Rochester, NY
For Ice Cream in Rochester, the local food press points to Pittsford Farms Dairy, Abbott's Frozen Custard, and Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream & Chocolates. Picks from CITY Magazine and 13WHAM, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in CITY Magazine and 13WHAM. Updated July 2026.
Pittsford Farms Dairy · Park Avenue
Pittsford Farms Dairy won Best Ice Cream in CITY Magazine's 2024 and 2025 readers' polls, and has taken the category across earlier cycles too. It makes its ice cream from scratch, sold at the historic Pittsford dairy and at a Park Avenue storefront in the city. Go to either counter and order a scoop of the house-made ice cream.
Abbott's Frozen Custard · Charlotte
Abbott's began in 1902 and settled at the corner of Lake and Beach avenues in Rochester in 1926, making this Lake Avenue stand the original. It opened its 100th season in 2026, covered by 13WHAM and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and CITY Magazine named it a Best Ice Cream finalist in 2025. Order the frozen custard at the original Lake Avenue window.
Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream & Chocolates · South Wedge
Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream and Chocolates is a South Wedge fixture on South Avenue, making its ice cream and chocolates in small batches. CITY Magazine named it a Best Ice Cream finalist in its 2025 readers' poll. Stop in for a scoop and a few house chocolates to take home.
Countertop Creamery · East Avenue
Countertop Creamery is a small-batch shop tucked into a shared East Avenue storefront, behind a tailor shop, as much a find for its location as its ice cream. CITY Magazine named it a Best Ice Cream finalist in 2025. Seek out the counter and order a small-batch scoop.
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