This Argentinian-style gelato business, founded in 2013 in suburban Evanston, offers a bright and airy haven for distinctive flavors like yerba mate, cafe con leche, and dulce de leche. Chicagoans needn’t travel outside the city for a taste, as Frio is also available at Navy Pier.

Banana Cream Ice Cream launched in late 2021 with a plethora of sugary treats including indulgent milkshakes, banana splits, doughnut ice cream sandwiches, hot cinnamon waffle rolls, and more. The shop is temporarily closed as of March 2023; its owners are looking for a new location.

Decadent, rich custard powers Lickity Split’s sundaes and concretes, and the signature banana splits are sure to brighten anyone’s day. The shop has an additional outpost in West Ridge; in addition to custard, both sell a selection of unusual candy and other sugary treats.

Considered by many to be Chicago's finest custard, Scooter's brings the favorite dessert of America's Dairyland, a.k.a. Wisconsin, down south. Rotating flavors are made daily, and folks can customize their concretes and sundaes with an assortment of mix-ins.

This Lincoln Park establishment is one of the few places in Chicago that serve this unique Japanese dessert that’s shaped like a fish. Customers start by choosing a filling (red bean, Nutella, or peanut butter) for their taiyaki cakes. Soft serve ice cream and toppings are then added in to complete the hot-and-cold, Instagram-friendly delights.

Bust out the letterman jackets because Margie's is straight out of the 1950s. Have a malt or turtle sundae and pretend to be Richie Cunningham waiting for the Fonz. Happy Days, indeed. For the daring, there’s a massive sundae featuring 15 scoops of ice cream, sauces, and toppings. A second Margie’s outpost is located near the CTA Montrose Brown Line station in Ravenswood.

There are plenty of fun, colorful ice creams found around Chicago, but the menu items at Eli’s Ark are arguably the cutest of the bunch. A mom-and-pop gelato shop that opened in 2018, Eli’s squee-worthy scoops are shaped like animals — think, pigs with pink marshmallow snouts and pandas with miniature Oreo ears.

Black Dog puts gourmet touches on a childhood treat. How else would one explain a Turkish coffee float or a strawberry lemonade gelato pie? The local gelato favorite previously operated three Chicago locations but has since narrowed its focus to the original shop in Ukrainian Village.

There's an obsession in preserving childhood for adults, and Cone does this with Irish-inspired creations. The “Banshee” sundae features ice cream covered in Lucky Charms. It’s magically delicious.

Get ready for cones in surprising colors, edible gold or silver leaves, boba ice cream bars, melon pan buns stuffed with ice cream, and soft serve flavors like taro at Japanese-style spot Kurimu in Little Italy. There’s a second location open in Wicker Park, and a suburban outpost in Schaumburg.

For a seemingly endless array of options, Pilsen’s Mexican creamery can’t be beat. Ice creams run the gamut from cucumber to Mexican Twinkie while the vibrant paleta selection is even more eclectic, boasting dozens and dozens of flavors. It can be an overwhelming experience but don’t fret; just jump right in and then come back (again and again) to try more things.

Waffles are ice cream's best friend, and Scoops knows this. Its waffle cones and bowls are made in house and come in a number of different flavors. The candy toppings are top-notch as well.

Taste a variety of homemade flavors at this shop in Bronzeville’s historic Rosenwald Courts Apartments. Inspired by his memories as a kid, owner Yahya Muhammad has been perfecting recipes since college and moved his business back to the South Side after previously scooping cones in Lakeview. The inventive selection includes Muhammad’s signature honey cinnamon graham cracker, Jamaican rum raisin, and butter cookie, as well as a vegan menu. The ice creams can be enjoyed with freshly baked cobblers too.

Located in Pullman, Richard’s produces quality flavors by the pint. Enjoy intriguing options like banana pudding, peach cobbler, pineapple vodka, sweet potato pie, Key lime pie, and more. The ice creams are also available in sundaes.

A southwestern suburban hit since its founding in 1937, the Plush Horse has charmed ice cream fans for more than eight decades with a head-spinning number of flavors from apple pie to vanilla malt, as well as dairy-free and sugar-free options. Ice cream cakes and ice cream pies are also available.