In a city where it feels like summer nearly nine months out of the year, ice cream isn’t just a seasonal treat — it’s a year-round staple. Parents, babysitters, or nannies can take the kids out for a cool treat anytime. Houston has plenty of great, family-friendly ice cream shops to choose from, but if you’re looking for the best, start with these 10.
Cloud 10 Creamery
Address: 5216 Morningside Drive, Houston, TX 77005
Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 11 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 9 p.m.
Phone: 713-434-6129
Located in West University, this shop is great for the quality-conscious mama. The ice cream has no artificial flavoring or additives and is made in super small batches — only a half gallon at a time.
While they have a standard selection of year-round flavors like dark chocolate and lemon-and-mint sorbet, they also have seasonal flavor combos like raspberry rose. Little ones will especially love the kid-friendly flavors and toppings like peanut butter and jelly with graham cracker crumbles, which you can get upon request.
Fat Cat Creamery
Address: 1901 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77008
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight
Phone: 713-869-1080
Fat Cat is a Heights neighborhood favorite — and for good reason. Many Heights residents pride themselves on living locally, and the small-batch ice cream here is made with only local ingredients. Even the packaging is sustainably sourced. The pint containers and single-serve cups are compostable, and the spoons are made with cornstarch and bioplastic.
Like the process by which the ice cream is made and served, Fat Cat’s flavors are anything but ordinary — perfect for families who like to experiment with new and interesting options. The vanilla is made with pure Mexican vanilla, and the chocolate is made with Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout beer. In fact, a surprising number of the varieties include alcohol, so be sure to look closely before ordering. But don’t worry. There are still tasty varieties available for kids, including a chai tea coconut ice cream that is dairy-free for those with milk allergies.
Hank’s Ice Cream
Address: 9291 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77025
Hours: Hours vary by season, but typically are Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 8 p.m. | Sunday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 713-665-5103
This mom and pop shop is like stepping back into your childhood. The family-owned business opened in 1985, and it looks like it hasn’t changed a day since. The decor and exterior have a retro feel that will make you itch for your leg warmers and shoulder pads, and the ice cream inside tastes just like childhood summers.
On any given day, you might see a dozen or so flavors, but there are more than 100 in their recipe box. You can on count on Hank’s for all the classics — including butter pecan, rum raisin, and cookies and cream — so you can share your childhood favorites with your kids, too.
N2 Ice Cream
Address: 9788 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 832-834-5675
N2 Ice Cream serves ice cream with a fun, Asian-fusion twist. In addition to relatively tame and traditional flavors like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, they have creative, mouth-watering concoctions. Be sure to taste test the Magga Tron — strawberry jelly, cheesecake, and cookie dough — or the Matcha Made in Heaven, where matcha ice cream is combined with strawberries and chocolate curls. If you’re still hungry, you can get a variety of non-dessert dishes like bulgogi, bahn mi, and Peking duck.
Kids will go nuts over the Dragon’s Breath treats. These nitrogen-infused bites let you blow smoke just like a dragon. The effect is definitely Snapchat worthy.
Rita’s Ice and Custard
Address: 2802 White Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday, noon – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 10 p.m.
Phone: 832-987-4827
This Rita’s location is a beloved neighborhood spot in the Heights and a right of passage for many parents wanting to share a frozen treat with their kids for the very first time. Rita’s specializes in frozen custards and has only two flavors: vanilla and chocolate. What makes it special is the myriad ways the custard can be combined with a wide variety of Italian ice flavors and toppings. Get it swirled with wild black cherry Italian ice for a refreshing Misto Shake, or throw in some M&Ms for a thick, creamy Blendini. You can also get the frozen custard smushed between two tasty cookies and rolled in chocolate chips.
Of course, it’s also delightful on its own. Or with a mountain of sprinkles. You can never go wrong with sprinkles.
Tarascos
Address: 13930 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 10 p.m.
Phone: 281-584-9696
Houstonians love their Tex-Mex — even when it comes to ice cream. Tarascos’ menu is in both Spanish and English and has a ton of great treats with a slight Mexican flair. While you can always get standard cups or cones, the little ones will love the dozens of popsicle flavors to choose from. From tres leches to avocado, there is sure to be a flavor for even the pickiest of kids.
For an extra-special treat that’s both crunchy and creamy, try the churros a la mode.
Amy’s Ice Cream
Address: 3816 Farnham St., Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – midnight | Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Phone: 713-526-2697
You know an ice cream shop means business when there are two cows welcoming you in from the roof. Amy’s is full of bright colors, fun cartoons, and — naturally — delicious ice cream. You can enjoy the standard varieties of chocolate, vanilla, and sweet cream, but the more adventurous among you can pick from a continuous rotation of interesting and unique flavors like olive oil or tequila sunrise. Top it off with some tasty toppings, like fresh-cut strawberries, crushed candy bars, ginger snaps, nutter butters, even Grape Nuts — remember those?
With so many options, it can be hard to choose. Which is why they also offer suggested combos with fun names like the Salty Dog — Mexican vanilla and crushed Heath bars with butterscotch and sea salt — that kids will love.
Gelazzi
Address: 3601 White Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 10:30 p.m. | Friday, noon – 11:30 p.m. | Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 713-597-6257
Gelazzi has the look and feel of an old-school restaurant in Chicago’s Little Italy. Most come here for the rich, creamy gelato, but this Heights-area eatery also has deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, ll of which are served among vintage photographs paying homage to the owner’s Chicago family.
The nod to the Italian-American tradition is more than just the gelato and pizza. It’s also about the experience. While some ice cream shops are designed for a quick treat to go or a brief sit-down, this place screams “stay and enjoy!” Outside, there are picnic tables with big umbrellas, bocce, and space for young kids to burn off some energy. It’s a perfect spot to spend a leisurely evening out when the weather is nice.
Sweet Cup Gelato
Address: 3939 Montrose Blvd., Ste. L, Houston, TX 77006
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 713-942-2226
This Montrose-area location has treats for both caretakers and kids. Sweet Cup Gelato has roughly two dozen flavors to choose from at any given time, including frozen yogurt varieties and a selection of dairy-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
Sweet Cup Gelato also serves hot and cold coffee drinks, so you can get a caffeine jolt while the kids sugar up. Did I mention they also often have wine-flavored gelato? You’re welcome.
Sub Zero
Address: 10133 Louetta Road, Bldg. B, Houston, TX 76054
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 11 p.m.
Phone: 832-953-2363
For a side of education served up with your cone, Sub Zero is a great pick. All ice cream is customizable and created in front of you with liquid nitrogen. Choose your milk, flavors, and mix-ins, and watch as your specially devised treat is made right before your eyes. Kids will love seeing the process from start to finish, and you’ll get a flashback to high school chemistry.
While there are several Sub Zero locations throughout the Houston area, this one is the most popular.
