Best Ice Cream Shops In The Twin Cities

Summer in Minnesota isn't very long so when enjoying the flavors of summer, most people are looking for the best. And what says summer more than a delicious scoop of creamy goodness like ice cream -- or in some cases, frozen custard. These shops are some of the best in terms of their ice cream but also because of how they make it and what they put in it. From classic flavors like Oreo to interesting concoctions with unique names like "Blind Love" or "Pavarotti" your summer won't be complete without checking out at least one of these ice cream shops for a taste of summer.In alphabetical order ...

Adele's Frozen Custard

800 Excelsior Boulevard | Excelsior, Minn.
Directory | Website

Technically out in the 'burbs but too good not to mention. Adele's serves frozen custard made daily, on-the-spot that's so creamy because the air is whipped out of it. They've been using the same recipe for more than 20 years. Adele's has more than 90 flavors, but because it's made right before your eyes, they only make a few different flavors a day. So you can try a new flavor or check out their calendar to show up on the day your favorite is being served. The employees are super friendly, which was evident when store managers Jai Buikema and Emma Nordeen talked so enthusiastically about their frozen custard and the homemade waffle cones.

Best Seller:

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle (so good they serve it every other Sunday)

Conny's Creamy Cone

1197 Dale Street North | St. Paul, Minn.
Directory | Website

The "Sweetest Place in the Neighborhood" stands out on the corner of this St. Paul neighborhood. It helps to have a big cone on the roof -- but what also stands out are the big tastes you can find in their soft serve ice cream. Conny's Cream Cone owner Conny McCullough blends more than 24 flavors with her creamy soft serve ... including cotton candy, peanut butter and key lime ... right in this little 1950s shack. Conny said the shop gets a lot of neighborhood support but people come from all over and plan their calendars around when this corner shop opens. And besides the soft serve, come for a meal, they've got hot dogs and burgers! And Conny said they've got great cheese curds too.

Best Sellers:

Pistachio, Black Cherry, Tutti Fruity

Edina Creamery

5055 France Avenue South | Edina, Minn.
Directory | Website

The Edina Creamery is located just outside Minneapolis along the posh 50th and France neighborhood. From the outside, it looks like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with its neon lights and giant ice cream cone. Inside you still get that 1950s feel as you step up to the ice cream case to choose your delicious treat. With yummy flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup or Caramel Cookie Praline, you'll get your fill of sweetness. And with a location surrounded by fun little shops, grab the dish or cone to go to enjoy the neighborhood.

Best Seller:

Butter Chocolate Almond Crunch

Grand Ole Creamery

750 Grand Avenue | St. Paul, Minn.
Directory | Website

Come on a busy day and the line will be out-the-door at this family-owned shop that's been on Grand Avenue for more than 25 years. But it's worth the wait for the award-winning ice cream that boasts more than 200 different flavors (of course, not at the same time). The clientele ranges from people in suits grabbing a quick treat to families arriving with kiddos in wagons. If you want to splurge -- try the malted waffle cone that has a whopper in the bottom of each cone. And if you want a meal before the sweet treat, they now offer pizza-by-the-slice. Pizza and ice cream -- can the combo get any better?

Best Sellers:

Black Hills Gold (caramel ice cream, Oreos and praline pecans)

HomeTown Creamery

2231 East 11th Avenue | North St. Paul, Minn.
Directory | Website

While you may not have been the HomeTown Creamery, located in North St. Paul, you might have seen them at a number of festivals and events around the Twin Cities -- they hit the town going to more than 40 events throughout the summer. Owner Howie Walters said the shop is named "HomeTown" because of his family's connection to the community -- and he demonstrates that through his work with the community. As for the ice cream -- they've won national awards for the basics: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. But it's their uniquely-named ice cream that you've got try, like Blind Love (caramel ice cream with Oreos, chocolate chunks and praline pecans), Peanut Butter Plunge and Blue Money, which Howie says is its own flavor. And Howie isn't afraid to experiment, saying if a customer thinks of something, they'll make it.

Best Seller:

Peanut Butter Plunge and Blind Love

Izzy's Ice Cream

2034 Marshall Avenue | St. Paul, Minn.
Directory | Website

Before even walking into this ice cream shop, you're welcomed by stacks of homemade waffle cones enticing you in the window. The super premium homemade ice cream served at Izzy's comes in so many different flavors that switch out daily, they have a Website dedicated to updating the ice cream flavors every three minutes. Not only does that concept make Izzy's unique but so does their famous Izzy's Scoop (see the picture) -- a small scoop of any flavor the tops off your ice cream treat. Co-owner Jeff Sommers said the Izzy Scoop not only gives people a chance to taste something different but it also creates a dialogue with customers -- "I can't believe you put those two ice creams together!" or "You have to try this..."

Best Sellers:

Salted Caramel, Oreo

Pumphouse Creamery

4754 Chicago Avenue South | Minneapolis, Minn.
Directory | Website

You could definitely call this shop a hole-in-the-wall ... it took me three times driving back and forth to find it ... but neighbors and others have no problem finding this family-friendly ice cream shop. The owner, Barb Zapzalka, is known for using organic and local ingredients to make her unique and traditional flavors. And bring the pooch along because they have doggie ice cream in little containers with half the sugar and half the cream. With local restaurants surrounding the shop, it's a great place to get dessert after any meal ... or a great place to stop while biking because it's located just off Minnehaha Parkway.

Best Seller:

Housemade Caramel, Praline Pecans and Sea Salt

Sebastian Joe's

1007 Franklin Avenue South | Minneapolis, Minn.
Directory | Website

With flavors like Nicollet Potholes (dark chocolate ice cream, caramel, holes of fudge and heavy gravel of toffee chunks) and Pavarotti (caramel, banana, chocolate chip) the names alone are unique but so is the taste. At any given time they'll have 22 different flavors of ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt ... but those flavors could change hourly depending on how popular they are and how fast they go. If you're not sure what suits your taste buds, ask for a sample! And recently, several flavors were certified kosher by a rabbi who watched how the ice cream was made. Of course, if you go with any ice cream, don't forget to have it served in their homemade waffle cones and if you're adventurous get the one dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.

Best Sellers:

Raspberry Chocolate Chip & Oreo

Crema Café
3403 Lyndale Avenue South | Minneapolis, Minn.
Directory | Website

Lots of experience goes into every scoop of either ice cream or sorbet at Crema Café. Ron Siron is the second-generation owner. His father, Sonny, started making Sonny's Ice Cream back in 1945 using milk and cream from Minnesota farmers. Ron said along with partner Carrie Gustafson they use local resources -- like rhubarb Ron just bought or herbs growing in their backyard -- to make the 22 flavors available every day. "We don't open up a can and dump whatever in it," Ron said. With unique flavors like maple bacon or honey lavender, Ron said while he does make sweet ice cream, he also makes savory flavors. But it's not only the ice cream that's unique -- it's the shop that's a beautiful piazza. And when people take a seat inside or outside they often feel transported to a different city or even country.

Best Seller:

Crema (coffee ice cream)