20 Essential Ice Cream Shops in San Antonio

Bubble Waffle Bar
7755 Eckhert Road, (210) 739-0795, facebook.com/bubblewafflebar
Decked-out treats await you at this sweet-as-heck spot. Your freshly-made waffle cone (or waffle taco) is complete with your choice from an assortment of ice cream flavors, toppings and drizzles. Think Instagram crazy looks with sweetness to match, y’all.
Photo via Instagram / bubblewafflebar

Kuma
Multiple locations, instagram.com/kuma.satx
With one location not too far from the Medical Center and another in Alamo Ranch, peeps to the north have a true treat in their backyard. This colorful chain offers Hong Kong waffles made complete with fun flavors and toppings as you wish.
Photo via Instagram / madele_ine

Lick Honest Ice Creams
312 Pearl Pkwy #2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com
If you find yourself at the Pearl and in need of a refreshing treat, your best bet is to head over to Lick. These super local treats are made with ingredients from throughout the region and flavors, though many traditional, are also inspired by the area.
Photo via Instagram / stine.eats

South Alamode Panini & Gelato Company
1420 S Alamo St, (210) 788-8000, southalamode.com
Go the Italian route and stop by the ever-favorite South Alamode for a refreshing treat. Whether you’re already hanging out at Blue Star or bouncing around Southtown, head to this stylish spot for housemade gelato in unique flavors like lemon cream mascarpone and ricotta & blackberry.
Photo via Instagram / southalamode

Boozy’s Creamery & Craft
711 S St Mary's St, (210) 919-3553, facebook.com/boozyscreamery
Is it an ice cream shop? Or is it a bar? Technically, Boozy’s is both. Whether you need a drink or just trying to beat the heat, you can stop into this downtown favorite for a refreshing cone of ice cream – which you can booze up if you’d like.
Photo via Instagram / boozyscreamery

Helados Aranda
Multiple locations, facebook.com/heladosaranda
Swing by either location for some super satisfying treats. From more than a dozen ice cream flavors (including tequila!) to just as many paletas (like cajete!), there is something for everyone here. Plus, there’s plenty of puro snacks for you to enjoy if hunger strikes.
Photo via Instagram / morganhallsmith

Fahrenheit 32
Multiple locations, facebook.com/fahrenheit32
With two locations in SA, it’s easy to enjoy the genuine treats that Fahrenheit 32 has to offer. The Thai-styled rolled ice cream is available in signature flavor combinations (go for Purple Haze or Gotcha Matcha) as well as a DIY option for adventurous eaters who know what they want.
Photo via Instagram / omgeesab

Rolling Rey’s
Multiple locations, rollingreysicecream.com
With locations throughout San Antonio, trust Rolling Rey’s to come through when you want something delicious. The Thai-style rolled ice cream is puro in every sense, with SA flavors like mangonada or gansito. If you want something more traditional, try one of the other pre-made flavors or get the wildcard flavor of the month.
Photo by @aymijo210 via Instagram / rollingreyssa

Bee’s Neez Cones & Coffee
20210 Stone Oak Pkwy, (210) 346-1141, beesneezicecream.com
In the Stone Oak area and in need of a refreshing snack? Stop by this local shop for a cup or cone of ice cream! Bees’s Neez offers fun creations like the Poco Loco (think ice cream in a waffle taco) and Bowl O’ Cereal (a waffle cup filled with ice cream and cereal) that will definitely satisfy any sweet tooth.
Photo via Instagram / beesneezicecream

Paciugo Gelato
999 E Basse Rd #197, paciugo.com
Alamo Heights folks, and anyone who will make the drive, can head to Pacuigo for absolutely authentic, and equally delicious, gelato. Choose from milk-based gelato or water-based sorbet, from classic flavors to more traditional Italian-inspired selections.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie

Justin’s Ice Cream Co.
245 E Commerce St, (210) 222-2707, justinsicecream.com
This old-school storefront will give you all the classic vibes as you enjoy a fresh cup or cone. A local staple since 1981, the downtown spot offers handmade ice cream and gelato, plus sundaes and ice cream sandwiches. So go on, treat yourself!
Photo via Instagram / justinsicecream

Brindles Awesome Ice Creams
11255 Huebner Road, (210) 641-5222, facebook.com
Owned by Jenn White of Eastside Kitchenette, this ice cream shop has all the classic cold treats you know and love. Go for a traditional banana split or a decked-out waffle cone. Be sure to visit every time the sun is just too brutal so you can taste your way through these fun flavors.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent

Mister Softee
Around San Antonio, mistersofteesa.com
Though a staple of the northeast, San Antonians, thankfully, get to enjoy the deliciousness that is Mister Softee. This ice cream pops up around the Alamo City but can also be booked for special events. Consider it a treat to catch this truck, which grants you access to a variety of cones and sundaes. There’s even a specialty cone that lets you get two flavors – side by side!
Photo via Instagram / mistersofteesa

Amy’s Ice Creams
255 East Basse Road Ste 430, (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com
If you need to cool down during your shopping spree at the Quarry Market, head into Amy’s Ice Creams to do just that. Choose from special flavors like Mexican vanilla and Boba Fett’s Bounty – yes, really! With more than 350 flavors in rotation, consider this spot a true gem for ice cream lovers.
Photo via Instagram / lthejanetl

Arctic Ape Wild Desserts
5221 Walzem Road #1, (210) 257-5949, arcticapeyogurt.com
Frozen yogurt may be the big star here, but there’s also ice cream options for when you want something a big sweeter. Choose your soft serve from regular ice cream and even gelato, then deck it out with all the toppings you’d like – there’s more than 150 to choose from. Have some fun with it!
Photo via Instagram / adam.eats.n.drinks

Kilwins Ice Cream
109 Alamo Plaza, kilwins.com
Take a break from your downtown exploration and treat yourself to some ice cream. Nestled in the heart of the city, Kilwins takes pride in being an old-fashioned confectionary that serves up ice cream. Choose from more than 40 original recipe flavors and enjoy it in a freshly-made waffle cone.
Photo via Instagram / soontobepoop

LuLu’s Classic Ice Cream Shop
1727 Blanco Road, (210) 858-1303, facebook.com/lulusicream
If you’re all about enjoying simple ice cream and toppings that are best enjoyed than photographed, then you’ll love LuLu’s. This ice cream shop has the bare essential scoops and cones (sundaes too), as well as other cool treats like milkshakes, floats and smoothies. Think og the retro digs as the cherry on top.
Photo via Instagram / gigzgabyte

Creamistry
Multiple locations, creamistry.com
This chain has two locations in SA, and good thing they do. The skilled folks here use liquid nitrogen to make premium ice cream one scoop at a time. Trust us, it’s just as fun to watch this magic happen as it is to eat! Make your creation complete with toppings and mix-ins (including natural and organic options) to have it just the way you like it.
Photo via Instagram / beansippin

Freshest Ice Creams
8053 Callaghan Road, (210) 371-6510, freshesticecreams.com
Head to this badass ice cream parlor for a taste of something delicious to cool you down! Made using alkaline water or lactose-free milk and coconut milk, the ice cream here is friendly even if the treat doesn’t always agree with you. Feel free to ask for samples so you find just the flavor you want. Oh, and there’s also gelato!
Photo via Instagram / freshesticecreams

Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More
1118 W Hildebrand Ave, (210) 785-0601, lasnieves.net
While raspas reign supreme here, you can definitely enjoy ice cream too. From cones to sundaes, there’s no shortage of ice cream options. But why not get the best of both worlds? Ask for a scoop of ice cream in your raspa and just live your best life.
Photo via Instagram / lavidayessi