Van Dyk’s Homemade Ice Cream in Ridgewood Named Top Ice Cream Spot in New Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood  blog

Ridgewood NJ, Summertime in New Jersey means one thing: ice cream season is in full swing. Whether you’re hitting the boardwalk, strolling through a quaint town, or just craving a frozen treat on a sweltering day, NJ is overflowing with incredible ice cream parlors—from vintage-style spots to trendsetting dessert shops.

Here’s your  guide to the 30 best ice cream shops in New Jersey according to New Jersey Digest . From Bergen County to the Jersey Shore and everywhere in between, these are the spots that locals and visitors can’t stop raving about.

🍦 Top Ice Cream Spots in New Jersey by Region

Northern New Jersey

• Van Dyk’s Homemade Ice Cream – Ridgewood, NJ
  A Bergen County classic for over 40 years. Homemade flavors and old-school charm (cash only!).

• Applegate Farm – Montclair, NJ
  Historic farm-turned-ice-cream shop since 1849. Enjoy creamy scoops and a Sopranos filming location.

• Thomas’ Ice Cream Café – Hoboken, NJ
  Homemade scoops + flatbreads + coffee = perfect date night.

• Curly’s Ice Cream – Riverdale, NJ
  Retro roadside charm with soft serve, sorbets, shakes and hard ice cream.

• Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream – Ledgewood, NJ
  Open year-round. Try quirky flavors like Whiskey Turtle Fudge or Cherry Cola.

• Holsten’s – Bloomfield, NJ
  Made famous by The Sopranos, this diner-meets-ice-cream shop is full of nostalgia.

• Ernie’s Ice Cream – Mahwah, NJ
  Decadent combos, soft serve, and fall favorites like pumpkin ice cream and apple crisp.

• Trina’s Treats – Lyndhurst, NJ
  Ice cream cannolis, nachos, and flights? Yes, please!

• Conrad’s Confectionery – Westwood, NJ
  Since 1928, known for homemade chocolates and syrup-topped sundaes.

• Denville Dairy – Denville, NJ
  50+ years of top-notch scoops and a huge selection of dietary-friendly options.

Central New Jersey

• Gabriel’s Fountain – Bridgewater, NJ
  Unique artisanal flavors like Aztec Chocolate Churro and Sour Cream Cherry.

• Magic Fountain – Summit, NJ
  A classic stand serving mint chip, Italian ices, and beloved peach ice cream.

• The Bent Spoon – Princeton, NJ
  Artisan ice cream with seasonal, organic ingredients—vegan options included!

• Surreal Creamery – New Brunswick, Morristown, Westfield, NJ
  Asian-inspired soft serve and bubble tea “floateas” in mason jars.

• Nicholas Creamery – Atlantic Highlands, Tinton Falls, Middletown, and more
  Small-batch, rotating flavors like goat cheese, horchata, and Hudson Coffee Crunch.

• Jersey Freeze – Freehold, NJ
  Bruce Springsteen’s go-to! A beloved soft serve and American fare hotspot.

Jersey Shore & Southern NJ

• The Original Kohr Brothers – Multiple Locations
  Frozen custard legends since 1917. A boardwalk staple.

• Iceberg Ice Cream – Lavallette, NJ
  Traditional and creative flavors, including crumb cake and toasted coconut.

• Duffers Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor – Wildwood, NJ
  Family-run since the 1970s with jumbo sundaes and daily-made ice cream.

• Skipper Dipper – Long Beach Island, NJ
  LBI staple since 1978. Endless soft serve combos and walkable beach location.

• Days Ice Cream – Ocean Grove, NJ
  NJ’s oldest continuously operating business, serving amazing scoops since 1887.

• Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream – Stone Harbor, NJ
  Over 70 flavors including dairy-free and sorbets. Blueberry Cheesecake is a fan fave.

• Royale Crown Ice Cream – Hammonton, NJ
  Classic ice cream parlor serving treats and burgers for over 70 years.

Western NJ & Farm-Fresh Favorites

• Windy Brow Farms – Fredon Township, NJ
  Known for bold flavors like maple with chocolate bacon and Taylor Ham ice cream.

• Llama Ice Cream – Rockaway, NJ
  Tropical flavors like lucuma, guava, and mamey offer a global twist.

Urban & Trendy Gems

• Torico Ice Cream – Jersey City, NJ
  Since 1968, known for fruit-based, vegan, and gluten-free flavors.

• Milk Sugar Love – Jersey City, NJ
  Organic, grass-fed milk and globally inspired flavors like Chocolate Rosemary.

🏆 Must-Try Signature Flavors

• Jersey Monkey at Hoffman’s – Banana + Peanut Butter Swirl + Choco Chips

• Key Lime or Peach Melba at Beenie’s – Italian gelato smoothness + bold flavor

• Hudson Coffee Crunch at Nicholas Creamery – #1 fan favorite

• Almond Joy at Days – Coconut perfection

• Cherry Cola at Cliff’s – A soda fountain throwback in frozen form

• Lavender Mascarpone at The Bent Spoon – Sophisticated and floral

• Tartufo & Tortoni at Nasto’s – Italian dessert excellence

 

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