Best Ice Cream and Frozen Treats in Bergen County NJ: A Local's 2026 Summer Guide

There are certain things that make August in Bergen County feel complete. The sound of cicadas in the trees. The buzz of a Saturday farmers market. And a cone of locally made ice cream on a warm afternoon.

Bergen County has quietly built an impressive ice cream scene. You will find old-school creameries that have been scooping for generations, Italian ice shops that bring a taste of the old neighborhood, and modern parlors serving creative flavors that rotate with the seasons. Here is where to find the best of them, organized by town.

Van Dyk's Homemade Ice Cream — Ridgewood

If you ask anyone who grew up in Ridgewood where to get ice cream, they will say Van Dyk's. This Ridgewood institution has been making homemade ice cream since 1950, using a family recipe that has not changed in over 70 years. The shop on East Ridgewood Avenue (vandyksicecream.com) is known for generous portions, creamy texture, and classic flavors that taste like they came from a different era — because they did.

The chocolate peanut butter cup is a local legend, and the black raspberry chip has a devoted following. On a summer weekend evening, the line often stretches out the door. It is worth the wait.

Guernsey Crest Ice Cream Co. — Paterson

Just across the Bergen-Passaic border in Paterson, Guernsey Crest has been hand-crafting ice cream for over 30 years. The shop at gcicnj.com has earned a stellar 4.7-star rating from locals who appreciate the old-fashioned approach: small batches, real ingredients, and flavors that change with what is in season.

Guernsey Crest is the kind of place where the strawberry tastes like actual strawberries and the vanilla has visible specks of real bean. It is a short drive from Fair Lawn, Ridgewood, and Wyckoff, and well worth the trip for anyone serious about ice cream.

Kilwins Ice Cream, Chocolate and Fudge — Ridgewood

Kilwins on East Ridgewood Avenue (kilwins.com) is a Ridgewood fixture that has been serving since 1947. It is technically a chain with locations up and down the East Coast, but the Ridgewood shop feels like a local institution. The ice cream is smooth and rich, the chocolate fudge is made in-house, and the caramel apples are a fall favorite.

The Kilwins signature waffle cones — hand-dipped in chocolate and rolled in nuts or sprinkles — are the reason many locals drive past other shops on the way here.

Maroons Creamery — Ridgewood

Ridgewood is something of an ice cream capital in Bergen County, and Maroons Creamery (maroonscreamery.com) is the newer kid on the block. Hand-crafted small-batch ice cream with creative flavor combinations that change weekly. Think honey lavender, brown butter bourbon, and seasonal fruit flavors that show up when local produce is at its peak.

Maroons has a modern, minimalist aesthetic that appeals to a younger crowd, but the quality of the ice cream speaks to all ages. If you want something beyond chocolate and vanilla, start here.

Mr. Moo's Ice Cream Cafe — Ridgewood

Another Ridgewood contender (mrmooscafe.com), Mr. Moo's is a popular ice cream cafe with a menu that goes beyond scoops. Think milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, and ice cream cakes. It is a popular after-soccer-practice destination for Ridgewood residents, and the outdoor seating makes it a pleasant stop on a warm August evening.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream — Westwood

Bruster's (brusters.com) in Westwood is part of a chain known for making fresh ice cream in-house daily. The Westwood location draws residents from across northern Bergen County, including Westwood and Hillsdale. The flavors rotate frequently and the portions are generous.

Italian Ice: A Bergen County Summer Essential

For those who prefer something lighter, Bergen County has excellent Italian ice options. Uncle Louie G's Italian Ice and Ice Cream in Maywood is a local favorite — the mango and blood orange Italian ice are peak summer refreshment. Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard has locations in Glen Rock and Lodi, and its gelati (layers of custard and Italian ice) are a personal favorite.

These spots are worth seeking out, especially when the heat and humidity of a Bergen County August make you crave something cold and not too heavy.

Make a Day of It

One of the great things about Bergen County's ice cream scene is that it is spread across towns that are worth exploring on their own. Grab a cone at Van Dyk's and walk Ridgewood's downtown. Stop at Bruster's after spending the afternoon at Westwood's municipal park. Or make the drive to Guernsey Crest and spend an hour at Paterson's Great Falls, one of New Jersey's most underrated natural landmarks.

Summer in Bergen County does not last forever — but these ice cream shops make it feel like it does.