Sprinkles or jimmies. Soft serve or scooped. Cone or cup.
The great debate over ice cream glowups has been aswirl almost as long as the Taylor Ham vs. pork roll banter–maybe longer. This is Jersey, where ice cream ranks up there in importance as pizza and the shore itself.
As the dog days of summer intersect with National Ice Cream Month, we decided to take a deep-freeze dive into Morris County to bring you the hottest spots that specialize in staying cool.
Think pub crawl, only for ice cream.
1. Surreal Creamery @surrealcreamery
5 Washington St, Morristown
The Scoop: The surrealist movement has taken over Morristown, and it’s yours for the tasting. It’s where ice cream and art come together as creamy creations are blended in a memorable keepsake mason jar. Since the rollout in 2019, the frozen frenzy has gone viral, as evidenced by franchises nationwide.
Local flavor: Their wordplay is as fun and far-reaching as their flavors. Enter Matcha Made in Heaven, an elevated embrace of green tea, balanced by caramel syrup and Lucky Charms. There’s also the option to combine flavors and toppings to create your own signature jar.
Etc. Bubble tea and ice cream enthusiasts no longer have to play favorites. The Flotea, a creamy combo of bubble tea and ice cream, offers both.
2. Beenies @beeniesicecream
38 Morris St, Morristown
The scoop: A tribute to their beloved pooch, who lives on as the mascot, the humans–Tony and Andrea–behind Beenie’s believe that ice cream begins at the base and builds from there. This means no pre-packaged mixes and blending the finest in milk, cream, and sugar instead.
Local flavor: The menu puts the fresh in refreshments, evident in flavors such as honey lavender and blueberry crisp, part of this month’s seasonal offering.
Etc. For the un-cow crowd, dairy-free options like cookies-and-cream and sorbet crafted with actual mango still stand and deliver on the flavor front.
3. South Street Creamery @southstreetcreamery
146 South St, Morristown
The Scoop: Washington may have camped here, but this shop’s claim to fame is being the oldest in Morristown. The creamery opened its doors in 1999, and while the ownership has changed hands, it remains a family-run operation focused on homemade everything.
Local flavor: It is no surprise to find revolutionary-themed flavors behind the counter, such as Jockey Hollow, a patriotic blend of peanut butter and chocolate-covered pretzels layered within a vanilla malt base. There’s also fun takes on the classic sundae, including the one-scoop Saturdae and kid-sized Weekdae.
Etc. South Street goes all in on gelato, and also meets the Jersey requirement for Italian ice. For the dessert-after-dinner crowd, there’s a full cafe menu on hand.
4. Scoop Station @scoopstationnj
674 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains
The Scoop: What began as a stint running a froyo shop turned into a downtown destination of homemade creations. The backstory features a mom–Jen–who decided to retire her office attire in favor of self-branded merch and ice cream. She also recruited volunteer taste-testers, her three children.
Local flavor: A menu of seasonal offerings, such as Campfire S’mores, delivers frozen nostalgia right down to the graham crackers and gooey marshmallows
Etc. There’s a flavorful Italian Ice menu, and the Disney-esque Pineapple Dole.
Ice cream nachos definitely caught our attention and may warrant a repeat visit.
5. McCool’s @mccoolsicecream_official
26 Main St, Madison
The Scoop: It doesn’t get any more OG nostalgic than McCool’s. This long-standing institution on Main Street reminds us that frozen confections can be enjoyed just as well by the spoonful as by the straw. Their website proudly touts, “The best milkshake in New Jersey.”
Flavor profile: A dedicated froyo menu blends flavor names with fresh humor, as in the Green Village People Sensation, the Drew Brew, and our personal GOAT in wordplay— the East Hangover (a coffee and espresso blend).
Etc. Ice cream-topped cupcakes definitely grabbed our attention and would provide novelty single-serve convenience at any occasion.
6. Last Licks @lastlicks_homemade
134 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover
The Scoop: This family roots for their home team as much as their hometown. Inspired by a family of softball and baseball enthusiasts, the Saporitas opened shop in 2013, and the family has been all hands on deck ever since. The name originally refers to the home-team advantage of batting last, but it works equally well when applied to ice cream.
Local flavor: A Jersey staple is reimagined as ice cream, complete with an optional chocolate pastry shell. Meet the Holy Cannoli, one of nearly 40 year-round flavors, that ranks up there in temptation alongside Red Velvet Oreo and Devil Dog.
Etc.: Oreo sliders. Need we say more?
7. Meli’s Sweet House @melissweethouseboonton
613 Main St, Boonton
The Scoop: A sweet spot right in the heart of Boonton. Meli’s boasts an entire menu dedicated solely to Dubai chocolate, and yes, waffles and chocolate crepes do indeed count as a balanced breakfast. Not to mention smoothies.
Local flavor: Mississippi Mud Pie is just as imagined: chocolate, cream, coffee, crunch, repeat.
Etc. The wall of vintage candy will have you questioning your life choices.
8. Lake Hiawatha Dairy @lakehiawathadairy
29 North Beverwyck Rd, Lake Hiawatha
The scoop: No strangers to the ice cream scene, this family of Carvel alums has been minding the deep freeze for more than three decades. With a huge indoor space, it’s the perfect spot to bring a group for a special occasion, or all the kids after the big game.
Local flavor: A decision-maker’s debacle, there are 50 flavors on tap. Here, cake identifies as ice cream, like New York Cheesecake, complete with blueberry topping. Their signature Ice Cream Sandwich–an actual flavor–comes with the disclaimer “found nowhere else.”
Etc. Speaking of ice cream sandwiches, theirs are as cute as they are delicious. Can’t decide which flavor? There’s a variety pack for that.
9. Seven Scoops and Sips @sevenscoopsnj
321 Changebridge Rd, Montville
The Scoop: The number seven is steeped in symbolism, but here it represents the seven children of the owners. With ice cream and community at its core, the shop devotes equal time to acai bowls and sippers such as smoothies, milkshakes, and hot drinks. They’ve got plenty of tables inside, so it’s a great place to gather.
Local flavor: No matter what the scoop, kid-inspired flavors are fully embraced here, like Braden’s Birthday Cake and Julia’s Coffeehouse Oreo.
Etc. Smoothie enthusiasts can build their own base from either almond or coconut milks and apple juice, and football fans might give the Super (acai) Bowls a try, especially if their team is represented. The Giant—anyone?
10. Corner Creamery @cornercreamery_ml
5 Romaine Rd, Mountain Lakes
The Scoop: When an ice cream store fills a void in town, word tends to travel at warped speed. Coming up on its first birthday, this beloved store is named for its corner location in the Mountain Lakes Historic district. Owned and operated by a local mompreneur and her business partner, this one-stop shop dishes out nostalgia in both flavor and decor.
Local flavor: A weekly rotation of flavors keeps you coming back for more, but all-star faves like Oscar’s Garbage Can have permanent residency here.
Etc. The inclusive menu provides dairy-free treats, including sorbets, refreshers, plus a number of sugar-free and vegan options.