Best NY Ice Cream Shops on the Upper West Side

If you’re on a hunt for the best Upper West Side ice cream spots, look no further. We have what you crave. And though it may look like all roads lead to Amsterdam Avenue, definitely don’t overlook Columbus Avenue (Big Gay Ice-Cream).  

Emack & Bolio’s – 389 Amsterdam (between 78th & 79th Streets)

So the story goes that this ice cream venture was the brainchild of a couple of Massachusetts hippie lawyers back in the 70’s. These guys were representing rock and rollers on the hunt for labels. They designed an ice cream bar, especially for their musicians, and learned how to make a bunch of ice-cream with cool, inventive flavors. It wasn’t just the names: (Space Cake, Twisted Delight, Deep Purple Cow). Before long, what started as a gamble led to an ice cream brand that took off. The lawyers turned from music to the business of selling ice cream in earnest.  As for the Emack and Bolio name this was the result of another brain wave.  Two clients whom these lawyers separately did pro bono work for offered each of their last names. And thus were Emack and Bolio born.  

Try one of their 20 plus yummy ice cream flavors. They also have dairy-free sorbet, live cultured yogurt, a small batch of non-dairy vegan ice-cream made from a coconut cream base. You can get your ice-cream in a cup or a waffle cone (covered in fruit loops, oreos, or dipped in chocolate).  Sundaes, ice cream floats and smoothies round out the offerings. Emack and Bolio’s on Amsterdam Avenue may not be their biggest space, and the lines can be long. That said, most people leave smiling. And those cones, they are just a thing of beauty!   

Amorino Gelato – 414 Amsterdam (between 79th & 80th Streets)

Amorino, the second in our Amsterdam Avenue trio, offers fine Italian gelato and sorbet in 36 different flavors. Vegan options are available. Their emphasis is on excellent organic ingredients that are free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and flavor enhancers. Gelati come in the shape of a rose.  Customers choose among flavors that are added as petals. Try the Bourbon Vanilla or Stracciatella. Macarons, pastries, crepes, waffles, as well as hot and cold coffee and chocolate drinks are also on offer.

Amorino scores big on visual appeal and artistic presentation. The finished product is just gorgeous. It’s also a decorative environment in which to watch the work being done. Yes, lines may be long, and it’s not inexpensive. This European-style gelateria falls in the ‘you get what you pay for’ category. Give it a shot. You probably won’t regret it.   

Van Leeuwen – 448 Amsterdam (between 81st & 82nd Streets)

According to the website, the American pronunciation of this Dutch name is easy: “Van (like the car); Lou (like the name) and Inn (like the hotel”).  Despite the name, this ice cream got its 2008 start with three young entrepreneurs and a truck on the streets of New York. The mission: “to make good ice cream that makes you feel good”. The emphasis is on using high-quality ingredients. Dairy ice cream has fresh milk and cream, pure cane sugar, and organic egg yolks. Vegan ice cream is made with house-made raw cashew milk, organic coconut cream, coconut oil, pure cocoa butter, and cane sugar. Ice cream is made at a factory in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and there are currently scoop shops in 8 states.

With seriously tempting ice cream flavors, multiple delicious toppings (hot fudge, cookies, and cream crumble, sprinkles), and dairy-free alternatives that include 8 creative vegan ice creams (vegan pina colada, vegan lemon yuzu sorbet) there truly is something for everyone. You may also take your pick among the range of ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, and root beer floats, or test out their chocolate chip cookie.  This Amsterdam Avenue space is small, colorful, clean, and brightly lit. Service is personable. You walk out with something that is visually appealing and tastes superb. Grab and go works best, and you might just pick up a tub to go.

Big Gay Ice Cream – 516 Columbus (between 84^th & 85^th Streets)

From its food truck beginnings in 2009, Big Gay Ice Cream grew to enjoy a soft-serve following in NYC and Philadelphia. The focus continues to be on dairy-based ice cream. The main flavors are chocolate, vanilla, and a combination of the two, along with some excellent toppings. Changing soft-serve specials are posted each week.  A selection of some dairy-free and vegan fruit pops is also available.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity for some good old-fashioned soft serve. Try as a cone (Rocky Roadhouse,) sundae (try the Monday Sundae or the Rufus), ice cream float (Mexican Coca Cola) or maybe go with the creamy Oreo milkshake. With a nod to its food truck roots, the Trucker is a decadent ice cream sandwich that you won’t want to miss.  Bright, colorful, and open late.