Best ice cream in the Tacoma area? Here’s what readers had to say
Even though Juneuary is upon us here in Tacoma, the high temperatures in our future create a perfect opportunity to cool down with some ice cream.
But where is the best place to get a scoop?
According to our readers, it’s Ice Cream Social, with three locations around Tacoma and a loyal following.
The News Tribune recently asked readers to vote for their favorite ice cream shop in and around Tacoma. Ice Cream Social grabbed nearly half of the votes, followed by some other local favorites.
Here are the results.
1. 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
- All locations open noon to 9 p.m. every day
Ice Cream Social began as a farmer’s market favorite in 2012 and now makes up much of Tacoma’s ice cream scene. Handcrafted flavors range from classics like mint chocolate chip and strawberry to more unique creations like Roasted Banana and Almond Poppy Seed. Sorbet and coconut-based dairy-free options are available.
2. Medzo Gelato Bar
- 612-B Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
- 253-600-9491
- https://medzogelatobar.com/
- Open 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, 3-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday
Medzo was born in 2016 and moved around Western Washington a bit before landing in Tacoma in 2023. The downtown gelato bar makes the authentic Italian frozen treat from scratch and offers a series of rotating flavors. They include Stracciatella, Orange Blossom, Hazelnut, Rose and Tiramisu, along with a selection of sorbet.
3. Lick Homemade Ice Cream
- 105 2nd St. SW, Puyallup
- 253-268-0793
- lickhomemadeicecream.com
- Open noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
Lick has taken up a quiet corner in downtown Puyallup since 2024, serving up handcrafted ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, shakes and pup cups for your pooch. Lick also makes homemade waffle cones, which you can smell when you walk in. The latest batch of rotating flavors includes Cookie Monster, Strawberry Crunch, Desert Pear and Carrot Cake, along with non-dairy options like Chocolate Birthday Cake and Watermelon Sorbet.
4. (tie)
Bliss Small Batch Creamery
University Place:
- 3556 Market Place W., University Place
- 253-327-1061
- icecreambliss.com Open 2-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
DuPont:
- 1520 Wilmington Drive, DuPont
- 253-765-5483
- icecreambliss.com
- Open 3-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 1-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Bliss opened in 2018 and now operates a seasonal scoop shop in DuPont. Along with staples like Cookie Monster and Salted Butter Caramel, Bliss might have the quirkiest flavors of the bunch. Past “churns of the week” include Elote with sweet corn ice cream and a Tajin swirl, Jasmine Boba with Jasmine green tea ice cream base, and Avocado Toast with avocado ice cream and cinnamon toast cereal. Bliss also makes its own waffle cones, plus vegan versions of its bestsellers.
Iscreamery
- 7806 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor
- 253-509-0455
- iscreamerypnw.com
- Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday
This ice cream shop opened in 2021 and now doubles as a burger stand. The handcrafted ice cream comes in an array of thoughtful flavors, like The Bourbon Old Fashioned with bourbon-oak barrel infused ice cream and Valencia orange marmalade, The Elvis with banana ice cream and peanut butter-bacon swirls and the Bee’s Knees with buttermilk ice cream and honey brittle. Iscreamery also makes lots of its mix-ins from scratch, like cookies, brownies, fudge, caramels, brittles and jams.
