When the heat is unbearable, choc ice just won’t cut it. So we’ve put together a list of some of the best ice creams in York that you need to try. From crazy waffle cone offerings, and authentic Italian gelato to quirky canal boat ice cream shops on the River Ouse – you’re spoilt for choice in Yorkshire’s number one historic city.
1. Meow

Serving up massive bubble waffles with ice cream, this Hong Kong street food in York’s popular Goodramgate has been serving tasty bubble waffles that you can customise yourself. Enjoy a choice of waffles which include, plain, chocolate, hazelnut and coffee. You can then choose between your ice cream and toppings. Meow, 76 Goodramgate, York, YO17LF
Find out more here.
2. Scoops

Blink and you’ll miss it. This little hole in the wall can be found in the popular Coppergate Shopping Centre. If you’re in need of a break from your spree, you can enjoy a sugar hit from the Scoops ice cream kiosk. They offer at least eight flavours daily along with milkshakes and coffee options. Scoops, St Mary’s Square, Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT
Find out more here.
3. Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato

Roberto gelato is some of the tastiest you’ll find in York. The cafe offers a chilled environment to enjoy a variety of creative flavours such as meringue and raspberry, pistachio, salted caramel, extra dark chocolate, tiramisu and more. Found near the city walls you can enjoy a coffee and ice cream indoors or take a stroll in the sunshine. Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato, 3 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LJ
Find out more here.
4. Two Hoots Ice Cream Boat

Heading down along the York riverbank? Wander upstream of the Millenium Bridge and you can enjoy some of the finest quality locally made ice cream perfect for cooling off on a summer’s day. Served from a canal boat styled like an ice cream van, Two Hoots Ice Cream serves some of the best Ice Creams In York and is a delicious option for anyone with a hankering. Two Hoots Ice Cream Boat, York YO10 4FZ
Find out more here.
5. The Nice Cream Factory

The Nice Cream Factory is a revolutionary way of creating hand-crafted ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Instead of the old-school way of ice cream churning, your ice cream is made in moments in front of your eyes with a ‘smoother and more flavourful bowl of ice cream. Flavours include Oreo, Eton Mess, choc peanut butter, Lotus Biscoff and more. The Nice Cream Factory, 15 Fossgate, York
Find out more here.
6. Plush Café

Plush Café is an independent family-run restaurant and boutique found on Stonegate. The beautiful venue is Insta-worthy with food and drinks carefully put together. They have a range of desserts served with ice cream including their ‘Choccy Horror Picture Show Sundae’, ‘Lotus Celebrate Sundae’. Plush Café, 6 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS,
Find out more here.
7. Woody’s of York

Serving up soft scoop ice cream at the bottom of the famous Shambles in York, Woody’s of York can be found in King’s Square. They specialise in five delicious flavours with their most popular being a Biscoff 99. You can pick from a variety of cones and toppings as well as some vegan Magnums so everyone is covered. Woody’s, Kings Square, York, UK
Find out more here.
8. Trinacria Sicilian Ristorante, Pizzeria & Gelateria

A local treasure found on Bishopthorpe Road, Trinacria is a Sicilian restaurant that serves great food made with fresh ingredients along with homemade gelato. You can either enjoy popping in for some takeaway ice cream or sit down with friends and family. The restaurant has been much-loved in the area since 2012 so you know you can count on it for quality. Trinacria Sicilian Ristorante, Pizzeria & Gelateria, 27 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NA
Find out more here.
9. Luxury Ice Cream Company

We know one thing about this ice cream parlour, there will be an ice cream flavour for everyone. LICC has over 500 homemade ice cream flavours for you to try. You can try some novel flavours such as Gooey Apple Jammy Dodger, Lime Sorbet, lemon meringue and a range of classics and cheeky twists as well. Our favourite has to be their Strongbow Dark Fruits sorbet.
Find out more here.
10. Loopy Scoops

Found on Church Street, the independent ice cream parlour offers 15 award-winning flavours of Brymor ice cream. If you’re in need of cooling off, Loopy Scoops is making in ice n’ easy for you to chill odd. Mak sure you check out one of the best ice creams in York. Loopy Scoops, 3 Church St, York YO1 8BA
Find out more here.
11. The Full Moo

The famous The Full Moo, can be found along the River Ouse and is one of York’s most famous ice cream places found on a canal boat they serve delicious local dairy ice cream and sorbet just down from the popular Lendal Bridge near the Museum Gardens. Just look out for the massive cow, you can’t miss it. The Full Moo, Dame Judi Dench Walk, York YO1 7DR
Find out more here.
12. Here’s the Scoop
Outside of York’s York Art Gallery, you’ll find the quirky ice cream trailer that serves classic ice cream on one of York’s busiest and most beautiful roads. Here’s the Scoop, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
Read More: 12 Of The Best Spots For A Cosy Hot Chocolate In Yorkshire