From ice cream and gelato to push pops, Seattle’s frozen dessert options are endless.
Whether it’s a long summer night or a rainy afternoon, enjoying ice cream in Seattle is always a good idea. During our warmer months, the sun doesn’t set in Seattle until nearly 10 p.m., which means there is plenty of time to indulge in life’s sweeter activities. With so much time to fill, visiting a family-friendly ice cream shop is the perfect outing for parents, nannies, and babysitters.
The Emerald City prides itself on good food and chefs don’t skimp on the details when it comes to their desserts. Our selection of the top ice cream shops in Seattle feature organic, locally-grown natural ingredients and if your kids are gluten- or dairy-free, there are plenty of decadent desserts for them to try. Plus, the flavors are unbelievable. Sure, everyone loves a good chocolate or vanilla, but in Seattle, you can try Avocado Cream, Earl Grey, or Honey Lavender.
From handmade push pops, rich gelato, macaron ice cream sandwiches and soft serve in a cone, there is a special frozen dessert in Seattle sure to delight every child and caregiver out there.
Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream
Address: 1525 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 206-602-6420
Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream has the charm of vintage ice cream shops and serves an endless array of ice cream treats. Kids will love sitting at the counter and watching their desserts being made, and parents will love the local, organic coffee that Shug’s serves. If you’re lost on lunch ideas, Shug’s has you covered, too, since PB&Js are always available for the kiddos. The real star, though, is the ice cream, and it doesn’t disappoint. Personally, we love to make our own sundae, but floats and shakes are also available. Favorite ice cream flavors include Cinnamon, Earl Grey, and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. We’ve also heard rave reviews of the Blueberry Sorbet.
Molly Moon’s
Address: 1408 34th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 (Original Shop) | Click here for more locations.
Hours: Open daily, noon – 11 p.m.
Phone: 206-324-0753
With eight locations, Molly Moon’s is a Seattle favorite. As soon as temperatures rise above 60 degrees, there’s a line outside of most Molly Moon’s shops. The team makes their ice cream fresh daily in each shop, and several feature an open kitchen so the kids can see the chefs working on their latest batches. How cool is that? Molly Moon’s has lots of fancy flavors, like Earl Grey, Honey Lavender, and Stumptown Coffee, which is a delicious blend of organic, fair trade coffee and sweet cream. Classics like Strawberry and Cookie Dough are also on hand. And if you’re like me and love Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, then you have to try the ‘Scout’ Mint.
Frankie & Jo’s
Address: 1010 E. Union St., Seattle, WA 98122
Hours: Open daily, noon – 11 p.m.
Phone: 206-257-1676
Can’t get the kiddos to eat their veggies? Not a problem. Take them to Frankie and Jo’s, where plants are turned into tasty ice cream. Don’t believe us? Check out their Instagram feed that’s filled with kids loving the healthier dessert option. Plus, their ice creams and sorbets are vegan, gluten- and soy-free but still rich and full of flavor. There’s a great counter for families to gather around inside and beautiful benches out front so kiddos can enjoy some sunshine with their ice cream. Beloved flavors include the Gingered Golden Milk, Tahini Chocolate, and Chocolate Mint Brownie. And kids will love picking out their extra toppings like chewy brownie chunks, tahini fudge, and shortbread cookies.
Full Tilt Ice Cream
Locations:
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Ballard: 5453 Leary Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107 | P: 206-297-3000
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Columbia City: 5041 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118 | P: 206-226-2740
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University District: 4759 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105 | P: 206-524-4406
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White Center: 9629 16th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98106 | P: 206-767-4811
Hours:
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Ballard and University District: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 11 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – midnight
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Columbia City: Monday – Thursday, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 2 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 10 p.m.
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White Center: Monday – Saturday, noon – 10 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 9 p.m.
What’s better than delicious ice cream? Delicious ice cream and live music and tons of games for kids to play. Full Tilt Ice Cream is crazy popular in Seattle because it offers a whole afternoon of fun for the family. “After extensive research and testing, we have scientifically created a fun environment for people of all ages,” the Full Tilt team said. Try one of their fun flavors that happen to be made with all natural ingredients, like Thai Iced Tea, Huckleberry, Mudhoney, or Birthday Cake, and then sit back and relax. The new and vintage arcade and pinball machines are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Plus, Full Tilt serves some of the finest beers in the Northwest for moms and dads.
D’Ambrosio Gelato
Address: 5339 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – midnight | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 206-327-9175
Ah, gelato. The denser, silkier, and some would say more delicious cousin of ice cream. I still remember the first time I tried it. I was a big ice cream fan (still am) but my world was shaken when mom introduced me to the Italian ice cream. If you’re looking to blow your kids’ minds with a new dessert, then head to D’Ambrosio Gelato in Ballard. Their incredible flavors, including Blueberry Lavender, Strawberry Ricotta, Nutella, and Cinnamon Horchata will make you forget you’re not currently summering in Europe. The team also whips up some amazing vegan-friendly sorbet in equally amazing flavors, like Grapefruit Honey, Fragola, and Limone Sorbetto. Delizioso!
Parfait
Address: 2034 NW 56th St., Seattle, WA 98107
Hours: Open daily, 1 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Spring hours)
Phone: 206-258-3066
Farm to table is a pretty familiar concept, but at Parfait, farm to cone is what’s hip. The team of ice cream wizards grows their own berries and herbs that are used in their amazing creations. They have a super cute garden space at their Ballard location! Parfait started as Seattle’s first dessert food truck back in 2009 and was so beloved that the team opened their from-scratch ice cream shop in 2013. You’ll see the team whipping up delicious desserts that include creamy ice cream, homemade push pops, macaron ice cream sandwiches, and various other treats. Like all great restaurants, their menu changes with the seasons. Around the holidays, try the White Chocolate Peppermint Chip, Eggnog, or Spicy Hot Cocoa. In the spring and summer, you’ll love the Orange Creamsicle, Raspberry Ripple, Lemon Pistachio, and Honey Lavender.
Scoop Du Jour
Address: 4029 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112
Hours: Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Saturday, noon – 9 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 8 p.m.
Phone: 206-325-9562
Scoop Du Jour has all the necessities for a perfect afternoon. Take the kiddos for a burger or grilled cheese then pick out your favorite flavor of ice cream and toppings. Scoop Du Jour is a neighborhood favorite. Seattleites rave about how much they love this local joint on its Facebook page. Kids will adore the Fruit Loop and Bubble Gum flavors. If you love interesting concoctions, order the Maple Bacon or the Jack Daniel’s Fudge Praline. If classics are more your style, Scoop Du Jour has Sea Salt Caramel, Cookies and Cream, and various sherbet options on the menu, as well. Grab a seat inside, outside, or for the best afternoon ever take your frozen treat down the road to the waterfront in Madison Park.
Nutty Squirrel Gelato
Locations:
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Magnolia: 2425 33rd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98199
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Phinney Ridge: 7212 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
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Four Corners: 26636 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE, Ste. H-100, Maple Valley, WA 98038
Hours: Open daily, noon – 9 p.m.
Phone: 877-738-7696
Not only does Nutty Squirrel have unique flavors, but the Seattle dessert shop was a 2016 Gelato World Tour Finalist! The family-run business has three locations with brightly-colored indoor and outdoor seating the kiddos will love. The interesting company name came from the team’s desire to celebrate the fresh nuts — hazelnut, pistachio, peanuts — they use daily in various flavors. We can’t get enough hazelnut and are so happy to have it in gelato form. If nuts aren’t your jam, try one of their fruity flavors like sour cherry or strawberry. And if the kids want to try something special consider one of the experimental flavors like avocado cream or chili chocolate.
Husky Deli
Address: 4721 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 206-937-2810
This family owned and operated store has been in business since 1932, and for a good reason: patrons feel welcomed and the food is fantastic. They have 32 different flavors of homemade ice cream and a great outside area to sit and enjoy your waffle cone, shake, or pint if you’re really hungry. Some of the favorite flavors are Blackberry Cheesecake, Butter Toasted Pecan, and Red Raspberry Ribbon. We’re bigger fans of the specialty and premium flavors, though, like the Kona Koka Rum, Raspberry Decadence, Caramel Pecan Fudge, and Pralines & Cream. The Husky Deli team also offers ice cream socials, where they’ll bring your favorite flavors and a few servers to scoop up delicious treats at your party or event. An ice cream birthday party sounds like the perfect kid-friendly event.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
Locations:
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12th Avenue: 1610 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
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Pike Place Market: 1530 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
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University Village: 4626 26 Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Hours:
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12th Avenue: Sunday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
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Pike Place Market: Sunday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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University Village: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Contact: info@rachelsgingerbeer.com
Rachel’s Ginger Beer is known for providing fun for folks of all ages. Their large, open space shops with colorful murals are super fun for kids. Parents will love that they only use fresh, local ingredients to make their delicious treats. Grab a counter spot and taste test the many flavors of ginger beer that you can pair with their creamy soft serve ice cream. Let’s be clear: Rachel’s Ginger Beer is soda only and has no alcohol in it, so these delicious floats and shakes are perfect for kiddos. What makes the ice cream so special are the various creations the team makes using their handmade ginger beer. We love the Strawberry & Passionfruit float, and the Blueberry option is a summer staple. If slushies are more your speed, order one of those or, for parents, a frozen cocktail. The menu is endless and changes with the seasons.
