Known for its world-class cultural attractions, thriving craft breweries, chef-driven dining, and a red-hot music scene, Denver is where urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure. From the Great Plains to the east and spectacular Rocky Mountain views to the west, the Mile High City offers more than just stunning landscapes. It is a perfect place to walk or bike around, especially around Lower Downtown (LoDo) to explore its vibrant and diverse neighborhood. Denver also has several Vrbo vacation rentals and hotels with free parking that travelers can book. But there is one thing that you should hunt while in Denver: ice cream parlors. Yes, you read it right. The city has amazingly handcrafted ice cream more than you can imagine. Let’s check out the best ice cream shops in Denver.
1. High Point Creamery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Photo by From the Hip Photo
Posted by High Point Creamery on Wednesday, May 6, 2020
High Point Creamery is an ice cream parlor that takes pride in its unique recipes, which the owners have spent years perfecting for customers to enjoy. Thanks to these tasty flavors, the shop is a great place to get some of the best ice creams in Denver.
Some of these flavors are basil with blackberry swirl, blueberry lemon, brown sugar cinnamon, coconut crème brûlée, three versions of cookies and cream, earl grey and shortbread, salted caramel, Tahitian vanilla, and cornbread with strawberry jam.
High Point Creamery
Address: 215 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80246, United States
Website: High Point Creamery
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 8pm; Fri: 8am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 8pm
2. Gelato Boy
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Can’t decide which flavor to get? Treat yourself to a triple scoop! Featuring Milk + Cookies DF Peppermint Hot...
Posted by Gelato Boy on Wednesday, December 8, 2021
With a mission to create the best authentic gelato that can rival traditionally made ones, Gelato Boy is an ice cream shop that makes its gelato from scratch every day and only uses the best ingredients available. This ensures that every gelato is fresh and of its best quality when consumed. The menu is filled with a wide variety of different flavors, including dairy-free ones.
Some flavors include chocolate fudge brownie pint, swirls of opportunity pint, Mila’s miracle mango lassi pint, motherhouse chocolate potato chip pint, and salty cookies and cream.
Gelato Boy
Address: 4044 E 8th Pl, Denver, CO 80220, United States
Website: Gelato Boy
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 2pm - 8pm; Fri: 2pm - 9pm; Sat: 12pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
3. Little Man Ice Cream
Named after founder Paul Tamburello’s father who was small in stature but big in heart, Little Man Ice Cream is Paul’s way of keeping his father’s legacy resilient. Inspired by the vintage Coney Island’s hot dog stands, they run the business in a 28-foot (8.5 meters) tall, 14,000 lb. (6,350 kg) ice cream can. The great flavors of homemade ice creams and the aroma of freshly cooked waffle cones draw customers to experience the taste of American road trips’ golden era, alongside with the lively cobblestone plaza that plays host to a variety of events.
Little Man Ice Cream
Address: 2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211
Website: Little Man Ice Cream
Opening hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 11:00am - 11:00pm (Friday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
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4. Liks Ice Cream
Liks Ice Cream is a very famous ice cream shop in Denver. The family-owned creamery is famous for its handcrafted ice cream since 1976 and voted as the best ice cream shop in 2018 by Denver A-List city voter. It offers a wide variety of flavors in an old neighborhood vibe. This is a perfect place to chill after biking around the city and hanging out in Cheesman Park, and a good start to your ice cream exploration in Denver!
Liks Ice Cream
Address: 2039 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Website: Liks Ice Cream
Opening hours: 12:00pm - 9:00pm (everyday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
5. Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
If you have an adventurous taste, never miss Bonnie Brae Ice Cream that offers more than 30 amazing flavors. The family-owned parlor has served for more than 30 years, making it a nostalgic place for many locals. It has a warm-hearted interior, and they also provide seats outdoors. Try Banana Walnut, which is one of the owner’s favorite, or Tiramisu and Ginger Spice whenever you pay a visit.
Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
Address: 799 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209
Website: Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
Opening hours: 11:00am - 9:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 11:00am - 10:00pm (Friday-Saturday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
6. Sweet Action Ice Cream
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Not only do they serve one of the best ice creams in Colorado, but vegan options are also available. It is a favorite place among vegans and environmentalists due to the sustainable business model. Made by hand with the finest, natural Colorado dairy, Sweet Action Ice Cream works with local purveyors, farmers, and bakers to source Colorado’s best produce and products. The shop also uses compostable and recyclable packagings, and everything is powered by wind!
Sweet Action Ice Cream
Address: 52 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Website: Sweet Action Ice Cream
Opening hours: 1:00pm - 10:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 1:00am - 11:00pm (Friday-Saturday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
7. Sweet Cooie's Ice Cream and Confectionery
After opening his first store that was named after his father, The Little Man, Paul Tamburello, decided to do the same for his mother, Cooie. It is a classically inspired confectionery that resembles her character, with all scratch-made treats. The lady, who left Chicago to pursue her dream in Colorado back in the late ‘40s, has one mission in the store: to support and empower women, young and old alike, to prepare for their life’s adventures. Here, at Cooie’s, every scoop of ice cream that you buy will support women’s education in both Colorado and around the world!
Sweet Cooie's Ice Cream and Confectionery
Address: 3506 E 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Website: Sweet Cooie’s Ice Cream and Confectionery
Opening hours: 1:00pm - 10:00pm (Monday-Thursday), 12:00pm - 11:00pm (Friday-Saturday), 12:00pm - 11:00pm (Sunday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
8. Nuggs Ice Cream
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Run by two brothers Chris and Nick O’Sullivan, the ice cream shop is known for its friendly staff and generous samples. The brothers took an ice cream-making course in Florida, bought their first ice cream machine, and began experimenting before opening in 2014. Although relatively new, the freshly made ice cream is crafted with passion and has already become the locals’ favorites. Stop by and try the signature Double Stuffed Cookies N’ Cream to prove it!
Nuggs Ice Cream
Address: 5135 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Website: Nuggs Ice Cream
Opening hours: 12:00pm - 9:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 12:00pm - 10:00pm (Friday-Saturday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
9. Sweet Cow
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Always handcrafted on site and served fresh daily, Sweet Cow makes great-tasting ice cream in small batches with love using some of the finest, locally sourced ingredients around. Walk into the barn door, taste the various flavors, and order your ice cream in a cup, a cone, pretzels, or even inside a cookie. Ice cream cakes are also available, and they give free stickers and tattoos of the sweet cow!
Sweet Cow
Address: 3475 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Website: Sweet Cow
Opening hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 10:00am - 11:00pm (Friday-Saturday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
10. Ice Cream Riot - Colfax
Opened in 2014 with a slogan ‘roll joints, not ice cream’, Ice Cream Riot offers unique menus such as Cheddar Goldfish, Dirty Cookies and Creme, Cereal Milk Ice Cream, Pop-tart Ice Cream Sandwich, and Ice Cream Cannolis. Tucked away on Colfax, a busy street in Denver, the place is not easy to find. However, once you get into the small entrance, you will be dazzled by the amazing aroma in the air. So, let’s grab a stool and taste the one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors in town!
Ice Cream Riot - Colfax
Address: 1238 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Website: Ice Cream Riot - Colfax
Opening hours: 1:00pm - 10:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 1:00pm - 11:00pm (Friday-Saturday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
11. Frozen Matter
Who’s up to hand-crafted ice cream, ice pops, and soda? Here, at Frozen Matter, you can get novel flavor pairings using the best organic and all-natural ingredients from local farms, produced in small batches. Taste the unique flavors from customized ice cream base, from pasteurized organic milk, cream, and eggs to secret mix-ins from scratch.
Frozen Matter
Address: 530 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Website: Frozen Matter
Opening hours: 12:00pm - 12:00am (everyday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
12. Inside Scoop Creamery
This adorable ice cream parlor offers 20 different flavors, which include gluten-free and dairy-free options. All waffle cones are handcrafted, and everything is homemade daily in the kitchen. People love the generous serving size and are happy with the friendly staff. Take a seat inside and try the comparable delicious lunch menu, or grab the cones and enjoy the ice cream while strolling around downtown!
Inside Scoop Creamery
Address: 1535 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
Website: Inside Scoop Creamery
Opening hours: 11:30am - 9:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 11:30am - 10:00pm (Saturday-Friday)
Average price: 5-10 USD
Don't wait until summer
Winter in Denver can be harsh, but who can say no for these flavourful ice creams? Both locals and tourists enjoy the sweet dessert in all seasons, and we believe you do too! Don’t let the snow stop you from pulling a smile on your face. Enjoy them inside when it’s cold outside, then grab a cone and walk around when spring comes. Try and explore the variety of handcrafted creamery from different shops and notice the depth of refined richness in them. In Denver, you can even taste cultural diversity in ice cream!
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