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Start a Top 5 for Ice CreamEditor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Eater Chicago, Time Out Chicago, and The Infatuation Chicago. Updated August 2026.
Pretty Cool Ice Cream · Logan Square
Dana Cree's ex-Publican pastry-chef novelty-bar shop is the cross-publication consensus pick for Chicago ice cream; the Cornflake Crunch and Avocado Lime Sherbet bars are iconic.
Margie's Candies · Bucktown
The 1921 Armitage-and-Western sundae parlor is untouchable Chicago history; the turtle sundae in a giant shell dish is the city's most-loved nostalgic order per every local guide.
Black Dog Gelato · Ukrainian Village
Jessica Oloroso's Damen Avenue gelato counter is a chef-favorite; goat cheese cashew caramel and Mexican chocolate gelato are Eater and Time Out consensus top picks.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams · Lincoln Park
Jeni Britton's grassfed ice cream. Brambleberry crisp and salty caramel. Is a cross-city consensus brand that Chicago publications keep on their essential ice-cream short-list.
Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge · Near North Side
Not local-born but the Magnificent Mile fudge-and-ice-cream counter is the long-standing Time Out and Chicago Tribune tourist picks pick; Mackinac Island Fudge is the city-defining scoop.