There are many ice cream parlors in Denver, but which of these many ice cream shops are really worth your time and money? Which ice cream stores in Denver will truly satisfy that sweet tooth and have you coming back for a second (third?) scoop? Below you’ll find a list of the 5 best ice cream shops in Denver, compiled by a Denver native and ice cream addict.
Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
799 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80209
http://www.bonniebraeicecream.com/
Sun-Thurs 11am- 8pm
Fri-Sat 11am- 9pm
Any list of the best ice cream shops in Denver must always start with the famous Bonnie Brae. Voted #1 by both the City Search and City Voter surveys of Denver ice cream parlors, Bonnie Brae has been a Denver classic for more than two decades. Bonnie Brae is just a short jog away from Washington Park and nearby the University of Denver.
With more than 50 ice cream flavors as well as other treats such as shakes, sundaes and multi-layered cakes, you’re sure to find something you like at Bonnie Brae. All ice cream is made fresh in the store, and every product they sell is certified kosher and made from high quality ingredients. If you need gluten-free ice cream, they have a whole list to choose from. Enjoy your ice cream on a patio full of white tables and chairs, or inside in a colorful retro-style atmosphere. Go at an off-time if you want to avoid the crowds, because everyone knows Bonnie Brae is the best.
Liks Ice Cream
2039 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO
http://www.liksicecream.com/
Everyday: 12pm- 9pm
Liks is one of the best locally owned ice cream shops in Denver, and City Voter rated it as #2 on the 2008 list of Denver’s best ice cream parlors. It is also one of Denver’s oldest ice cream stores, providing tasty ice cream to Denver for more than 30 years. Lik’s ice cream is made fresh daily with quality ingredients and much care; a detailed description of the process can be found on the website. There are just as many flavors to choose from as Baskin Robbins, and flavors sometimes rotate. If you have a special flavor you’ve been craving, tell them, and you might just see it on the menu next time you come in.
Liks is the perfect place for a treat after a trip to the Botanic Gardens, and it is only a few blocks from City Park. In addition to ice cream, Liks also offers a selection of frozen yogurts, sherbets and sorbets, as well as special ice cream cakes. If you’re hosting a party or other event where ice cream might be appreciated, Liks can provide sundae parties for up to 1500 people! And if you just can’t stand to be away from Liks ice cream for a minute, check your local supermarket for pints of Liks ice cream to take home.
Gelato D’Italia Café
250 Detroit St., Denver, CO 80206
http://www.gelatoditaliacafe.com/
Mon- Thurs 10am- 11pm
Fri- Sat 11am- midnight
Sun 11am- 11pm
Gelato D’Italia Café is not only one of the best ice cream shops in the posh Cherry Creek area, it’s also one of the best in the city. There are always at least 24 flavors of gelato to choose from, including fun Italian choices such as tiramisu, as well as several flavors of sorbetto, a fat-free and dairy-free ice cream option. Gelato has all the flavor of good ice cream, but it’s creamier and contains half the fat. Given the choice, I’ll probably pick gelato over ice cream on most occasions (except when I need that cookie dough fix).
Right in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district, and only a couple blocks from the famous Cherry Creek Mall, Gelato D’Italia Café is by far the tastiest treat option in the area. Parking in Cherry Creek costs about $1 per hour, but if you are willing to walk a couple blocks, you can usually find parking along 4th street. Enjoy your gelato on a nice patio or while wandering the streets of Cherry Creek. In addition to gelato, this ice cream shop also has tasty gourmet sandwiches and other treats such as Italian cream sodas, cobblers and specialty Italian coffee drinks. The most recent Citysearch survey of the best ice cream parlors in Denver voted Gelato D’Italia Café as number 4. I’m listing it as number 3 because of location and selection.
Blackberries Ice Cream and Coffee Lounge
710 E 26th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
http://www.blackberriesonline.com/
M-F 7am- 8pm
Sat 8am- 7pm
Sun 9am- 6pm
Blackberries is one of my favorite coffee shops, and it also happens to be one of the best ice cream shops in Denver. Located in the Five Points neighborhood just northeast of downtown, Blackberries is just a block away from a light-rail station, making it an easy stop or a great starting point for a night downtown. This ice cream shop is situated right at the triangular intersection of Welton, Washington and 26th, and drivers can expect to park on the street somewhere along the block.
Like all of Denver’s best ice cream parlors, Blackberries makes its ice cream fresh in the store, and they make a batch every Saturday. The most popular flavor is, surprise surprise, Blackberry, and you can also expect to find standards like cookies & cream, strawberry and chocolate. Other flavors vary, but might include specialties like chocolate chip cookie dough and bubble gum. Personally, I think the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream at Blackberries beats the pants off of Ben & Jerry’s any day.
The shop has a relaxed atmosphere with lots of tables, so feel free to hang out while you eat your ice cream. You can even bring your laptop and take advantage of free WiFi; there are plenty of wall plugs too. The staff has always been friendly to me and the shop is usually full of interesting characters, like a good coffee house should be. Some nights they feature local live music, and you can always find out about local arts events from the bulletin board by the door.
Cloud 9 Frozen Custard
4200 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Tues-Thurs 12pm- 8pm
Friday 12pm- 9pm
Saturday 1pm- 9pm
If you’re craving some frozen custard in Denver, there’s no place better than Cloud 9. Even die-hard custard fans from back East have to admit that this is pretty good stuff. And if custard isn’t your thing, they also have sorbet, sundaes, milkshakes and floats. The sorbet flavor rotates daily, so you’ll need to go a couple times to decide your favorite!
Locally owned and operated, Cloud 9 is much more than one of Denver’s best ice cream stores. It is also an important part of the local community, and you will feel welcome and appreciated when you step into Cloud 9. The owners will chat you up as they dish your ice cream and you’ll come back as much for the friendliness as for the tastiness.
City Voter rated Cloud 9 Frozen Custard as the 3rd best of Denver’s ice cream parlors. You can take it to go or enjoy your frozen custard at tables outside the ice cream shop. And, unlike many of the ice cream stores in Denver, Cloud 9 even has a little parking lot for your convenience.
Enjoy exploring Denver’s best ice cream parlors, and supporting local businesses while you satisfy your sweet tooth!
