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Guide to Ice Cream In Tucson

Guide to Ice Cream In Tucson

by Edie JarolimAug 21, 2023Updated Jun 24, 20269 min read
I scream, you scream...oh, hush! In this warm weather town, there's no need to scream for ice cream. This year-round favorite treat and its cool cousins, gelato, and sorbet are widely available in a variety of distinctive styles and flavors. You'll also find more unusual fare such as Indian golas, a version of shaved ice. Read on to learn about some of out locally-owned spots in Tucson to enjoy ice cream and more.
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19 spots

Bisou Burger

Bisou Burger is a roaming Tucson food truck run by co-owners William Jacobs and Jeff Garland, both veterans of local restaurant kitchens. The truck centers on smash burgers built with house-ground chuck from K4 Ranches in Prescott, a fire-roasted poblano puree, and sautéed onions in yellow mustard. Garland bakes every fluffy bun from a high-hydration milk dough, and the duo makes their own American-style cheese by emulsifying Tillamook white cheddar with sodium citrate.

The core menu stays tight, with rotating weekly specials that have included spicy bulgogi and Valentine's Day beet burgers. A falafel burger rounds out the options for vegetarians. The truck also sells house-made ice cream sandwiches. Bisou Burger posts its locations on Instagram; follow @bisouburger for updates.

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Brucha

3435 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown

Brucha describes itself as a high-end cafe/boba tea concept that serves batch-brewed tea and tea-pressos — they’re using espresso machines fine-tuned to brew tea at precise temperatures and pressures. They’re offering more than just tea, too, at Brucha! Aside from tea, you’ll find different coffee drinks, waffle bites, and multiple flavors of gelato — tea gelato, fruit gelato, etc.

CERES

77 West Washington StreetDowntown

The ultimate comfort food destination, Ceres offers excellent versions of both soft serve ice cream and pasta. The ice cream's rich, flavorful sweetness provides a refreshing complement to the savory pasta dishes. The place is also known for its cookies, which happen to go GREAT with ice cream.

(Photo courtesy of Chill On Sunrise)

Chill on Sunrise

4777 East Sunrise DriveFoothills

In late 2023, Sundaze Yogurt harnessed new ownership and became Chill on Sunrise. The shop has a rotating menu of at least eight soft-serve frozen yogurts, nearly 10 Thrifty brand ice creams, milkshakes, malts, floats, smoothies, sundaes, and stuffed cookies! It's like Disneyland for those with a sweet tooth. Oh, and they have ice cream for dogs! They make their own vanilla and peanut butter "pup cups."

Decibel Coffee Works at MSA Annex

267 South Avenida del ConventoDowntown

Decibel Coffee Works at the MSA Annex operates from a converted shipping container in Tucson’s Mercado San Agustín Annex. The space feels relaxed and creative, with outdoor seating shaded by desert vegetation and accented by warm wood details. They offer a variety of seasonal drinks and pastries.

Frost Gelato

7131 North Oracle RoadNorthwest

So good that it now has locations across the country, Frost was founded in Tucson by best friends Jeffrey Kaiserman and Stephen Ochoa after an inspiring visit to Rome. With the help of a master gelato chef, they create a selection of 62 gelato flavors and 56 sorbets. When choosing flavors to mix and match, consider the Marble Black Cherry with Chocolate for a flavor marriage made in gelato heaven.

Frozen Delight

1101 North Wilmot RoadMidtown

Frozen Delight, established in 1990, stands as Tucson's oldest family-owned frozen yogurt and ice cream shop. They specialize in both soft serve frozen yogurt and ice cream, and offer fresh-made vegan options to boot. Grab a cup or, better yet, a waffle cone, and stack it high with ice-cold scoops!

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

266 East Congress StreetDowntown

HUB's ice cream, served inside the restaurant, is renowned for using local, organic ingredients and for its creative flavors.  Past favorites include Whiskey Almond Brittle, a unique blend of sweet and savory with a hint of whiskey, and the Vegan Chocolate, a dairy-free delight that's rich and indulgent. You've got to love a restaurant that pays such serious attention to ice cream — and plenty of people do.

Lick's Ice Cream & Coffee

16130 North Oracle RoadCatalina

The perfect spot to cool off after hiking in Catalina State Park — or after doing anything else or nothing at all —  Lick's offers a wealth of cold treat options, along with creative coffee and tea drinks and Italian sodas. You'll find such distinctive combos as bubble waffles a la mode and Hotsie's Cannoli Cream, including Honey Nut Cheerios, chocolate chips, and vanilla ice cream. You can also build your own concoctions, with a choice of house-made ice creams (vegan versions available), cereals, toppings, and drizzles.

(Photo courtesy of Little Anthony's Diner)

Little Anthony's Diner

7010 East Broadway BoulevardEastside

From Big Bopper Milkshakes to banana splits and the epic Wipe Out Sundae, Little Anthony's Diner is a dessert hub here in Tucson. If you're up for the challenge, order the Wipe Out Sundae — two people can share and if you eat it all within 20 minutes you'll get it for free and an "I Conquered the Wipe Out" t-shirt.

(Photo Courtesy of The Screamery)

The Screamery

5920 Arizona Pavilions DriveMarana

The first in Arizona to be certified to pasteurize ice cream, the Screamery is also known for using only hormone-free milk and all-natural ingredients — as well as for its wonderfully distinctive flavors. The shop's popular Bees Knees blends lavender and local honey for a subtle and smooth refreshing taste, for example, while the heartier Drunken Cowboy incorporates bourbon and cookie pieces. Can't decide?  A "flight" option lets you sample six mini-scoops. The Screamery has multiple locations in Tucson!

Macarons and other pastries at Treat (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Treat Dessert Studio

3230 North Dodge BoulevardMidtown

Treat Dessert Studio, located at 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. in Tucson, offers a bright, modern space with clean lines, natural wood accents, and a minimalist design. The open-concept layout features a display case showcasing an array of colorful pastries and desserts, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests. As an extension of Ciao Down, Treat provides a cozy spot for dessert lovers to indulge in handcrafted sweets.

Signature offerings at Treat include old-fashioned molasses cookies, mini macarons, brown butter crispies, and a variety of gelato flavors. Pastry Chef Bina Kiwaczyk crafts each dessert in-house, utilizing the studio’s pizza oven for baking, which imparts unique flavors to the treats. Additionally, Treat offers dog-friendly gelato made with organic coconut milk, honey, maple syrup, and fresh bacon, ensuring a delightful experience for all guests.

Variety H2O & Ice Cream

6330 East Golf Links RoadSouth Side

A combination water purification and ice cream shop? It makes sense. When you're here to refill your supply of filtered H2O, enjoy a scoop, cone, pint, milkshake, or smoothie made with one of 32 Thrifty ice cream flavors.  Better yet, take this opportunity to check out golas, the Indian street version of snow cones, featuring such flavors as saffron, rose, and rajbhog along with standards like chocolate and strawberry. The shaved ice is, naturally, made with purified water.

Chocotaconnoli (Photo courtesy of Zio Peppe)

Zio Peppe

6502 East Tanque Verde RoadEastside

These desserts are definitely something a culinary “funcle” would enjoy serving up at any type of gathering.
"You must try the Taconnoli — made of pistachio, orange zest, ricotta, and creamy mascarpone inside crispy pastry shells flavored with Marsala and a touch of cinnamon."
Matt Sterner’s favorite

[Editor's note: this article was originally written in Aug. 21, 2023 and last updated on June 24, 2026.]


Frequently asked questions

Tucson has strong options across the city. The Screamery uses hormone-free milk and all-natural ingredients across multiple locations. HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery on Congress Street crafts creative flavors with local, organic ingredients. Bella's Gelato Shoppe on Speedway makes artisanal gelato fresh daily.

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José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her. Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. 

MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN:
@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA ANNEX:
@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@hidden_hearth 
@rolliestucson 
@westbound_tapandbottle 

THE MONIER:
@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucson #tucsonfoodieThe Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️ Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN: @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA ANNEX: @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @hidden_hearth @rolliestucson @westbound_tapandbottle THE MONIER: @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorite stops with us! More details on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucson #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. 

The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. 

Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. 

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛

From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

WEEK 6 WINNERS
Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
* Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe
* Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card
* Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card 

PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
* Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets
* $100 Visa gift card
* @eljefecatcafe pass
* $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
* @desertmuseum passes

Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollectiveHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛 From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. WEEK 6 WINNERS Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week: * Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia * Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival * arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum * donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe * Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card * Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card PRIZES This week’s prize pool includes: * Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets * $100 Visa gift card * @eljefecatcafe pass * $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe * @desertmuseum passes Presenting sponsor: @visittucson Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollective

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!