To paraphrase the greatest American song, it’s summertime, and the scooping is easy … Pittsburgh’s jumping with ice cream, and spirits are high.
If being able to fit the subject of this article into such an introduction wasn’t reason enough to present this survey of frozen delights, the incredible variety of flavors being offered by many fine ice cream purveyors is well worth chronicling.
Rather than being a review of several Pittsburgh-area shops and stands, the idea here is to present a guide to our best ice creameries and point out some of their most extravagant, inventive, and enticing flavors—any of them alone suggesting a visit. But note that availability of flavors is seasonal and sometimes even daily, and our selections here could be replaced by even more scrumptious varieties at any moment!
So here they are, alphabetically, from all over the city and the outlying suburban neighborhoods.
Antney’s Ice Cream
It is obvious that the ever-changing and creative selection of flavors at Antney’s is a labor of love for the owner, who aims to dazzle his customers and keep them coming back for new surprises. From its cache of 600 flavors, 16 new ones appear daily, with sugar-free and dairy-free options available. Be advised that you shouldn’t arrive here before late in the day.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Oreo Explosion, Samoa, Lemon Poppyseed, Shoofly Pie, Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Cherry Pie, Cream Puff, Cayman Island Rum Cake, Thai Tea, Burnt Almond Torte.
In Greentree: 1316 Poplar St., Pittsburgh 15205 / 412-920-1300 / Usually opens at 5:00 p.m.
Betsy’s Ice Cream
This wonderful small shop entertains Mt. Lebanon’s locals and visitors with its constantly inventive and interesting selections.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Cannoli, Mexican Chocolate, Creamsicle, Lemon Rosewater, Salted Sage, Black Pepper Chai, Monongahela Mud.
In Mt. Lebanon: 664 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh 15228 / 412-668-0379 / Opens at 3:00 p.m.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Lots of options to visit this most visible of Pittsburgh-area ice cream stands. In the city there are Squirrel Hill and Shadyside locations; and there are also South Hills (Bethel Park) and North Hills (Ross Township) stands. Bruster’s produces 150 flavors of handcrafted ice cream, yogurt, Italian ice, and sorbet. At least 24 are available daily.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, White Turtle, Kickin’ Mango Strawberry Sorbet, Peanut Butter Puddles, Southern Banana Puddin’.
In the city (Shadyside/Bloomfield): 4815 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh 15213 / 412-702-0990 / Closes at 10:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. elsewhere.
Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream
A Pittsburgh staple since 1983, Oakland’s Dave & Andy’s features more than 200 flavors of homemade ice cream and hand-rolled waffle cones.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Sweet Cream, Vanilla Bean Basil, Chocolate Belltower; later in the year, enjoy holiday scoops of Eggnog, Cannoli, Plum Pudding, and Fruitcake.
In the city (Oakland): 207 Atwood St., Pittsburgh 15213 / 412-681-9906 / Closes at 10:00 p.m.
Flora Park Creamery
The Creamery is a festive gathering place, with plenty of outdoor seating, after a Sunday walk in the park—in fact, it’s in Allegheny County’s South Park, part of the lush Flora Park Garden Center.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Raspberry Fudge Torte, Grilled Stickies (cinnamon sticky bun), Pomegranate Swirl (sugar free), Black Cherry Oat Milk, Lemon Sorbet, Super Human.
In South Park: 430 Corrigan Dr., Bethel Park 15102 / 412-595-7412 / Open daily except Mon., from noon.
Glen’s Frozen Custard
Well known for its retail packaged pints, the Glen’s Springdale location offers dense and creamy soft serve and features a mini golf course.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Malt Shoppe Brownie, Cinnamon, Butterscotch, Georgia Peach, Red Velvet Cupcake, White House Cherry, Monkey Business.
In Springdale (near Cheswick): 400 Pittsburgh St., Springdale 15144 / 724-274-5516 / Opens at 10:00 a.m., closes at 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Graeter’s has been producing small-batch French Pot ice cream since 1870 and implies its handmade products are rivals in quality and texture to Haagen-Dazs and others, stating, “No other ice cream is made this way. No other ice cream tastes this way. This thick. This rich.” In addition to its shop-counter ice cream, Greater’s sells containers in area markets.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Backstretch Bourbon Cherry, Marrakesh Coffee, Buckeye Blitz Chocolate Chip, Lemon Meringue Pie, Boldly Bearcat, Skyline Spice.
In Castle Shannon (437 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Pittsburgh 15234 / 412-668-3641 / Opens at 11:00 a.m.) and Wexford (10610 Perry Hwy., Wexford 15090 / 724-940-2272 / Opens at 1:30 p.m., weekends at noon).
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Right off Route 19 (McKnight Rd.) in the North Hills, Handel’s has locations in Ohio and the Keystone State, but only two in western Pennsylvania (the other is in Hermitage). Its homemade ice cream—made fresh daily since 1945—is among the best in the area. Handel’s features a rotating selection of 48 flavors each month, based on a collection of 100-plus flavors.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake Chunk, Honey Lavender, Peanut Butter Parfait, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Cake Batter, Deep Dish Apple Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Blueberry Cobbler.
In McCandless: 9020 St. Simon Way, Pittsburgh 15237 / 412-366-3379 / Closes at 10:00 p.m.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Among the 30 gourmet varieties at Jeni’s are some of the wildest flavor combinations one could wish for … plus gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan flavors.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Buttermilk with Peach Jam, Brambleberry with Chocolate Cookies, Bay Leaf Cheesecake.
In the city: South Side (447 Cinema Dr., Pittsburgh 15203 / 412-307-4244) and East Liberty (173 Bakery Square Blvd., Pittsburgh 15206 /
412-407-4401). Closes at 11:00 p.m.
Leona’s Super Premium Ice Cream
Well known for the ubiquitous availability of their massive cookie-and-ice cream sandwiches, the Leona’s creations are mainly be found in retail locations such as Giant Eagle Market Districts. According to Leona’s, “With the help of a natural enzyme we create 100 percent lactose-free ice cream that’s made with real dairy. The enzyme breaks down the lactose that’s difficult to digest—while still maintaining the exceptional texture and flavors.”
Most creative and tempting flavors (ice cream cookie sandwiches): Black Sesame on Salted Tahini Chocolate Chunk cookies, Key Lime on Graham Cracker cookies, Toasted Coconut on Coconut Chocolate Chunk cookies, Chocolate Banana on Peanut Butter cookies, Banana Bourbon Caramel on Oatmeal Lace cookies, Blueberry on Snickerdoodle cookies.
In the city (Garfield): Leona’s Scoop Shop, 5119 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh 15224 / 412-709-5275 / Opens at 2:30 p.m.; closed Mon. & Tues.
M.A.’s Ice Cream Shop
Like Antney’s, M.A.’s has unusual hours, and on weekdays you will have to visit them just before or after the evening meal. You will get astoundingly enormous scoops at great prices—to be enjoyed in their patio, gazebo, or side porch.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Boston Cream Pie, Golden Chocolate Cake, Cinnamon Churro, Coconut Almond Delite, Graham Central Station.
In McDonald: 303 W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald 15057 / 412-716-6806 / Opens at 5:00 p.m., weekends at 2:00 p.m.
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream
Millie’s is so much a part of Pittsburgh that one of its city locations is on the Carnegie Mellon campus and another is inside the University Store on the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus! Millie’s crafts chef-inspired dairy ice creams and gelatos available by the scoop and pint, and is known for their vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergen-sensitive menu options.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Coffee Break, Brown Batter, Orangette, Dulce de Leche, Tea Time, Carrot Cake.
In the city, on college campuses, plus: 3803 Butler St., Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville) 15201 / 412-621-1699; 246 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh (Market Square) 15222 / 412-709-6579; 232 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh (Shadyside) 15206 / 412-404-8853. Opens at noon or 2:00 p.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m.
Oddfellows
When in the Strip, as you stroll the shops of The Terminal, no doubt Posman Books will be a favorite stop; the surprise is that New York’s Oddfellows is right there, in its own alcove, serving up interesting and unique ice cream that customers can’t get enough of.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Italian Cookie Crumble, Hummingbird, Brooklyn Blackout, Vegan Coconut Pandan Sticky Rice, Miso Peanut Butter and Jelly, Passionfruit Apricot Pistachio.
In the city (Strip District—Posman Books at The Terminal): 1637 Smallman St., Pittsburgh 15222 / 412-904-2732 / Opens at 11:00 a.m.
Page’s
Established in 1951, Page’s is a Pittsburgh South Side institution that makes news whenever it opens for the season. Its soft serve and old-fashioned roadside-stand foods and ice cream specialties are not especially the subjects of this list—but Page’s must be included.
Most creative and tempting (soft-serve) flavors: Blueberry, Butterfinger, Dreamsicle, Fruity Pebbles, Key Lime, Mango, Strawberry Shortcake.
In the city (South Side): 4112 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh 15210 / 412-431-0600 / Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Scoops In Bloomfield
The Scoops shops are neighborhood meeting places that bring smiles to residents year round, and one can find them all over. In addition to a place in the city’s Bloomfield section, there’s also a Scoops On Beverly (in Mt. Lebanon), a Scoops In Bellevue, and a Scoops In Sewickley. Nice to note the effort to identify with each community.
Most creative and tempting flavors: Key Lime Pie, Grasshopper Pie, Superman, Hawaiian, Blueberry Cheesecake, Gold Medal Ribbon, White House Cherry, Cookie Monster.
In the city (Bloomfield): 4806 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh 15224 / 412-687-1111 / Opens at
11:00 a.m.
Lastly, Italian gelato in the city can be found at the following excellent establishments. Mercurio’s Shadyside (5523 Walnut St., Pittsburgh 15232 / 412-621-6220) is a cozy restaurant serving authentic Italian fare, Neapolitan pizzas, and handmade gelato (Blackberry, Frozen Hot Cocoa, Lemon Gingersnap, Stracciatella, Pecan Ball, Tiramisu, Reindeer Tracks). PaPa J’s Twin Plaza (2016 Smallman St., Pittsburgh 15222, in the Strip / 412-429-7272) offers Roman-style pizza and sweet-cream gelato (Blood Orange, Fiori di Latte, Cappuccino, Tiramisu, Mango). Sam’s in the Strip (2105 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh 15222 / contact via website) serves high-quality cookies, super premium ice cream—and locally made gelato (Salty Caramel Truffle, Molten Lava Cake, Dulce de Leche).
Greg Suriano, The Strip!’s editor-in-chief, travels about seeking Pittsburgh’s best sweet and savory offerings and loves to share his finds with our readers.