This Valley ice cream shop was named No. 1 in the country

Beat the summer heat with the nation's best ice cream shop, right here in the Valley.

July 1, 2025

Image: Cookie Monster, a staple flavor, is electric blue-colored vanilla ice cream often requested topped with Cookie Crisp pieces and chocolate drizzle.

Cookie Monster, a staple flavor, is electric blue-colored vanilla ice cream often requested topped with Cookie Crisp pieces and chocolate drizzle. Mike Madriaga

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Phoenix favorite Novel Ice Cream was recently named the best doughnut shop in America. Considering there's only one doughnut on the menu, that ranking left us a little confused.

But now, Novel has earned its rightful spot at the top of Yelp's 2025 Best Ice Cream list.

On Tuesday, the review site released its annual ranking of the 100 most highly rated ice cream shops across the nation. Novel took the very top spot, as the No. 1 best ice cream shop in the whole country. High praise, indeed.

"Everything is 'novel' at this artisan ice cream shop, from the unique flavors to the clever way they’re presented," the Yelp list said. "At our #1 spot, Novel Ice Cream in Arizona, you can get your ice cream nestled inside a warm glazed donut or between two fresh Belgian waffles."

click to enlarge

Novel Ice Cream is known for its famous Dough Melt.

Mike Madriaga

Novel opened in 2017 and now serves scoops from its tiny shops on Grand Avenue near downtown Phoenix and in a hidden alley filled with small businesses in Mesa. A third location in Peoria is on the way. The company also operates an ice cream truck that sets up around town.

The company serves a menu of 12 different flavors, with eight staples including the bright blue Cookie Monster and four rotating seasonal treats such as a Peeps flavor for Easter. There are also many different cereal toppings to choose from.

And Novel isn't alone on Yelp's list. Arizona had a strong showing this year, with two other Valley spots and two Tucson ice creameries making the cut.

No. 27 went to Dessert in Desert in Scottsdale. This spot specializes in creamy soft serve-filled taiyaki or fluffy fish-shaped cones and bubble waffles.

Lix Uptown Ice Cream, a colorful shop in the Melrose District that serves lactose-free ice cream, earned spot No. 52.

In Tucson, a similarly named Licks Ice Cream & Coffee was No. 44 and Blue Ice Gelato earned No. 51.

Novel Ice Cream

1028 Grand Ave. #6
40 N Macdonald #2, Mesa
8295 W. Jefferson St., Peoria (Ice cream trailer)

Tirion Boan is the Food Editor of Phoenix New Times where she’s worked since May 2022. Tirion keeps a close eye on restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on metro Phoenix food news and trends. She also publishes major annual lists like Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the Best of Phoenix project. Tirion previously worked for publications including The Arizona Republic and The Tucson Weekly. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from the University of Arizona.

A message from Tirion Boan: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's evolving dining scene and the chefs and restaurants that serve our community.

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