Top 5 Ice Cream Shops Around the Metro

Spring has sprung, and summer is not too far away. A great way to beat the heat is to enjoy some of the best ice cream and frozen custard the Des Moines metro offers. Check out one of these top spots the next time you want something to cool you off!

Classic Frozen Custard

4000 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320

This sweet treat shop offers frozen custard in cones, sundaes, shakes, and malts. Their frozen custard is made fresh daily. They offer many flavors that vary from classic chocolate and vanilla to more the daring, like Orange Dreamsicle and Oreo Cheesecake. They also offer a variety of goodies, like brownie bites and fruit, to mix in. Visit them on Facebook to see their current flavors.

Dairy Zone

2219 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

This shop is an East tradition that has been in business since 1990. They feature soft-serve ice cream with almost 20 mix-in options to create their famous “Tornados”. The current featured Tornado is Lemon Pie. They also feature soft-serve staples like banana splits, sundaes, and parfaits. If you need a break from all the ice cream, check out their hot food options, like beef burgers, pizza pockets, French fries, chili dogs, and pork tenderloins. Check them out on Facebook for current specials.

Home Sweet Cone

1188 SE University Ave, Waukee, IA 50263

This ice cream shop features premium, homemade hard ice cream. They offer a regular rotation of almost 20 different flavors. Flavors vary from the common Mint Chip to the uncommon (but fan-favorite) Salted Oreo. You can get your ice cream in a cup, cone, float, or shake. In addition, they have freshly made waffle cones, brownies, and cookies. They even offer dairy-free and gluten-free options. “I love that they have fun dairy-free flavors. “I’m lactose intolerant and it’s so cool to find a place that I can enjoy with my family,” said Tyler Regier, a patron on his first visit to Home Sweet Cone. Check out their Instagram (@homesweetcone) stories daily for updated ice cream flavors.

Monarca Gourmet Paletas

9901 University Ave Unit 150, Clive, IA 50325

This ice cream treat shop offers Mexican ice cream popsicles called ‘paletas’. They make their treats in-house in small batches. and have over 30 flavor combinations. First, you select a paleta flavor. Then you can dip it in your choice of chocolate, and finally, top it off with many different toppings. Paleta flavors include strawberry, pistachio, coffee, and dulce de leche. Some flavors are dairy-free. Check out their Instagram (@monarcapaletas) for fun flavor combination ideas.

The Outside Scoop

2410 SW White Birch Dr. Ste 100, Ankeny, IA 50023

This ice cream shop opened in 2010 and has been churning out handmade, artisan-style ice cream ever since. They have stores in Ankeny and Indianola, and you can find one of their ice cream trucks out and about the city from time to time. They have 24 flavors that rotate in-store and 5-7 that rotate in their trucks. Their flavors vary from the tame, like Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cake Batter, to the wild, like Dutch Letter, Goat Cheese with Roasted Cherry, and Coffee Toffee. They do offer a few vegan flavors. Monthly flavors and truck locations are posted on their Instagram (@theoutsidescoop).

Did we miss your favorite place? Comment below to let us know!

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