5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Minnesota

Originally published June 2019

Updated September 2026

I asked people on the Give Me The Mike Facebook page to nominate their favorite ice cream shops, then used their votes and my own visits to rank the top five.

The list takes you from generous scoops in Stillwater to fresh waffle cones in Buffalo. You’ll find each shop’s locations, what makes it stand out and a few tips for your visit. I’ve also included more Minnesota favorites that received votes.

The 5 best ice cream shops in Minnesota

1. Cullen’s Ice Cream

10905 Douglas Drive N., Champlin, MN 55316
307 East River Parkway, Champlin, MN 55316
12085 Hanson Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
7530 42nd Ave. N., New Hope, MN 55427

Cullen’s Ice Cream storefront with chairs outside — Cullen’s has four locations in Minnesota’s north metro.

Why go: Cullen’s received the most votes and earned my overall top pick. What started in Champlin in 2014 has grown to four north metro locations.
What to try: Get a scoop in a waffle cone made in-house. Cullen’s puts chocolate chips in the bottom of its cones, and you can split a single scoop between two flavors at no extra charge.

Two scoops of ice cream in a waffle cone at Cullen’s — A double scoop in a waffle cone at Cullen’s Ice Cream.

More than ice cream: Cullen’s has a large soda selection for floats, plus gourmet popcorn, roasted nuts and candy.
Dietary options: Cullen’s offers dairy-free and vegan ice cream. Its current website describes a mix of Cedar Crest ice cream and homemade flavors.

Menu boards listing toppings and sundaes inside Cullen’s Ice Cream — Cullen’s offers toppings, sundaes and plenty of ways to customize a scoop.

Before you go: The Champlin river location is weather dependent. Check the shop’s website for current hours at all four locations.
Website: Cullen’s Ice Cream

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2. Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour

3419 St. Croix Trail S., Afton, MN 55001

Why go: Selma’s first opened in 1913 and is a memorable stop in historic downtown Afton. It gets my vote for the best atmosphere of the five shops.
What to try: Selma’s serves Chocolate Shoppe ice cream from Wisconsin. Ask which flavors are in the case, then get your pick in a waffle cone made at the shop.

Owners standing outside Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in Afton — Owners of Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in Afton.

More than ice cream: Selma’s also sells dipped cones, ice cream cookie sandwiches, cakes and coffee.
Dietary options: The shop has offered gluten-free cones, gluten-free ice cream and dairy-free Italian ice. Ask what is available when you visit.

Containers labeled Blueberry Cheesecake and This S&#! Just Got Serious ice cream — Two of the Chocolate Shoppe flavors pictured at Selma’s.

Before you go: Selma’s typically operates seasonally, so check its current hours before making the trip to Afton.
Website: Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour

Ice cream in a waffle cone with Selma’s storefront in the background — A waffle cone outside Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour.

3. What’s the Scoop?

18 Division St. E., Buffalo, MN 55313
104 Central Ave. E., St. Michael, MN 55376

Wooden What’s the Scoop? sign hanging outside the ice cream shop — What’s the Scoop? has shops in Buffalo and St. Michael.

Why go: This family-owned shop opened in downtown Buffalo in 2017 and later added a St. Michael location. Of the five shops I visited, its freshly made waffle cone was my favorite.
What to try: What’s the Scoop? serves Cedar Crest ice cream in waffle cones and bowls made at the shop. Ask which flavors are available that day.

Group gathered in front of a What’s the Scoop? shop window — Owners of What’s the Scoop?

More than ice cream: The shop makes ice cream cakes to order. Its Buffalo location is downtown, making it an easy stop while exploring the area.

Ice cream flavors displayed beneath a Nut Free sign at What’s the Scoop? — A look inside the ice cream case at What’s the Scoop? Ask staff about ingredients if you have an allergy.

Dietary options: The shop has offered gluten-free cones and dairy-free flavors. Its article profile also noted a separate case for nut-free flavors; ask staff about current ingredients and handling if you have an allergy.
Website: What’s the Scoop?

Chalkboard at What’s the Scoop? with an illustrated message about eating dessert first — A playful message inside What’s the Scoop?

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4. Two Scoops

1918 2nd Ave. S., Anoka, MN 55303
291 5th Ave. NE, Isanti, MN 55040
215 Central Ave., Osseo, MN 55369

Two Scoops has locations in Anoka, Isanti and Osseo.

Why go: Two Scoops began in Anoka in 2010 and now has shops in Isanti and Osseo. It serves Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and makes its own waffle cones and bowls.
What to try: Order a chocolate malt if you like a strong malt flavor. Cookie Dough and Strawberry were among the flavors the owners highlighted when I visited.

Owners posing outside a Two Scoops ice cream shop — Owners outside the Two Scoops shop in Anoka.

More than ice cream: Two Scoops makes dipped cones and ice cream cakes. It also sells gourmet popcorn and offers catering.
Dietary options: The shop says dairy-free and gluten-free options are available. Ask staff about the current selection and ingredients.

Waffle cones decorated with sprinkles, cookie pieces and candy at Two Scoops — Decorated waffle cones on display at Two Scoops.

For a group: Two Scoops is also home to the Tornado challenge, a towering order of 20 scoops with toppings.
Website: Two Scoops

5. Nelson’s Ice Cream

920 Olive St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082
454 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul, MN 55105

Roadside ice cream cone sign for Nelson’s Ice Cream — Nelson’s Ice Cream is known for its generous scoops.

Why go: Nelson’s is famous for oversized scoops. Its Stillwater location began as a grocery store in 1923, and longtime customers still call it Art’s, after a former owner.
What to try: Come hungry and pick from the shop’s selection of Cedar Crest and Kemps ice cream. A cup may be easier to manage than a cone if you order one of Nelson’s generous servings.

People lined up outside Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater — A line outside Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater.

Good to know: Expect a line during busy periods, particularly at the Stillwater shop. Nelson’s has offered raspberry Italian ice for visitors looking for a dairy-free option; check what is available when you arrive.

Person holding a large ice cream cone inside Nelson’s Ice Cream — Nelson’s serves the oversized scoops that made it a Stillwater favorite.

Before you go: Both locations are seasonal. Check current hours and accepted payment methods before visiting.
Website: Nelson’s Ice Cream

Three people posing outside Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater — A stop at Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater.

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More Minnesota ice cream shops that received votes

These shops also received votes in the Give Me The Mike poll. They’re listed in their existing vote order, starting with the sixth-place finisher. Some are seasonal, so check current hours before visiting.

Deep Freeze — New London. A seasonal stop for soft-serve ice cream and other treats.
Honey & Mackie’s — Plymouth. Pair its homemade ice cream with an order of fresh-cut fries.
Chill Ice Cream Studio — Farmington. Stop for a scoop in downtown Farmington and check out the shop’s arcade games.
LUV Ice Cream — North St. Paul. Makes ice cream and other treats with an emphasis on no-sugar-added options.
Schoolhouse Scoop — Hastings. A local scoop shop that also offers ice cream catering.
Mom & Pop’s Ice Cream — Mankato. A family-owned shop in a restored building along North Riverfront Drive.
Mr. Twisty — St. Cloud and Sartell. Visit one of its seasonal walk-up shops for a cone or another frozen treat.
Cup and Cone — White Bear Lake. A longtime local favorite with a flavor-of-the-day menu.
Lakeside Eats & Treats — Prior Lake. Find ice cream and other treats near downtown Prior Lake.
Sebastian Joe’s — Minneapolis. This family-run business serves ice cream, coffee and baked goods at its Minneapolis scoop shops.
Big Dipper Creamery — Blaine, North Oaks and Fridley. Browse a large flavor selection, including dairy-free choices that vary by location.
Grand Ole Creamery — St. Paul. Stop at its Grand Avenue shop for a scoop in the neighborhood that gave the creamery its name.
La Michoacana Purépecha — Minneapolis. Try Mexican-style ice cream or a paleta inspired by the founders’ childhood favorites.
Flapdoodles Homemade Ice Cream — Rochester. Choose from homemade flavors at its north or south Rochester shop.
Oak Station Coffee & Cone — Freeport. This small-town stop brings coffee and ice cream together in a barn setting.
Milkjam Creamery — Minneapolis. Head to Lyndale Avenue for inventive flavors made by this Uptown creamery.
Tip Top Dairy Bar — Osakis. Serving cones, malts, sundaes and food since 1955.
Blast Softserve — Owatonna. A stop for soft-serve cones, shakes and sundaes.
The Chocolate Ox — Nisswa and Grand View Lodge. Combine a scoop of ice cream with a look at the candy, chocolates and other sweets.
Licks Unlimited — Excelsior. This family-owned downtown shop serves more than 40 flavors, plus homemade waffle cones and ice cream sandwiches.
Conny’s Creamy Cone — St. Paul. A neighborhood walk-up known for soft serve, shakes and other summer treats.
MN Nice Cream — Northeast Minneapolis and Stillwater. Known for soft serve piled with colorful toppings; its website also lists vegan flavors.
Adele’s Frozen Custard — Excelsior. Finish a visit to Excelsior with frozen custard, including rotating flavors and mix-ins.

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Mike Marcotte

Administrator

Give Me The Mike is a Minnesota guide to good food, local events and places worth exploring. Created by Mike Marcotte, the site shares restaurant recommendations, seasonal guides and ideas for making the most of life in Minnesota.

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