really, really good ice creams. And I will say that, like, that pint is $15, but it lasted in my freezer super long. And that's a compliment because one little scoop of that ice cream just satisfies you because it's so flavorful. Love it.
Kate Hines
And can you have to. Do you have to order by the pint or can you order smaller amounts?
Sonal Shah
It's by the pint, yeah.
Kate Hines
Okay, let's go now to the Lower east side to Lalberro de Gelati.
Willa Moore
I think it's in Park Slope, actually. But there's another gelato shop also.
Kate Hines
Oh, I'm sorry.
Willa Moore
No, no, it's totally fine. I grew up near La Baro de Gelati on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. And it's really just like a stand next to an Italian restaurant that's from the same owners. And it's just my favorite gelato in New York. Certainly they do like all the classic flavors. So like Nicholas and Stracciatella, which I think I gravitate towards. But they also have some really interesting specials. Like last summer, while I was researching this guide, last summer I had this like, ricotta and tomato and basil ice cream, which was sweet because all of those things can be, you know, and it was just fantastic. So I absolutely recommend going there if you love gelato.
Kate Hines
Let's talk to Jesse in Chinatown. Hi, Jesse. You. Thanks for coming in, all of it.
Joe
Thank you. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is my favorite. The egg tart ice cream. Dan Tot ice cream. It's the Chinese egg tarts. You can get dim sum. Those are amazing. And one thing I like is since I'm Lactose intolerant. They use a lot of non lactose milks in their ice cream, so I never had a problem with them.
Kate Hines
Wow. What's your favorite flavor there, Willa?
Willa Moore
I didn't know about the lactose thing. That's great. But, yeah, that is also one of my favorites. And I really like the black sesame there. I think it has, like, that just great nuttiness, but also just this depth and, like, not too sweet quality that I love in ice cream. And Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is gonna be 50 years old soon, so it's a true New York classic. And I grew up going there, and I also couldn't love it more.
Kate Hines
It's worth the lines, definitely.
Willa Moore
I think so. And lines are sometimes a reality at ice cream shops, even on our list and off, especially in the summer when people are willing to line up.
Kate Hines
One of the things I've noticed when I went to the Salt and straw in my neighborhood, and the line is really long, and it moves really slowly. At Salt and Straw, they encourage you to taste as many flavors as you want. So everyone who's tasting, like, five or six or seven things before they committed to making a decision, which on one hand is great, but on the other hand really slows things down. But then you go to the opposite end, like Morgenstern's, which has a no taste policy. And for me, that was kind of surprising because you have to, like, commit to the flavor, and some of their flavors are, you know, a little out there. Where do you stand on tasting versus not tasting?
Sonal Shah
So my dream ice cream store, if someone out there is listening and planning, is a place where you could actually Pay, like, say, $5 or maybe $3 and have a little taste of every single ice cream and leave the store and not feel bad about it, because I love to taste all the flavors, and by the time I've tasted all of them, maybe I don't want to commit to a whole scoop, or maybe I just had a heavy dinner for work and I, like, don't need another dessert, but that would be. So, yeah, very pro tasting.
Willa Moore
Another spot on our list, Mr. Peas in Flatbush. They do a three taste per customer limit, so maybe that's the best of both worlds.
Kate Hines
I hadn't even thought about that. Let's stay with Mr. Peas for a minute. What's the vibe like when you walk in?
Willa Moore
Well, Mr. Peas is an ice cream shop in Flatbush. It opened a few years ago. It's a father and son operation. So the dad is Mr. P. And it's a Caribbean Ice cream shop. They have a lot of like Caribbean influenced flavors. I'd say my favorite flavor there is the soursop, but you should use those three samples to try things like beet and ginger ice cream. They also have a lot of vegan flavors, like a really nice vegan avocado. So, yeah, it's a great spot. You should check it out.
Kate Hines
Let's go now to Astrid in Ridgewood. Hi, Astrid, thanks for calling, all of it.
Astrid
Hi, thanks so much for taking my call. I want to give a big shout out to Ice Cream Window in Ridgewood on Woodward Avenue. They are a weekend only pop up run by artists and graphic designers and they make flavors that are inspired by people in the neighborhood's background. So the owners are Polish and German and they have flavors you can't find anywhere else, like Waldmeister, which is made with sweet woodruff, a German herb, and mak, which is Polish for poppy seed. And I think they found a happy medium where the lines get really long because it's just a window and there's only, you know, like one person scooping. But another worker will come and bring you samples while you're waiting online. Do you get to taste something while you're waiting and hanging out and then by the time you get to the front, you're ready to order and it's my favorite thing to do on the weekends.
Kate Hines
Sonal, you immediately point it to Willow.
Sonal Shah
Well, she's been there. I have just seen it on social media where they have a very cute Muppet that goes. I think that's the one where they like the Muppet goes and tastes the ice cream and it's just adorable. An adorable account. You should go follow them.
Willa Moore
But yes, I went there last summer and I did try the mock that poppy seed flavor and it was great. And I love how the shop kind of of feels like something out of a Wes Anderson movie. Like, yeah, really funky. I enjoyed it a lot.
Kate Hines
We have so many texts and so many calls. I'll just read a couple of the texts. You are all too young to remember John's or Jans. It's spelled J A H N S. In Richmond Hill. There will never be a better ice cream parlor, ever.
Willa Moore
I have been to, I think John's. They started as an ice cream parlor and then they closed a bunch of locations, but they still have one in Queens. And it's also a diner with like a very robust ice cream menu. And I did have a Sunday there last year while researching a diner guide that was fantastic. So love it.
Kate Hines
Then if you're going to Fort Tryon park or the Cloisters, be sure to stop by the Fountain Bookshop on 187th and Fort Washington. It is a lovely local bookstore with ice cream counter, soda fountain. They have creative flavors like watermelon, cucumber soap, sorbet, but also classic soda fountain drinks. It's a local gem. Someone else writes in. My favorite is Brick's House small batch handcrafted ice cream. 406 Rogers Ave. On Sterling Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. hours, Tuesday, Sunday. Taste of the Tropics in Brooklyn has the best ice cream. Grape nut flavor and soursop is the best.
Willa Moore
We were just talking about soursop and grape nut. Another place I love for grape nut ice cream is Island Pops on Nostrand Avenue in Crown Heights. It's my local and I was telling Sonal she has to try the grape nut.
Kate Hines
I was noticing when I went through your list, some of them had categories like good for kids, one, a couple were good for a first date. What makes a good ice cream place good for a first date?
Sonal Shah
I would pick lirei, like Chinatown for that. What's good is that you can also get wine and that's kind of it. There are a few little snacks and they're very good. They're all like Vietnamese snacks, but mainly it's ice cream and wine. It's, you know, it's a cute little place. It's got this marble counter or chill vibe. You can hang out as long as you want. And I think those are all good first date things. You can get a whole bottle if it's going well, or you could just have a glass if it's not and get the ice cream and leave, you know. But they also have some really cool flavors, so they have like fish sauce, caramel and banana leaf. And they have this amazing amborella, which is a kind of a very seasonal tropical fruit that tastes grassy. Anyway, great conversation starters as well.
Kate Hines
We got a text that came in. It's from three kids, so, you know, this is highly recommended. From Amari, age 9, Marcel, age 7, and Marlo, age 5. You have to take this train to Scarsdale to Mimi's by Martine's. They have amazing gelato and really yummy cones. Our favorite is wild berries and yogurt, tiramisu and pistachio. Delish. Thank you so much, Amari, Marcel and Marlo. Let's take another call. Let us hear from Daniel, Brooklyn. Hi, Daniel. Thanks for calling, all of it.
Daniel
Hey, everybody, thanks for taking my call.
Kate Hines
What did you want to Say, well.
Daniel
I would just like to shout out the Social in Prospect Heights, which is the original owner of Ample Hills, which I think has kind of taken a dive since they got bought out. And I think his what he's doing at Social like, represents like the original quality and playfulness of that kind of ice cream. Like Snapmellow Pop is still like an all time favorite of mine. And I would also like to call out my least favorite ice cream shop, Morgenstern, with their zero taste policy, which I think just goes against everything ice cream and ice cream culture stands for, which is fun and playfulness and good vibes. I actually, the last and final time I was in Morgenstern's was several years ago. And it turned out Mr. Morgenstern himself was working the counter. And it was a very curb your enthusiasm Larry David moment that culminated with him showing me his driver's license, indicating that he was Morgan Sterns.
Kate Hines
I'm just going to cut you off right there to say we actually had him on the show a couple of weeks ago because he has released a cookbook and we talked to him about his no taste policy and it was a really great conversation. I encourage all of it listeners to go back and listen to it. But he takes ice cream very seriously. You know, it's. It's fun and lighthearted, but serious business. I also did want to shout out one more text. We got Torico in Jersey City. We always hear about Torico's. I'm dying to check that out.
Willa Moore
We'll have to check it out. We're working on some Jersey City coverage right now.
Kate Hines
Oh, Sonal, did you want to throw something?
Sonal Shah
Oh, no, but there's another Jersey creamery. I think it's called Moo Creamery or something, which I think just started, like stocking quietly small. There are small batch ice creams at a bakery in New York, so there's definitely some ice cream action going on in Jersey, which we need to check out for sure.
Kate Hines
Well, I encourage you all to check out the infatuations list of best ice cream in New York. I have been speaking with Willa Moore and Sonal Shah. Thank you so much for joining us. Quickly, what ice cream flavor are you going to have tonight and where are you getting it from?
Willa Moore
I was telling Sonal my most favorite ice cream flavor in the world is chocolate peanut butter. And I still am not sure where to get it in New York. I know where to get it in Pennsylvania. So if anyone has recommendations, please let me know.
Sonal Shah
I'm going to get some mint chip ice cream, I think. My new. My new gem.
Kate Hines
Delightful. We will have more, all of it, tomorrow when we continue talking about local food. Next week. Next up is tacos. So if you want to cast your vote for the city's best taqueria, tune in. Thanks so much for listening. We'll see you back here tomorrow.
Podcast Summary: All Of It – "The Best NYC Ice Cream"
Podcast Information:
In the episode titled "The Best NYC Ice Cream," host Kate Hines delves into one of New York City's beloved treats: ice cream. Celebrating the city's rich and diverse culinary scene, the episode features a discussion with Sonal Shah and Willa Moore from The Infatuation, who share their expertly curated guide to the best ice cream spots across NYC.
Sonal Shah and Willa Moore explain that The Infatuation's guide is the product of extensive personal taste testing by their dedicated team.
Their approach ensures that each recommendation is thoroughly vetted, offering readers reliable insights into the city's top ice cream offerings.
The hosts discuss what makes an ice cream scoop exceptional:
These criteria focus on the balance of flavor, texture, and quality of ingredients.
The episode highlights several standout ice cream establishments in NYC, each bringing unique flavors and experiences to the table.
Throughout the episode, listeners actively participate by sharing their favorite ice cream spots and flavors:
A significant portion of the conversation centers on the varying tasting policies of ice cream shops and their impact on customer experience:
The episode underscores ice cream's role in reflecting and shaping New York City's cultural diversity. From community-oriented shops like Sugar Hill Creamery to artist-driven pop-ups like Ice Cream Window, each establishment offers a unique narrative intertwined with the city's multifaceted identity.
"The Best NYC Ice Cream" episode of All Of It provides an engaging exploration of New York City's vibrant ice cream scene. Through expert insights, listener interactions, and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, the episode celebrates ice cream not just as a dessert, but as a cultural staple that brings communities together.
Notable Quotes:
Tune In Next Time:
Join ALL OF IT with Alison Stewart on weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00PM on WNYC for more cultural explorations. The next episode will continue the local food celebration with a focus on tacos.