Want a sweet treat to beat the heat? Look no further than New Jersey, home to some of the best ice cream shops in the country. Whether you prefer classic flavors or creative combinations, the Garden State has something for everyone.
From artisanal scoops to classic parlor experiences, these seven ice cream establishments are notable for their exquisite products and distinct appeal. Ideal for a summer day out or a nice nighttime indulgence, each of these establishments adds its unique spin to the renowned delicacy.
Discover where to locate New Jersey’s creamiest, dreamiest ice cream and embark on a pleasantly chilled excursion.
1. Jersey Freeze
Address: 120 Manalapan Avenue, Freehold
Jersey Freeze in Freehold (with a second site in Holmdel) was established in 1952. When it first opened, it was mostly an ice cream business. But by the 1970s, it had become a popular place for fast food and ice cream. It is also Bruce Springsteen’s favorite ice cream shop. The Boss frequently tells the anecdote on stage during performances about how, as a child, he would go to Jersey Freeze and instead of eating ice cream, he would gnaw on the broken pieces of cones to satisfy his sugar cravings.
However, he later told AARP Magazine in 2020 that once the COVID-19 pandemic ended, he couldn’t wait to go back to his beloved ice cream shop. “When this is over, I want to get an ice cream cone at the Jersey Freeze – to walk inside, step up to the counter, and say, ‘Soft vanilla dipped in chocolate,” thank you. That is the boss’ favorite.
However, Jersey Freeze offers a wide variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, as well as cake batter, butter pecan, oatmeal cookie crumble, sea salt caramel, blueberry, and many more. You can choose between soft-serve, hard-serve, and non-dairy. They also provide milkshakes, cakes, and cupcakes.
2. Hoffman’s
Address: 800 Richmond Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach.
Hoffman’s is another great ice cream establishment that our listeners enjoy.
Hoffman’s was founded in 1955 as one of New Jersey’s first Carvel restaurants. In 1976, it switched from Carvel to Hoffman’s. They established a second facility in Spring Lake in 1986. According to its website, Hoffman’s thrives on the taste and feel of home. It even appeared in an episode of “Man vs. Food.”
Hoffman’s serves over 40 different ice cream flavors, including black raspberry, coconut delight, cherry vanilla, espresso mocha crunch, and Jersey Monkey (banana ice cream with peanut butter swirl and chocolate chips).
Just in time for summer, tastes like Dole Whip, pineapple, and cherry are returning.
Ice cream cakes are available, and Hoffman’s now features an ice cream truck.
3. Scoop to my Lou
Address: 59 Main Street, East Brunswick.
Lou, the owner, intended to build a sweet-tooth sanctuary for his neighbors. According to the website, he envisioned a garden-like setting where everyone could gather in a safe environment with friends, family, and teammates. When he mentioned this job concept to his wife, she said, “I’ll scoop for you, Lou.”
Scoop to My Lou offers approximately 38 ice cream flavors ranging from the classics to the unusual, such as Salty Caramel Pretzel (caramel sweet cream, chocolate-covered pretzels, and ribbons of sweet caramel), Pistachio Cherry (pistachio sweet cream and black cherries), PB&J (grape ice cream with peanut butter swirl), and Lemon Poppy (citrus lemon sweet cream with poppy seeds).
4. Yellow Brick Road
Address: 754 Mantoloking Road, Brick
Yellow Brook Road has been family-owned and run since 1995, and it serves a range of ice creams, yogurts, and Italian ice. Aside from cups and cones, YBR provides personalized cakes, and grab-and-go containers including ice cream sandwiches, brownie pizzas, and other novelty sweets.
YBR serves over 40 different flavors of ice cream, and customers rave over the lemon bar ice cream. Other favorites include Play-Doh (which looks like play-dough but tastes like fruity pebbles), Brookie Dough, Philly Graham Slam (graham cracker ice cream with chocolate-covered marshmallows and graham swirls), and Coconut Castaway (coconut ice cream with dark chocolate pieces, almonds, and a light rum sauce).
5. Scoops
Address: 2014 US-22, Scotch Plains.
This family-oriented ice cream store serves homemade ice cream all year round, with over 60 varieties changing daily. Customers like the indoor area as well as the comfortable benches outdoors to enjoy their cones and cups. They also have sugar-free variants such as strawberry, cherry vanilla, and lactose-free options.
Be careful: This place only takes cash.
Flavors are divided into categories such as vanilla, chocolate, fruit, and coffee.
Scoops also serves various treats such as Italian ice, shakes, ice cream sodas, ice cream pies, and ice cream sandwiches.
6. Polar Cub
Address: 380 US 22, Whitehouse Station
Polar Cub serves ice cream in a variety of soft and hard flavors, including vegan ones. Enjoy sundaes, shakes, floats, ice cream sodas, egg creams, Italian ice, slushies, ice cream sandwiches, dipped bananas, cakes, and other treats.
7. Das’ Creamery
Address: 100 US-46, Budd Lake
“Ice cream has long been a staple of the Das family’s diet, even before we founded Das’ Creamery in 2014. Every journey includes a special ice cream experience, from maple ice cream in Quebec, Canada to gelato in Florence and Rome, Italy. According to the website, we enjoy pulling from our travels and imaginations to develop our distinctive flavor combinations.
Das offers small-batch gourmet ice cream. With over 30 flavors, there are both classics and some truly interesting ones. Grahamsterdam is vanilla ice cream with marshmallows and graham crackers blended.
Top it with hot fudge and whipped cream to make your own s’mores sundae), Kulfi, and Toasted Coconut Almond (caramelized coconut ice cream with toasted coconut flakes and almonds). Kulfi is an Indian ice cream-making tradition), Ghost Chocolate (smoky meets chocolatey with a hint of spice in our chocolate ice cream flavored with smoked chilis), and Fig (a delectable blend of creamy vanilla ice cream and caramel swirls with genuine figs).