Though the hot and sunny days of mid-August feel like the height of summer, fall is, sadly, just around the corner. So, before the short summer nights begin to cool and the kids go back to school, salute August by sampling some of the Boston’s finest ice creams shops.

When it comes to favorite ice cream spots in the Boston-area, Cambridge dominates with Central Square’s Toscanini’s and Inman Square’s Christina’s hogging most of the praise. Since 1997, Toscanini’s and Christina’s have been the only two ice cream shops declared Best of Boston by Boston Magazine. But if you need an ice cream fix and don’t want to journey across the Charles, try these fantastic Boston ice cream shops. They will be sure to satisfy. 

Boston’s Best Ice Cream Shops

Amorino:

In May of this year, a little slice of Europe opened up on Newbury Street. Amorino is a high-end gelato chain with stores throughout Europe that serves delicious gelato in flavors like Tiramisu, Organic Sicilian Citrus, Ecuadorian Chocolate, and Salted Butter Caramel. They also serve crepes, waffles, macaroons, and Italian coffee. So, pick three of your favorite flavors, put them all on one beautifully arranged cone and pretend your in Milano.  Now that’s living la dolce vita.

• ADDRESS: 249 Newbury Street, Boston’s Back Bay, MA
• HOURS: 7:30 AM – 11 PM

Molly Moo’s:

Like Amorino, Molly Moo’s also opened up in Boston this Spring. This Southie ice cream shop is best known for their fantastic ice cream sandwiches, which are made with freshly baked cookies, taking a beloved classic to the next level. They also serve breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.

• ADDRESS: 687 East Second Street, South Boston, MA
• HOURS: Mon-Fri 6am – 10pm/Sat-Sun 7:30am – 10pm

FoMu:

For the non-dairy eaters out there who are craving a sweet, frozen treat, this vegan ice cream shop, with locations in Jamaica Plain and Allston, is a dream. Instead of dairy, FoMu (pronounced “faux moo”) makes their ice cream out of coconut milk, which they make from scratch at a facility in Watertown. Boston.com writes that you can also find FoMu ice cream in “vegetarian and vegan restaurants — Red Lentil in Watertown, Veggie Galaxy and Life Alive in Cambridge — and began selling in bulk to local health-conscious establishments.”

• ADDRESS: 481 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA or 617 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
• HOURS: 11am – 11pm

Picco:

This South End spot serves some of the best pizza in town, winning 2013’s Best of Boston in their category of “Highbrow Pizza.” But this pizza joint also offers some of the best ice cream and sorbets in Boston. They even have an “Adult” Ice Cream Soda – a very delicious concoction of raspberry Belgian Lambic poured over vanilla ice cream. Try the Cow Tipper Frappe, which is stout blended with vanilla ice cream, or their beloved brownie sundae.

• ADDRESS: 513 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
• HOURS: 11am – 11pm

The Ice Creamsmith:

This small ice cream shop has been around for 40 years now and makes their fantastic ice cream in-house. This month’s special flavors are Peach, Fudge Brownie, and S’mores. They also have about 13 “mixin’s” like Oreos, bubble gum, and jelly beans. They also make ice cream cakes, as well as ice cream pies, pizzas, and cupcakes.

•  ADDRESS: 2295 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA
• HOURS: 12 pm – 10 pm

Extra: Ice Cream Day Trip
New City Microcreamery

Looking for a culinary adventure? There’s a new, innovative “nitrogen” ice cream shop called New City Microcreamery in Hudson, about an hour drive from Boston. The Boston Globe writes, “New City Microcreamery, which debuted in May, features some traditional ice cream flavors but the winners are a mix of crazy-brilliant combinations like honey-lavender shortbread, blood-orange beet, fennel-pistachio, and chocolate-stout with praline. Everything is locally sourced, the place employs area high school students and moms, and the interior is both Brooklyn, N.Y., retro and historically respectful of the building’s 1894 roots.” The ice cream is created in “an open kitchen, yielding a creamy treat distilled with enhanced flavors and less sugar. It’s also delicious. Cones are made fresh on a waffle iron and hand-prepped toppings called ‘funk’ bear names like ‘orange olive oil cake crumble’ and ‘brownie crumble.’ Sauces are called ‘gravy’ and include blackberry-balsamic, ‘hawt’ fudge caramel, and blueberry goop.”

• ADDRESS: 28 Main Street, Hudson, MA
• HOURS: 10 am – 10 pm

A bounty of fabulous ice cream shops is just one of the hundreds of fantastic reasons to live in the thriving city of Boston. Connect with one of our experienced agents to talk about how you can make Boston your home by calling 617.262.1414 or stop by our Boston Market Center at 140 Newbury Street, Suite 301 in Boston. And check out our exclusive listings in the Boston area.