The Best Ice Cream in the Hamptons

Published Jul 29, 2021

If there’s anything better than strolling down a Hamptons main street with a cone of delicious, melty ice cream on a summer day, we haven’t found it. Ice cream screams summertime. Whether you favor fruity gelato, classic soft-serve or something in between there’s a cone or cup waiting for you in our roundup of the best ice cream in the Hamptons.

1. Candy Kitchen

Grab your squad and share a banana split at Bridge Hampton’s Candy Kitchen. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but the legendary East End luncheonette knows how to make a delicious scoop of old-fashioned homemade ice cream. After all, they’ve been doing it for more than 90 years (and just like 90 years ago it’s cash only).

2391 Montauk Hwy., Bridgehampton; 631-537-9885

2. Carissa's The Bakery

We’ve been obsessed with Carissa Waechter’s whimsical bakery since her first farmers market pop-ups. And we’ve been known to stash loaves of her salty soured pickled rye in our freezer. but did you know Carissa’s also has pints of gelato and sorbet? You’ll find six flavors of gelato at the Pantigo road location including Turkish coffee and the oishii x Carissa's omakase strawberry gelato that literally tastes like summer.

221 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 631-604-5911 or carissasthebakery.com

Southampton Fudge Company

3. Southampton Fudge Company

For a classic soft-serve it has to be Southampton Fudge Company. The same family has been dishing it out for 49 years. Try not to go too overboard with the toppings, which range from the traditional sprinkles to funky taffy.

67 Main St., Southampton: 631-283-8108 or southamptonfudgecompany.com

4. Sant Ambroeus

The European style bistro has long been a favorite for a charming outdoor breakfast or lunch but it’s their creamy gelato that really makes it a destination. We’re partial to the Portofino Cup (fior di latte gelato with Grand Marnier)

30 Main Street, Southampton; 516-283-123 or santambroeus.com

5. Gemelli Gelato

With benches outside and a nice lawn, this is the place to sit, relax and savor a summer day. The Hamptons Bay favorite has more than 20 flavors including some dairy-free options. You can even book their gelato cart (featuring up to five flavors) and serve it up at your backyard garden party.

139 W Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays; 631-594-5600 or gemelligelatohamptonbays.com

Tate’s Bake Shop

6. Tate’s Bake Shop

Sure, you can pick up a bag of Tate’s cookies just about anywhere these days, but you can only get the Tatewich, Tate’s Bake Shop’s answer to the ice cream sandwich, in the East End. Enjoy the simple yet tasty vanilla and/or chocolate ice cream smashed in between Tate’s classic chocolate chip cookie.

43 N Sea Rd, Southampton; 631-283-9830 or tatesbakeshop.com

7. Big Olaf

You want the cone. Trust us. This Sag Harbor gem (be prepared for a line out the door) has some of the best waffle cones around. Fill it with one or more of their 20-plus ice cream flavors and then stroll by the water, watching the sun set.

8 Wharf St., Sag Harbor, NY 11963; 631-725-7505

8. Lt Burger

Many have tried, but LT Burger with its flavors like S’mores and Death By Oreo take the prize for the East End’s best milkshakes. Plus, they have a solid selection of salads, burgers and even fried pickles so you can at least go with every intention of eating a meal before dessert.

62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-899-4646 or ltburger.com

9. The Restaurant At Baron’s Cove

Proving once again that Baron’s Cove really is one of the best hotels in the Hamptons, the restaurant at the family-friendly hotel dishes out house made gelato and sorbet. In between dips in the pool, choose from vanilla, chocolate or one of the rotating sorbet flavors.

31 W. Water St., Sag Harbor; caperesorts.com

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