In the heart of Houston’s hot, bustling streets lies a sweet secret waiting to be discovered. This city, renowned for its vibrant food scene, offers an impressive array of ice cream parlors that serve up more than just a quick way to cool down.
As a family owned and operated window cleaning company in Houston, we love this city and are proud to share it with our customers and friends. One of the absolute best parts about Houston? Ice cream.
From the creamy, small-batch wonders of Fat Cat Creamery to the decadent churro pairings at Red Circle, Houston’s ice cream shops offer flavors that are sure to impress everyone. So we put together our ultimate guide of the best ice cream in Houston!
Top 9 Ice Cream Shops To Visit in Houston in 2024
While it was hard to narrow down the list, these are our top 9 ice cream shops (in no particular order) not to miss in Houston.
- Fat Cat Creamery
- Milk + Sugar
- Amorino
- Connie’s Frozen Custard
- Van Leeuwen
- Flower & Cream Artisan Creamery
- Booza
- Dolce Neve
- Red Circle
1. Fat Cat Creamery
1225 W 34th St.
fatcatcreamery.com
In the heart of Houston’s historic Garden Oaks, Fat Cat Creamery serves up unique, handcrafted flavors. This charming ice cream parlor prides itself on its commitment to small batches and using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring each scoop is as fresh as it is delicious. Fat Cat Creamery offers a delightful array of flavors, including their always-available Cat’s Meow Mexican Vanilla, which has become a beloved staple among locals.
2. Milk + Sugar
1848 Westheimer Rd.
1324 N Shepherd Dr. Ste 110
milkandsugarcreamery.com
Milk + Sugar is celebrated for its innovative and modern approach to classic ice cream, specializing in fun and creative “mix-ins” that are made in-house and folded into the ice cream as it churns. From decadent brownie chunks and pieces of cake to seasonal delights, every scoop from Milk + Sugar is a testament to their dedication to flavor and quality. With two locations, their mouth-watering experiences has earned them a spot among Houston’s top ice cream parlors.
3. Amorino
4444 Westheimer Rd. Unit C150
amorino.com
Amorino stands is a distinguished destination for gelato in Houston, and across the globe, as it’s a renowned gelato chain originating from Paris. With only a few locations in the United States, people flock to Amorino in Houston for meticulously crafted gelato. It’s known for serving their gelato in the shape of a beautiful rose and for providing many flavors. So if you’re in the mood for something authentically Italian, Amorino is the place for you.
4. Connie’s Frozen Custard
12545 Jones Rd.
conniesfrozencustard.com
Connie’s Frozen Custard stands as a testament to timeless and simple dessert traditions, delighting locals and visitors alike with its rich, creamy custard. Known for serving some of America’s finest frozen desserts, Connie’s prides itself on perfecting its vanilla and chocolate custard that is the delicious base for adding in over 50 toppings. Served through only a walk-up window or drive through, Connie’s has garnered rave reviews and a loyal following.
5. Van Leeuwen
2565 Amherst St.
1151 Uptown Park Blvd Suite 8
888 Westheimer Rd. Suite 157
vanleeuwenicecream.com
Voted the Best Vanilla Ice Cream by Wirecutter, Van Leeuwen transcends the ordinary ice cream experience with over 50 scoop shops across the nation and availability in grocery stores for those craving their rich, creamy delights at home. Originating as just a humble ice cream truck, it has blossomed into an ice cream empire. With three locations in Houston, you can find a diverse range of flavors including vegan options that ensure no one misses out on the joy of ice cream.
6. Flower & Cream
2617 W Holcombe Blvd Suite B
3515 W Dallas St. 700
POST Houston – 401 Franklin St.
flowerandcream.com
Flower & Cream Artisan Creamery has quickly become a beacon for ice cream lovers in search of unique, handcrafted flavors. Flower & Cream has dedicated itself to creating small-batch delights using locally sourced, premium ingredients, ensuring every scoop is of the highest quality. Located in three key spots including the bustling POST Market, Flower & Cream not only offers an extensive range of innovative flavors but also caters to events, bringing joy and indulgence to any occasion.
7. Booza
5922 Richmond Ave. Suite A
booza1941.com
This artisanal ice cream spot, rooted in a rich family tradition dating back to 1941, offers a taste of the Mediterranean through its handmade booza. Made from a blend of milk, cream, sugar, and the distinctive ingredients of mastic and sahlab (orchid flour), Booza’s offerings are not just desserts but a cultural experience. You’ll have to try Booza yourself for the creamy, stretchy, and utterly delicious Mediterranean ice cream.
8. Dolce Neve Gelato
4721 North Main St.
dolcenevegelato.com
Dolce Neve Gelato offers an authentic slice of Italy right in the heart of Texas, distinguishing itself as a must-visit spot in Houston for those seeking a truly artisanal gelato experience. As the only Italian owned and award-winning gelateria in both Austin and Houston, Dolce Neve takes pride in crafting their flavors in small batches daily, adhering to traditional Italian methods that ensure each scoop is bursting with pure, creamy delight.
9. Red Circle
6838 Ranchester Dr.
redcirclefranchising.com
Red Circle Ice Cream takes indulgence to the next level by pairing their creamy creations with their famous, made-to-order churros and authentic Hong Kong style egg waffles. This unique combination has garnered a loyal following, making Red Circle a standout destination. With over 100 stores in Asia, it has now expanded to Houston, bringing its innovative and modern twist on traditional desserts.
You truly can’t go wrong with any of these exceptional ice cream shops in Houston. So go ahead and treat yourself to a scoop (or two) from one of these amazing spots, and discover the true joy of the perfect ice cream treat on a hot day. Your taste buds will thank you!