🍦 New Jersey’s Best Artisan & Family-Owned Ice Cream Shops
October 8, 2025 By Editor Tags: ice cream, homemade, small batch, family-owned, New Jersey
Explore New Jersey’s top ice cream shops — from classic roadside stands to small-batch creameries — featuring family-run legends, homemade flavors, and seasonal specialties.
Behind every perfect scoop and hot-fudge sundae is a story — often one of family traditions, summer memories, and a commitment to making ice cream the old-fashioned way.
At BestFoodNJ, we read real reviews and visited community favorites to spotlight creameries that churn in-house and keep things personal — the kind where the line on a warm night is part of the ritual.
Below are some of New Jersey’s most-loved artisan and family-owned ice cream shops — praised by locals for homemade quality, creativity, and charm.
Be sure to explore our full, filterable ice cream directory on BestFoodNJ.com to discover even more great spots near you.
🧁 North Jersey
Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream — Ledgewood, NJ
A Morris County favorite since 1975, serving over 60 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream made fresh daily.
Try: cappuccino crunch or black raspberry.
“The texture is perfect and the flavors are bold — worth the drive every single time.” — Google Review
“My favorite since childhood. Try the French Silk.” — Editor
Denville Dairy — Denville, NJ
Family-run classic known for rich, super-creamy scoops and rotating seasonal hits.
Try: Banana Oreo or Campfire S’mores.
“Old-school vibe, new favorite flavors — never disappoints.” — Local Guide Review
Van Dyk’s Homemade Ice Cream — Ridgewood, NJ
Cash-only neighborhood legend scooping dense, ultra-creamy house-made ice cream.
Try: Pumpkin Pie (seasonal) or Cookie Dough.
“No frills, just the best homemade ice cream around.” — Google Review
Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery — Bloomfield, NJ
Vintage soda fountain famous for house-made ice cream, sundaes, and nostalgia.
Try: hot fudge sundae or butter pecan.
“Step back in time — the sundaes are perfection.” — Yelp Review
Randy’s Homemade Ice Cream — Pompton Lakes, NJ
Beloved small-batch shop with generous scoops and classic crowd-pleasers.
Try: Peanut Butter Swirl or Cookie Monster.
“Friendly, fast, and seriously good ice cream.” — Google Review
Francy’s Artisanal Ice Cream — Bergenfield, NJ
Small-batch spot known for bold flavors and dairy-free options.
Try: Ube or Vegan Chocolate.
“Creative flavors done right — something new every visit.” — Yelp Review
Nasto’s Ice Cream Co. — Newark, NJ
Old-world Italian-American creamery turning out spumoni, gelati, and classics since 1939.
Try: spumoni slice or tartufo.
“Heritage and flavor in every bite.” — Google Review
🍨 Central Jersey
The Bent Spoon — Princeton, NJ
Farm-to-spoon icon crafting imaginative small-batch ice cream and sorbets.
Try: Blueberry Mascarpone or Chocolate-Coconut Sorbet (vegan).
“Every visit is a new flavor adventure.” — Yelp Review
Halo Pub — Princeton/Hamilton, NJ
Pub-style parlor making ice cream with milk from their own local dairy.
Try: Cashew Caramel or Butter Pecan.
“Simple menu, exceptional quality.” — Google Review
Jersey Freeze — Freehold, NJ
Roadside staple for soft-serve swirls, thick shakes, and classic sundaes.
Try: vanilla-chocolate twist or a black-and-white shake.
“Summer isn’t summer without a stop here.” — Local Guide Review
Thomas Sweet — New Brunswick, NJ
College-town favorite known for hand-mixed ‘Blend-Ins’ and decadent scoops.
Try: Coffee Oreo or a custom Blend-In.
“Endless combos, always creamy.” — Google Review
Cookman Creamery — Asbury Park, NJ
Quirky small-batch creamery spotlighting inventive and dairy-free flavors.
Try: Lavender Honey or Vegan Chocolate-Peanut Butter.
“Creative flavors with real depth.” — Yelp Review
Iceberg Ice Cream — Lavallette, NJ
Shore-side favorite for cones, sundaes, and boardwalk-night nostalgia.
Try: Mint Chip or a hot-fudge brownie sundae.
“Big portions, beach-town charm.” — Google Review
🍧 South Jersey
Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream — Stone Harbor, NJ
Historic shore landmark with 70+ rotating homemade flavors and long summer lines.
Try: Blueberry Cheesecake or Almond Amaretto.
“Worth the wait — pure vacation in a cone.” — Google Review
Daddy O’s Creamery — Marlton, NJ
Homemade scoops, sundaes, and shakes at a friendly neighborhood creamery.
Try: Cookie Dough or a thick vanilla malt.
“Fast service, fresh flavors, great vibe.” — Google Review
Alaura Kitchen Homemade Ice Cream — Pitman, NJ
Small-batch shop with rotating flavors and vegan options.
Try: Pistachio or a dairy-free chocolate scoop.
“Charming, creative, and consistently good.” — Yelp Review
Vincent’s Homemade Ice Cream — Mount Holly, NJ
Downtown parlor making fresh, ultra-creamy scoops and cakes.
Try: Salted Caramel or Cookies & Cream.
“Friendly staff and truly homemade taste.” — Google Review
The Ice Cream Bar — Delanco, NJ
Neighborhood spot for classic cones, sundaes, and floats.
Try: Chocolate-vanilla twist or a root-beer float.
“Simple, tasty, and family-friendly.” — Local Review
Skipper Dipper — Beach Haven, NJ
LBI favorite known for huge menus, soft-serve, and late-night lines.
Try: Dipped cone or a build-your-own sundae.
“A Shore tradition — brings you right back.” — Google Review
Leo’s Ice Cream Company — Medford, NJ
Local mainstay scooping classics and fun kid-friendly flavors.
Try: Birthday Cake or Chocolate Peanut Butter.
“Great selection and hometown service.” — Google Review
❤️ Why These Ice Cream Shops Made the List
Homemade First: Prioritized creameries that churn on-site or produce in small batches.
Family & Community: Owner-operated or long-running neighborhood favorites.
Consistent Reviews: Strong feedback across seasons (not just peak-summer hype).
Options for All: Many offer dairy-free, vegan, or nut-free selections.
🍦 Plan Your Ice Cream Crawl
Explore each listing on BestFoodNJ for menus, hours, and directions — and bring friends (or a bigger cone).
Your next scoop awaits!
Visit BestFoodNJ.com for the full directory of New Jersey’s favorite local spots.
❄️ FAQ: Ice Cream in New Jersey
What’s the best ice cream shop in NJ?
Hard to crown one — try Cliff’s or Van Dyk’s up north, The Bent Spoon or Halo Pub in Central, and Springer’s down the shore.
Who makes their own ice cream?
Most on this list churn in-house or produce small-batch locally; that was a key selection factor.
Any vegan or dairy-free options?
Yes — The Bent Spoon, Cookman Creamery, and Alaura Kitchen regularly offer dairy-free/vegan flavors.
How did you choose these?
Local reputation, verified reviews, and a focus on places that make their own ice cream.
📝 Editor’s Note
All shops were evaluated using official websites and publicly available customer reviews.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity.
BestFoodNJ highlights authenticity, craft, and community — celebrating the people who keep New Jersey’s ice cream traditions alive.
© 2025 BestFoodNJ.com — Curated with love, one scoop at a time.