Gelato and Ice Cream Worth The Calories in Austin

Located on South 1st Street, Dolce Neve is a locally owned gelato shop known for its authentic Italian gelato made from scratch each day. Founded by three Italians, Dolce Neve uses traditional methods and fresh ingredients to create a rotating menu of classic and seasonal flavors. Its commitment to quality and seasonality has made Dolce Neve a great stop for locals and visitors looking for superb gelato.

Zed’s Real Fruit Ice Cream serves New Zealand-style ice cream, soft serve blended with frozen fruit. Rather than offering pre-made flavors, each order begins with a vanilla base that is mixed on the spot with your fruit of choice. Customers can customize their dessert with toppings or one of the shop’s signature combinations. With its fresh ingredients and unique preparation method, Zed’s has emerged as one of Austin’s most distinctive destinations for delicious ice cream.

Lick Honest Ice Cream was founded in Austin in 2011, and is known for its small-batch ice cream sourced from Texas ingredients. The company partners with local farms, dairies, and artisans to design innovative seasonal flavors. My favorite flavors were roasted beet and fresh mint, and goat cheese, thyme, and honey! Alongside these rotating seasonal offerings, Lick also serves classic favorites and dairy-free options. Every flavor is made without artificial colors, flavoring, or preservatives.

A classic on SoCo classic, Gelato Paradiso specializes in authentic Italian gelato using traditional Sicilian recipes and high-quality natural ingredients. It was founded in California by passionate partners working alongside master gelato makers from Sicily, the shop imports premium ingredients like Bronte pistachios (the best!) and Piedmont hazelnuts while incorporating local ingredients. Gelato Paradiso offers a traditional gelato experience in the heart of Austin, it’s worth every calorie!

Gati Cafe is an East Austin classic known for its dairy-free ice cream made with a coconut milk base. Inspired by Thai flavors and Texas seasonal ingredients, Gati features a rotating menu with flavors like pandan, black sticky rice, Thai tea, mango sticky rice, and roasted banana. In addition to the plant-based ice creams, the café also runs a fully gluten-free bakery with specialty coffees. Gati Cafe has become one of Austin’s memorable destinations for vegan and gluten-free delicacies while maintaining priorities of scratch-made cuisine and globally-inspired flavors.

Founded in 2002 by Jeni Britton, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams grew from a single shop in Ohio into one of the country’s most recognized artisan ice cream brands. Jeni’s is known for its use of whole ingredients, grass-grazed milk from local farms, and unique flavors that avoids synthetic dyes and high-fructose corn syrup. Its menu features signature flavors such as Brambleberry Crisp, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, and Gooey Butter Cake in addition to rotating seasonal flavors that combine local ingredients with creative culinary tact. The distinctively rich textures and high-quality taste makes Jeni’s an ideal location for ice cream lovers in Austin.

Bésame Ice Cream originally launched as a food truck at Meanwhile Brewing; since then, it has become one of Austin’s most acclaimed artisan ice cream makers. It has expanded to additional locations at Littlefield’s in Tarrytown and inside Dosis Coffee + Cocktails in Cedar Park. Every batch is made fresh in small quantities, blending signature favorites like Damn Good Chocolate, Banana Pudding, and My Jam with more creative seasonal flavors. Every Thursday at 7:30 pm, Besame releases a new flavor; it always sells out so quickly! Bésame has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative ice cream shops in Austin.

KESSHO Artisanal Chocolate & Gelato combines homemade gelato with bean-to-bar chocolate. Founded by award-winning chocolatier Karen Urbanek, KESSHO makes its gelato in-house using traditional Italian techniques and with high-quality ingredients. The menu features classic flavors, many of which utilize KESSHO’s house-made chocolate, roasted nuts, and fresh fruit. By pairing artisan chocolate making with authentic gelato production, KESSHO offers a distinctive dessert experience that showcases craftsmanship, premium ingredients, and carefully developed flavors.

Founded in Austin in 1984 by Amy Simmons, Amy’s Ice Creams has emerged as one of the city’s most iconic dessert spots. With over 350 rotating flavors, customers can choose from classic favorites or customize their order with a wide selection of mix-ins that are hand-folded into the ice cream on a frozen marble slab. The staff is always friendly and quirky, and performs signature ice cream tosses for each order. For more than four decades, its commitment to creativity, locally inspired flavors, and community has made trips to Amy’s a tradition for many Austinites.

The Yard Milkshake Bar of Austin is located in the Domain and is known for its extravagant milkshakes and edible cookie dough creations. Founded in Alabama in 2017, the company quickly expanded nationwide, with its Austin location becoming the first in Texas. Each milkshake is made with specialty ice cream, served in a mason jar, and topped with elaborate combinations of brownies, cookies, donuts, cake, candy, whipped cream, and sprinkles. They serve some of the largest ice cream desserts I’ve seen in my life. While the sugary concoctions are undeniably indulgent, the shop is also accessible for those looking for a fun, shareable dessert experience.