Four Upper East Side Ice Cream and Bakery Stops for Families

4.5 (306)

Mon – Sun, 12:00 – 22:00

1498 1st Ave #1

A hundred-year-old shop scooping more than 50 flavors of certified kosher ice cream and spiked sorbets at 5% ABV. Fruit flavors such as blueberry carry real fruit pieces, vegan options sit beside dipped cones, and sampling is welcome. Open 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

4.2 (740)

Mon – Sun, 12:00 – 20:00

1266 Madison Ave

On Madison Avenue, gluten-free treats get the same indulgent treatment as the rest of the menu. Hot chocolate under toasted marshmallow fluff made the shop's name, with frozen hot cocoa and an Amalfi lemon sundae in summer, plus classic ice cream and soft serve.

4.7 (279)

Mon – Thu, Sun, 11:00 – 21:00; Fri – Sat, 11:00 – 22:00

1443 York Ave

Friendly owners run this mom-and-pop shop on York Avenue, serving classic soft serve, hand-dipped scoops and chocolate-covered frozen bananas. Sprinkle orders get the whole cone fully dipped. Flavors stay simple, and locals stop by on the walk back from the park.

4.7 (110)

Mon, 11:00 – 17:30; Tue – Thu, 11:00 – 19:00; Fri – Sat, 10:00 – 19:00; Sun, 10:00 – 16:00

341 East 78th Street

Thick chunk cookies with a distinct chew and a creamy cheesecake brownie fill the case at this East 78th Street bakery. The kitchen also takes custom cake orders, from cartoon character recreations to decorated strawberry shortcakes on short notice. Closes at 4:00 PM on Sunday.