You might be thinking that our timing to publish an article about ice cream and gelato is off considering the consistently freezing temperatures and snow. But this is Salt Lake City, and it’s ice cream! Anytime is a good time for ice cream. (Plus, cooler weather makes it that much easier to buy in bulk and bring a little extra home without it melting into ice cream soup on the drive home.
Salt Lake City’s food scene has a lot to offer, including some of the most delicious ice cream and gelato in the state. Here are eleven places to take your family when you’re craving a scoop of the good stuff:
Rockwell Ice Cream
Ice Cream
If you’re looking for the very best ice cream money can buy, Rockwell Ice Cream is at the top of the list–literally. Rockwell took home the “Best Ice Cream in America” prize this summer in a competition held annually by Klavon’s Ice Cream in Pittsburgh. Their flavors include the prize-winning G.O.A.T. (an ice cream made with a goat cheese base, rosemary, roasted almonds, and blackberry jam), honeycomb, biscoff, and muddy buddy. Rockwell is adored in Utah County, and they just expanded to Sugar House this August to give Salt Lake City a taste.
Locations near Salt Lake City:
Sweetaly’s
Gelato
Sweetaly’s is a local favorite, and one taste of their Italian artisan gelato is enough to help you understand why. Trained by some of the best gelato makers in Italy, Sweetaly’s chefs make a variety of authentic gelato flavors, including lavender honey, pomegranate, mascarpone, and pistachio that will satiate any sweet tooth any day of the year.
Locations in Salt Lake City:
Nielsen’s Frozen Custard
Custard
Nielsen’s custard makers use a one-of-a-kind machine that freezes their custard without pumping in extra air, making it incredibly creamy. The texture is so good that Nielsen’s has received rave reviews for it nationwide, including from Men’s Health, which called it one of the “100 Best Things to Eat in America.” When you go, try Nielsen’s “crown jewel”: their famous frozen custard concrete.
Locations near Salt Lake City:
Howdy Homemade
Ice Cream
Howdy Homemade not only serves a mean scoop, but has an important mission of inclusiveness. Howdy hires, trains, and employs adults who have Down syndrome and autism with the goal of changing the dialogue surrounding special needs adults in the workforce. Howdy is a fun place to visit and has one of the most unique signature flavors in Salt Lake City: Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip.
To learn more about Howdy Homemade’s mission, visit the Howdy Homemade website.
Location: 2670 S. 2000 E., Salt Lake City
Normal Ice Cream
Ice Cream
Don’t let the name fool you–Normal Ice Cream is anything but. Served from a food truck parked inside Trolley Square, Normal Ice Cream is one of the most popular ice cream stops downtown. Normal changes their menu monthly and adds unique flavors like lemon cheesecake, mocha, and chocolate “chip” (with dark chocolate sorbet and potato chips) to keep things interesting. Try one of their composed cones for a vision so stunning, you’re going to want to Instagram it.
Check out their Instagram account to get a taste.
Hatch Family Chocolates
You might know them for their decadent and delicious chocolate treats, but what you may not know about Hatch Family Chocolates is that they serve incredible ice cream as well. Grab a scoop of their cookies and cream (which they say is some of the best you’ll ever try), or try their honey almond. Flavors rotate, but if you ever have the chance to get some of Hatch’s sea salt ice cream, take it in a hurry.
Location: 376 8th Ave, Salt Lake City
Leatherby’s Family Creamery
Ice Cream Sundaes & Sodas
Stepping into Leatherby’s is akin to stepping into a small-town diner with a 1950s malt shop feel. Leatherby’s serves high butterfat premium ice cream made the old-fashioned way: one batch at a time. Try their towering banana splits and ice cream sundaes, or a soda with a scoop hanging from the rim. Leatherby’s has delicious ice cream options and a lunch and dinner menu that will make you feel right at home.
Visit the Leatherby’s website for directions to the creamery nearest to you.
Dolcetti Gelato
Gelato
Dolcetti is a little gelato shop with a lot of personality. Located on 9th and 9th, Dolcetti is a father-daughter operation said to be the oldest gelato shop in Utah. According to their website, Dolcetti has a rotating cabinet of over 150 artisanal gelato flavors, including the delicious fan favorite Coconut Sticky Rice. The interior of their shop is just as interesting as their flavors, and it makes for a fun place to sit down and have a bite.
Location: 902 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City
Monkeywrench
Vegan Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a delicious frozen treat without the dairy, look no further than Monkeywrench. Tucked into Gallivan Avenue, Monkeywrench is a cozy ice cream shop that offers sixteen vegan flavors the whole family will enjoy, including lavender, banana brownie, funfetti, and peach cobbler. According to Monkeywrench, their small-batch desserts are 100% plant-based, making them a good option for anyone wanting to avoid dairy or animal products.
Location: 53 E. Gallivan Ave., Salt Lake City
Iceberg Drive Inn
Milkshakes
Iceberg Drive Inn touts itself as a 55 year-old family tradition that will get you hooked at the first bite. Said to be the first drive-thru in the Salt Lake City area, Iceberg’s specialty is thick, over-the-top milkshakes that you can eat with a burger, fries, or hand-breaded onion rings. Their house favorites include Bubble Gum, Grasshopper, Lemon Custard, Tropical, Triple Berry, Peanut Butter, and Cookies and Cream.
Visit the Iceberg Drive Inn website to find a location near you.
Capo Gelateria Italiana
Gelato and Sorbetto
Abutting Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana in Salt Lake City is one of the most delicious gelato and sorbetto places downtown. Capo overlooks 200 West and offers a delicious variety of gelato with a warm, contemporary feel inside. Try their popular crema baci (chocolate gelato with hazelnut chunks) or lemon biscotti if you’re looking for a delicious starter. You might want to slip into Settebello for dinner first.
Location: 260 S. 200 W., Salt Lake City
Last Course
Ice Cream and Desserts
If you’re in the center of the city, Last Course is a delicious ice cream and dessert option that, as its name implies, makes a great end of day treat. Last Course has an impressive lineup of ice cream, shakes, and desserts. They import the best ingredients from all around the world, including chocolate imported from Europe. Grab a scoop of ice cream and a pastry for a delicious treat.
Location: 115 South Regent Street, Salt Lake City
Know of any places we missed? Tell us in the comments! We’re always on the hunt for the best places and hidden gems around Salt Lake City.