Taste some top-notch flavors, treats torched into crispy creme brulee and a lactose-free option at ice cream shops in Phoenix, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Mesa and Laveen.
Here are the 10 best places to get ice cream in the Valley.
Alebrije Neveria serves a selection of treats, including fresas con crema (right) and cereal-infused ice cream (left).
Tirion Boan
Alebrije Neveria
10171 N. 19th Ave., #7Located in an unassuming strip mall in North Phoenix, the outside of Alebrije Neveria doesn’t reflect the goodies served inside. Walk in and read the menu posted on a giant chalkboard that spans two walls. This little spot serves an almost impossible amount of snacks and desserts given its size. Mexican treats like fesas con crema, elote and raspados are on the menu, but a surprising yet simple option takes the cake. Try the cereal-infused ice creams, where you pick your cereal and watch as it's blended into scooped ice cream, creating a slightly crunchy soft serve. The Cinnamon Toast Crunch keeps us coming back for more.
Allora Gelato
6990 E. Shea Blvd., #106, ScottsdaleAllora Gelato arrived in Scottsdale in November 2024, taking inspiration from Italian gelaterias while applying a culinarian's touch to Allora's flavor combinations. There's mesquite honey lavender gelato made with local honey and a tangy ricotta gelato studded with bits of ripe Croatian fig. These artisan flavors are offered alongside popular mint cookies and cream, chocolate brownie and strawberry dulce, a gelato that uses a tres leches-esque milk base and fresh berries. It's a perfect pairing with Allora's hazelnut and orange zest gelato, which tastes like a nutty chocolate-orange. For first-time visitors, start at the iPad screens just inside to select how you want your gelato, be it one scoop or two, in a cup, gluten-free cone or as a cold brew float. Then, join the queue for the gelato counter, where you can sample small spoonfuls of Allora's beautifully made, creamy gelato. It has a light-as-air, whipped quality that's evident while the team behind the counter artfully shapes scoops into cones and cups. Each order is finished with a crisp wafer. With such attention to ingredients and details, this gelateria is garnering fans and lines for good reason.
At Cream of the Crop in Gilbert, ask for your ice cream creme brulee style for a crackly, caramel shell.
Cream of the Crop
Cream of the Crop
3000 E. Ray Road, Bldg. 6, #103, GilbertTucked inside Barnone, a collection of businesses housed inside an old storage barn in Gilbert, you’ll find Cream of the Crop. A rainbow-colored neon sign beckons customers to enter the small space and take a look inside the freezer case. A small but mighty selection of ice cream flavors wait to be made into sundaes, scoops and Cream’s special creme brulee treats, where a topping of sprinkled sugar is blow-torched into crackly caramel perfection.
Gelato Cimmino
7140 E. Main St., Scottsdale 339 N Gilbert Road, Gilbert Old Town Scottsdale has many options for frozen treats. But Gelato Cimmino is one of the very best. This classic Italian gelato shop is bright and airy, with two large freezer cases full of flavors. Take your time and sample a few, savoring the difference between the dark chocolate and milk chocolate or hazelnut, pistachio and Nutella. Opt for something bright and fresh like the lemon, raspberry or cantaloupe. The shop added a location in Gilbert, so Southeast Valley residents can sample the flavors closer to home. The company's owners hail from Torre Del Greco, Italy, and have imported ingredients and techniques to make their standout treats. A coffee menu offers espresso and affogato options. Order a bottle of Acqua Panna Italian natural spring water to sip alongside the creamy gelato and strong espresso to complete the experience.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
7051 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale15323 N. Scottsdale Road, #100, ScottsdaleThis out-of-town import quickly made its mark on the Valley with its first Arizona location opening in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and a second making its debut at the Scottsdale Quarter. The shops are bright and modern yet still cozy with plenty of space to line up along the enormous ice cream cooler. Seasonal flavors rotate and there are dairy-free options available. But we're partial to some of the classics that made Jeni's famous. Don't miss the decadent Gooey Butter Cake flavor with cake crumbles swirled through cream cheese ice cream or the Brambleberry Crisp made with oat streusel and tart jam.
LIX Uptown Ice Cream
3343 N. Seventh Ave. #3LIX Uptown, a small joint in the Melrose District, is one of the most fun ice cream shops in town. For starters, there’s an inflatable unicorn perched on the roof. Inside, colorful murals swirl around the walls and customers can try their hand at Ms. Pac-Man. The ice cream itself is killer. Most of the flavors lack dairy or lactose, but you’d never tell by the taste. The mango sticky rice swirl is the perfect antidote to Phoenix heat and the Turkish Coffee will brighten your day. This spot is also the perfect after-dinner destination, as it stays open late. Stop by for a scoop until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Novel Ice Cream
1028 Grand Ave., #6 40 N. Macdonald #2, MesaDive into some unconventional ice cream flavors at Novel, an ice cream joint with multiple hidden shops in the Valley. The original is located in a tiny building on Grand Avenue. Another is nestled at the end of a small alley filled with shops in Mesa. And recently, Novel's ice cream truck has been setting up shop in Peoria. All of the locations pack a big punch of flavor, with options ranging from peppermint mocha to peanut butter and jelly and everything in between. Kick your ice cream creation up a notch by asking for a Dough Melt, a warm doughnut stuffed with your favorite ice cream flavor. Want a waffle instead? Just order the Leslie Knope. Need more convincing? Novel was recently named the best ice cream in America.
Onyx Ice Cream
5813 N. Seventh St., #102From the outside, Onyx Ice Cream looks dark, almost closed, save for a glowing neon “open” sign. Open the door, and the moody vibe continues. Exposed wood beams and black and white walls are lit by thin light bars of dancing LEDs. Neon accents adorn the space, along with a lush plant wall and photo backdrop. Where the shop is anything but dark is in its ice creams. These brightly colored swirls of soft serve come in electric purple, orange, pink and green. The cones themselves are jet black. At Onyx, which opened on Seventh Street in January, the desserts are not only visually stunning, they are delicious too. Flavors rotate each week, but we’re partial to the sweet, earthy Thai Tea and the ube, a unique nutty flavor with hints of warm vanilla. Elevate your colorful treat one step further by adding a toasted marshmallow rim to the cone. 
Scoop & Joy
10135 E. Vía Linda C112, ScottsdaleScoop & Joy is a little bit of a hike for most residents of the Valley. But it is so worth the drive. Located east of State Route 101 in North Scottsdale, this ice cream shop serves a massive amount of flavors and treats including Dole Whip and baked goods. Pro tip: When the server asks if you want a surprise, say yes. Then your ice cream will transform into a cute character with Animal Cracker ears, marshmallow eyes, and an Oreo cookie smile, the perfect treat for the kid in all of us.
Scooptacular
5150 W. Baseline Road, #102, Laveen4730 E. Indian School Road, #113
4600 N. Central Ave.Laveen’s best-kept secret might just be Scooptacular, a small but cheery ice cream shop featuring fun and interesting flavors. At this suburban strip mall ice cream destination, you’ll find made-in-house ice cream including citrus cream cheese, green apple, taro, red velvet cake and more. Our favorite might be Scooptacular’s Playdough, a simple but fun-looking flavor made with three different colors of sweet cream-flavored ice cream. The shop also serves shave ice, ice cream cakes, sundaes and milkshakes. A second location of Scooptacular has opened in Arcadia and for those looking for a scoop closer to downtown Phoenix, Scooptopia, a small shop on Central Avenue, serves a wide selection of Scooptacular's flavors.
Sugar Bowl
4005 N. Scottsdale Road, ScottsdaleSugar Bowl in Scottsdale is one of the few old-school ice cream parlors left in town. There’s even a counter with swiveling stools where you can belly up and order a classic ice cream sundae. The Old Town destination has been open since 1958 and is mostly known for being featured in the Family Circus cartoons, which were drawn by late Valley resident Bill Keane. The ice cream menu includes all the classic flavors, which can also be served in just about any way you can imagine — two scoops over a brownie, three scoops in a banana split, even stuffed between two halves of a fluffy cream puff. The shakes and malts are also worthwhile, as is the Camelback Soda, which features old-fashioned soda with vanilla ice cream and a side of soda water.
Sweet Republic
6054 N. 16th Street 9160 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
410 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe Remember the days when Sweet Republic used to cruise around town in an awesome orange-and-white converted 1959 ice cream automobile? It retired years ago, but in the meantime, the well-loved ice creamery has gradually expanded throughout Phoenix, which we figure is just as good. Known for its creative flavors like sweet corn, strawberry buttermilk and black pepper cherry, Sweet Republic has earned recognition from pretty much every national food publication you can think of. The seasonal and special flavors are always a treat, but some of our go-to's include the salted caramel swirl and watermelon sorbet.
