Ready for a sweet adventure around KC? We’ve scoped out frozen treat havens across the Kansas City area—from iconic parlors in the city to suburban gems in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and Raymore. Including everything from old-timey soda fountains to trendy soft-serve stands (with plenty of options for vegans and dairy-free dessert lovers), this is your ultimate guide to the best summer sweet treats. Grab a spoon and let’s dig in!
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream (Waldo & River Market)
With locations all across the city, Betty Rae’s is KC’s most buzzed-about ice cream shop, famous for both the classics and their bold, inventive flavors such as “Goat Cheese with Apricots & Candied Walnuts.” They make everything in small batches, often collaborate on quirky seasonal flavors, and even offer ice cream flights so you can sample several flavors at once—including their vegan options. Pro Tip: the lines can get long on warm nights, so visit in early evening or weekday afternoons to beat the rush…and don’t skip their homemade waffle cone!
Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard (Brookside)
A neighborhood institution dishing up creamy frozen custard with a side of nostalgia, this mom-and-pop shop has been around for decades. Known for rich vanilla custard as the base for sundaes and concretes, their menu lets you create your own dream concoction with mix-ins—or choose from “proven favorite” combos invented by staff and regulars over the years! Foo’s is all about neighborhood charm and creative custard fun; the kind of place where the walls are plastered with community photos and the owner might chat with you about their signature flavors!
Ice Cream Bae (Country Club Plaza & Leawood)
The new kid on the block that quickly became a KC Instagram darling, Ice Cream Bae offers super-creative ice cream that you can get two ways: either as one of their signature scoops or as custom-blended soft serve. Craving something specific? They’ll let you build your own flavor with mix-ins of your choice. Toppings here go wild—cereal, candy, fruit, you name it—and you can pile them on. Bae Bonus: Try the “torched” marshmallow topping or ask about secret menu creations. And don’t be shy to snap a pic – this place was made for it!
High Hopes Ice Cream (Troost Avenue, Midtown)
A small-batch artisan shop with a big heart, High Hopes has quickly become a local favorite—especially for those with dietary needs. Inventive vegan flavors such as the “Joy of Almonds” (a vegan take on Almond Joy with chocolate, coconut, and toasted almonds) and “Sesame Street” (yes, sesame-flavored ice cream!) are local favorites. With a rotating lineup that changes weekly, including fun boozy flavors and creative mix-ins, there’s always something new to try. Inside Scoop: Follow High Hopes on social media to see the flavor lineup of the week as popular ones can sell out!
Palacana (Paletería) (Southwest Blvd, Westside KC)
For a tropical twist on frozen treats, Palacana is the spot. It’s a Mexican-style ice cream shop known for its homemade ice cream in both classic and Latin-inspired flavors (rumor has it their avocado ice cream is amazingly creamy). Pick from a rainbow of colorful popsicles, or paletas, in flavors like mango-chile, creamy coconut, and strawberries & cream, plus an array of agua frescas (refreshing fruit drinks) to wash it down. You can get treats topped with Tajín, chamoy, fresh fruit, or whipped cream—whatever your heart desires!
Melt Box Ice Cream (Iron District)
Talk about putting a creative twist on dessert! Melt Box Ice Cream is a local Kansas City gem that operates primarily as a food truck and a seasonal storefront. This isn’t your average ice cream stand; Melt Box is known for its inventive flavors and over-the-top creations that blend pastries with ice cream in delicious ways. Case in point: their signature creation, the Melt Monster quickly became a local obsession for those in the know. They even sell hand-packed pints of their ice cream if you want to take some home, or you can pre-order pints through their website for pickup, if you discover a flavor you can’t live without!
Clinton’s Soda Fountain (Historic Independence Square)
Not KC, but a close-by gem. Step back in time at this authentic old-fashioned soda fountain, complete with a marble countertop, checkerboard floor, and 1900s-style back bar. Clinton’s has been serving up ice cream, malts, and phosphates on the Square since 1988, but the history runs even deeper—President Harry S. Truman worked in a drugstore soda fountain in this very building as a young man! Today, it’s a beloved local landmark where you can grab a seat at the counter and order phosphates, an old-school carbonated soda with flavored syrup, as well as all the classic sundaes, shakes, malts, and ice cream cones you can imagine. Whether you’re a history buff or just an ice cream lover, Clinton’s mix of nostalgia and deliciousness is a must-visit!
Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House (Downtown Lee’s Summit)
A true mom-and-pop shop that’s been churning out homemade ice cream since the ’90s, locals have been obsessed with Poppy’s since their beginnings as a little ice cream counter in Raytown. Their menu features creamy classics and unique, seasonal creations crafted in-house with fresh ingredients. With its vintage decor and friendly staff, Poppy’s feels like stepping into your childhood ice cream memory and its location in the heart of historic downtown makes it the perfect spot to grab a cone and stroll Main Street on a summer evening!
Custard’s Last Stand (Hwy 291)
Custard’s Last Stand is a family-owned shop founded in 1989 that has become a local legend for their ultra-creamy, rich custard. They have two locations serving up old-school concretes, sundaes, shakes, and more. Customize your custard with dozens of mix-ins or choose from their tried-and-true specialty concretes—the Hawg Wild with hot fudge and pretzels is a must-try. Make sure to check their Facebook for weekly special flavors and $1 off deals, and if you’re a true custard fanatic, get a loyalty punch card!
Andy’s Frozen Custard (NE 291 Hwy & NW Chipman Rd)
Andy’s, a Missouri-born chain that started in Springfield in 1986, has grown to include two Lee’s Summit locations that serve incredibly smooth frozen custard. Their menu is all about concretes, shakes, sundaes, and seasonal specialties with locals highlighting their signature Ozark Turtle concrete (vanilla custard with hot fudge, caramel, pecans and a cherry) and summer-only treats like key lime pie concretes and peach sundaes. Bright neon lights, walk-up windows with benches outside, and a late closing make this retro drive-in atmosphere the perfect stop on the way home from a movie or game this summer!
Howdy Homemade KC (Woods Chapel Road)
Howdy Homemade was founded to employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them with meaningful jobs in a joyful environment. The result is a genuinely enthusiastic crew and bright, welcoming atmosphere with high quality and homemade ice cream! Howdy Homemade churns out both classic and one-of-a-kind flavors—their best-selling “Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip” is a must-try homage to the shop’s Texas roots and made with real Dr Pepper soda. Feel free to ask for a sample—the shop happily offers unlimited free samples so you can find your favorite!
It’s not just about ice cream, it’s about inclusion and joy, which makes your cone taste even sweeter. Bring your patience and positivity: service might be a tad slower during busy periods (the team is learning valuable job skills), but the experience is well worth it!
Cold Stone Creamery (Summit Woods)
Cold Stone needs no introduction to most ice cream lovers, but KC locals still flock here for the mix-in magic. The chain is famous for its unique preparation style: ice cream made fresh in-store, then mixed on a frozen granite stone with your choice of candies, fruits, nuts…you name it! Even more exciting, Cold Stone recently introduced a plant-based ice cream, and you can order a specialty, vegan creation called “Don’t Cry Over Spilled Silk.” Spend a summer evening custom-building an ultra-creamy, personalized dessert that Cold Stone dubs the “Ultimate Ice Cream Experience”—it’s hard to disagree when you’re digging into a creation you designed yourself!
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (Summit Woods—OPENING JULY 18TH, 2025)
Bruster’s is a new arrival to the Kansas City ice cream scene, with their Lee’s Summit location opening mid-July. Walking into Bruster’s is like stepping into an ice cream heaven: they typically have 24 flavors in the case at any time, and these aren’t the same static 24—the selection rotates constantly from a whopping list of about 150 recipes in their arsenal! From super creamy traditional scoops to sorbets and sundaes, everything is made in small batches right on-site each day, which means the texture and taste are top-notch. Make sure to check out this new location once they open and see why they’re known for their old-fashioned, handcrafted ice cream!
Andy’s Frozen Custard (NW Hwy 7)
Blue Springs is home to its own Andy’s, a Missouri-born chain that started in Springfield in 1986 and has grown to include multiple locations that serve incredibly smooth frozen custard. Their menu is all about concretes, shakes, sundaes, and seasonal specialties with locals highlighting their signature Ozark Turtle concrete (vanilla custard with hot fudge, caramel, pecans and a cherry) and summer-only treats like key lime pie concretes and peach sundaes. Bright neon lights, walk-up windows with benches outside, and a late closing make this retro drive-in atmosphere the perfect stop on the way home from a movie or game this summer!
Custard’s Last Stand (NW 7 Hwy)
The sister shop to the Lee’s Summit location, this is the Blue Springs outpost of Custard’s Last Stand, serving the same delectable frozen custard menu. If you’re on the west side of Blue Springs, this is your quick stop for a sweet fix. Customize your custard with dozens of mix-ins or choose from their tried-and-true specialty concretes—the Hawg Wild with hot fudge and pretzels is a must-try. Make sure to check their Facebook for weekly special flavors and $1 off deals, and if you’re a true custard fanatic, get a loyalty punch card!
Bliss Chocolatier (SW 7 Hwy)
Tucked away in a strip center is a little slice of dessert heaven: Bliss Chocolatier. As the name suggests, this shop specializes in handcrafted artisan chocolates, but they also scoop gourmet ice cream made with the same attention to quality—the owner actually won NBC’s “Baking It” competition in 2022! Flavors at Bliss are high quality and diverse, including delicious highlights such as Key Lime Cheesecake, Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, or Madagascar Vanilla made with real vanilla bean. Pro tip: Ask if they have any specialty flavors inspired by their chocolates—sometimes you’ll find a chocolate ganache swirl or praline pecan ice cream that mirrors a candy in the case!
Baskin-Robbins (Dean Ave)
Baskin-Robbins is a new Raymore favorite for classic ice cream outings, including nostalgic flavors from Rainbow Sherbet to Mint Chocolate Chip and delicious ice cream cakes for every kind of special event! With a modern layout, bright decor, and quick service, the new location on Dean Avenue is a welcome addition to Raymore—sometimes you just crave a scoop of World Class Chocolate or a classic banana split, and now you don’t have to drive far to get it!
Dairy Queen (Foxridge Drive)
The classic Dairy Queen in Raymore has been around for ages, serving up the beloved cones with the curl on top, Blizzards, and other fast-food fare. It’s the kind of place where Little League teams go after games and people of all ages can cool down on a summer night with something simple and sweet. The Raymore location features a drive-thru and a few outdoor tables. Local favorites include the Oreo Blizzard (can’t go wrong) and the seasonal Summer Berry Cheesecake Blizzard. If you’ve got kids (or you’re young at heart), ask for extra sprinkles on your cone—this DQ is usually generous with the rainbow sprinkles if you smile and say please!
One More Scoop (Belton)
One More Scoop is a locally owned creamery with a philosophy of quality over quantity. Their two locations in North KC and Belton make small-batch ice cream, using high butterfat cream for that super creamy texture. Flavors range from classics like cookies & cream or mint chip to creative specials like Honey Lavender and Banana Pudding. The Belton shop is just a 5-minute drive from central Raymore, making it a convenient go-to and local devotees say One More Scoop’s quality beats any big chain—it’s the definition of a hometown hidden gem!
Bottom Line
No matter which neighborhood you’re in, Kansas City’s ice cream scene has something to satisfy every craving. From artisanal flavors churned with love to retro malts and shakes that teleport you to another era, these spots prove that KC loves its ice cream!
The ultimate KC ice cream hack: Why choose just one place? Make your own ice cream crawl! You’ve got the guide, so grab some friends, hit a couple of these in one day, and compare scoops. It’s a delicious way to explore the city and suburbs this summer!
