Where to Chill Out in Phoenix With Dreamy, Creamy Frozen Treats

This fast-growing, Shark Tank-featured ice cream chain is making its mark on the Valley with its Instagram-worthy milkshakes that are as beautiful as they are tasty. Downtown Phoenix’s signature shake is an appropriately named creation dubbed the Camelback Mountain made with orange blossom ice cream, blue drizzle, orange and yellow whipped cream, a yellow star made of chocolate, and a dusting of blue sprinkles. The orange blossom ice cream pays homage to Arizona’s long history as a citrus producer.

This downtown Phoenix ice cream staple is instantly recognizable thanks to its signature Chinese takeout box-style cups and fortune cookie topper. Find this spot’s constantly changing ice cream and sorbet menu at Jobot Coffee as well as at trendsetting outdoor dining and activity space, Pemberton PHX. 

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Fatty Daddy’s is home to what’s perhaps the most decadent, creative ice cream creation in the Valley. Opt for the Fatty Daddy’s cookie cup made with a scoop of either ice cream, gelato, or dairy-free sorbet topped with a macaron and toasted marshmallow. Then customize the dessert with a variety of unique flavors — like the black walnut maple gelato, kiwi lime sorbet, or even a Fruity Pebbles macaron.

Sugar Bowl is as much a tourist destination as it is an ice cream haven. It opened in 1958 and has been serving up sweet treats in its all-pink, retro ice cream parlor ever since. The floats, sundaes, ice creams, and shakes are all delicious, but for a real peek back in time, try the old-fashioned super soda made with vanilla ice cream and soda water smothered in marshmallow, and caramel or fudge sauce.

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ZuZu at the vibrant, retro Hotel Valley Ho serves a great American brunch or dinner — but customers should seriously consider ordering dessert first to fully appreciate the now legendary, over-the-top Show Stopper Shake. The theme (and flavors!) changes every month, which makes the experience even more fun. Recent favorites include the Nutella shake topped with a Nutella-stuffed donut, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, chocolate curls and fried, chocolate-dipped angel food cake, as well as the Rees’que Business made with peanut butter chips, Butterfinger, Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter & Cocoa Pebbles, and a full Butterfinger ice cream bar.

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Churn keeps it old-school with freshly made ice creams, sundaes, milkshakes, floats and freezes. Ice cream enthusiasts will enjoy the dozens of rotating flavors such as sparkling elderflower sorbet, Bailey’s crunch, and peaches ‘n honey. The Kickin’ Cherry Cola float made with vanilla ice cream, maraschino syrup, and cherry cola is the ideal warm weather treat.

This nationally recognized artisan ice cream shop makes everything from scratch with high quality ingredients — starting with milk and cream from Arizona dairy farms and ending with homemade waffle cones, sauces, and toppings. Plus, ice cream lovers can satiate any craving with a variety of offerings including ice cream sandwiches, floats, milkshakes, and sundaes. Don’t sleep on the simple scoop of this spot’s classic ice cream, which comes in flavors like refreshing real mint chip or white chocolate coconut. 

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The Screamery is as authentic to Arizona as it gets with locally-made ice creams to its desert-inspired treat names, such as the Sweet Sonoran Dessert with honey ice cream, peanut butter swirl, and homemade toffee or the Cowboy Cookie crafted with a salted caramel base, oatmeal, walnuts, and chocolate chip cookies. For something unique, try the ice cream nachos made with waffle chips drizzled with hot fudge, topped with any flavor of ice cream.

This family-owned ice cream shop has all kinds of sweet treats, from classic scoops of ice cream in flavors like peanut butter fudge or bubblegum to ice cream-topped crepes and waffles as well as creamy shakes. The original sundae is a nostalgic go-to made with rich, vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, crushed nuts, and a maraschino cherry.

The City Creamery is the perfect addition to Cave Creek’s Western landscape with its traditional and simple, small-batch ice cream that comes in more than a dozen time-honored and one-of-a-kind flavors. As the Southwest’s only location of the mini-chain, it’s become such a destination ; there’s even see a map where guests can mark where they’re visiting from.

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