We are so lucky that here in the Kansas City Metro there are an abundance of locally owned ice cream shops where we can get our ice cream fix.
Here is a roundup of the Kansas City Mom Collective team’s favorite ice cream spots, and a little bit about what sets them all apart. Let us know your favorite!
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream | River Market and Waldo Locations
7140 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114 | Website
412 Delaware St ste D, Kansas City, MO 64105 | Website
We love the creative flavors they offer (although nothing beats brown butter and toasted pecan for me!) You can place your order online and skip the line (and there is usually a line!) They also offer ice cream sandwiches and pies.
Blue Chip Cookies & Ice Cream | Leawood, KS
5045 W 117th St, Leawood, KS 66211 | Website
I’ll be honest, this place makes the best cookies so I never make it past the cookie case to the ice cream in the back, but my kids have tried the ice cream and like it as much as the cookies. They serve about two dozen flavors of ice cream and can also make ice cream sandwiches with their cookies or even a fancy shake! Just make sure you also get cookies to take home after you have your ice cream, you’ll thank me later.
CHILL in the Village | Prairie Village, KS
Cookies and Creamery | South Kansas City, MO
533 E Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131 | Website
This is a fun and unique local business that features local ice cream makers like Sylas and Maddy’s and One More Scoop as well as local cookie maker Mary’s Mountain Cookies. You’ll also find popcorn from PopCulture and cotton candy from Cottontale KC. Their signature item is the “creamwich” which combines the ice cream and the cookies into one delicious treat. Located in the same shopping center as Wonderscope, it’s a great way to convince your kids it’s time to leave so you can go get ice cream!
Dari-B Drive In | Excelsior Springs, MO
901 Isley Blvd, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 | Website
This place has small town charm and lots of nostalgia (it opened in 1954!) You can get sundaes, shakes, malts, blizzards, frozen yogurt, floats—the options are endless! Only open March 1st – October 31st. Bring cash, rumor is that is all they take.
Fairway Creamery | Fairway, KS
5938 Mission Rd, Fairway, KS 66205 | Website
They offer soft serve (and dip cones!), scooped ice cream in various flavors, and sundaes—sometimes even including one of their donuts! I can’t decide which I like more, their donuts or their ice cream.
Foggi Ice Cream & Coffee | Mission, KS
6015 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS 66202 | Website
This is a unique concept: ice cream made fresh in front of you using liquid nitrogen! Don’t forget to grab a punch card if you are going to be a frequent flier.
The Golden Scoop | Overland Park, KS
9540 Nall Ave, Overland Park, KS 66207 | Website
This is an ice cream and coffee shop with a purpose. They create jobs for and employ adults with developmental disabilities. These Super Scoopers are involved in all aspects of the business including creating new flavors and serving the community. They were recently voted the best ice cream shop in Kansas according to Yelp. In addition to ice cream they also serve smoothies and baked goods. If you’d like to help support the vision of The Golden Scoop you can even serve as a volunteer coach.
High Hopes Ice Cream | Kansas City, MO
5536 Troost Ave Ste. A, Kansas City, MO 64110 | Website
High Hopes is a new ice cream shop located in KCMO not too far from Loose Park and The Plaza. They make their own ice cream including unique flavors like bourbon butter pecan and maple bacon pancake. They also serve dairy-free and vegan options. Also be sure to check out their ice cream float menu!
Ice Cream BAE KC | Leawood and Plaza Locations
5260 W 116th Pl, Leawood, KS 66211 and re-opening on the Plaza summer 2022 | Website
They offer creative and over the top milkshakes and macaron ice cream sandwiches. You can choose a signature combo like the “Not Your Average S’more” or create your own combination. If you want a fruity pebbles milkshake, you will find it here!
KaleidoScoops | Kansas City, KS
6609 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66102 | Website
Located just a bit east of the Legends Outlets, KaleidoScoops serves a huge variety of ice cream flavors including sugar-free and dairy-free options. They also make ice cream cakes and can cater an ice cream bar at your next event.
Martin City Ice Cream Company | Located in Martin City
411 E 135th St, Kansas City, MO 64145 | Website
This is an ice cream stand (formerly called The Scoop) in a parking lot in Martin City. They have about 10-12 flavors of their homemade ice cream available including dairy-free options. I tried their chocolate brownie chunk, and it was delicious! Make sure to join their Scoop Club where you will get text messages about new flavors and special deals!
One More Scoop | Belton, MO
803 E North Ave, Belton, MO 64012 | Website
You’ll fine homemade ice cream and waffle cones (including CHOCOLATE waffle cones!) here. Try a donut ice cream sandwich or an ice cream pie while you are there.
Popculture Gourmet Popcorn & Ice Cream: Overland Park and Parkville
8004 Foster St, Overland Park, KS 66204 | Website
115 Main St, Parkville, MO 64152 | Website
Local ice cream options in the Northland are slim, and while Popculture doesn’t make their own ice cream, they do offer a variety of flavors for you to satisfy your craving and support a local business. The new location in downtown Overland Park is across the street from Thompson Park, which has a fun splash pad!
Poppy’s Ice Cream | Lee’s Summit, MO
307 SE Douglas St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | Website
Poppy’s is in adorable downtown Lee’s Summit and prepares their own unique flavors of ice cream and sorbet in house. If you’re lucky you may even spot their ice cream truck around town. Or you can reserve it for your own event!
Summer Salt Ice Cream Company: Prairie Village, KS
4051 Somerset Dr, Prairie Village, KS 66208 | Website
New location opening in Overland Park, Summer 2022
I enjoyed blackberry chip ice cream and my husband had strawberry rhubarb crisp. I like that they have more “grown up flavors” as my husband and I call them, but still lots of classics like mint chip and cookie dough. You can go inside to order or use the convenient order window on their patio. They also have a freezer where you can buy pints of their ice cream to take home or even an ice cream cake!
Sweet Thang Cafe | Olathe, KS
1088 W Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS 66061 | Website
Sweet Thang opened in 2019 in west Olathe. While they don’t make their own ice cream in house, they do offer 44 different flavors, as well as a variety of sandwiches so you can make it a meal. Follow their Facebook page to see what new flavors they add each week!
Sylas and Maddy’s | Olathe, KS
11925 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 | Website
I grew up on Sylas and Maddy’s, and it remains one of our favorites. Both their ice cream and waffle cones are homemade (and I love the Whopper they put at the bottom of each waffle cone!) They recently expanded both their Olathe and Lawrence locations to provide more seating space and room for the long lines that can form on a hot summer day. Their ice cream can also be found at select Daylight Donuts locations and Sweet Caroline’s.
If frozen custard or gelato are more your thing, check out these locally owned options!
Andys Frozen Custard with 10 (soon to be 11) locations in the KC metro.
Custard’s Last Stand located in Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs.
Flying Cow Gelato located at Annedore’s Fine Chocolates in Westwood Hills, KS.
Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard located in Brookside.
Sheridan’s Frozen Custard with locations in Liberty and North KCMO and also available at Unforked locations (Crown Center, Overland Park, and Westwood).
Aunt Jeans Cup & Cone a gelato spot in downtown Shawnee.
Grab a spoon and dive in, Kansas City!
