The Best 5 Local Ice Cream Shops in Denver

Denver has a great selection of ice cream, but this city isn't all about just Coldstone and Baskin Robbins. For the very best, unique ice cream shops in the area, read on.

Liks Ice Cream Parlor

2039 East 13th Avenue

Open daily 12pm-10pm

Ice cream is made right on-site here, with the freshest ingredients and a larger variety of flavors you can imagine. Liks serves common ice cream flavors, like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, but the main fetaure here are the many flavors that are based on customers' requests. If you have a flavor idea in mind or miss an ice cream flavor from your childhood, be sure to let them know!

Aside from the variety of ice cream, there is also a nice selection of frozen yogurt, or sorbet and sherbert for a more refreshing taste. One problem you may have is trying to decide what to get! But pretty much every flavor is amazing. The portions are huge, especially for what you pay (generally under $5 depending).

The environment is fun and always puts on a happy mood - if you don't want to sit around indoors, there is also an outdoor patio. With a friendly staff that are quick to serve, the service is almost as great as the ice cream!

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Gelato d'Italia

250 Detroit St.

Open Sunday-Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-12am

Gelato is a special kind of ice cream, and purely Italian. Unlike premium American ice cream, gelato has about 1/2 the fat and 1/2 the air, which makes it not only more healthy, but more flavorsome. At Gelato d'Italia, they serve some of the best gelato you will ever find without going directly to Italy.

There are always at least 24 flavors of gelato available, and a nice selection of sorbetto (for those looking for a natural, fat/dairy-free dessert). Prices vary, but are generally around $4. There are specialties and other dessert options, such as pies, also available. Also served are a variety of coffees (including Lavazza, Italy's most popular) prepared the way you like, whether traditional, espresso, latte, etc. You may also choose from hearty, flavorsome soups that start at $3 or soup and sandwich combos that are $6.

The location of the shop is in a nice neighborhood in Cherry Hill, providing a gently quaint atmosphere with outdoor seating to sit and enjoy your dessert. The staff are always cheerful and helpful with everything. On the downside, flavors change daily so your favorite won't always be there. Fear not though, because it will come back.

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Bonnie Brae Ice Cream

799 South University Blvd.

Summer hours: Sunday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm
Winter hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm

This tiny ice cream shop always seems to be crowded, usually with lines hanging out the door. But there is a reason for it - the ice cream is totally worth the wait. Made right in the store, there is an extensive variety of ice cream flavors and different types of cones. Sundaes, banana splits and quality milkshakes make up other delicious, very affordable choices.

The environment gives an old-fashioned, retro ambiance, with the red vinyl seats and hand-written menu along with excellent service that just has a friendly, old-school feel to it. The place may be small and crowded, but you won't be disappointed.

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Paulie's Italian Ice and Gelato

906 Main St.
Louisville

Open daily 12pm-9pm

Another nice shop that serves gelato, Paulie's mainly specializes in wonderfully-made Italian ice. The freshest ingredients are used to put their delicacies together, for some of the lowest prices you will ever find in an ice cream shop - around $2 gets you a small Italian ice, $3 gets you a large, and $4-5 pays for some yummy gelato. You can even choose to take a pint or two home with you if you can't get enough at the shop.

The service here is great, with a cheerful, humorous staff that also allow you to double up flavors so you can try as many as possible even in one visit!

Pete's Ice Cream and Coffee

2730 East Colfax Avenu

Open Monday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-9pm

Dryer's Grand Ice cream is the main specialty here, and not gourmet homemade ice cream like the shops listed about, but that doesn't make this ice cream shop any less important to list. The ice cream is delicious, there are a lot of flavors, and the portions are absolutely enourmous!

They also have very good coffee, and a friendly staff that is adamant about giving the generous servings of ice cream. All of that and a big bang for your buck (pretty inexpensive for what you get), and that makes Pete's a place you should at least try out.

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