Check Out This Guide to The Best Homemade Ice Cream Shops in Monmouth County.
The warm weather has arrived and many of the ice cream shops in Monmouth County are eager to serve large crowds of locals and tourists.
You’re never too far away from good homemade ice cream on the Jersey Shore.
Feel free to go to commercial ice cream shops like Mister Softee, Carvel, and Dairy Queen, they’re yummy too. But why not venture out and try our local shops who make really inventive homemade flavors of this cold creamy treat?
Many of them are small-batch recipes with unusual flavors. I will try any flavor at least once. I’ve tried homemade garlic ice cream before and I kind of liked it, although I will admit that it’s an acquired taste.
Get out of the way chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, it’s time to leave our comfort zone and try some rather unique combinations to wake up our palates.
What Are Some Unusual Ice Cream Flavors?
I searched the internet to see if I could find a few examples of what would be considered unusual ice cream flavors. The first one I came across was cinnamon-basil with a vanilla ice cream base…hmmm.
The 2 strangest combinations I discovered were Bleu cheese ice cream with pomegranate ripple and a balsamic vinegar and fruit ice cream. I’d try them, why not?
One of my favorite unique flavors that I came across in Monmouth County many years ago, is sweet corn ice cream with actual corn kernels mixed in. We all know how delicious Jersey corn is when it arrives in July. Now think about how it would taste when you add cream & sugar and then turn it into ice cream. To me, that’s a winning combination.
While doing my research, I realized just how many places make ice cream in-house across Monmouth & Ocean County. I had no idea there were that many places with homemade ice cream.
I guess I just got used to going to a few places and never ventured out to see who else creates these frozen dessert treats.
Let’s see what Monmouth County has to offer.
Read More: Here’s Ocean County Ice Cream Shops Making Homemade Ice Cream
Cookman Creamery - 711 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Family-owned parlor preparing artisanal ice cream in surprising flavors, plus lots of vegan options. I hear that the fine folks who work here are incredibly friendly and are very patient dealing with small children, that’s a big plus. This dessert shop specializes in hand-crafted small batch ice creams. Artisanal in method and creative in spirit, offering a diverse menu of plant-based vegan ice creams as well as traditional dairy-based ice cream creations.
HERE’S THE SPRING- SUMMER 2024 MENU
Beach Plum - 420 Main St, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
I lived in Bradley Beach for a short time and absolutely loved this place. Not only do they offer both traditional flavors and unique flavor combinations, they have both vegan and regular soft serve. They also make homemade ice cream sandwiches that resemble Carvel’s flying saucers. My favorite is the S’mores Ice Cream. They toast the marshmallow and mix it into the ice cream with huge chunks of chocolate.
Sweet N Joe - 1405 Wickapecko Dr, Ocean Township, NJ 07712
Owner David Hirschel opened Sweet N Joe in October 2022. Located in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township, just minutes from Asbury Park. Featuring small-batch premium hard ice cream, creamy soft serve ice cream, custom blends, hand-crafted ice cream pops, milkshakes, sundaes, specialty ice cream cakes and so much more! Be sure to try our homemade baked goods including Ring Dings in a variety of flavors, hand pies that resemble our beloved Pop Tarts, cookies, streusel-topped muffins, and mini bundt cakes.
Nicholas Creamery - 444 Ocean Blvd N, Long Branch, NJ 07740 Other Locations in Fairhaven, Middletown, Tinton Falls, & Atlantic Highlands
My first taste of this incredible homemade ice cream happened at Middletown Township’s Grand Opening of Town Hall in July 2023. It was some of the best ice cream I have ever had. Their website reads: We hand-make small batch ice cream and ice cream cakes using the purest of ingredients and collaborate with local businesses to showcase the best products in New Jersey. We are 100% in love with small town livin’– nothing makes us happier than serving up scoops and smiles to the incredible communities that have welcomed our sweet vision with open hearts (and spoons!). There’s a new flavor popping up every week. The Creameries feature the classics (Valrhona Chocolate and Tahitian Vanilla) while churning out delicious, creative flavors including: Hudson Café Coffee Crunch, Bourbon Chocolate Chunk, Nutty Monkey, Malted Cookies N Milk, and Vegan Coconut Cherry Vanilla. Nicholas Creamery will be opening another store on Route 34 in Wall, in the same shopping center as Shop Rite.Ryan's Homemade Ice Cream - 462 Shrewsbury Ave #4901, Tinton Falls, NJ & 1805 NJ-35, Oakhurst, NJ
This family owned business looks like they have a lot of fun creating all kinds of unusual flavors like Elvis, Raspberry Bomb, Italian Cookie, Samoa (like the Girl Scout cookie), salted caramel pistachio, and of course all your traditional favorites.
Also serving Italian ice, soft serve, homemade custom cakes, shakes, and more. If you have a creative idea about a flavor combination you’d like them to create, just let them know. They’re open to all customer suggestions. Ask about the orange creamsicle soft serve.
Frozen Flavors Homemade Ice Cream & Italian Ice - 490 Palmer Ave, North Middletown, NJ 07748
Serving premium handmade small-batch ice cream and Italian ice. Frozen Flavors proudly serves delicious desserts and frozen treats in two locations, Middletown and seasonally on Front Street in Union Beach.
According to Laura M. – They also have ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and assorted cones to choose from as well as Italian ice. This is a huge plus for us, as one member of the family has a dairy allergy. The shop is clean, bright, and well-kept and the owners are very friendly. We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door and they were super nice. They also gave us a redemption card that gets punched each time you visit, earning a freebie after your tenth visit.
Social media influencer, @thejerseygirlguide says, “This adorable ice cream shop serves the coolest treats like bubble waffle sundaes, Jordinis (soft serve mixed with italian ice), cookie coated waffle cones, and so much more! They also have to go pints!”
I also got to watch how they make their homemade italian ice and ice cream on site! They really put so much time and effort into their treats, and I would have to say my favorite flavor was their mint oreo! They are definitely an amazing spot for your next ice cream craving!Fable Creamery Vegan Ice Cream & Confections - 14 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701
I’m sure the vegan community is over the moon that Fable Creamery exists.
Fable Creamery is a strictly vegan ice cream and confection shop making ice cream, ice cream cakes, chocolate confections, and cookies.
Everything they create is 100% vegan & gluten free. They never use soy, artificial colors or flavors, gums or preservatives in any of their products. How’s that for reassurance?
The cookies look fabulous! Especially the double chocolate sea salt & the white chocolate macadamia nut. Even non-vegans would love this place.
One reviewer wrote: “Most delicious vegan ice cream ever. We stood there for 10 minutes deciding which flavor to get. Some have heavy coconut background tastes but others were amazingly delicious. Staff were the nicest people I’ve ever met!!! And continuously offered us more and more tastings.” “Vibe inside was so cute like a modern homey barn.”
Strollo's Lighthouse - 250 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ -Other locations include: West End, Red Bank, Belford, & Ocean Twp.
Homemade soft serve in a whole bunch of flavors, Italian ice, sundaes, hard dips, and kickin’ milkshakes and hurricanes at this Jersey Shore landmark. No need to lay down countless accolades for this old school gem of a place. This is my favorite location!
Cash only with an ATM to the right of the building. Strollo’s Lighthouse is the taste of summer in New Jersey!
