Top Ten Local Ice Cream Shops
Can you all feel that? That, my friend, would be the heat of summer that we are all experiencing.
That means jumping into pools, going to lake, and definitely treating ourselves with delicious,
refreshing ICE CREAM! Ice cream is one of those desserts that has no age restriction. Whether
you are age 5 or 75, you probably still get as excited as we do to get this special dessert. We
love it so much that we’ve partnered with Ohio. Find It Here to bring you our top local ice cream
shops! That’s of course excluding the nostalgic ice cream truck. :) Get your taste buds ready
and let’s dive innnnnn!
Dojo
There is so much I can appreciate about shops that hand craft their ice cream daily. Dojo is one
of them. They specialize in Italian-style gelato and coffee. Everything is just so fresh and
incredibly unique. They have the traditional flavors if that’s your thing or fun ones, such as
peach pie, for all of you adventurous ones out there. Due to their success, they now have two
locations, one in Northside and the other at Findlay Market. There’s never been a time that I’ve
gone and not seen a line. Now that’s a good sign (I did not mean to rhyme there hehehe). But
that shows that it’s not just us- the community also loves them!
They have a fun sign that says, “Sorry We’re Open” and I totally get it because once you go,
you’re going to want to keep coming back!
Suggested flavor To Try: Ooey Butter Cake
Putz
Where are there soft serve ice cream lovers at? If that’s you, head on over to the West Side of
town and visit Putz. One of the cutest things about them is how much they believe in family.
Since 1938, they have passed down the company through their family line. I <3 that! When you
arrive, it will feel like an old neighborhood store with their super cute picnic tables around. They
truly have something for everyone here. If you want soft serve, which is what they’re known for,
go for it! If you want a banana split, which I opted for this most recent time, do that! If you want a
turtle sundae, they have one with your name on it. They are pretty perfect for a hot day and
great to bring the full family to as well.
One disclosure: They accept cash only! Don’t be that person to get there and not have any on
you. That will be a sad day. BUT there is a gas station with an ATM machine if that does
happen to be you. Just know you won’t want to miss it!
Suggested Flavor To Try: Banana Split with Vanilla Soft Serve Base
The Cone
Now this one brings back so many memories for my family and I. We lived down the street from
it for 15+ years and visited on a very regular basis- probably too much, but who’s counting?!
They are another soft serve location that has plenty of fun options to choose from. When I was
younger, there was no need to ask me what I wanted to order. I ALWAYS went with the Oreo
wizard. Too Good!! Now, my choice is a strawberry & vanilla soft serve twist in a cone, with lots
and lots of sprinkles added (can you all tell yet that sprinkles are one of my weaknesses?)They
also have ice cream cakes that are pretty freaking good for birthdays (or if you just want a cake
just because…). You can also utilize some of their indoor rooms to have a small celebration!
Celebrations with ice cream and your favorite people sounds like a win to me! What’s also cool
about The Cone is they have a drive thru! No need to get out of the car to get your favorite
items! Although I live pretty far from them, I will absolutely make the drive to experience a bit of my childhood here!
Suggested Flavors to Try: Oreo Wizzard or Vanilla/Strawberry Twist Cone
Hello Honey
O.M.G. This one is one of Tiff D.’s absolute favs. Although we didn’t discover it until a couple of
years back, they have been around for yearsssss. They are located downtown on Vine Street,
but closer to the business district (right before 7 th street). This place is absolutely incredible!
They are a small batch ice cream shop that makes their flavors in house too! They get our vote
for most creative combos and best overall taste. I typically try to pick options that don’t normally
go together to make it super fun.
Outside of the flavors, we love that they make their waffle cones fresh to order. They’re not hot
enough to melt the ice cream though. They are just right. We also enjoy their toppings- like the
toasted marshmallow. They just have items that you won’t really see anywhere else.
And guess what? They are opening a second location in Walnut Hills later this year. Love to see
that growth for our local businesses! They have never disappointed any time either of us have
been. So when the new one opens, we’ll be one of the first in line!
Suggested Flavors to Try: Blueberry Cheesecake or Honey Lavender
Bold Face Dairy
Bold Face Dairy is one of the newer ice cream shops on the block (opened in 2018), but you
would you never know because they have perfected their taste! Now let me ask you…. Have
you ever held a soft serve ice cream cone upside down for an extended period without it
dripping and melting? This is the place where you can do so! Their soft serve is nice and
creamy but is also thick!
This is another place that is great for yourself and your family because they have flavors others
don’t have such as chai tea, cardamom, and bourbon barrel stout. Have you ever seen flavors
like that?! It’s not just creative names though. The awesome part is they are equally delicious as
they are exciting. When there’s so many flavors like this, that just means you have to keep
going back until you’ve tried them all!
Suggested Item: Be BOLD like their name and get the Bold Face Cone
Parlor
I knowwww we must have cookie dough lovers out there!!! We are certainly in that category as
well. Parlor has been opened in the Madeira area for quite some time, but they opened a
second location in Pendleton just a few years back. And that’s when my taste buds were forever
changed. They are very well known for their edible cookie dough. But what is great is they offer
the option for you to pair it with one of their freshly made ice cream flavors. My go to is usually
the cookies n’ cream ice cream as the base with a scoop of cookie dough on top. My
Goodness!! I don’t think I’d ever had anything like it but once I did, it was heaven in a cup yall!
Something else they have that I very much enjoy is blueberry ice cream. If you grew up in the
Ohio area and were anything like me, you may have gone to King’s Island just for the “smurf”
ice cream. No need to go that far anymore. They have it right here in their shop. And you know
what I topped it with…Yep. That’s right… Sprinkles!
Suggested Flavor to Try: Cookies n’ Cream
Graeter’s
Ok now. You all know we HAD to add in the Cincinnati STAPLE. Although you’ll see them in
many locations throughout Ohio and the surrounding states, they originated in Cincinnati and
have been going strong for the longest! They are actually celebrating their 150 th anniversary this
year!!! If we completed a poll for “fan favorite”, Greater’s would certainly win. What’s really cool
they have certain flavors that are present all year, but they do a great job of keeping fans
guessing with surprise flavors each month. And if you’re looking for something lighter, try their
sorbets. The lemon is perfectly refreshing in the summer. In addition to their, handcrafted flavors
of ice cream to choose from; they also have delicious cakes, cookies, & pies.
You will never, ever go wrong with choosing Greater’s. We can pretty much guarantee you and
whoever you are with will leave with a sugary smile on your face
Suggested Flavor to Try: Current special- strawberry sorbet
Aglamesis Brothers’
Our last feature in this post may have hit 150 years, but this one isn’t far behind. This year
Aglamesis Brothers’ hit 113 years. That is a longgg time of serving the city with tasty treats!
They actually may have the most unique story. One of the founding members is from Greece
and came to Cincinnati to build a life for himself. After his brother joined him here, they
eventually took a turn at starting their first ice cream parlor and the rest is history (thank
goodness for us!) I just love a story that has this type of background in it. They have kept the old
school vibe and charm inside of the locations which makes you really feel like you’re in a parlor.
Their attire even matches it!
Now…the ice cream- sooooo good! But it’s not just your traditional ice cream. It’s Italian ice as
well. Every time I visit, I try to get something different- even though I have my favorites (like
double chocolate chip). They’re just all too good to not try them all. And for a company that has
been this successful for this long, you KNOW they’re good (just google them and you’ll see that
they have a nationwide reputation as well!)
Suggested Flavor To Try: Banana Chocolate Chip
Jeni’s
Ok this one is not local, but it’s too good to pass up. If you’re up for a drive to Columbus you
have to try Jeni’s. I’m not sure when I first tried them, but when I did, my life changed LOL In
addition to having fun flavors, like some of the others, they are well known for how smooth and
creamy their ice cream is. It is a struggle for me to NOT stop at one of their locations when I’m
in the area. There must be something in it that’s keeping me addicted.
If you have no other reason to drive to Columbus and want to go just to check this place out, we
won’t judge. Hehehe It will be worth it! You may have also noticed them in your local grocery
store. Yep, they sell their flavors by the pint and in case you’re wondering, they are just as
delicious that way too!
Suggested flavors: Lemon and Blueberry Parfait
Now I know you must now have googly eyes and may have dreams about these places in your
sleep tonight (Sorry, not Sorry! �� ). We have an easy way to solve for that. Hop in the car
immediately and pick one of these incredible places! No matter which one you choose, it will
likely become your new favorite! It happens to us every single time!
Enjoy y’all
