Step into the enchanting world of Cape Cod, where pristine beaches, quaint towns, and culinary wonders await. Amidst the many experiences the area has to offer, one fun thing to do reigns supreme and knows no age limits – ice cream!
So, gather your friends and family, whether young or young-at-heart, and embark on a journey of taste as we explore the top 15 ice cream shops on Cape Cod. Get ready to indulge in the finest frozen treats that will leave you craving more!
We’ve scoured the entire Cape to bring you the top 15 ice cream shops that are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Let’s start on the Upper Cape as you come over the Bourne Bridge and work our way down to P’town!
Top 15 Ice Cream Shops on the Cape:
1. Somerset Creamery
1268 Rte. 28A
Cataumet, MA
Head to Bourne/Cataumet, to enjoy the Somerset Creamery, known for its creamy and rich ice cream flavors that will transport you to ice cream heaven. They offer handmade ice creams that are sure to please.
The family-owned ice cream shop has been in business since 1937. You can pick from traditional ice cream cones, try a sundae, or ice cream beverage.
2. Smitty Ice Cream
2. 326 E Falmouth Hwy
East Falmouth, MA
In Falmouth, Smitty Ice Cream awaits, promising a nostalgic taste that will bring back memories of homemade treats. The cute little ice cream shake is sure to appeal with its shaker exterior. Sit at one of the many picnic tables and enjoy the sweet treat.
3. Twin Acres
21 Route 6A
Sandwich, MA
Twin Acres beckons with an exciting twist – not only do they offer a range of flavors, but they also cater to vegans with their delightful vegan options.
The delightful ice cream haven offers over 70 flavors, including premium hard and soft serve, sorbet, sherbet, vegan, and no-sugar-added options.
Treat yourself to non-dairy mango, raspberry, or lemon sorbet, or indulge in coconut-based vegan ice cream. They also offer gluten-free cones and special sundaes, along with savory snacks like Italian sausage rolls and hot dogs.
And guess what? Your furry friends can join the fun with a pup cup of vanilla ice cream topped with a treat! Enjoy your icy delight on their scenic two-acre grounds, a summer favorite for locals and visitors alike.
4. Sweet Waves
10 Steeple St, (located in Mashpee Commons)
Mashpee, MA
Sweet Waves in the Mashpee Commons is a frozen yogurt heaven, boasting dozens of toppings for you to create your own sundae masterpiece. The kids will have a great time creating their own unique sundaes with so many choices of yummy toppings!
Ice cream might not be for everyone, so why not try this delightful frozen yogurt hub? You might just become the next froyo fan!
5. Four Sea Ice Cream Cape Cod
360 South Main Street
Centerville, MA
Located in Barnstable’s Centerville village, the famous Four Seas Ice Cream awaits – a favorite of the Kennedys and a timeless gem of the Cape. Yes, you read that right — the Kennedys would often enjoy a cold cone at the Four Sea Ice Cream. The ice cream shop has been in business since 1934, making it one of the oldest ice cream shops on Cape Cod.
6. Cape Cod Creamery
645 Iyannough Road
Hyannis, MA
Hyannis boasts the Cape Cod Creamery location that is open year-round, but you can find their delectable creations seasonally in their two other locations in Dennis and South Yarmouth. They offer many flavors of home-made ice cream to take home in quart-sized containers. While there, you may want to try one of there signature panini sandwiches.
Their unique ice cream is prepared extremely dense with extraordinarily little air to ensure optimum creaminess. You can find many of your favorite flavors in quarts throughout the Cape in many local markets year-round.
7. Penguin Ice Cream Igloo
517 MA-28
West Yarmouth, MA
In Yarmouth, you’ll find the cool Penguin Ice Cream Igloo, not only known for its ice cream but also for its popular Penguin Patties. Keep an eye out for the occasional penguin sighting too!
If you are on the upper Cape, you can also find the same delicious treats at the Penguin Ice Cream Factory in Sandwich. This shop has the same innovative flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds, but you can step inside the ice cream shop to soak up the air conditioning – like a penguin – or enjoy a cone in one of the outdoor seating locations.
8. School House Ice Cream
749 Route 28
Harwich Port, MA
Schoolhouse Ice cream boasts 55 homemade flavors, with at least 35 available in rotation at all times, including sugar-free, sherbet, low-fat yogurt and sorbets. They even offer “Doggie Sundaes” free with your order if you bring your pup along.
You can enjoy your treat in the fully air-conditioned shop or on their fun deck with its wind chimes and birdhouses, or the sweeping front porch filled with seasonal flowers
9. Sundae School Ice Cream
381 Lower County Rd
Dennis Port, MA
Dennis is home to one of the most popular ice cream shops on the Cape; their second location is on Main Street in Harwich Port. The ice cream shop was named one of the “Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S.” by the reputable Food and Wine Magazine. They have been offering the cool treat to residents and visitors since 1976.
10. Buffy’s Ice Cream
10. 456 Main Street
Chatham, MA 02633
Chatham welcomes you with Buffy’s, an ice cream haven that will leave you spoilt for choice with its extensive range of flavors. They also offer handcrafted ice cream bars such as the Angler’s Brownie Bar or the Monomoy Sunrise.
11. Brewster Scoop
1929 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
Step back in time at The Brewster Scoop, a friendly and historical ice cream shop nestled along Brewster’s charming Route 6A. Its origins date back to the 1920s, when an ice cream parlor graced the east side of the neighboring Brewster General Store, serving sweet delights to locals and travelers.
After several transformations, the Scoop found its current home in the former Brewster Post Office, making it the perfect spot to savor a scoop of ice cream with a side of nostalgia.
12. Poit’s Ice Cream
12. 5270 State Highway
Eastham, MA 02651
On your way to the Outer Cape, stop by Poit’s Ice Cream to help them celebrate 70 years as a family-run business on the Cape! Known for having “the best soft serve ice cream on Cape Cod”. Or try something new like their signature Lighthouse Ice, a refreshing layered dessert with chocolate or vanilla ice cream between two flavors of soft Italian ice.
If you stick around awhile to play some lighthouse minigolf and check out their vintage arcade, you may get hungry. Don’t worry, their menu offers more than just dairy treats; you can also get a hotdog or sub.
13. Gelato Joy Cafe
3 W Main St.
Wellfleet, MA 02667
Wellfleet is the home of Gelato Joy Cafe, offering a taste of Italy with its luscious gelato delights. Their claim to fame is their delicious home-made small batch gelato with farm fresh milk & cream. Or try a refreshing sorbet in a bevy of flavors.
If it’s too early for gelato, they will also delight your taste buds with their fresh brews and your choice of delectable donuts and danishes. The kids will certainly want to leave their artistic mark on their popular public chalk board.
14. Savory & the Sweet Escape
316 US-6
Truro, MA 02666
If you’ve taken our journey with us this far down the Cape through all the ice cream shops, you must be ready for some real food. We’ve got you covered! At the Savory & the Sweet Escape, you can experience an entire dining experience with a harmonious blend of savory and sweet flavors in a picturesque setting.
Even though they offer more than ice cream, you do want to save room to indulge your sweet tooth with their home-made ice cream in true Cape flavors like Cranberry Bog or Lavender Fig.
15. Lewis Brothers Homemade Ice Cream
310 Commercial St
Provincetown, MA 02657
In Provincetown you will find Lewis Brothers Homemade Ice Cream on the corner of Commercial and Standish streets. It is the perfect way to end our ice cream adventure on this beautiful peninsula.
They may have the largest selection of adult-ice cream choices on the Cape, including Chocolate Guinness or Mojito. If you are heading to the Truro beaches, you might even spot their solar-powered ice cream truck offering refreshing treats in the hot summer sun.
So, whether you’re visiting Cape Cod for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, or idyllic beaches, be sure to include these top 15 ice cream shops in your itinerary. Your taste buds will thank you for the delicious memories you’ll create along the way. Ice cream, whether a cone, sundae, pint, or gallon is a great way to chill out and create sweet memories that will last a lifetime with your Kids on Vacation.
