Where to Find Ice Cream in SW Michigan
While especially popular in the summer, ice cream is an all-year treat in our house and Kalamazoo offers many options for finding it all year long.
Whether you’re searching for a traditional scoop of vanilla or other treats like sorbet, Italian ice or froyo, Southwest Michigan covers all of the frozen bases with 25+ local shops full of frozen deliciousness.
We asked our readers for their favorites, and over 10,600 voted on the best restaurants in Kalamazoo. Read on for the best frozen treats in SWMI plus a map to explore!
Who Has the Best Ice Cream in Kalamazoo?
We’ve asked our readers for their favorite places to go for frozen yogurt, frozen custard and ice cream and they responded with gusto.
Here are the top 5 favorite shops in Kalamazoo:
1 – Plainwell Ice Cream
2 – Schultz’s Treat Street
3 – San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria
4 – Apple Knockers Ice Cream Parlor
5 – Bella Creamery
5 – D’Nicio’s Parlour
5 – Ritter’s Frozen Custard
In this Article
• Ice Cream Shops
• Map: Ice Cream Trail
• Ice Cream Food Challenges
• FAQs
Directory: SWMI Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream Shops
Plainwell Ice Cream Co.
Open since 1978 by Art and Judy Gaylord, this now third-generation family-owned shop makes their own ice cream in house and offers over 60 varieties of dairy deliciousness.
Can't make it to Plainwell? Their ice cream is also sold in retailers and served in local restaurants, including Bilbo's, Erbelli's and Lake Burger.
Plainwell Ice Cream Co. is open seasonally, from March through October and closed on Mondays.
Can't make it to Plainwell? Their ice cream is also sold in retailers and served in local restaurants, including Bilbo's, Erbelli's and Lake Burger.
Plainwell Ice Cream Co. is open seasonally, from March through October and closed on Mondays.
Where to Find Plainwell Ice Cream Co.
Plainwell Ice Cream is located at the corner of Broad Street and Bridge Street in Plainwell, across the street from Old Mill Brewpub.
Plainwell Ice Cream is located at the corner of Broad Street and Bridge Street in Plainwell, across the street from Old Mill Brewpub.
Schultz's Treat Street
Under new ownership since 2020, Schultz's Treat Street serves up Mooville ice cream in addition to their extensive desserts and meal options.
Stop here for gourmet hot dogs, sandwiches, caramels, fudge and ice cream flights. They are also the only shop in town with a soda bar, providing infinite float possibilities.
Stop here for gourmet hot dogs, sandwiches, caramels, fudge and ice cream flights. They are also the only shop in town with a soda bar, providing infinite float possibilities.
Where to Find Schultz's Treat Street
Schultz's Treat Street is located in Oakwood Plaza on Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo, with many other locally owned shops including Bookbug, Little Chick and Sawall's.
Schultz's Treat Street is located in Oakwood Plaza on Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo, with many other locally owned shops including Bookbug, Little Chick and Sawall's.
San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria
Newcomer San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria serves up 24 ice cream flavors and 8 water-based sorbets, all made in house.
The restaurant also offers tasty snacks including tacos, tostadas and nachos.
The restaurant also offers tasty snacks including tacos, tostadas and nachos.
Where to Find San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria
San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria is located at 3838 Portage Street, just north of Cork Street.
San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria is located at 3838 Portage Street, just north of Cork Street.
Bella Creamery
Bella Creamery makes all of its ice cream, offering over a dozen options including seasonal favorites Firecracker and Blue Moon.
This shop also makes ice cream pies and cakes; grab one from their freezer or order ahead for a custom creation.
After you've had your frozen treat, stop by next door at Mancino's (same owners) for a grinder or pizza.
This shop also makes ice cream pies and cakes; grab one from their freezer or order ahead for a custom creation.
After you've had your frozen treat, stop by next door at Mancino's (same owners) for a grinder or pizza.
Where to Find Bella Creamery
Bella Creamery is on Shaver, just south of Beethoven Avenue in Portage. Find them next door to their sister shop, Mancino's.
Bella Creamery is on Shaver, just south of Beethoven Avenue in Portage. Find them next door to their sister shop, Mancino's.
D’Nicio’s Parlour
This 50's-style diner in Kalamazoo serves up Greek favorites like gyros in addition to their massive ice cream sundaes.
For those brave enough to try it, they also have an ice cream food challenge.
For those brave enough to try it, they also have an ice cream food challenge.
Where to Find D’Nicio’s Parlour
D'Nicio's is located on West Main in Oshtemo between 8th and 9th street, in front of Menard's.
D'Nicio's is located on West Main in Oshtemo between 8th and 9th street, in front of Menard's.
Ritter's Frozen Custard
This frozen custard shop serves rotating custard flavors and Italian ice treats. Try a glacier- proudly made so thick that they are served upside down. Ritter's waffle cones and bowls are made fresh in the shop.
Enjoy your treat at their tables outside, or head behind the shop to visit their playground.
Enjoy your treat at their tables outside, or head behind the shop to visit their playground.
Where to Find Ritter's Frozen Custard
Ritter's is located on Romence, just west of Westnedge in Portage. Find them in between PEDAL and Hiemstra Optical.
Ritter's is located on Romence, just west of Westnedge in Portage. Find them in between PEDAL and Hiemstra Optical.
Cherri's Chocol'art
Located on the Kalamazoo Mall, Cherri's Chocol'art is known for their decadent chocolates, scratch-made marshmallows and Monster Shakes.
Made with Lafayette Creamery's ice cream, look for for different seasonal offerings of these mega shakes that live up to their monster names.
Made with Lafayette Creamery's ice cream, look for for different seasonal offerings of these mega shakes that live up to their monster names.
Dairy Freeze
This local favorite serves up both soft serve and hard serve ice cream in Otsego. They also offer entrees including hot dogs, burgers and patty melts.
Dean’s Ice Cream
Open seasonally, Dean's makes their own ice cream and offers over 25 flavors to try. If you're looking for more than ice cream, they also serve food including burgers, grilled cheese, tater tots and fries.
Monarca's Ice Cream
Known for their food truck, Monarca's opened their shop in 2022, serving up home made ice cream and popsicles, in addition to Mexican food.
While they have traditional flavors like chocolate and strawberry, we recommend trying some of the more unique varieties like guava and lime.
While they have traditional flavors like chocolate and strawberry, we recommend trying some of the more unique varieties like guava and lime.
Rollup Ice Cream & Tea
Find unique rolled ice cream at this shop accompanied by toppings like cookies, brownies or lemon bars. Rollup offers a number of signature ice cream dishes including monkey business, orange dreamsicle and sweet s'more.
Rollup serves up more than just ice cream: try their wraps, Boba tea and chicken sandwiches. Be sure to pair any meal with rollup sauce and scoop fries.
Rollup serves up more than just ice cream: try their wraps, Boba tea and chicken sandwiches. Be sure to pair any meal with rollup sauce and scoop fries.
Where to Find Rollup Ice Cream & Tea
Rollup is in Comstock on Gull Road: 5907 Gull Road, east of Sprinkle. Find them in the same shopping center as T-Mobile and Biggby.
A second location is coming soon to the corner of Westnedge and Milham, in Portage.
Rollup is in Comstock on Gull Road: 5907 Gull Road, east of Sprinkle. Find them in the same shopping center as T-Mobile and Biggby.
A second location is coming soon to the corner of Westnedge and Milham, in Portage.
Ruby's Sandwich & Ice Cream Shoppe
This old fashioned deli in Paw Paw serves up sandwiches and delicious ice cream. Find them across the street from The Strand Theater in Paw Paw.
Scooter’s Malt Shoppe
Step back in time with this 50s-style diner featuring malts, ice cream sundaes, hot dogs and dinner entrees.
Skinny Kennys BBQ & Ice Cream
Find Ice Cream Club branded ice cream at their Oshtemo location in cones or cups- or GO BIG with a food challenge.
If you're a *really* big ice cream aficionado, try the whole hog challenge, where diners have 15 minutes to complete an ice cream food challenge (pictured).
If you're a *really* big ice cream aficionado, try the whole hog challenge, where diners have 15 minutes to complete an ice cream food challenge (pictured).
Spirit of Kalamazoo
Find cool local gear PLUS delicious Plainwell ice cream at The Spirit of Kalamazoo downtown.
Station 66
Visit this refurbished 1940s gas station to find unique ice cream flavors, fresh donuts and locally sourced produce.
Photo op: be sure to snap a pic in front of the 14-foot ice cream statue!
Photo op: be sure to snap a pic in front of the 14-foot ice cream statue!
The Big Dipper
Ice cream shop in Schoolcraft with soft serve, hand dipped ice cream, shakes, malts, flurries, slushies and sundaes.
The Front Porch of Galesburg
The Front Porch of Galesburg welcomes diners to an All-American traditional drive-in hot dog stand experience, complete with draft-pulled root bear and hand-dipped ice cream.
The Front Porch reopened with new owners in 2023, serving Mooville ice cream.
The Front Porch reopened with new owners in 2023, serving Mooville ice cream.
True North Ice Cream
True North makes its own ice cream and has two locations (Battle Creek and Marshall). Find them in the Continental Bakery in Battle Creek on W Columbia.
Twister’s
Dole Whip fans, this is your sweet shop: Twister's rotates their Dole Whip offerings weekly, serving fun flavors like pineapple, orange, pomegranate and raspberry.
Water Street Coffee- Harrison
While known for their coffee, this Water Street location downtown on Harrison makes their own ice cream and sorbet in house.
Try their scoopable ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, shakes and waffle rounds.
All Water Street favorites (both drinks and food) are also available. This location offers take-out and a drive-thru.
Try their scoopable ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, shakes and waffle rounds.
All Water Street favorites (both drinks and food) are also available. This location offers take-out and a drive-thru.
Y’OPA Frozen Yogurt
Build your own frozen yogurt creations at Y'OPA in Portage.
Visitors will find rotating flavors in their self serve machines, plus oodles of toppings including fruit, candy and boba.
Enjoy your treat inside our on their patio.
Visitors will find rotating flavors in their self serve machines, plus oodles of toppings including fruit, candy and boba.
Enjoy your treat inside our on their patio.
Ice Cream Trail + Map
Find some delicious destinations with our Ice Cream Trail and interactive map:
Map
Whole Hog Challenge at Skinny Kenny’s BBQ and Ice Cream
Skinny Kenny’s BBQ & Ice Cream
7000 Stadium Dr Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Are you a HUGE ice cream fan who is up for a food challenge?
Skinny Kenny’s on Stadium Drive invites you to try the whole hog. If you finish this dessert in under 15 minutes, you’ll receive a free tee shirt and your photo on the restaurant’s wall of fame.
Dare to be Great Ice Cream Sundae Challenge at D’Nicio’s Parlour
D’Nicio’s Parlour
6880 W Main Kalamazoo, MI 49009
If you need as many scoops as possible, D’Nicio’s offers another local ice cream feat. Finish 21 scoops of ice cream and toppings in an hour, and it’s free.
FAQs
Which Ice Cream Flavors are Unique to Michigan?
Although we love classic chocolate or cookies and cream, there are some flavors you will rarely find outside of the Mitten: Blue Moon, Superman and Mackinac Island Fudge are considered Michigan exclusives.
Do Kalamazoo Ice Cream Shops Make Their Own Ice Cream?
Our local shops are a mix of creameries and shops that serve other branded ice cream.
Plainwell Ice Cream, Dean’s Ice Cream, True North Ice Cream, Monarca’s, Water Street (Harrison), San Francisco Neveria & Paleteria and Bella Creamery all make their own in-house.
Where is your favorite local spot for ice cream?
Do you have a favorite ice cream shop or froyo place in Kalamazoo? Leave us a comment with your top frozen picks!
More to Explore
