5 Ice Cream Shops You Must Visit on the Upper East Side

By Dasha Kofman August 13, 2018

The Upper East Side of Manhattan has plenty of shops for delicious ice cream. We found the five most unique ice cream experiences for you and the kids on the UES—we aren’t just talking about your run-of-the-mill neighborhood ice cream shop. After all, the best summer days on the Upper East Side are accompanied by delicious ice cream the whole family can enjoy.

Here are five of our favorite ice cream destinations on the Upper East Side, sure to satisfy your sweet tooth:

CoolMess

137 E. 62nd St.
212-355-9834

After 70 years, Burger Heaven opened an ice cream companion: CoolMess, a frozen-dessert shop at which you make your own ice cream. Customers start with an organic ice cream base from Blue Marble Ice Cream: vanilla, chocolate or strawberry sorbet. Then, a baked good is thrown into the mix, whether it’s pound cake or brownies. Finally, customers can choose from a robust list of 25 toppings including everything from chocolate pretzels, Reese’s sauce, and heath bar crunch to mini gummy bears and bananas. Those looking for some inspiration can follow a “messpie” such as After School Special (vanilla ice cream with peanut butter sauce, strawberry jam, and toast). Once you have your combo chosen, put everything into a machine and “watch it go” in just 8 minutes! CoolMess is also available for parties.

The Sweet Shop

404 E. 73rd St.
212-960-8685

The Sweet Shop combines a love for sweets with an interest in all things vintage and retro. The creators of The Sweet Shop, Kelly and Glyn “Proprietress and Confectionista” Jaime, hope that stepping into their shop will be a blast from the past—and it’s a chance to introduce your kids to your favorite candy from your childhood. They sell sweets that have since been forgotten by the everchanging times, along with a handful of ice cream options (including two vegan ice cream choices daily). Among other ice cream treats, The Sweet Shop offers tiny cones, perfect for young kids, tasting a new flavor, or if you’re trying to watch your sugar intake.

Sedutto

1498 First Ave., #1
212-879-9557

Sedutto has been a New York staple since 1922, originating in Italy in the 1900s. With tons of flavors ranging from blueberry to butterscotch praline, Sedutto is the perfect spot to be a part of ice cream history in the making. Plus, the scoop shops offers frozen yogurts, sorbets, sundaes and desserts, a variety of toppings, and—special for Mom and Dad—wine ice cream and sorbet.

Emack and Bolios

1584 First Ave.
212-734-0105

Emack and Bolios is a chain founded in Boston by hippie lawyer Robert Rook. The shop opened as an eco-friendly side project. Walk into this ice cream parlor to get a feel for the 1960s and a scoop of any of the 40 flavor options, including flavors such as Chunk O’ Funk (caramel ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels, and Oreo chunks) and Cosmic Crunch (vanilla ice cream, caramel swirl, chocolate chips, walnuts, and cookies). To add to the sweetness, Emack and Bolios caters to all dietary and environmental restrictions.

The UES

1707 2^nd Avenue

This Insta-worthy ice cream parlor has a secret identity: The ice cream shop by day is a speakeasy by night. Stop by before 5pm with your kids for some sweet treats such as Honey Lavender and Peanut Butter Mudslide. Then come back later with your partner for a fun date night or with your mom friends for a much needed girls’ night out. Just be sure to follow the dress code if you’re coming for the speakeasy: no T-shirts, flip-flops, sneakers, or athletic wear allowed.

Caption: The UES is an ice cream shop for everyone in the family, but it doubles as a speakeasy at night for a much-needed date night.

Credit: Jess Sorenson