Madison, WI
For Ice Cream in Madison, the local food press points to Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Babcock Hall, and Stellie's Ice Cream. Picks from Isthmus and Madison Magazine, updated June 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Isthmus and Madison Magazine. Updated June 2026.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream · Monroe Street
Madison Magazine 2025 Gold winner and Isthmus standard-bearer. Since 1962 on Monona Drive, 110-flavor rotation including Zanzibar chocolate and Blue Moon.
Babcock Hall · UW Campus
Madison Magazine 2025 Silver and Isthmus standard-bearer. UW dairy-science ice cream since 1951; flagship orange custard chocolate chip.
Stellie's Ice Cream · East Washington
Isthmus pick. Stella Buckley's high-fat, little-air approach with flavors like cherry pie a la mode and salted caramel candied pecan.
Good News Café & Ice Cream · Capitol Square
Isthmus pick. Opened 2021 steps from the Capitol; local ingredients including honey from Mount Horeb.
Ice Cream Social · University Avenue
Isthmus pick. Four-scoop flight option; founded 2022 in support of Black Lives Matter, donates profits to community groups.
What’s your #1 Ice Cream in Madison?
Rank your top five and be the first to set Madison's local ranking.