Nothing makes you crave something cold and sweet like a hot summer day. Check out these ice cream spots, gelato shops and custard stops around Omaha. Make it your goal this summer to sample as much ice cream as you can because after all, there’s no better activity that you can enjoy with friends, family, and everyone in-between!
Coneflower Creamery
Where? 3921 Farnam Street
Coneflower Creamery has several locations around Omaha, including the Blackstone District spot on Farnam Street and the Millwork Commons location. Known for their handmade ice cream, you can’t go wrong with a sweet treat outing to Coneflower. Enjoy local ingredients at this farm-to-cone shop, including homemade sprinkles that add a burst of whimsy to your cone or cup. Flavors change seasonally, though you can always find the classics on the menu such as vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and salted caramel. Customize your creation with sauces and toppings, like hot fudge, brownie chunks, Amarena cherries, and a seasonal fruit compote. Aside from ice cream, Coneflower Creamery also has ice pops, floats, and artisan bottled sodas on the menu. Taste the difference in whatever scoop of ice cream you order and pat yourself on the back for supporting local farmers.
Ted & Wally’s Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
Where? 1120 Jackson Street
Ted & Wally’s makes ice cream from scratch using hyper-local ingredients. This small, family-owned Nebraska shop has been dedicated to their craft since 1984 and has since expanded to an Old Market location and a spot in the Benson District. Combining old-school processes and real, authentic ingredients — you won’t be disappointed when you order from Ted & Wally’s this summer. Each batch of ice cream is made in a century-old antique White Mountain freezer using rock salt and ice. Flavors include green tea, chocolate peanut butter, black raspberry rhubarb, and hickory smoked sea salt caramel espresso bean! Aside from their regular offering, the creamery also provides patrons with vegan and keto options like coconut, peanut butter, and pomegranate sorbet.
Dolci Old Market
Where? 1003 Howard Street
Swing by Dolci in Omaha’s Old Market this summer for a delightfully sweet treat. Serving up authentic Italian desserts, including tiramisu, biscotti, and cannolis — you won’t want to miss out on the CrunchiCreme premium soft serve ice cream that’s enhanced with swirls of flavors or your choice of candy mix-ins like Nestle, Heath, or cookies and cream. Go all out with a sundae or sip on a soda pop float. Opt for a dish, a cone, or even make your creation into a shake. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, Dolci also has fresh coffee, iced tea, and bottled drinks on the menu. Interesting signature sweets offered at Dolci include “spaghetti and sweet balls” with a vanilla ice cream “pasta” that is topped with cookie meatballs and grated white chocolate.
Christy Creme
Where? 2853 North Broadway
Swing on over to Council Bluffs to visit the mom-and-pop shop, Christy Creme, where you can enjoy a delicious hamburger that’s made fresh to order and where you can also dive into one of the 10 different flavors of sherbet that are rotated on a daily basis. If you can’t make it out on your favorite day – call ahead and the friendly team at Christy Creme will be happy to save you a quart for later! Classic ice cream flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry and the rotating flavors can include lime, orange, cherry, peach, blackberry, watermelon, pineapple, and even huckleberry. Make it your mission this summer to try one of each! The shop also crafts parfaits, such as the Banana Mountain which layers vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, bananas, and pecans.
Countryside Cones
Where? 8721 Countryside Plaza
At Countryside Cones, you can have custard your way. Create a customized cone or choose from one of the specialties on the menu. If you go the make-your-own route, first you choose a style (cup or cone, mini or regular), then you pick a flavor (vanilla, chocolate, dole whip, twist), and then you decide how to top or drizzle it with options like strawberry or marshmallow drizzle and rainbow sprinkles, gummy worms or Oreo crumb toppers. Want an extra treat? Add on an ice cream sandwich or a float with your choice of custard and soda. Countryside Cones is known for their simple, yet delicious, menu that serves up premium frozen custard treats that are made fresh daily in the shop. All flavors use 100% all-natural dairy bases and ingredients and customers can also opt for a dairy-free or vegan option.
Graley’s Creamery & Confections
Where? 147 North Washington Street
Papillion is home to Graley’s Creamery & Confections, which is soon to be your go-to for a sweet afternoon treat. Graley’s goal is to provide patrons with spectacular service and a high-quality product, all while throwing things back to the late 1800s in terms of music, ambiance, and the menu. The shop specializes in old fashioned sodas, like the Brown and Black Cows, as well as malts and banana splits. The creamery is known for its super-premium flavors that use all-natural ingredients served in a Victorian-style soda fountain. At any given time, there are 24 different ice cream flavors on the menu. Flavors may be rotated on occasion, with options such as black raspberry, blood orange sorbet, hazelnut crunch, sweet tea, key lime pie, and ooey gooey butter cake.
Dairy Chef
Where? 3223 North 204th Street
Make the drive to Elkhorn next time your sweet tooth strikes. Dairy Chef won’t ever let you down, whether you’re craving a juicy jalapeño burger or one of the specialty treats such as The Break-Up, which is chocolate ice cream, Oreo, brownies, and Fudge Storm. Enjoy a mix of sweet and salty? The Antler Sundae combines vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, strawberry puree, and crunchy pretzels. Keep things classic with the banana split or keep it simple with a plain cup or a swirled concoction in a waffle cone. From malts and shakes to floats and freezes, there’s something for everyone on the menu — including dipped cones that include shell options like butterscotch, chocolate, and cherry. Other favorite summertime treats include cookie sandwiches, frozen bananas, and ice pops.
Helados Locos
Where? 17330 West Center Road
At Helados Locos, you can have it your way! Choose your scoops, flavors, and your toppings. The menu includes fan favorites like Gansito, Twinkie, Banana Split, and Bombon with rainbow sprinkles, marshmallow sauce, mini marshmallows, chocolate sauce, mini chocolate chips, and graham crackers! Try your ice cream “Loco Style,” which is two flavor choices of ice cream topped with your style selection. Prefer something lighter and fruity? Try the fruitas frescas like the mangonada with mango sorbet and chamoy topping with fresh mango and tajin or the fresh fruit parfait using house yogurt and your choice of fruit and granola. If you want something savory to pair with your dessert, Helados Locos also has nachos, walking tacos, and esquite, which is a layered corn delight.
Freezing Thai Rolled Ice Cream
Where? 1918 South 67th Street
Mix things up this summer on your ice cream crawl around Omaha with a rolled ice cream treat. Signature cups include the Strawberry Lady or the S’mores Galore. Want something more unique? Try the avocado rolled ice cream with fresh fruit or the Matcha Queen. Of course, you can always order your choice of flavor and customize the toppings for something uniquely your own. Not only can you leave with a cup of freshly rolled ice cream but you can also order a signature bowl or build your own poke! The shop also has an array of boba drinks on the menu, so you can consider this a one-stop shop for lunch, dessert, and a refreshing beverage!
Centi
Where? 501 South 11th Street
Don’t be surprised if you come back for seconds and maybe thirds at Centi Gelato! With mouthwatering flavors on the menu such as bourbon vanilla, chocolate absolute, taro, and cookies, and cream — you won’t be able to pick just one. The Vietnamese Coffee flavor is crafted with a premium District 1 blend of Vietnamese coffee beans, with the final product delivering a robust coffee flavor with hints of chocolatey undertones that are sure to wow. The taro is imported from Taiwan and boasts a delicate vanilla and floral undertone. The recognizable purple hue makes this a staple for kids and adults alike who love a bright, fun gelato. If you have dietary restrictions, try the cookies and cream that’s made both vegan and gluten-free!
Doozies
Where? 4105 South 11th Street
Take the short jaunt to Council Bluffs for homemade ice cream and burgers at Doozies. The restaurant offers 10 different ice cream flavors that are rotated on a daily basis, using only the highest quality ingredients and 14% butterfat which makes the ice cream notoriously creamy and delicious. Order homemade ice cream by the pint or opt for one scoop, two scoops, or three scoops! The menu also features sundaes and Doozie blenders with your choice of mix-ins, like cookie dough, peanut butter cups, gummy bears, and crunch cones. Ice cream flavors can include birthday cake, Mexican coffee, lemon custard, rocky road, toasted coconut, and blueberry. Of course, you’ll find the classics like chocolate chip, mint chip, rocky road, and cookies and cream on the menu as well.
Tastee Treet
Where? 13996 Wabash Avenue
Tastee Treet in Council Bluffs may just become your new summertime staple. The menu includes a rotating Dole Whip soft-serve frozen dessert at all times, making this friendly for dairy-free sweet treat connoisseurs! Order vanilla, chocolate, or a twist of both soft serves in a mini, small, medium, or large cone or dish. You can even opt for a float instead! Tastee Treet also offers slushies in flavors like blue raspberry, cotton candy, and lime. Want more options? There are malts, candy shakes, sundaes, and novelties like banana splits, peanut bars, frozen bananas, and Orbit bars. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the menu a couple of times before you can decide on what you want to treat yourself with!
Hollywood Candy
Where? 1209 Jackson Street
Hollywood Candy is Omaha’s one-of-a-kind candy and variety shop, with an unexpected vintage atmosphere and a sizable selection of candies that will make children and adults alike salivate! Enjoy the pinball and arcade games, as well as the Hollywood theater and diner area. Enjoy a vintage dining experience, complete with classic American comfort foods like hot dogs, pizzas, and homemade ice cream! The hand-scooped ice cream can be ordered in a waffle cone, a bowl, or even a cookie cone. Flavor varieties feature praline, mint chip, peanut butter, and chocolate, as well as “Mystery Superman.” Specialties include sundaes like brownie, Clown, and the Fairmont Delight.
Zaltes
Where? 229 Bennett Avenue
Zaltes is an all-American neighborhood scoop shop in Council Bluffs. This sweet ice cream stop serves up fresh, hard-packed, home-churned, ultra-premium scoops that have been made from scratch with nothing but love and fresh ingredients. Zaltes even dishes out safe-to-eat raw cookie dough for those who want to live less dangerously than eating it straight out of the package! The shop mixes up interesting flavor concoctions such as goat cheese, apricot pistachio, and Fruity Pebbles. Kiddos will love the double bubble bubblegum flavor that saves them from swallowing their chewing gum without sacrificing the iconic flavor.
eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato
Where? 5001 Underwood Avenue
You’ll find inventive flavors of house-made ice cream, gelato, and sorbet at eCreamery in Omaha. Flavors on the menu include London Fog, oatmeal chocolate chip, Shark Bait, and Downright Delicious! Toppings and sauces are nearly endless, including hot caramel, butterscotch sauce, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate chunks. Share one of the supreme sundaes with your favorite people to see if you can down 12 scoops with 12 toppings! If you eat the concoction in 20 minutes, you can join the legends on the wall of fame. While visiting the parlor, you can take home one of the day’s flavors in a custom pint! If you’re looking to save money this summer, try a different eCreamery favorite each week at a discounted price.
Dive Into Endless Ice Cream Options this Summer!
Next time your sweet tooth strikes, head to one of these tasty local ice cream parlors and creameries! Bring the kids, bring your friends, and even bring your pup! Nothing says summer break like a double scoop of your favorite flavor.