I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

There is no better way to enjoy these increasingly warm, sunny days than with a cone (or a bowl – you do you) of ice cream.

Gone are the days of coffee dates and hot chocolate—it is ice cream season. We here at Lavender thought it would be fun to compile a list of a few of our favorite ice cream spots. Whether you are looking for something conveniently located right here in the Twin Cities or are ready for a little road trip, we are sure that you will enjoy the icy cold treats available at some of the best ice cream parlors Minnesota has to offer.

Bebe Zito – 704 W. 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55405

This trendy Minneapolis spot just opened in July of last year. Co-owned by couple Ben Spangler and Gabriella Grant-Spangler, this brand-new ice cream parlor has a ton of unique flavors. Gabriella’s Brazilian heritage not only gave Bebe Zito its name (Bebe Zito is a play on a Brazilian pet name)—her heritage also influences some of the flavors. For example, the Romeu E Julieta is a Brazilian Classic: cream cheese custard and fresh guava ripple finished with a beautiful Ritz cracker and guava sauce.

Other recommended flavors include the Crowening, which is a Moira Rose-inspired flavor any Schitt’s Creek fan is sure to love. This flavor has a cookies and cream base, peanut butter chocolate caramel, Oreo pieces and peanut butter salted cookie dough. There are delicious gluten free, dairy free and vegan options at Bebe Zito as well – one of the most popular vegan flavors is the Marvelous Mrs. Hazel, which has a chocolate hazelnut base and chocolate cookie dough chunks. Long story short: you might have to make Bebe Zito a summer staple: there are so many fun flavors to choose from!

 

Sebastian Joe’s – 1007 W. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55405 or 4321 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55410

If you have lived in the Twin Cities for more than a couple years, you have likely already been to Sebastian Joe’s—it is easily one of the most popular ice cream parlors in the Twin Cities. Whether you prefer the Uptown location or the one in Linden Hills, Sebastian Joe’s is a local staple for a reason. There are tons of great flavors to choose from, but if you need a little guidance, the Oreo and Raspberry Chocolate Chip are tied as fan favorites. Sebastian Joe’s also has several coconut-based ice creams and sorbets for any of us who are lactose intolerant or vegan.

This is a small, family-owned and operated business, so you can feel good about supporting local when you eat at Sebastian Joe’s. Both scoop shops are located near city lakes, which makes for a scenic walk with your cone—and the Linden Hills patio is the perfect place to enjoy your sweet treat.

 

Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor – 3419 St Croix Trail S., Afton, MN 55001

Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor is a Minnesota standard with a legacy more than 100 years long. Located in Afton, Minnesota, Selma’s is a bit of a drive, but well worth it. There are plenty of all natural flavors to choose from, like Strawberry, Espresso, Vanilla, and customer favorite Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a fudgy delight that uses three different kinds of cocoa to create a rich, chocolate ice cream that you are sure to love. Selma’s also has several refreshing Italian ice flavors like Carrot Mango and Raspberry Lemon.

Selma’s is one of my favorite places to swing by after an afternoon in Afton State Park, but it is just as fun to drive to Afton for the ice cream to enjoy a walk along the St. Croix River or the scenery at Townsquare Park, which is immediately across the street from Selma’s.

Of course, this list barely scratches the surface of all the locally owned ice cream places that Minnesota has to offer! Let us know what your favorites are –whether they are in the Twin Cities or require a little road trip!