J L. / Yelp / Bailey P. / Yelp
Frozen yogurt and ice cream get plenty of acclaim, but what about that sweet, sweet, middle ground? What about soft serve, the swirly treat we all remember from our youth?
Turns out, there are tons of great places to get it all across the United States. Craving the sweet treat on a hot day? Here are 20 of the best soft serve shops —plus a few frozen custard destinations — in the country, based on positive reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.
Los Angeles, California
A self-proclaimed “Chef-y Dairy Queen,” Magpies takes the nostalgic goodie you know and love and injects it with some powerful flavor. With everything from corn almond and ube to yuzu honey and good old-fashioned milk chocolate, you’ll think about Magpies long after you’re done eating it.
Weston, Massachusetts
Since 1961, Dairy Joy has been an institution in Weston. It’s got that timeless, roadside charm that so many great burger stands do. Grab some food, grab some swirls, and post up at one of the picnic tables.
Providence, Rhode Island
For a vegan option that also hits the spot, check out Like No Udder in Providence. Soft serve here is made from oat and soy, and alongside chocolate and vanilla, you’ll be able to snag two rotating flavors.
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne has loved Del’s Freez since 1956, which is exactly what year it still feels like when you’re there. Cheap burgers and fries are the perfect amuse bouche for a classic soft serve cone, which works out because that’s the journey that Del’s is ready to take you on.
Louisville, Kentucky
Chili dogs and soft serve. That’s what Dairy Kastle is all about. You’ll see both locals and travelers lining up for those $2.50 cones.
Multiple Locations
Kohr Bros is often known as the original frozen custard, and dates back nearly 100 years. It remains one of the most famous frozen custard companies in the country, with outposts in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Though it was originally founded in Atlantic City, there are now over 25 Kohr Bros. locations.
Athens, Alabama
There may be no better birthday treat in Alabama than a cone freshly coated in birthday cake dip from Kreme Delite. If it’s your birthday, you might need to look into that. In fact, even if it’s not your birthday, you might need to look into that.
Troutdale, Oregon
A relatively recent addition to the businesses around the Sandy River, Sugarpine Drive-In has become an immediate hit thanks to its menu of elevated diner classics. Among them? Tasty soft serve with more toppings and sauces than you can shake a stick at.
Fairfield, Connecticut
The family-owned Sunny Daes opened in 1999, and has rooted itself into Fairfield’s culture ever since. The soft serve is legendary, but you’ve got options for floats, shakes, and cakes if you want to stray outside the lines.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Despite the fact that Rita’s might be known primarily for its Italian ice, that creamy frozen custard (a very close cousin to soft serve) has just as much wow-factor. And if you grab a “Gelati" you won’t even have to choose: It’s a combination of both Italian ice and custard.
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Is it even real soft serve if it’s not being handed to you by an awkward teenager in a small town? King Kone has been offering a quintessential ice cream shop experience since 1972. Find classics like chocolate and vanilla, along with seasonal flavors like strawberry and black raspberry.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ro-Bear’s was popular when it was just a snowball shop in 1966, but ever since the addition of soft serve, it’s been exponentially busier. And after all that, it’s still only two bucks for a cone.
Raleigh & Durham, North Carolina
What started as a no-frills frozen custard shop in 1988 soon became infamous in Raleigh, and today, Goodberrry’s has nine locations around the Triangle area. Don’t miss a “Carolina Concrete”: your choice of custard flavor blended with your choice of toppings.
Nashville, Tennessee
When you spot the iconic pink sign that hangs above Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, you know you’re in the right place. The joint has been around since the ‘50s, and ever since it’s been serving up some of Tennessee’s favorite cones.
Albany, New York
This 70-plus year-old staple is slinging every cold, creamy treat you can think of outside of its little windows, including soft serve, ice cream cakes, banana splits, and slushies. Hot dogs too, of course.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Simple, affordable, and family-run, with classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and lemon, Plus, how can you resist the flavor-of-the-day calendar.
Cleveland, Ohio
Not many places nail the big, tall swirl like Apple Cart. Not many places nail the simple, effortlessly cool branding, either. As for the soft serve? The reviews speak for themselves.
Kansas City, Missouri
We know what you’re thinking: ANOTHER pop-punk-emo-themed oat milk soft serve shop? Yup, and one that’s worth visiting when you’re in KC.
Seattle, Washington
People may be heading to Milk Drunk for the acclaimed fried chicken sandwich, but most aren’t leaving without the homemade soft serve, which shows up in flavors like Nutty Buddy, strawberry-prickly pear, and chai honey.
Denver, Colorado
Classic flavors and complex flavors collide at Dang, so you’d be wise to get a swirl of both. Strawberry matcha and chocolate anybody?
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