Top Ice Cream Shops in Pittsburgh, PA

If you're looking for a tasty bite of ice cream to ward off summer heat or for a delicious dessert, come to downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Here you'll find homemade ice cream in hundreds of flavors, perfect for the whole family. These ice cream shops in Pittsburgh invite you in with the aroma of chocolates or freshly made waffle cones, and provide you a place to sit and enjoy a frozen dessert like no other. Whether you like a cup, cone, sundae or milkshake, Pittsburgh's ice cream shops have the treat you've been searching for.

Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream
207 Atwood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-681-9906
M-F 11:30am to 10pm
Sat-Sun 12 noon to 10pm

Dave & Andy's has been serving homemade ice cream in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh since 1983. They make everything from scratch, including their famous waffle cones. When you step inside, you can watch them make the cones while you wait to order; be sure to look closely as they put a secret surprise (an M&M) in the bottom of each one, both to plug the hole and make your last bite a sweet one. They have simple flavors like vanilla and chocolate, as well as more unique flavors like Chocolate Malted ice cream made with beer, Kahlua Cookies & Cream, Oatmeal Raisin, and Birthday Cake. This neighborhood ice cream shop is only blocks from Schenley Plaza, so in the summertime, you can stroll while you eat your cone and enjoy some time in the park or a ride on the carousel for a fun outing. The only thing to beware of is that this shop is popular with locals, expect quite a line on warm summer nights. Dave & Andy's doesn't have a website, but you can check for information and updates through their Facebook page.

The Milkshake Factory
1705 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-1808
Mon-Sat 10am to 10pm
Sun 11am to 9pm

For a true taste of soda fountains gone by, head to Pittsburgh's South Side Victorian District to The Milkshake Factory. The 1880s building has been beautifully restored, and once you enter, you feel like you've been transported back in time to an old, ornate soda shop. The front houses beautifully packaged gourmet chocolates, which are pricey, but delicious. Yet the real treat here is the ice cream and milkshakes. There are over 55 milkshake flavors to choose from, and ten different sundae options, or you can create your own. The milkshakes are truly decadent, with flavors like Dark Chocolate Blueberry, Chocolate Mint Chipper, Toasted Almond Fudge, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Chocolate Cinnamon, Mango, Pumpkin and more. And if you're looking for a bargain, head to The Milkshake Factory's "Happy Hour," every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm, when milkshakes are half price. Indoor and outdoor seating are available, so you can enjoy your treats no matter the weather. Just know that sometimes parking is difficult to find, and there's a $10 minimum for debit and credit cards (two milkshakes cost under $10). For more information and updates, visit their Facebook page.

Mercurio's Mulberry Creamery
5523 Walnut Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
412-621-6220
Sun & Mon 1pm to 9pm
Tue-Thu 11am to 10pm
Fri & Sat 11am to 11pm

If you're looking for a delicious frozen treat, come to Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood for your fix. Mercurio's sells Gelato, a low-fat Italian ice cream, which many find superior to American ice cream. The flavors are rich and concentrated, and here everything is handmade with the best ingredients. The milk is Grade A from a local source where the cows are grass-fed and hormone free. Mercurio's has 300 flavors in their repetoire, with 30 daily flavors that rotate. Some of the mouth-watering concoctions you may find are: Dark Chocolate Stracciatella (dark chocolate with chocolate shreds), Gianduia (chocolate hazelnut), Strawberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Blueberry Muffin, Key Lime and so many more. The prices are very reasonable, and the gelato is sold by the ounce, so families with small children who only eat a few bites (like mine) can just get a sampling and not waste money on pre-determined sizes. Overall, Mercurio's is a special treat that everyone should try; just know that once you go, you'll be hooked. For more information and updates, visit their Facebook page.

Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor
2801 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-434-0451
October through April (Winter Hours):
M-F 10am to 5pm; Sat 12 noon to 9pm; closed Sundays
May through September (Summer Hours):
Mon & Tue 1am to 5pm; Wed-Fri 10am to 9pm; Sat & Sun 12 noon to 9pm

Pittsburgh's Strip District has lots of fun shops and restaurants, and one of the favorites is Klavon's Old Fashioned 1920s Ice Cream Parlor. Here, patrons can sit on stools at the counter or at cafe tables in this authentic soda fountain and drug store from almost a century ago. Klavon's serves Pittsburgh's own Reinhold's Ice Cream, which you can order by the scoop or in a decadent sundae. Not only can you choose from flavors of ice cream, they also offer flavored whipped cream for the top of your sundae, including vanilla, chocolate, Amaretto and "flavors of the day." All sizes are available to accommodate a family, from "Baby Wee Cones" for only 50 cents to the "Super Bowl Sundae" for $16, which includes 8 scoops of ice cream plus toppings to feed a crowd. Klavon's also offers savory fare for lunch and an assortment of penny candy, just like the old time drug stores. If you're looking for a unique experience in Pittsburgh, PA, try Klavon's, the perfect stop in the middle of the Strip District. For updates and more information, visit their Facebook page.