National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 18. Cool off with a visit to one of New Jersey’s newest ice cream shops!
The Baked Bear
Long Branch’s newest creamery offers plenty of flavor options for its massive ice cream sandwiches, but co-owner Elly Hess encourages those “looking for something different” to try the Bear Batter, Blackberry Crumble, or Toasted S’mores options.
“The Baked Bear has over a dozen original-recipe cookies and ice cream flavors, giving guests a chance to mix and match to find their favorite combination,” Hess said. And they’ll even warm the cookies up for you beforehand. Open Sunday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday. 12 p.m. to midnight.
The Baked Bear
15 Morris Avenue Unit 115
Long Branch
Chez Gelato and Pastry
This 100% gluten-free dessert shop features homemade gelato, as well as vegan gelato and sorbetto. Flavors range from chocolatey options such as cookie crunch, to fruity options such as strawberry cheesecake. In addition to gelato, Chez offers plenty of homemade, gluten-free treats, including chocolate chip cookies and rainbow cakes. Open Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Chez Gelato and Pastry
206 Centennial Avenue
Cranford
The Chocolate Bar
The Chocolate Bar, whose Little Silver location opened in August 2020, offers authentic Italian gelato from scratch, plus hand-dipped chocolates. Master chocolatier Neil Grote, Jr., who has been operating the shop’s Westfield location for 17 years, makes all gelato and chocolates for both locations himself. This spot also serves Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters coffee and espresso. The Little Silver location is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Chocolate Bar
78 Oceanport Avenue
Little Silver
Churn House Ice Cream & Cereal Bar
Churn House takes a new approach to ice cream with its cereal-infused flavors. Customers choose either vanilla, chocolate, or vegan vanilla ice cream to be combined with the cereal of their choice (Froot Loops, Reese’s Puffs, and so many more). Then a churn machine creates the customized flavor, turning it into either soft serve or a milkshake. Visitors can add even more toppings to their flavor of choice. Open daily, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Churn House Ice Cream & Cereal Bar
Corner of 33rd & Asbury
Ocean City
Courtney’s Ice Cream Shoppe
Courtney’s serves up everything ice cold, from ice cream to cold brew. This mom-and-pop-style ice cream parlor serves Nasto’s ice cream, a Newark-based brand that owner Courtney McShane has loved for years. The shop’s cold brew comes from Asbury Park, and there are even vegan ice cream options available from Emack and Bolios, a Boston-based brand. Open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 10 .pm.
Courtney’s Ice Cream Shoppe
526 Main Street
Avon-By-The-Sea
Diane’s Dairy
Diane’s Dairy opened its doors in June 2021. Owner Diane Manganelli has been making ice cream for more than a decade—and decorating cakes for twice that time. “I enjoy being creative with my customers to personalize any cake for you or your loved one,” she said. Try Diane’s flavors named after local areas, such as Valhalla Red Velvet and Pine Brook Peach. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Diane’s Dairy
446 Main Road #8
Towaco
Four Boys Ice Cream
Named in honor of owners Peter and JoAnn Becker’s four sons, Four Boys has been thriving since it started as an ice cream truck, in 1999. The franchise’s newest location opened in April in Hightstown, and with six locations around New Jersey, it isn’t hard to find a Four Boys nearby. Try the classic vanilla and chocolate, or the vegan or sugar-free options. Visit the website for hours.
Four Boys Ice Cream
Locations in Englishtown, Jamesburg, Jackson, Milltown, Farmingdale, and Hightstown
Francy’s Artisanal Ice Cream
At Francy’s, visitors can expect the ice cream flavors to change with the seasons—and they might even see a few Filipino flavors on the menu. Francy’s offers unique flavors, many of which are fruit-inspired, such as pineapple and melon. Be sure to try the cannoli, pistachio, and hazelnut Piemonte flavors as well. Open daily, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Francy’s Artisanal Ice Cream
Foster Village Shopping Center
Bergenfield
Haven’s Sweet Shop
Over 20 assorted flavors including specialty recipes to traditional favorites, their ice cream choices will satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth. Haven’s Sweet Shop pledges to always carry the highest quality ice cream around and always have options for vegans, sugar free needs, gluten free, dairy free and nut free selections.
Haven’s Sweet Shop
512 Bay Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Ice House
Pair your favorite ice cream with one of four different cones (or a cup!) at this new Hillsborough ice cream shop. With can’t-miss flavors and tasty ice cream cakes, plus frozen yogurt and dairy-free options, there’s something for every sweet tooth. Try exciting flavors such as cookie butter craze, midnight peanut butter marshmallow, or coffeehouse cookies and cream. Open Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 9:30p.m., Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Ice House
378 South Branch Road
Hillsborough
Nicholas Creamery
Nicholas Creamery recently opened its third location in Tinton Falls. The shop hand-makes its small-batch ice cream—and ice cream cakes—using pure ingredients.
“Nothing makes us happier than serving up scoops and smiles to the incredible communities that have welcomed our sweet vision with open hearts—and spoons,” said co-owner Jodie Edwards. Open Sunday through Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10:30pm.
Nicholas Creamery
Locations in Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, and Tinton Falls
Norton’s Main Scoop
Come to Norton’s for fresh, creamy, delicious ice cream. They’re devoted to offering small-batch, unique flavors, and everything is homemade—including the dairy-free and vegan options. Owner Kim Norton takes great care in sourcing fresh fruit and using the most natural ingredients and extracts available to provide delicious treats. Open Sunday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Norton’s Main Scoop
140b Main Street
Manasquan
Pure Twist (shown at top)
At Pure Twist, visitors can chow down on tasty, dairy-free soft serve ice cream. Newly opened as of July 1, Pure Twist offers matcha, strawberry, and pineapple ice cream flavors, to name a few. The dairy-free base consists of oat milk, cashews, raw sugar, sunflower lecithin, vanilla, and local sea salt, paired with other organic ingredients to create a full, delicious product. Open Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Sun 4 p.m. to 10pm.
Pure Twist
9410 2nd Avenue
Stone Harbor
Scoop to My Lou
At Scoop to My Lou, the ice cream is homemade on site with high-quality ingredients. Flavors range from classics such as cake batter and butter pecan to less common options including orange pineapple and kitchen sink (vanilla ice cream loaded with brownie bites, cookie dough, M&Ms, and more). Seasonal summer flavors, such as key lime pie, are also available. Open daily 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Scoop to My Lou
59 Main Street
East Brunswick
Trenton Ice Cream Parlor
When a 13-year-old autistic child had a dream of building an ice cream shop, she created a 3D model of her desires and dreams to express what she could not say in words. She carefully carried the school project home and presented it to her parents. It sat among other fine artwork until it was given new life: The Trenton Ice Cream Parlor is the real-life version of this child’s diorama—and her dreams. Modeled after her inner spirit—that Trenton can indeed make, and the world should indeed take. Open Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Trenton Ice Cream Parlor
969 South Broad Street
Trenton
