From spots using local ingredients like berries and lavender to those serving up innovative dairy-free options, these Washington State ice cream shops offer cool treats perfect for summer and beyond. Add a few of them to your must-visit list, or check out Washington’s ice cream trail for even more inspiration.
Local Washington Ice Cream Shops
Ice Cream Social, Tacoma
Ice Cream Social started scooping at farmers’ markets before expanding into a storefront in 2014. Now, you can grab a cone at one of three locations: the Point Ruston waterfront, Hilltop, and Proctor. Sustainably sourced dairy is crafted into tasty flavors like roasted banana, salted caramel, and Valhalla coffee made from coffee roasted in Tacoma. For those looking for dairy-free options, try coconut almond poppy seed or refreshing cherry lime sorbet.
Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co., Leavenworth
Whistlepunk got its start as an ice cream cart before opening a storefront in the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth. Enjoy small-batch ice cream with a side of sweeping mountain views or warm up with a hot chocolate float when the weather cools down. Try staple flavors such as coffee made with beans from nearby 97 Rock Coffee, Blackberry Fool made with Pacific Northwest berries, or pistachio sweetened with honey from Wenatchee’s McGregor Farms. You’ll find a variety of non-dairy flavors and fruity sorbets on the menu as well.
Frankie and Jo’s, Seattle
With locations across the city in Ballard, Capitol Hill, and University Village, Frankie and Joe’s specializes in plant-based and gluten-free ice creams. Each flavor starts with a base of coconut milk or oat milk and uses coconut sugar or dates for a touch of sweetness. Try flavors such as salted pistachio, mint brownie with dark chocolate brownie bits, or vibrant beet-strawberry-rose sorbet. The gluten-free maple-vanilla waffle cones made with oat flour are just the cherry on top.
Lopez Island Creamery, Anacortes & Lopez Island
This Washington State ice cream producer has been crafting ice cream since 1982. The Lopez Island Creamery factory is 50% solar-powered, thanks to the solar farm on the roof, which ultimately reduces the carbon footprint used to make tasty treats. Visit the Lopez Island store or the factory store in Anacortes for a variety of options, like blueberry made with organic Bow Hill Farm blueberries. For chocolate lovers, try peanut butter chocolate chunk.
Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Pullman
Located on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Ferdinand’s offers old-fashioned ice cream as well as the college’s famous Cougar Gold cheese. The ice cream is made by students in the food science program using dairy from cows tended by students in the agriculture program. Order a scoop of Apple Cup Crisp with oatmeal cookie pieces, caramel, and spices. Banana splits, milkshakes, and espresso drinks are also on the menu.
Ice Cream Renaissance, Vancouver
A Vancouver staple, Ice Cream Renaissance has been crafting small batch ice cream and serving it at its downtown location since 2001, with a second location in Camas. It all starts with a base from nearby Alpenrose Dairy. Choose from flavors like honey vanilla and churro or Vegan options such as matcha lavender and grasshopper. Enjoy your ice cream in a cone or sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies before heading out to visit Fort Vancouver or stroll the waterfront.
Mallard Ice Cream, Bellingham
Known for its rotating selection of creative flavors, Mallard in downtown Bellingham has featured more than 700 options since it opened in 2001. Cookie dough ice cream is made with dough from local Antler Baking Company, and you can find classics like super chocolate and cold brew as well. While you’re visiting, consider paying it forward with Mallard’s Buy Someone a Scoop program before heading out to explore the city’s museums or nearby hikes.
Winegar’s Ice Cream, Ellensburg
Central Washington University students and locals alike love this Ellensburg staple. Winegar’s originally started as a dairy farm in 1956 and remains family operated. With a high butterfat content, their ice cream is rich, creamy, and made in small batches. Flavors are named after family members, friends, and area landmarks. The Kevinlicious features an amaretto base with black cherries and chocolate chips, while the VickieBerry is huckleberry ice cream with a huckleberry swirl.
Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream, Port Angeles
A must-visit in Port Angeles, Welly’s on the waterfront serves up New Zealand-style fruit ice cream. It all starts with a base of sweet cream or dairy-free vanilla ice cream, which is whirled through a special machine with your choice of berries to make the ultimate soft serve. Choose from fresh blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. The shop also offers classic ice cream and shakes, making it the perfect spot to cool off after visiting nearby Olympic National Park.
Angel Brook Farm, Tri-Cities
This Kennewick produce stand offers fresh fruits and vegetables, wildflower honey, and 12 rotating ice cream flavors. Located in agriculturally rich Wine Country, Angel Brook Farm uses natural ingredients to craft flavors like pistachio, chocolate peanut butter, banana pudding, and rocky road, along with lavender lemon sorbet. Grab a scoop in a handmade waffle cone, blended in a milkshake, or paired with espresso for an affogato treat.
Pine Cone Creamery, Walla Walla
Nestled in Washington’s Wine County, this downtown Walla Walla ice cream shop produces small batches with flavors like honey lavender, sweet corn, and blackberry brandy. Stack scoops of Pine Cone Creamery’s Klicker strawberry, made with berries grown in the foothills of the nearby Blue Mountains. Vegan flavors such as lemon poppyseed and cookies and cream are also on the menu.
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, Seattle
With 11 shops across the Seattle area, there are plenty of Molly Moon locations to choose from. This well-known Washington ice cream shop sources dairy from sustainable and family-owned Edaleen Dairy in Lynden. When it comes to flavors and add-ins, 90% of ingredients are sourced from local farmers, which helps to dictate seasonal flavor offerings. Strawberries come from Viva Farms in the Skagit Valley, organic lavender comes from the Olympic Peninsula, and the melted chocolate ice cream features dark organic K’UL chocolate from Bellingham. Finish your cone with hardshell topping, a Washington Chukar Cherries sour cherry, or local candied hazelnuts.
The Scoop, Spokane
This Washington State ice cream shop opened in 2003 in the South Hill neighborhood, with a second location in Kendall Yards. The Scoop uses liquid nitrogen to handcraft its frequently changing flavors. Expect to find staples like mint chip and vanilla bean, with creative options such as PB&J featuring strawberry jam and Nutter Butters and Mocha Mud Pie with espresso chocolate pudding and Oreos. Vegan and gluten-free soft serve choices are available as well.
Carter and Co., Port Orchard
Head to the Kitsap Peninsula forCarter and Co., a Port Orchard storefront offering a full bakery, café, chocolate shop, and ice cream parlor all in one. Fresh berries are used to craft flavors like Brickleberry made with raspberry and blackberry ice cream, honey toffee, and whole blueberries. Premium Valrhona chocolate is incorporated into their creamy chocolate ice cream, while dairy-free sorbet highlights locally sourced fruit.
Snoqualmie Ice Cream, Various locations
Find rich, gourmet ice cream in Kirkland, Maltby, and downtown Snoqualmie at Snoqualmie Ice Cream. This family-run company, focused on local ingredients, is a certified B Corp dedicated to sustainable sourcing and minimizing its carbon footprint. Signature flavors include French lavender, mountain blackberry, and cookie monster, with seasonal rotating flavors like peppermint stick, pumpkin spice latte, and Yakima peach.
About the Author
Molly Allen is a freelance food and travel writer, hiker, and paddleboarder who has spent more than 14 years exploring the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not playing outside, you’ll find her perfecting her homemade pizza craft. Her work can be seen in Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Business Insider, Taste of Home, and other publications.