We’ve got the scoop. Here’s a guide to the ice cream scene in and around Tacoma
We’re a few weeks away from summer, even though it might not feel like it. Still, it’s as good a time as any to go out for some ice cream.
It’s fair to say the ice cream scene in Tacoma is not overcrowded. There are only a handful of dedicated ice creameries within city lines, and you’ll have to venture out around the rest of Pierce County for more options.
What the Tacoma-area ice cream scene lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Many of these ice creameries keep us on our toes with inventive new flavors and ice cream creations.
We want to hear what you think, readers. Vote for your favorite ice creamery in the poll at the bottom of the article or tell us a local spot that we missed.
Here’s where to get your fill of this frozen treat in and around Tacoma.
Ice Cream Social
- Hilltop: 1110 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-327-1660
- Proctor: 2521 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-327-1803
- Ruston: 5107 Main St., Ruston, 253-507-5448
- icecreamsocialtacoma.com
This popular ice creamery has locations all over Tacoma where it churns out homemade ice cream in a variety of interesting flavors (including dairy-free options). You have your chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, but there’s also Roasted Banana and Almond Poppy Seed. Recent seasonal flavors include Coconut Lavender, Blueberry Sorbet and Lemon Gingersnap. Note that flavors vary by location.
Iscreamery
- 7806 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor
- 253-509-0455
- iscreamerypnw.com
You’ll find lots of unique ice cream creations at Iscreamery, which doubles as a burger stand. Flavors are constantly changing, but the current lineup includes The Elvis, which is banana ice cream with peanut butter-bacon swirls; The Bee’s Knees, which is buttermilk ice cream with honey brittle; and Blackberry Crisp Cream, which is vegan oat milk ice cream with blackberry jam ripple. Along with the ice cream, the mix-ins are often homemade, including all the cookies, brownies, fudge, caramels, brittles and jams.
Bliss Small Batch Creamery
- University Place: 3556 Market Place W., University Place, 253-327-1061
- DuPont: 1520 Wilmington Dr., DuPont, 253-765-5483
- icecreambliss.com
Bliss runs a year-round shop in University Place, along with a seasonal location in DuPont. Flavors include the popular Cookie Monster with blue-tinted vanilla cream, chocolate sandwich cookies and chocolate chip cookies, as well as Salted Butter Caramel, Honey Lavender and Peanut Butter Bliss. If you’re looking for something outside the box, past rotating flavors include Elote, Overnight Oats and Jasmine Boba Tea. Vegan options are always available. The creamery also makes gluten-free waffle cones and custom ice cream cakes.
Medzo Gelato Bar
- 612-B Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
- 253-600-9491
- medzogelatobar.com
If you want a break from traditional ice cream, Medzo offers artisan, hand-crafted gelato and sorbet in rotating flavors. Those varieties include pistachio, rose, hazelnut, stracciatella and orange blossom. Check Medzo’s social media (Facebook and Instagram) for flavor updates.
Dreamer Ice Cream
- 622 S. Sprague Ave., Tacoma
- 206-395-4193
- dreamer-ice-cream.square.site
This ice cream shop in Tacoma has quite a hefty menu of all things ice cream — milkshakes, ice cream bars, ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream nachos and more. Milkshakes include Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Pie, Banana Pudding and Oreo Explosion.
Frankie & Jo’s
- Scoop shop at Howdy Bagel, 5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
- frankieandjos.com
You used to have to venture out to Seattle to try this plant-based ice cream, but that’s no longer the case. Frankie & Jo’s has been serving scoops at Howdy Bagel on the weekends since December. The vegan and gluten-free ice cream comes in a range of inventive flavors like Tom Kha with lime leaf, lemongrass Thai chili, macaroons and caramel, and Salty Caramel Ash with salted caramel ice cream and activated coconut charcoal.
Lick Homemade Ice Cream
- 105 2nd St. SW, Puyallup
- 253-268-0793
- lickhomemadeicecream.com
This homemade ice cream shop in downtown Puyallup offers rotating flavors, plus homemade waffle cones. The latest flavors include Licorice, Huckleberry, Raspberry White Chocolate Pretzel and dairy-free flavors like Lemon Blackberry and Honey Lavender Lemonade Sorbet.
Frisko Freeze
- 1201 Division Ave., Tacoma
- friskofreeze.com
This popular Tacoma landmark might be known for its burgers, but it’s got some frozen treats available, too. Milkshakes come in flavors like blackberry, pineapple and root beer, and you can also grab some classic chocolate or vanilla soft serve in a bowl or a cone. Ice cream sundaes come with your choice of drizzle in flavors like chocolate, butterscotch or caramel, plus whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a maraschino cherry.
Glass Bottle Creamery
- 17616 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon
- 206-463-1033
- glassbottlecreamery.com
This homemade ice cream is just a ferry ride away. The Vashon Island creamery uses milk, cream and eggs from Smith Brothers Farms in Kent and has a rotating selection of eight flavors (including vegan options). The latest varieties include Honey Lavender, Pistachio and Rhubarb Ginger Swirl. The inside of Glass Bottle Creamery also boasts a few different arcade games to check out while you enjoy your treat.
