San Antonio’s 11 BEST Ice Cream Shops

Hey there, in scorching San Antonio, where it feels like the sun is giving us a big, toasty hug, everyone’s screaming for ice cream! I’ve got the scoop on the coolest ice cream shops to chill with some seriously fantastic frozen treats.

San Antonio is no stranger to sizzling temperatures, and even though the AC in buildings is cranked up, it doesn’t always do the trick. So, picture this: a day of tackling the city in 100+ degree heat. What’s the ultimate remedy? A heavenly, frosty scoop of ice cream that hits just the right spot.

We’ve braved the heat, taste-testing our way through SA’s buzzing ice cream scene, and now we’re dishing out the deets on the absolute best spots. Are you ready for a map of San Antonio’s ice cream havens? Let’s dive into a world of cool delights and sweet retreats.

Here are ten top-notch ice cream spots in San Antonio.

Indulge in the freshest ice creams:

• Savor a Hong Kong-style bubble waffle generously piled with ice cream and toppings at Kuma.
• Treat yourself to the delectable offerings of Justin’s Ice Cream.
• Enjoy an irresistible ice cream sandwich from The Baked Bear.
• Delight in a triple scoop from Lick Honest Ice Creams.
• Indulge in the classic goodness of a banana split from Helados Aranda.
• Experience the delightful flavors at Brindles Awesome Ice Creams.

A Map of San Antonio’s Best Ice Cream Shops

Lick Honest Ice Creams

Best Artisanal Ice Cream in San Antonio

Lick Honest Ice Creams started with a sweet dream in Austin, TX. Two pals wanted to create an ice cream haven where every ingredient was sourced with care, guaranteeing absolute freshness and top-notch quality.

Their commitment to using local and seasonal ingredients made them a sensation in Austin. As they ventured into the San Antonio ice cream scene, they proudly claimed the title of the city’s first artisan ice cream shop!

Now, Lick Honest Ice Creams boasts three spots in Alamo city.

Lick’s flavor options are a wild ride, ranging from classic (Chocolate, Caramel, and Mint Chocolate Chip) to out-of-the-box (Roasted Beets with Fresh Mint and Goat Cheese with Thyme and Honey).

The menu dances with the seasons, so there’s always something new to savor—think Orange Plumsicle, Horchata, or Fromage and Fig!

And fear not, sweet tooths with special diets—Lick keeps a stash of dairy-free and vegan ice creams ready to roll.

If you’re strolling in the Pearl Historic District, Lick isn’t just one of the best ice cream spots in San Antonio; it’s also a top pick at the Pearl Brewery. And for a family-friendly vibe, the little ice cream house at Hemisfair is a go-to, with its cool treats and a fantastic splash pad/playground area.

Buzzed Bull Creamery

Best Boozy Ice Cream in San Antonio

If you’re into a bit of ice cream magic and a touch of chemistry, Buzzed Bull is the place to be!

Picture this: when you step into Buzzed Bull, you’re met with a giant tank of liquid nitrogen. This cool contraption is the secret behind the flash-freezing of all the ice creams, ice cream sandwiches, and milkshakes they whip up.

What’s the buzz? Everything here is made to order, and it’s a blast to watch. Especially for the little ones eagerly waiting for their tasty treats.

But wait, there’s more! Buzzed Bull scores extra points for having a liquor license. Translation: They can mix alcohol into any of their already-delicious creations.

Imagine a Dreamsicle with orange and cake batter ice creams, waffle cone pieces, whipped cream, and a splash of orange vodka. Or go for the buzzed bull itself, rocking caramel ice cream, espresso, peanuts, whipped cream, and a kick of bourbon.

The menu is packed with house specialty ice creams and milkshakes, but here’s the fun part—you can build your own masterpieces. Take your pick from 18 ice cream flavors (including classics like chocolate and vanilla, plus fancy ones like cake batter, butter pecan, and pineapple), toss in 20 toppings, and top it off with a dash of fun from 7 different liquors.

Our top pick? The indulgent specialty ice cream, Tiger Stripes. It’s a party of chocolate and peanut butter ice creams, peanut butter cups, peanut butter sauce, and a hint of spiced rum. Pure delight!

Boozy’s Creamery + Craft

Best 21+ Ice Cream Bar in San Antonio

In the trendy Southtown area of San Antonio, you’ll find Boozy’s Creamery + Craft, where they’re mixing up the perfect blend of alcohol-infused ice creams, coffees, and cocktails.

Now, the vibe at Boozy’s is a bit more grown-up compared to Buzzed Bull’s. It’s strictly for the 21 and up crowd after 8 p.m. on the nights they swing their doors open. So, it’s more of an “ice cream bar” than your usual ice cream hangout.

Speaking of which, since Boozy’s is practically a bar, they keep the good times rolling from Thursday through Sunday.

Read More: A Map of the Best New Restaurants in San Antonio

Black+White Modern Creamery

Best for Unique Flavor Options

What Lick Honest Ice Creams is to Austin, Black+White Modern Creamery is to San Antonio.

Black+White, which opened its doors in October 2020, is the sweet creation of Chocollazo owners Frank and Mary Collazo. They weren’t thrilled about serving Häagen-Dazs in their specialty chocolate shops. So, after years of making their own chocolate, they thought, “Why not make our own ice cream too?” They took over the space next to Chocollazo, just off Broadway, and started churning their own ice cream in-house every day. The result? A unique ice cream shop with flavors you won’t find anywhere else in San Antonio.

Black+White Modern Creamery, with a strong emphasis on “modern,” is all about the flavors. There are no traditional or run-of-the-mill options here; we’re talking way out there.

Some of the flavors we encountered included lavender milk tea (super delicious!), black vanilla, fruity pebbles, strawberry and cream, maple bacon, big red sorbet, and honey cornbread (which weirdly tasted just like fresh cornbread with honey).

The menu at Black+White changes every month and includes a great selection of both gluten-free and dairy-free options.

We highly recommend ordering an ice cream flight to try as many wild flavors as you can. For just $13, you get six scoops of your choosing—a treat that’s both affordable and shareable. 

Arctic Ape Wild Desserts

Best Frozen Yogurt in San Antonio

When it comes to the “best froyo in San Antonio,” look no further than Arctic Ape Wild Desserts—it’s not just the best, it’s also the most fun!

Meet the brains behind the frosty goodness, Ron and Cathy Witcher. Retiring to Windcrest, they decided to kick off a business that’s not just enjoyable but also gives back to the community and supports our primate pals at the local San Antonio Zoo (a cause close to the Witchers’ hearts).

Walk into the store, and you’ll be greeted by a full-sized stuffed ape, Arctic Ape himself, inviting you to savor San Antonio’s finest frozen yogurt with a side of friendly service.

Arctic Ape serves up a whopping 18 different flavors of froyo, gelato, custard, Italian ice, coconut milk soft-serve, and sorbet. Once you’ve picked your frozen delight, the real fun begins—with over 150 different toppings to choose from.

And here’s the sweet deal: the price is determined by the weight of your cup. So, load up on frozen yogurt, drown it in candy, sauces, or fruits—the only limit is your capacity for this chilly delight.

But wait, there’s more! Arctic Ape goes beyond the norm with board games and free Wi-Fi. It’s not just an ice cream shop; it’s the perfect spot to bring the family for a treat-filled evening of games and good times.

Paciugo Gelato Caffe

Best Gelato in San Antonio

Kudos to Italy; they sure know how to steal the show in the world of delicious flavors, and it’s no different when it comes to ice cream. Italy reigns supreme with its soft and flavorful gelato, and luckily, this delightful Italian treat has found a cozy home in San Antonio.

In the past 20 years, gelato has become more accessible, and now San Antonio boasts several ice cream spots where you can treat yourself to a cup of perfect gelato. Amid the choices, our top pick for gelato in San Antonio is Paciugo Gelato Caffé, nestled in the Alamo Quarry Market.

Founded by the Italian maestro Ugo Ginatta, who brought his family’s gelato recipe to the United States in 1999, Paciugo has grown across the country while maintaining its commitment to excellent flavor.

The shop offers a delightful array of milk-based gelatos and water-based sorbets, ready to be savored in a cone or cup. Feeling adventurous? They can whip up your choice into a smoothie or milkshake.

But here’s where Paciugo takes it up a notch with some fun options, like their spaghetti-style gelato. It looks exactly like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs but is, in fact, gelato transformed through a pasta machine to resemble noodles. It’s then adorned with strawberry coulis, Ferrero Rocher “meatballs,” white chocolate flakes, and a ladyfinger “breadstick.” If you’re after a whimsical, shareable dessert, you’ve just hit the jackpot.

Kuma

Best Hong Kong Style

Hong Kong style ice cream took its first steps on the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, where the puffy waffle has been a star on the local street food scene. These waffles, the size of a Belgian waffle, are crafted in street carts. When cooked, they puff up, resembling giant bubble wrap.

In Hong Kong, folks often enjoy them plain, with no frills. But when this delight made its way to the U.S., we took it up a notch. Enter the American twist – filling those airy waffles with colorful ice cream and toppings galore. Because, let’s face it, how do you make an already yummy waffle even better? You added ice cream! And if you’re on the hunt for the finest Hong Kong style ice cream in San Antonio, look no further than Kuma for those puffy waffle cones and vibrant ice cream.

Kuma’s menu covers the classics and ventures into Asian flavors like ube (a vibrant purple), lycheelychee, and azuki (Japanese red beans).

Here’s the fun part: guests start by picking their ice cream flavor, followed by a sauce, and then toppings from a list of 23. The result? A puffy waffle filled with brightly colored ice cream and toppings is truly a work of art. And a delicious one at that.

Fahrenheit 32

Best Rolled Ice Cream

Rolled ice cream is the freshest trend in the icy world. Picture this: a liquid ice cream base poured onto a super chilly surface, freezing in a flash. It gets rolled out into a thin layer, then gracefully rolled up into a cylindrical tube. The result? A delightful treat sliced and ready to be savored in a cup or cone.

What’s cool about rolled ice cream, aside from its speedy creation, is that it’s often considered a healthier option. Why? Because it uses less sugar than its more sugary cousin, traditional ice cream. This trendy ice cream style has made its way into a few spots in San Antonio, and our pick of the bunch is Fahrenheit 32.

Fahrenheit 32 takes the best of both worlds, blending the flavors of Korea with Latin America. It’s not just about rolled ice cream; they’ve got a range of cold treats, sandwiches, ramen, udon, and fried rice dishes.

Take your pick from 18 different flavors of rolled ice cream cups with names as delightful as their taste. Think Purple Haze with Taro ice cream, Espress-Yourself with coffee ice cream, and Gotcha Matcha with green tea ice cream. Ready for a tasty, chilly adventure?

Read More: Kid-Friendly Restaurants In San Antonio : Good Food Points

Justin’s Ice Cream Company

Best Ice Cream On The Riverwalk

When you’re in San Antonio, hitting up the Riverwalk is practically a must for any visitor. And after a few hours of wandering around in the heat, there’s nothing like a cold and refreshing treat to hit the spot.

Good news—right on the Riverwalk, you’ll find one of San Antonio’s finest ice cream havens, doing its part to keep folks cool and satisfied.

Enter Justin’s Ice Cream Company, a local gem that’s been scooping joy for more than 40 years and has become a Riverwalk staple.

Sure, being on the Riverwalk adds to its charm, but what really keeps people coming back is the top-notch, fresh ice cream made daily. Justin’s serves up a menu that strikes a balance between classic and unique flavors, including San Antonio-inspired delights like Cajeta, Mexican Raspberry, Oaxacan Chocolate, or the vibrantly colored Fiesta flavor.

Now, if you happen to visit on a day when they’ve got mango sorbet available, do yourself a favor—don’t miss it. Back in 1992, even President Bill Clinton dubbed this particular ice cream a “national treasure.” And let’s be real, he wasn’t wrong.

Brindles Awesome Ice Creams

Best Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop

Craving that perfect, old-fashioned scoop of ice cream served in a classic ice cream parlor? Look no further than Brindles Awesome Ice Creams, where the name says it all—truly awesome and perfectly old-fashioned.

At Brindles, they take the art of ice cream seriously, making all their ice cream and gelato in-house daily. The result? A fantastic array of ice cream flavors paired with scrumptious waffle cones. In a nutshell, they’ve nailed the simple joy of delicious ice cream.

What makes Brindles stand out is their skillful blend of classic and modern flavors. They’ve dabbled in everything from Honey Bourbon Vanilla and Crème Brulee to avocado and Guinness ice cream over the years.

During our visit, we sampled a variety of flavors and couldn’t help but fall head over heels for the banana cream pudding and cereal milk. Both were the epitome of creamy perfection, hitting the right notes of flavor with just the perfect amount of sweetness.

Brindles is not just an ice cream stop; it’s a fantastic spot to grab a freshly baked cone and embark on a flavor adventure.

Freshest Ice Creams

Best Healthy Ice Cream in San Antonio

“Healthy” and “ice cream” might seem like an unlikely pair, but for the folks at Freshest Ice Creams, it’s the ultimate mission.

At Freshest Ice Creams, they’re all about crafting natural ice cream Colombian-style, loaded with lots of fruit. Every ice cream, slushie, and fruit salad on their menu boasts the best and highest quality ingredients, including lactose-free milk and alkaline water. True to the name, you’re in for something truly fresh.

The flavor lineup at Freshest takes a fruity turn with options like lemon, kiwi, and strawberry. But fear not; there are a few non-fruity delights like chocolate and almonds or coffee for those who crave a different vibe.

Our top picks? The vibrant and boldly flavored Passion Fruit ice cream and the pineapple-rich Brazilian ice cream are a combo that’s simply delightful.

If you’re aiming for something small and light, or if you want to explore a variety of flavors, go for a kid’s sized scoop (or 2 or 3), perfect for capturing just the right amount of sweetness without committing to more than you’re ready to devour.