10 Cape Ice Cream Shops You MUST Visit this Summer

Cape Cod Ice CreamThere is some SERIOUS contention for the coveted title of “Best Ice Cream on Cape Cod” – but it’s nothing to scream about. If you’re a serious ice cream connoisseur, or just need an old standby after a day at the beach, Cape Cod’s increasingly large catalog of ice cream shops will surely fill your needs. But which ones do you need to hit up immediately? We’ve rolled up our sleeves, packed in some hard time and figured out which of the many local shoppes and parlors are the Cape’s cream of the crop.

In no particular order, we present the Ice Cream Shops you MUST visit this summer!

1. Cape Cod Creamery – South Yarmouth and Hyannis Locations

A relative newcomer, Cape Cod Creamery at 5 Theater Colony Rd. in South Yarmouth and 645 Iyannough Rd. in Hyannis is the perfect go-between for gourmet quality and classic Cape Cod charm. It’s also fine way to soak in Cape Colloquialisms: flavors like Monomoy Mud Pie, Nauset Peach and Chappaquiddick Chocolate Chip are brightly displayed “gelato-style” in stainless steel pans. The creamery prides itself on fresh ingredients mixed directly into the batters, making for a frozen treat which really does taste like its sweet namesake. Not in the area? No problem! You can find Cape Cod Creamery quarts at grocery stores and markets across Cape Cod, the south shore and even in Boston.

2. Sundae School – Dennis Port, Harwich Port, Orleans

The classic small town American ice cream shop is personified with Sundae School. In business since bicentennial year 1976, all three of this locally-loved business’s locations have earned accolades, such as Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S.” The flagship spot in Dennisport features a hundred-year-old marble soda fountain and classic old-timey ice cream memorabilia. This coveted creamery is noted for the hot fudge sundae, adorned with an in-season Bing cherry. Find Sundae School at 381 Lower County Rd. Dennisport, 606 Main Street/Route 28 in Harwich Port and 210 Main Street East Orleans.

FourSeas3. Four Seas – Centerville

The theme for this list is “local favorites,” since the locals who stay on Cape Cod year-round are more likely to have more ice cream experiences in a given season than those only here for a brief time. But Four Seas in Centerville has been a favorite of both year-rounders and returning tourists year after year. It’s another experienced establishment, in business since 1934, and is located at 360 S Main Street, Centerville. Here you’ll find some truly old-fashioned yet marvelous flavors like “penuche pecan,” a brown sugar-based flavor based on early New England recipes. Chocolate lovers can try a flavor exclusive to Four Seas called “Chip Chocolate” – made with melted chocolate which solidifies upon contact with a frozen base.

4. Steve & Sue’s Par-Tee Freeze – Hyannis

A different kind of New England favorite, soft-serve, is central to the appeal of the PAR-TEE FREEZE at 455 W Main Street Hyannis. But not the dull, chocolate-vanilla-or-both kind! This ice cream stand turned mini-golf course has over 20 flavors of creamy, swirly soft-serve and frozen yogurt flavors to choose from. The hum of the metal flavor-swirl machines emanating from the classic sliding windows is an experience you can’t miss, especially if you’re also feeling up to a little putt-putt. Plus the grasshopper green color of the Crème de Menthe is such a throwback. Instant, childhood-like bliss.

5. The Local Scoop – Orleans

“Scoop” only describes part of what the folks at The Local Scoop do year-round, since they’re also known for creative ice cream pops, make-your-own yogurt and ice cream sundaes and personalized ice cream cakes. Locally-sourced ingredients are found throughout the Scoop’s array of toppings, additions and ingredients – from the Cape Cod Beer brittle to the Hole in One Doughnut Shop’s midnight dark chocolate granola. Date-nighters and families will love the high level of customization in the sundaes, while those looking to grab a sweet treat to go will savor the cakes and pops. The Local Scoop is at 34 MA-6A in Orleans.

6. Lewis Brothers – Provincetown

It’s worth the drive to Provincetown. But really, do we have to twist your arm for ice cream? Especially the rich, gelato-like kind, with flavors like grape nut, green tea and pumpkin spice? No, we don’t. Lewis Brothers, along Commercial Street, creates new flavors daily and also has a small food truck which makes stops in other Cape towns.

7. Polar Cave – Mashpee

Decorated with old Coca-Cola memorabilia to match the polar bear theme, the Polar Cave is known for generous portions, family atmosphere and a killer selection of frappes and malts. The Cave is located at 22 Falmouth Road in Mashpee and keeps a simple yet delicious rotation of flavors going throughout the season. Favorites like bubblegum, pistachio and cookie monster are popular, as is their daily mystery flavor. The Polar Cave also boasts a whopping 22 unique flavors of frappes and a beautiful concoction of America’s yesteryear that should definitely be brought back: the malt. Their signature “glacier malts” are a MUST.

8. Somerset Creamery – Cataumet

Another gem of the Upper Cape: Somerset Creamery, 1268 Route 28A, Cataumet. Located in a sleepy village in Bourne, this standout creamery has long lines stretching into the parking lot for most of the season – even on weekdays. Inside, the air is thick with the aroma of freshly-made waffle cones and various frozen custards to stuff into them. Favorite flavors are supercharged with fresh ingredients and complimented with more original fare, like “cranberry bog,” ginger and the end-of-summer favorite: Indian Pudding. Don’t forget to try a Black Cow!

KA_Hyannis_Katies Homemade Icecream_11315 (1)9. Katie’s Ice Cream – Hyannis

The Big Pink House on Main Street, Hyannis has some of the most savory flavors of ice cream on Cape Cod, including popular picks like Rosemary Fig, Toasted Coconut and Lavender Honeycomb. With 24 flavors of soft-serve, gelato, lemon-lime rickeys, smoothies, sundaes and more, Katie’s has a selection diverse enough to cover any palette.

10. Twin Acres – Sandwich

What’s in a name? You’re liable to find this Sandwich shop’s Cape Cod style structure and title to be rich with old country charm, but the real treat awaits you in the deep freeze. Bourbon Caramel Pistachio Brittle, Frozen Pudding, and the famed White Thunder (featuring white chocolate chips and black raspberry) are all mouthwatering flavors which speak for themselves.

Excited for summer yet? Don’t sweat it – many of these local legacies are open year-round.

Is Your Favorite Place Mentioned Above?

Comments

  1. Gerald Giusti says

    The service is great and the staff brings a fun atmosphere to the shop. The staff work together and the ice cream is GREAT! We are very impressed with the charitable works done for the community as well.

  2. Mù mắt rồi

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy