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N.J.'s 4 Best Homemade Ice Cream Shops

A warm night isn't complete without a scoop (or more!) of ice cream to top it off. New Jersey has some excellent homemade ice cream treats with wacky and original flavors, with all the toppings to beat out the freezer section of your grocery store any day. By Emily Tamburri.

Van Dyke Ice Cream

Ice Cream
(credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

145 Ackerman Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 444-1429
Reviews & More Info

The quality of the ingredients  Van Dyke Ice Cream selects is the real selling point behind their homemade summer favorites. There are a few staples which can always be found on the menu: Vanilla peanut butter swirl, rum raisin, coffee chip and the celebrated Van Dyke classic, chocolate chip mint. A number of new flavors that pop up on the menu every few weeks. You can expect some fun flavors like cotton candy, green tea white chocolate chip and peppermint chip. These ice cream selections are bursting with flavor and the creamy smoothness that all ice cream should have, and their large portions will never leave you feeling shorted.

Gelotti Ice Cream

Gelotti's
(credit: Gelotti's)

2 Union Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07502
(973) 595-1647
gelottiicecream.com
Reviews & More Info

Expect a little bit of a wait—the line at Gelotti is almost always out the door. The good news is, there is no better line to wait on. You have over 56 flavors to chose from on a daily basis, as well as an array of Italian ice and their famous Italian gelato. Though the interesting flavors of ice cream and Italian ice line the freezers, the real joy of Gelotti is in the classic gelato flavors. The gelato at Gelotti tastes like it has been imported directly from Italy—their ability freshly hand craft the finest quality of gelato shines through in crisp pure flavors.

Holsten's

Holstens
(credit: Holstens)

1063 North Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 338-7091
holstens.com
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When you walk into Holsten's you may seem to recognize it—if not because of the old-timey décor of a classic ice cream parlor or malt shop, because the final scene of the Sopranos was filmed here. Not only are the classic homemade ice creams rich and creamy, they will be served in all the old fashioned styles that you would expect from an ice cream parlor. Have an ice cream soda or egg cream at the counter while sitting on their original stools, or try a banana split with real whipped cream!

Applegate Farm

Ice Cream Cones
(file image credit: Clipart)

616 Grove Street
Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 744-5900 (Multiple Locations)
applegatefarm.com
Reviews & More Info

Beginning as a small dairy farm in 1848, New Jersey natives have understood the stellar reputation that this now multi-location franchise. Despite the widespread success of their franchise and east cost distributor service, Applegate Farm ice cream is still homemade with the same quality that fostered their fame. Offering seasonal flavors and an assortment of Italian ice and sorbet, Applegate Farms is a New Jersey classic, as well as a not to be missed summer treat.

Emily Tamburri is a New Jersey based food and lifestyle writer.

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