Our little state is big on ice cream, and there is no shortage of shops to try out. From 100 ice cream flavors that you can try in Rehoboth to bacon flavored ice cream in Hockessin, sugar free, nut free, but not calorie free, you can have your fill of delectable goodness. Here are Delaware’s top ice cream parlors.
Located in the heart of the picturesque town of Lewes, Delaware, King’s Homemade Ice Cream is housed inside the historic district and brings patrons back in time to a by-gone era where a trip to the ice cream shop was a rare occasion. Families and visitors can enjoy King’s all year long, eating indoors or outside on the stoop (benches) enjoying the breeze off the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
The Ice Cream Store of Rehoboth Beach is a local favorite. Located on the Rehoboth Boardwalk, you can enjoy flavors such as cookie dough, buttery salted caramel, and the flavors are absolutely phenomenal. They even have a chocolate dipped, chocolate Jimmie waffle cone and an assortment of other cone and sundae options.
Voted Delaware Today’s “Best of Ice Cream in Delaware” last year, the Hopkins Farm Creamery in Lewes might be off the beaten path, but once visitors find out about it, their popularity continues to grow. Homemade ice cream made directly from the cows behind the creamery itself is simply delicious and refreshing. Just remember, although it can sometimes smell like a dairy farm, the ice cream itself smells and tastes out of this world.
Voted Delaware Today’s “Best of Ice Cream in Delaware” last year, Sweet Lucy’s is the old-fashioned ice cream parlor of yesterday. Providing a full-flavored ice cream menu, you can buy Sweet Lucy’s flavors by the pint or quart, eat inside, or walk up to the window to enjoy flavors such as Flying Elvis (banana peanut butter chocolate), Jamaica Me Crazy, cookie dough and more. Sweet Lucy’s also uses ice cream provided by Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin.
Originally established in 1796 by the Mitchell family, the Woodside Farm has been a dairy farm off and on again for the better part of the past 220 years. The current creamery of today was re-established in 1995, using the milk from their 30-plus Jersey cows. The Woodside Farm was celebrated in 1996 as being one of the few remaining Centennial farms in the state of Delaware. They even have bacon-flavored ice cream!
There is more to this Caffe Gelato than meets the eye. With their very own parking lot in the back, this has to be one of the busiest businesses in the heart of Newark. The authentic Italian cuisine is in perfect unison with their real gelato recipes. Caffe Gelato boasts a wine bar, full restaurant and catering, and a gelato bar. A couple crowd favorite flavors are chocolate chip and salted caramel, yum!
If you have ever driven past the New Castle Airport in New Castle, Delaware, you have seen the long lines outside of the Dairy Palace. But don’t let long lines fool you, their fast service and superior customer relation skills are superb for both locals and travelers alike. With a huge assortment of flavors, such as sweet Apple Pie Sundae on special for the Independence Day holiday season, they boast new flavors frequently. Stop by and wait the five minutes, you’ll be glad you did.
This ice cream parlor is a true hidden gem. Have you been wanting a cool ice cream shake for these hot summer nights? How about a cone of Cake Batter Oreo, Coffee and Oreo S’mores, or Peanut Butter Butterfinger? You can find all these and more at Mommom’s Ice Cream Shop in Dover, located just outside the city proper on the way to Little Creek. While you’re at it, check out their Ice Cream Challenge—four scoops of ice cream served with a Belgian waffle, banana, peanuts, Snicker’s, Oreo cookies, mint cookies, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry. If you can down it all in under 10 minutes, it’s free!