When the sun hangs around until around 9 p.m., it’s time we talk ice cream and our favorite ice cream shops around the Des Moines metro. We’ve listed our must-stop locations from Des Moines classics like Snookies, to creameries like Black Cat and Home Sweet Cone. No matter where you beat the heat, we guarantee these sweet treats will leave you feeling refreshed! IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER. ❤️
Featured Photo by Mark Cruz on Unsplash
Ice Cream Shops
Black Cat Ice Cream
- 34 5th St West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Open Tuesday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Black Cat Ice Cream is a favorite in the heart of the Drake neighborhood, but most recently opened up their second location in historic Valley Junction! Specializing in small-batch artisanal ice cream, you can find a variety of flavors ranging from cookie monster to cream cheese lemon cake. If you’re lucky, you may even get to try their special ice cream nuggets. Looking for vegan or gluten free options? We recommend visiting their website and socials each week to see what is being offered each week.
The Creamery
- 424 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- 221 West Broadway, Polk City, IA 50226
- 100 Main St. Suite 103, Bondurant, IA 50035
- Monday – Sunday, 12 – 9 p.m.
Located in Polk City, Bondurant, and NOW the East Village, The Creamery hits the spot for the perfect ice cream shop. Stop in for a cone of their premium handmade ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, frozen yogurt, and more. They partner with local restaurants like Barn Tarn Brewing to make some of their finest ice creams. This cute creamery has the perfect outdoor seating so you can grab a cone with your family and friends while you enjoy the Iowa nights.
Home Sweet Cone
- 1188 SE University Avenue, Waukee, IA 50263
- 5045 Bentley Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265
- 12 – 10 p.m. Monday – Sunday
Home Sweet Cone opened in 2021 and it’s sure to deliver on it’s promise of premium, hard ice cream made right in Waukee and more recently in West Des Moines. With flavors like red velvet cake and salted Oreo, we know there will be some new favorites we love. They will also have a few coconut cream-based vegan scoops available, which is great for our vegan and dairy-free friends! Especially the brown sugar base with oatmeal cookie crumble. They even cater to gluten free individuals with gf waffle cones and denotations of gf options. We’ve tried them. Chef’s kiss. You truly can’t go wrong. Home Sweet Cone is woman and veteran-owned.
Follow along for updates here.
Snookies Malt Shop
- 1810 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
- Monday – Sunday, 1 – 9 p.m.
A Des Moines classic, Snookies Malt Shop has been a favorite with locals for over 30 years. Known for their turtle sundaes, soft serve, malts, and puppy cones, Snookies is a hit for everyone in the family. We love the timeless feel of hanging out on the patio at Snookies Malt Shop!
Molly’s Frozen
322 E Court Ave Suite 105, Des Moines, IA 50309- Sunday – Thursday, 12 – 9 p.m. / Friday and Saturday, 12-10 p.m.
From the owners of Molly’s Cupcakes, try out their sister ice cream shop on Court Avenue in the East Village. They serve premium, hard pack ice cream, build-your-own ice cream sandwiches, pup cups, and are available on DoorDash/Uber Eats!
Van Dee’s Ice Cream Shoppe
- 5915 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131
- Open Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Known in the Johnston area for their “big chipper” ice cream sandwich and putting eyes on their soft-serve ice cream cones, Van Dee’s is the perfect place to grab an ice cream cone with the family. Enjoy traditional flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or twist cones, or try the flavor of the week. If you aren’t much of an ice cream fan, but still want to support local they offer lunch everyday but Sunday! Enjoy the nostalgia while you enjoy your frozen treat.
The Outside Scoop
- 602 N. Jefferson Way, Indianola, IA 50125 , 12 – 9 p.m. every day
- 2410 SW White Birch Drive Ankeny, IA 50023, 11 – 10 p.m. every day
You’ve probably seen the pink trucks posted up at your favorite outdoor event, but did you know The Outside Scoop has two brick and mortar locations around the Des Moines metro? Using local ingredients, The Outside Scoop offers a selection of handmade ice cream you can’t beat. Over 24 flavors rotate in-store, with 12 classic flavors like cake batter, chocolate Oreo cookie dough, salty caramel, and coffee toffee. There’s always something on the menu to satisfy your sweet tooth. Be sure to check out their Facebook pages to see which of your new favorite flavors are on rotation before your next visit.
Monarca Paletas
- 9901 University Ave, Suite 150, Clive, IA 50325
- 2856 Grand Prairie Pkwy ste 100, Waukee, IA 50263
- Monday – Saturday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
If you’re looking for a fun twist on your next frozen treat, we recommend checking out Monarca Paletas in Clive, Iowa. This photo-worthy shop offers equally Instagramable treats. Ranging in flavors from traditional Mexican paletas like watermelon and coconut, to more savory treats like banana filled with Nutella and the dulce de leche. Want to take your paleta to the next level? Try wrapping it in a waffle cone burrito or adding the S’mores topping roasted in front of you. We can’t wait for their second location to open in Waukee soon!
Learn more and check out the menu.
Waukee Ice Cream ShoppeÂ
-
530 Walnut St, Waukee, IA 50263
- Open every day, 12 – 9 p.m.
Look at this cute ice cream shop in old Waukee! They are a family-owned ice cream shop with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options. They offer more than 40 flavors of hard pack ice cream that they rotate and 30 flavors of soft serve so there will be an option for everyone.
Granny’s Sweet Freeze Shop
- 3417 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
- Monday – Saturday: 12 – 10 p.m. & Sunday: 1 – 10 p.m.
This cute shop tucked on the north east side comes highly recommended from two of our contributors for soft serve. Andrea says try the puppy chow shake for the peanut butter lovers. Or, be like Andrea, and get 4 minis to try different flavors.
Learn more and check out the menu.
The Scoops Udder Place
- 2310 SE Delaware Ave Suite O, Ankeny, IA 50021
- Monday-Thursday: 2 – 9 p.m., Friday 2- 10 p.m., & Saturday – Sunday 12 – 9 p.m.
This delicious homemade ice cream shop opened in the last year with over the top creations in sundaes, toppings, ice cream sandwiches, and bubble waffles. What could be better than running your errands in Ankeny and grabbing a sweet treat before heading home?
Check our their daily specials here.
Billy’s Ice Cream Store
- 308 Nile Kinnick Dr. S, Adel, IA, United States, Iowa
- Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., & Sunday 2-9 p.m.
Looking just outside the metro? Look no further than Billy’s Ice Cream Store in Adel! They serve up mini shakes, waffle ice cream nachos, dole whip, and of course all of the fan favorites; you are sure to find something to indulge in.
Check our their latest specials here.
Uptown Dairy
- 617 SW 3rd St. #105, Ankeny, IA, United States, Iowa
- Monday- Thursday 12 -9 p.m., Friday- Saturday 12- 10 p.m., & Sunday 12-9 p.m.
Look no further for unique hard ice cream serving affogatos, shakes, malts, floats, & monthly breakfast every 1st Saturday! Situated on the High Trestle Trail in Uptown it makes for the perfect stop on your bicycle.
Check our their fun events and deals here.
Ready to tackle our favorite patios this summer?
Plan your summer hangs on these patios that have caught our eye while we’ve got the nice weather.
