What better way is there to celebrate the start of the warm season than with ice cream (and lots of it, too)? From old-fashioned ice cream served fresh at dairy farms to beloved roadside stands, here are a few shops to load up on scrumptious scoops in Delaware.
Bonkey’s Ice Cream & Snoballs
With locations throughout the tristate area, Bonky’s is a local favorite. The Ocean View and Millville locations are both open daily until 10 p.m. Enjoy homemade ice cream and snoballs in a variety of flavors from chocolate and vanilla to lavender lemon and blueberry pancake.
44 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View
35849 Atlantic Avenue, Millville
View this post on Instagram
The Creamery at St. Georges
This roadside shop is located along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, offering a sweet bite and waterside views. It’s a popular spot for cyclists making their way along the bike path to stop for a quick treat.
36 Broad Street, St. Georges | 729-4340
Dairy Palace
This family-owned and -operated shop in New Castle has been serving up some of the best soft serve since 1956. The small-town shop serves specialty treats, sundaes and even iced creations to help locals stay cool. It’s easy to see why this is a longtime favorite stop in New Castle.
2 Jay Drive, New Castle | 328-9740
View this post on Instagram
Double Dipper Ice Cream Parlor
Serving only the best in the business, Double Dipper brings a whole new meaning to the neighborhood ice cream parlor. Its Guatemalan Ripple and Salted Carmel Pretzel are only a few of the delicious flavors it offers.
3545 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont |Â 893-4920Â
View this post on Instagram
Fusco’s
The Wilmington hotspot is a long-time favorite for water ice, but the new shop on Kirkwood Highway is also a great spot to grab some ice cream! Using organic and lactose-free dairy products, Fusco’s stays committed to quality. With house-made soft serve and ice cream along with specialty items like Affogato, Fusco’s ice cream is a must-try!
3962 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington | 757-6984
Hopkins Farm Creamery
Hopkins offers an array of delicious, homemade scoops made fresh daily. As an authentic dairy farm, Hopkins offers not only a tasty treat but the chance to experience life on the farm in Lewes.
18186 Dairy Farm Road, Lewes | 645-7163
View this post on Instagram
Ice Cream Delight
Head over to the “sweetest place in Delaware” to enjoy a delicious afternoon treat. This family-owned and -operated shop is located right on Ice Cream Drive in Wilmington, where patrons can enjoy soft serve and guilt-free froyo.
1 Ice Cream Drive, Wilmington | 478-4555
View this post on Instagram
The Ice Cream Shoppe
This family-owned shop serves massive scoops alongside a display of American muscle cars (yes, it’s true). Get your favorite flavor piled high on a homemade waffle cone in Wilmington.
700 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington | 593-8207
View this post on Instagram
The Ice Cream Store
With over 100 different flavors, this beachfront location is the perfect spot to mix and match. Enjoy milkshakes, hand-dipped cones and flavors such as Chocolate I Don’t Give a Fork and Bacon Maple Crunch.
6 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach |Â 227-4609
View this post on Instagram
Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard
It’s not quite ice cream, but if you’re going to opt for custard, you should go for the original. It’s less fat and sugar than the classic treat, with a delicious taste to boot. Some even prefer it to traditional ice cream. With shops up and down the East Coast, you can find Kohr Bros. at multiple locations on the Delaware beaches.
Multiple Locations in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick IslandÂ
View this post on Instagram
King’s Homemade Ice Cream
King’s has been in operation since 1972 and serves nostalgia one scoop at a time. The mint chip cannot be beat.
302 Union Street, Milton • 684-8900; 201 Second Street, Lewes | 645-9425
View this post on Instagram
MomMom’s Ice Cream Shop
This Dover ice cream shop serves homemade ice cream and other desserts. MomMom’s strives to use as many local ingredients as possible in its small-batch desserts. It offers a variety of flavors, including some dairy-free and vegan options.
900 East Division Street, Dover | 734-1801
View this post on Instagram
Reno’s Ice Cream
Reno’s boasts a menu of all freshly made ice cream and water ice. The Wilmington hotspot offers over 20 flavors all made fresh in-store. It may be a small shop on Limestone Road, but loyal customers swear Reno’s has the best ice cream around.
2748 Limestone Road, Wilmington | 357-9046
Surreal Creamery
If you’re looking for something a little over the top, Surreal Creamery in Newark is the spot for you. Specializing in loaded mason jars piled high with creative toppings, this small chain is slowly expanding throughout the eastern United States, focusing on college towns and urban areas. The newest location is right here in Delaware. Fans of the chain love that the treats are always Instagram-worthy!
93 East Main Street, Newark | 286-7402
View this post on Instagram
Sweet Lucy’s
Meg and Dan Hurst took over this Wilmington shop in 2020 and have since expanded the selection from just Woodside Farm Creamery’s ice cream to options from Hy-Point Dairy, Hershey’s and Frozen Farmer. You can also expect to see yummy pastries like chocolate mousse cannoli, jumbo cookies and even dessert boards. Plus, if you’re having a summer party, a specialty ice cream cake from Sweet Lucy’s is sure to be a hit for dessert.
3201 Concord Pike, Wilmington | 477-0777
View this post on Instagram
Tre Sorelle Dolce
Pair your scoops with a game of mini golf at this quaint Kent County shop. Not only can you play a round, but you can also enjoy live music, food trucks and more every week.
27 S. Railroad Avenue, Wyoming | 363-1909
View this post on Instagram
UDairy Creamery
Made with the milk from the cows at the University of Delaware’s farm at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this nonprofit shop sells deliciously silly flavors, like the All Nighter, Ch-Ch-Ch-Chocolate and Grandma’s Gone Coco-nuts.
815 North Market Street, Wilmington | 300-4342
535 South College Avenue, Newark | 831-2486
View this post on Instagram
Vanderwende Farm Creamery
Since 1954, Vanderwende Farm Creamery has brought homemade, small-batch flavors to the First State. With over 300 cows, this farm not only serves multiple locations across the beaches, but it delivers to Delmarva via Vanderwende’s Ice Cream Truck.
4003 Seashore Highway, Bridgeville | 349-5110
8374 Hickman Road, Greenwood | 349-5160
23 Bellevue Street, Dewey Beach | 349-5110
300 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island | 519-2509
View this post on Instagram
Woodside Farm Creamery
Visit Woodside Farm for a taste of ice cream the old-fashioned way (and enjoy a view of the cows who provide it). The Hockessin destination uses a sweet cream processed from its Jersey cows to create ice cream in plenty of different flavors to enjoy at picnic tables right on the farm. This creamery is full of charm and delicious treats.
1310 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin | 239-9847
View this post on Instagram
Related: Hoop Tea’s New Pouches Are Perfect for Summer Sipping in Delaware
