Ice Cream in Duluth, MN: 13 Best Places for a Treat (2023)
Are you on the hunt for the best ice cream in Duluth, MN to satisfy your sweet tooth?
When it comes to ice cream, there are few things more satisfying than finding that one perfect scoop that makes your taste buds dance.
I know that I, as a self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur, am always on the lookout for a delicious scoop of ice cream. And Duluth has surely got you covered.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there are many places in town that you can visit to get your ice cream fix!
From classic flavors to creative combinations, you’ll find yourself wishing that you got the large, rather than the small.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the very best places to grab a scoop, from local shops to chain stores, you’ll surely be satisfied.
Best Ice Cream in Duluth, MN
1. Love Creamery
What has become the most popular place to grab ice cream in town, Love Creamery is top of my list for places to visit.
This local woman-owned shop has two locations, one in Canal park, and one in Lincoln Park, a few miles down the road.
At Love Creamery, you’ll find delicious, creamy ice cream that is made in small batches with the best high-quality ingredients that often come from local farmers and businesses.
There are four Love Creamery flavors that are available year-round, and then a large variety of flavors that rotate with the seasons.
Both locations might have different flavors, so save room to visit both and try a few different ones!
Plus, there’s a good variety of Vegan options, so that everyone can enjoy.
You can also find Love Creamery at other local establishments around Duluth, so you can get your fix in multiple places!
2. Portland Malt Shoppe
If I’ve ever seen a loved ice cream shop, it’s Portland Malt Shoppe along the shores of Lake Superior.
This small malt shop is only open seasonally, typically from April through October, and you can tell how much it’s loved by the line outside!
Choose from a large variety of treats from sundaes to malts to floats or just a classic ice cream cone.
Of course, their malts are what they’re known for, and you’ll be handed a delicious and adorable malt, topped with whipped topping and a cherry.
Being such a busy shop, you’ll want to plan a bit of extra time to visit, but a stop is so worth it!
3. Camp Creemee
Want to take a trip over to the East Coast without having to hop on a plane? At Camp Creemee, you can try Vermont’s ice cream without leaving Minnesota.
In Vermont, they call soft serve ice cream a ‘Creemee,’ and in Duluth, you can give it a try for yourself!
They currently serve chocolate, vanilla, and maple Creemees, all of which are smooth, tasty, and ultra-creamy.
You’ll find Camp Creemee inside of Wild State Cider, so you can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with your treat!
4. Cold Stone Creamery
Sometimes it can be hard to find a chain restaurant or shop that really does it right, but at Cold Stone Creamery, I am never disappointed.
The creaminess of their ice cream is just unmatched, and with all of the amazing mix-ins that you can choose from, I hope that you won’t ever leave disappointed either!
And with their ice cream being made fresh in the store every day, you know that you’ll get a delicious, fresh, creamy cup every time.
You also won’t ever be left with boring flavors, because you can find upwards of 20+ flavors no matter the time of year!
From season to season, you’ll see new flavors pop up on the menu, from Boo Batter at Halloween to Hot Cocoa around the holidays.
My personal favorites are the Peanut Butter Cup Perfection® and the Germanchökolätekäke®. Both. So. Good.
5. Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Duluth
Looking for delicious ice cream and a unique experience? Well, at Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Duluth, you can have both!
As one of the largest ice cream places in the Midwest, Bridgeman’s has been loved for years, since back in the 1930s.
Bridgeman’s serves a large variety of ice cream flavors, from classics like chocolate and vanilla to unique seasonal options.
And if you want to try something even better, order up one of their Mega Malts, which comes in a souvenir cup and is overflowing with delicious toppings.
Seriously, the toppings will be falling over the edge, and you won’t believe how big the malts are!
If you want something a bit smaller, you can also get one of their regular malts, or a specialty sundae, from a banana split to a turtle sundae.
6. The King of Creams
This locally owned and family-owned place to get ice cream in Duluth, MN serves up every classic ice cream flavor that you could imagine.
Cookie monster, birthday cake, chocolate chip cookie dough, superman, mint chocolate chip, butter brickle… the list goes on and on!
You can choose from getting either a regular cone of your favorite flavor, or you can spice it up by making it a sundae with some toppings, whipped cream, and a cherry.
7. T-Icy Roll Ice Cream
Rolled ice cream is a unique form of ice cream that you’ll love getting to try at T-Icy Roll Ice Cream.
It’s more than just walking up to the register and ordering, because you’ll get to watch as your delicious treat comes to life.
These Hibachi ice cream rolls are made with fresh milk by pouring it onto a freezing pan and then mixing it with delicious toppings.
After it’s been mixed and flattened, the ice cream is scooped up into a roll, placed into a dish, and topped with your favorite toppings.
It’s more than just your classic ice cream, because it almost feels like you’re eating a piece of artwork!
8. Grandma’s Ice Cream Boxcar
Found in Canal Park, Grandma’s Ice Cream Boxcar is the perfect place to grab ice cream in Duluth, MN as you stroll through all of the great things to do here.
It’s only open seasonally and is located right along Lake Superior’s shoreline, so you’ll have amazing views as you sit outside on their patio and enjoy.
You won’t find as many extravagant treats here, but you can find a range of classic ice creams like a root beer float or hot fudge sundae.
Or, just order yourself up a classic waffle cone to enjoy as you stroll the Lakewalk looking out for wildlife in Lake Superior or listening to the waves crash into shore.
9. Chilly Billy’s Frozen Yogurt
While not exactly ice cream, frozen yogurt is the cousin of this delicious frozen treat, so it should most definitely be mentioned here!
Load up on your own cup of delicious frozen yogurt, with flavors ranging from vanilla and chocolate to other unique seasonal flavors.
After that, choose from a huge selection of toppings to pile on and make your frozen yogurt your own.
You’ll find toppings like fresh fruit, sprinkles, cookie pieces, cereal, brownies, chocolate chips, cookie dough, and so much more.
Frozen yogurts are typically priced by weight, so the more you add, the higher the cost, so remember this!
10. Crank and Dasher
Located in the courtyard at Fitger’s Brewhouse, Crank and Dasher makes for the most perfect stop on your LakeWalk tour along Lake Superior.
Check out their delicious small-batch ice cream that blends in unique goodies to their classic flavors.
Watch as they scoop the delicious ice cream into a waffle cone and then take it with you as you wander along the shoreline. What could be better?
11. Dairy Queen
No one’s ever gone wrong with a classic Blizzard at Dairy Queen, since it’s one of the most popular chain ice cream shops in Duluth.
From blended Blizzards with delicious treats to banana splits or classic dipped cone, Dairy Queen has several options for a treat.
Of course, I’d recommend checking out the local shops first, but if they’re all too busy, it’s easy to visit DQ.
There are a few located around town, including one in Canal Park, one near the Miller Hill Mall, and a seasonal one in West Duluth.
More Ice Cream on the North Shore
Heading up the North Shore and want to try some more great places for ice cream near Duluth? Here are a few more recommendations.
12. Sydney’s Frozen Custard
Located in Grand Marais, Sydney’s Frozen Custard has some of the creamiest, most delicious custard that I’ve had!
It’s found just down the street from Artist Point, putting you in the perfect location to grab a treat and then walk along the shoreline.
They serve either vanilla bean or dutch chocolate custard, and then a variety of speciality sundaes to choose from.
You can top yours with everything from fresh fruit to hot fudge or even Oreo cookies.
There are also something called a Sydnami, which is a sort of mixer that takes the custard and mixes it with delicious toppings of your choice. Yum!
13. Superior Creamery
Just up the street from Sydney’s Frozen Custard is Superior Creamery, which also serves delicious, smooth, creamy ice cream.
They’re open on select days throughout the year and have delicious and unique flavors to choose from.
The ice cream is always fresh because it’s made on-site daily in small batches.
Enjoy your treat in either cone form, or upgrade a bit and opt for a sundae or add your ice cream into a waffle cone with sprinkles and whipped cream.
Wrap-Up: Ice Cream Duluth MN
Whether you’re looking for that after-dinner sweet treat, or a mid-day snack, grabbing an ice cream is always a safe bet.
And you can find some of the very best places to grab ice cream in Duluth, MN. From local to chain, Duluth has it all.
As someone who regularly visits Duluth and who could eat ice cream every day, I recommend that you check out all of these, stat!
