How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day

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Insomnia Cookies

708 Commonwealth Ave., Boston

The Scoop N Scootery got its start as a food truck slinging signature sundaes, setting itself apart with its extensive offering of over-the-top flavors and toppings. "Less is more" does not exist at this beloved spot, just steps away from BU's West Campus, with incredible menu items like the "A La Mode," a unique sundae topped with a slice of apple pie, or the "Fat Rabbit," a sundae with a carrot cake core, butterscotch graham crackers, and cream cheese icing. No matter what mood you're in, The Scoop N Scootery has a sundae for you-and better yet, it'll be the biggest one you've likely ever had.

Must try: "Smokey Da Bear," toasted marshmallow ice cream with graham cracker and chocolate flake swirl, topped with Marshmallow Fluff, brownie bites, Nutella sauce, and chocolate chips

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FoMu

140 Brookline Ave., Boston

This vegan chain focuses on small batch ice cream, all made with coconut milk and locally sourced, plant-based ingredients. Everything is made by hand to ensure that each scoop is packed with creamy goodness. FoMu's menu includes year-round classics like birthday cake and chocolate cookie dough, as well as summer specials like strawberry rhubarb pie, blueberry shortbread, and lemon meringue pie. If you're looking for a vegan (or dairy-free) frozen treat, there's nowhere better than FoMu. In addition to the Fenway location, FoMu also has shops in the South End and in Quincy Market.

Must try: Blueberry Shortbread, an exclusive summertime scoop, this flavor features tart ice cream with house-made blueberry jam swirl and from-scratch gluten-free vanilla shortbread.

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North End Creamery

121 Salem St., Boston

This ice cream spot boasts some cool (no pun intended) homemade flavors (have you ever had ginger matcha or pistachio port wine ice cream?), and it has a wall of candy sure to give you a sugar rush from just one look. Be sure to try a chocolate treat as well, like a chocolate-covered Oreo. Just steps from the historic North End neighborhood, it's the perfect place to get a sweet bite after a night out. (Note: there's no indoor or outdoor seating, so head to the nearby Rose Kennedy Greenway to eat your dessert on one of the park's swings.)

Must try: Taro, a sweet, mildly nutty flavor (plus, it's purple!).

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Amorino

249 Newbury St., Boston

What's better than fresh gelato with carefully sourced ingredients? How about that same gelato, but shaped like a flower! Amorino uses a spatula to craft its gelato-and vegan sorbet-into beautiful shapes. With unique flavors like lime and basil, blood orange, and stracciatella, Amorino, which got its start in 2002 in Paris, is a sophisticated stop for some of the best gelato in town. You can even top your cone with one of Amorino's tasty macarons.

Must try: The tiramisu gelato, an intense mix of coffee and cocoa that blends perfectly with the mascarpone. And it's gluten-free!

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Emack & Bolio's

290 Newbury St., Boston

Originally opened as a Coolidge Corner midnight hangout for Boston's musicians, Emack & Bolio's has been a beloved part of the city's ice cream scene since 1975. Bob Rook, the music lawyer who opened the shop, has worked professionally with big names like Aerosmith, Boston, U2, and more-and his shop has an expansive menu with over 75 rotating flavors. Emack & Bolio's is known for its outrageous and delicious inventions, such as marshmallow-dipped cones rolled in toppings like Oreos, Fruity Pebbles, nuts, Froot Loops, and more.

Must try: Grasshopper Pie, crème de menthe, chocolate chips, and oreos.

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Van Leeuwen

400 Newbury St., Boston

You've likely seen pints of Van Leeuwen's ice cream in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket, but their brick-and-mortar scoop shops aren't to be missed, especially their newest location, at the corner of Newbury Street and Mass Ave. Known for their bright color scheme and distinctive flavor combinations, Van Leeuwen has dairy-based and vegan flavors that take childhood favorites to the next level, featuring yummy options like brown sugar cookie dough brownie, lemon poppy seed muffin, and cookies & cream caramel swirl. You can also find locations in Fenway, Seaport, and Harvard Square.

Must try: Buttermilk Berry Cornbread, a base of buttermilk ice cream, swirled with pieces of cornbread and raspberries.

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J.P. Licks

311 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner

Since its grand opening in Jamaica Plain in 1981, J.P. Licks has become a beloved local chain. Ice cream lovers routinely flock to its 17 cow-print-clad locations across eastern Massachusetts for a cup or a cone or a sip of their award-winning hot chocolate. With a rotating selection of flavors, including new Fruity Pebbles cereal milk ice cream, J.P. Licks is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Must try: Cookies 'n' Dough, the classic cookies-and-cream flavor, plus chewy cookie dough pieces.

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Far Out

419 Harvard St., Brookline

This one-of-a-kind ice cream shop just a few blocks past Coolidge Corner specializes in New Zealand-style ice cream: a made-to-order process where hard ice cream is blended with fresh fruit until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. Each of Far Out's yummy and authentic flavors can be made vegan with a dairy-free vanilla or chocolate base. Build yourself a perfect cone by choosing a base, fruit add-ins, and toppings. You can also find Far Out at the Time Out Market in the Fenway.

Must try: Kookaberry, Far Out's signature blend of strawberry, Maine blueberries, and raspberries, inspired by a classic New Zealand flavor profile.

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Honeycomb Creamery

1702 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

This Porter Square haunt is the perfect spot for any ice cream connoisseur with refined taste buds, with flavors like currant almond, black sesame and raspberry, ginger rhubarb crisp, and honey lavender. But don't worry,- there are also lots of flavors for the young (and young at heart) to enjoy, like birthday cake and peanut butter fudge crunch, as well as numerous imaginative vegan flavors (Thai tea or raspberry-champagne sorbet, anyone?), frozen yogurt, soft-serve, and a menu of fun specialties.

Must try: Honey lavender ice cream, infused with lavender from Curio Spice and sweetened with local honey from New England Beekeeping.

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Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

1255 Cambridge St., Cambridge

This Cambridge landmark is one of the best spots around if you're looking for inventive flavors and quality ingredients. You'll find classics like chocolate and strawberry alongside unique flavors like Kahlua and butter almond. Nearby is Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods, which offers all kinds of spice blends, beans, chilis, sauces, and so much more. Whether you're in the mood for sugar or spice, Christina's has got you covered.

Must try: Khulfi (cardamom with pistachios). It's unforgettable.

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Toscanini's

899 Main St., Cambridge

This scoopery is all about the flavors. Browse through outlandish picks like saffron kulfi (a frozen South Asian treat), gochujang (Korean chili paste), Milo Godzilla (a super-sweet drink from Singapore), and more by-the-book options that range from the indulgent (brown butter brownie, or B3) to the traditional (Earl Grey). There are always a few sorbets on offer-plus the standard chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry-but the long lines are a testament to the owners' creativity.

Must try: Fluffah Nuttah Buttah, peanut butter and marshmallow-based ice cream with crushed nutter butter cookies.

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Cabot's Ice Cream & Restaurant

743 Washington St., Newton

Cabot's has been a local institution for more than 50 years (it opened in 1969). It's known for its monstrous ice cream sundaes. Sure, you'll find plenty of soups, sandwiches, burgers, and other old-fashioned diner fare to nosh on, but it's the dozens of ice cream flavors that draw people from all over the Boston area. You can order frappes, floats, ice cream sodas, and malts, but sundaes are the undeniable star of the show. Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur or a fruit-flavored dessert enthusiast, you'll find plenty to enjoy. You can also build your own sundae, with dozens of hot and cold toppings to choose from. Among the showstoppers: the array of gigantic "Sweet Tooth Sundaes," the banana boats, the parfaits, and the "Mr. & Mrs. Cabot Suggest," a warm Belgian waffle topped with the ice cream or frozen yogurt of your choice, with one topping and whipped cream or marshmallow.

Must try: S'more Sundae, vanilla ice cream loaded with crushed graham crackers, hot fudge, and marshmallow sauce.

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Gracie's Ice Cream

22 Union Square, Somerville

Gracie's ice cream is made just feet away from where you order it. The daily menu features 12 flavors: 6 "always" flavors (chocolate, sweet cream, black raspberry chip, mint chip, cookies and cream, and salty whiskey), 5 rotating flavors (some recurring and some offered only once), and a nondairy sorbet. The shop posts each day's menu on a separate Instagram account. The shop also offers ice cream-making classes, where you can learn the history of ice cream, take home a Marshmallow Fluff cone or sundae, and then stop by the next day to grab your creation-they might even add your flavor to the menu.

Must try: Black raspberry chip on a Marshmallow Fluff cone (a waffle cone with torched marshmallow to evoke that summery campfire goodness).

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How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day

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