If you want to go out for ice cream, take a look at the following 10 top ice cream places in Iowa.
1. Heyn’s Ice Cream
Located in Iowa City, Heyn’s Ice Cream is an independent store here to treat your tastebuds. Created in 1989, this team has been serving the city for decades. With a focus on friendly customer service and fresh ice cream, this place will always offer you the best ice cream experience.
At Heyn’s Ice Cream you can find ice cream in all flavors. With more than 40 options to choose from, there’s a taste for everyone here. Popular options include Cake Batter and Monster Mash. Customers can also enjoy sorbet, soft serve, frozen yogurt, gluten-free treats, and vegan options. Seasonal flavors can be found here too!
Find the store online here.
2. Waukee Ice Cream Shop
Based in Waukee, this ice cream place offers old-school treats, ice creams, and malts. If you have a taste for tradition, this is the store to visit. The Waukee Ice Cream Shop specializes in offering a large range of options, ensuring all visitors leave with a new favorite.
Here you can choose from up to 40 different ice cream flavors, 30 different soft serve flavors, Dole soft serve flavors, and a variety of shakes and sundaes. Lactose-free and gluten-free treats are available here too.
Contact the store online here.
3. The Outside Scoop
Is there anything better than local homemade ice cream? The Outside Scoop is an ice cream shop in Ankeny that focuses on small-batch ice cream from scratch ingredients. For a fresh homemade taste, this is the store to stop by. All ice creams here have been perfected since 2010.
The Outside Scoop offers a menu of unique flavors, including rotational seasonal options. Alongside a dine-in experience, The Outside Scoop has a food truck for private events, graduations, or corporate events. Ensure you have tasty treats whenever you want!
Visit the store online here.
4. Sweet Treats Ice Cream Company
This Jewell-based ice cream company is here to offer quality homemade ice cream. Since 2008 the Sweet Treats team has been providing ice cream from May to September and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. With a large following and community of ice cream lovers, this location is always thriving.
All ice cream is made fresh on-site, ensuring that comforting home taste. This team offers an extensive list of ice cream flavors including Pina Colada, Root Beer, and Snickerdoodle ice creams. The team’s full menu can be found online today.
Find the store online here.
5. Birdsall’s
Are you looking for a Mason City-based ice cream place? Birdsall’s is the shop for you. Since 1931 this team has been stocking the local area with fresh ice cream and an unforgettable customer experience. This team has been using the same recipes for years, proving that their formula is impeccable.
Birdsall’s menu allows customers to choose between cones or cups, and there are different permanent and seasonal flavors to pick from. In addition to ice cream, customers can enjoy sundaes, shakes, malts, and more.
Contact the store online here.
6. Scoopy Doo’s Ice Cream & More
Located in Forest City, Scoopy Doo’s Ice Cream & More has been in the ice cream business since 2020. This team prides itself on fresh treats and fast service, ensuring customers never have to wait long for a refreshing snack! Open every day, there’s always a moment to pop in for a new taste.
The menu at this store includes soft serve, hard dip, kids cones, sundaes, and more. Shakes and malts are also available in a variety of flavors too. Alongside ice creams, this store also offers paninis for anyone with a savory palate.
Visit the store online here.
7. Well’s Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor
This Le Mars-based ice cream place is here to offer ice cream in a dynamic and friendly environment. This ice cream parlor offers both a visitor center and an ice cream parlor, allowing visitors to embrace ice cream history while enjoying a retro-style snack.
The menu at Well’s Ice Cream Parlor boasts over 40 flavors, sundaes, shakes, and classic cones. Alongside popular ice cream products, this parlor also offers sherberts, sorbets, and ice cream with no added sugars. Vintage floats and sodas are also on offer, ideal for anyone looking for a throwback treat.
Find the store online here.
8. Over The Top
If you’re searching for a Pleasant Hill-located store, check out Over The Top. This ice cream place is locally owned and operated, ensuring the community’s needs come first. With more than 31 homemade ice cream flavors, there’s no wonder this team has won multiple awards for their creations.
All ice creams use ingredients from local state dairies, ensuring small businesses are empowered. From waffle cones to cup ice cream, all options are available here. This location also boasts a party/event area and a drive-thru for a quick ice cream stop.
Contact the store online here.
9. Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream
Located in Bondurant, Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream offers a modern interpretation of classic ice cream treats. Unlike typical ice cream cups, Sweet Swirls offers rolled ice cream that looks cool and tastes great. Alongside the Bondurant location, Sweet Swirls can be found in Ankeny and Corinth, Mississippi.
This ice cream menu offers vanilla, peanut butter, coffee, chocolate, hot cocoa, and non-dairy flavors. Customers can add extras, such as chocolate bars, fruit, or nuts, and you can add extra sauces. Ice cream pints, shakes, and cakes are also available here.
Visit the store online here.
10. Totally Rolled Ice Cream
Situated in West Des Moines, Totally Rolled Ice Cream is another popular rolled ice cream parlor. This independent ice cream store serves Thailand-inspired rolled ice cream which is created and rolled in front of customers’ eyes. This store is open every day of the week, ensuring locals always have a chance to pop in for a treat.
Whether you build your own cup or opt for a pre-designed flavor, there are endless tastes to try here. Aside from traditional dairy ice creams, customers can also request vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
Find the store online here.