These days, it’s not enough to simply enjoy a meal. It needs to be photographed and shared with the world, too. So it’s no surprise the once humble ice cream cone has grown from a simple summer treat into a canvas for viral, structural art. See for yourself at these shops serving New Jersey’s Most Instagrammable Ice Cream.
Obviously, this isn’t your average list of neighborhood scoop shops. This is a bold world of frozen delights where the presentation is just as thrilling as the flavor profile. Think gravity-defying waffle masterpieces, mouth-watering ice cream sandwiches, and massive (octopus-shaped) sundaes. For photogenic sweets that will light up your social media mentions, these NJ ice cream shops deliver with every scoop.
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New Jersey’s Most
Instagrammable Ice Cream
Featured From Hudson & Monmouth County
Milk Sugar Love
Where: 1319 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park | 19 McWilliams Pl, Jersey City
Details: When Milk Sugar Love first opened in Jersey City in 2014, it was an instant hit. Known for ice cream that’s as photogenic as it is delicious, the shop features everything from towering sundaes and old-fashioned milkshakes served in classic glassware to a colorful sprinkle bar. But what makes the photos even sweeter is what’s behind them. At Milk Sugar Love, every ice cream, topping, sauce, cookie, and brownie is made from scratch using all-natural and organic ingredients. Now, more than a decade later, owner Emma Taylor has also brought her colorful creations to Asbury Park. From flavor-forward soft serve to house-made ice cream sandwiches, there’s no shortage of camera-ready treats. It’s those signature ice cream sandwiches in particular that are sure to rack up the Instagram likes. Available in three different flavors — Birthday Sprinkle, Coffee Chip, and Red Velvet — they deliver plenty of eye candy. (Plus the flavor to match.)
| Visit Their Website | Order Online | Follow on Instagram | Call 551-277-8252 (Jersey City) | Call 551-430-2498 (Asbury Park) |
Applegate Farm
Where: Upper Montclair
Details: Applegate is a haven for fans of frozen desserts. The farm offers homemade ice cream, cakes and pies, take home sundaes, Sherbet creamsicle sundaes, and frozen Shirley Temples. But their must-have item of the summer is their “Dirt Cup Sundae”. This fun sundae in a cup features chocolate ice cream layered with hot fudge, crunchy cookie crumbles, and chocolate sandwich cookie pieces topped with gummy worms. While it may look like a bunch of worms crawling out of the dirt, it tastes like a delicious sundae.
Coney Waffle
Where: Asbury Park | Belmar | Long Branch | Red Bank | Toms River
Details: Coney Waffle is the belle of the Monmouth County ice cream ball. A longstanding institution in operation since 1946, they are the area’s go-to destination for The Original Coney Waffle. Available as both Original (traditional waffle) or as a Brownie Waffle, these perfect summer treats come with three scoops of ice cream. Another IG-worthy must-try on the menu is their “Beachball”. These ice cream sandwiches come as a large Oreo or Chocolate Chip cookie sandwich with a huge scoop of ice cream in the middle.
Hoffman’s Ice Cream
Where: Point Pleasant Beach | Spring Lake Heights
Details: Hoffman’s Ice Cream is a Jersey Shore summer staple. Locals and tourists alike love their unique flavors like Caramel Nut Cluster, Almond Turtles, Jersey Monkey, and Espresso Mocha Chunk. But it’s their signature Octopus Sundae that steals the hearts — and camera rolls — of onlookers everywhere. This mouthwatering monstrosity combines 8 different scoops of ice cream with 8 different toppings, plus whipped cream and a cherry. It’s a great family-style dessert, or a worthy challenge for a hungry food gladiator.
Jersey Cow
Where: Absecon | Brigantine | Margate | Northfield
Details: Jersey Cow is a popular spot for its frequently rotating flavors that focus on seasonal and limited edition specials. (Previous standouts include Lemon Poppy Seed, Nutella, and Cherry Limeade.) Their fan favorite signature desserts showcase classic banana splits, brownie or waffle sundaes, and even Affogato. But their most photogenic creations have to be their colorful, customizable ice cream sandwiches, and homemade cakes and pies. We recommend the Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel Pie, or Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream sandwich.
Stack Creamery
Where: Jersey City | Westwood
Details: New Jersey’s iconic destination for custom ice cream sandwiches, nobody does it quite like Stack. The concept is simple, yet so hard to replicate: Stack makes homemade cookies and pairs them with homemade small batch ice cream. Patrons pick their preferred cookies and ice cream flavor, then stack them together to create a personalized dessert. For a truly mind-blowing photo, order one of their ice cream cakes. Then sit back and watch as the internet breaks over the largest ice cream sandwich they’ve ever seen.
Sundaes Homemade
Where: West Berlin
Details: Sundaes has been serving homemade small batch ice cream and water ice for over 30 years. To this day, they are Camden County’s favorite summer stop for floats, milkshakes, and of course, ice cream sundaes. Other specialty menu items include the Gelati Shake and the Flurry. The latter combines custard and candy or cookie into a shake so thick you need a fork to eat it. Sundaes also offers the classic — and photogenic — Radio Balls, featuring layers of water ice and ice cream or custard. (Just don’t ask where the name comes from!)
The Sweet Shack
Where: Bayville
Details: From soft serve and Italian ice to dole whip and specialty sundaes, The Sweet Shack basically does it all. Their soft serve menu is stacked with signature flavors like Campfire S’mores, Chocolate Ecstasy, Barking Pretzel, and Berry Waffle Delight. But it’s their showstopping sundaes that really go viral. Classic options include the Lava Cake, Warm Brownie Sundae and Peanut Butter Cup Sundae. But we recommend the Caramel Apple Sundae with apple pie topping, warm caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
Thee Ice Cream Parlor
Where: Flemington
Details: The 1950s isn’t just an aesthetic at this retro ice cream shop, it’s a way of life. Thee Ice Cream Parlor boasts over 80 homemade flavors of hand dipped ice cream and soft serve. But it’s their Supreme Sundaes that are prime candidates for viral Instagram content. Favorites include the Hot Belgian Waffle Sandwich and the massive Big Bopper. (Six large scoops, one banana, hot fudge, hot caramel, marshmallow, strawberries, pineapple, cookie crunch, wet walnuts, whipped cream, peanuts, and cherries served in a 48 oz. margarita glass.)
Z Rolls Ice Cream
Where: Hamilton | Summit
Details: Z Rolls is the only entry on this list specializing in the popular Thai street food rolled ice cream. To make it, liquid milk or cream base is flash frozen in a sub-zero pan, then gently shaped into thin spirals. The end result is a visually stunning piece of edible art that’s almost too good to eat. Unique and creative rolled ice cream flavors include FerreRoll (Ferrero Rocher), Spring Festival (strawberry and matcha green tea base topped with mochi, red bean, and cheese cake pieces), and Banana Pudding (with Nilla wafers and cookie crumbs).
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