Starting an ice cream shop is one thing, but ensuring that it attains substantial success is another ball game and one that requires extensive planning.
One of the things to note about this business is that your success as well as the amount of customers you can draw in will depend on the varieties, innovation, and quality you offer.
Note that by diversifying the menu, your ice cream shop will be well-prepared to meet the varying needs of customers while also ensuring they keep coming back for more. If you are looking for menu ideas that will ensure your customers keep coming back, below are the top menu options to consider.
Best Ice Cream Shop Menu ideas
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Classic Flavors
These are the staple of every ice cream shop and are well renowned for their widespread appeal, providing comfort and nostalgia.
Note that they can be used as a base for many other complex creations and are also possible to be customized with a wide range of toppings and mix-ins. These flavors are necessary especially since customers are known to always want familiar flavors.
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Artisan and Gourmet Flavors
This refers to unique flavors like lavender honey, bourbon pecan, black sesame, or salted caramel. These flavors are loved by customers who want something sophisticated and unusual.
Using high-quality, artisanal ingredients will indeed heighten the overall ice cream experience. This will make it possible for your shop to draw in foodies and adventurous eaters who love trying out new and exclusive tastes.
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Seasonal Specials
You would also want to take into account seasonal species especially since they are known to create anticipation and urgency, inciting repeat visits from customers who are eager to try new offerings.
In addition, they are known to connect with customers’ seasonal preferences and celebrations. Give extensive consideration to things like pumpkin spice in the fall, peppermint bark in winter, fresh berries in the summer, or even floral notes in spring.
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Dairy-Free and Vegan Options
With more people seeing the numerous benefits that come from dairy-free and vegan options, there isn’t any reason not to add these options to ensure that your business can cater to the needs of those with dietary restrictions.
You can choose to make available dairy-free and vegan options made from almond, coconut, or oat milk. The above options are as flavorful and creamy as their dairy counterparts.
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Custom Sundaes
This more or less entails letting customers decide how they would like to have their sundaes made with a wide array of toppings (fresh fruits, nuts, candies, syrups).
This particular menu option has gained traction in recent times with more people eager to create a dessert tailored to their preferences.
Aside from the fact that it inculcates a good level of fun and creative element to their visit, it ensures that your customers can have a personalized and interactive experience.
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Ice Cream Sandwiches
It is without doubts a favorite and is renowned for being exciting and nostalgic, appealing to customers of all ages. Your customers will relish the unique eating experience that’s entirely different from a traditional scoop in a cup or cone.
By making use of cookies, brownies, or even waffles as the ‘bread’, you can make an ice cream sandwich that will continue bringing customers back.
You can choose to make classic chocolate chip cookies that come with vanilla ice cream or even red velvet cookies accompanied by cream cheese ice cream.
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Cream Cakes
You will be setting your store apart in the vibrant and competitive industry by catering to customers eager for special occasion desserts.
Note that these delicacies will inculcate variety to the menu and will work to boost sales for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
Be sure to offer customers the option to make custom orders for special occasions or always make sure to have popular flavours.
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Milkshakes
Milkshakes are renowned for being a classic treat enjoyed any time of year. Keep in mind that it provides a nostalgic experience and can be customizable to align with the varying demands of customers.
It is recommended you consider mix-ins such as candy, cookies, or fruit. You can also go with signature shakes that feature distinctive combinations to ensure that your customers keep coming back.
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Affogato
Known for being popular among coffee lovers as well as individuals looking to enjoy a refined dessert option, this is a top-of-the-class dessert that brings together a scoop of ice cream or gelato with a shot of hot espresso.
It is simple yet exceptional, ensuring that customers will always come back to have a taste of that unique balance of hot and cold, bitter and sweet. They are also very quick to make, and this makes them a valid choice to incorporate into your shop menu.
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Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is a valid choice for any ice cream shop menu because aside from the fact that it will attract health-conscious customers who prefer to have a lower-calorie or probiotic-rich treat, its self-serve model works to boost customer interaction, especially during the creation process.
They are known for being a lighter, tangier alternative to traditional ice cream. Be sure to make available a wide assortment of toppings to ensure that customers can have control over their creation.
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Gelato
This particular treat will indeed make your ice cream shop stand out since it will bring the exceptional taste of Italy closer to your customers. Gelato, well renowned for its rich and dense texture, has always been a one-in-a-million treat.
Its distinctive texture and intense flavors will draw in customers looking for something that is not regular ice cream. Some flavors to consider include pistachio, tiramisu, and stracciatella.
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Sorbet
You wouldn’t want to overlook this refreshing, dairy-free option that is made from fruit and sugar. Aside from being super ideal for customers looking for a lighter dessert, it is well renowned for being a valid and popular choice among customers with dairy allergies or those seeking a mind-blowing, low-fat treat. Some of the flavors to consider include lemon, raspberry, and mango.
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Ice Cream Floats
This refers to a blend of ice cream and soda or root beer to come up with a nostalgic and exciting treat. It is known to be loved by both children and adults, and this makes it one of the most versatile items to add to an ice cream shop menu.
Be sure to make available a wide range of soda options, such as craft sodas or traditional root beer, to bolster the experience further.
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Mini Cones and Samplers
One thing you will love about this menu option is that it incites customers to try new flavors. However, aside from trying multiple flavors without committing to a single large scoop, it is important to also point out that these smaller portions can be offered as a set, ensuring that customers can have a fun and less daunting experience.
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Boozy Ice Creams
This refers to alcohol-infused ice creams or sorbets that can grasp the attention of adult customers who are out for a unique treat.
Very popular among the adult audience, it can be marketed as a sophisticated dessert option. Aside from that, they offer a novel experience that is entirely impossible with traditional ice cream.
You would want to consider flavors such as rum raisin, bourbon vanilla, or champagne sorbet since they are known to be popular, providing a good mix of sweetness and spirit.
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Ice Cream Pies
These are known to be quite similar to ice cream cakes with the only difference being the pie crust. It is renowned for being a homey, comforting treat that will indeed draw in customers searching for a unique dessert that brings together the appeal of pie and ice cream. They are also known to be perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.
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Ice Cream Flights
You would want to inculcate this item into your ice cream shop as it serves as the basis for customers to explore other items. Just like mini cones and samplers, your customers will keep coming back to have a taste of the experience that is both engaging and adventurous. You can also serve them in small cups on a tray, providing customers with a mini-tasting experience.
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Ice Cream Truffles
They refer to small bite-sized ice cream truffles fully draped in chocolate or other coatings to ensure that customers can enjoy a decadent treat.
They provide a luxurious, portion-controlled dessert option as well as a good option for gifting. Your shop will be able to draw in individuals who are looking to enjoy a gourmet experience.
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Ice Cream S’mores
One thing your customers will love about this treat is that it brings back fond memories of campfires and family gatherings. Well noted for being a blend of textures and flavors that are hard to resist, it is without doubt noted as being a nostalgic and indulgent dessert.
In addition, keep in mind that it can be served in numerous formats, such as sandwiches or layered cups, and will capture the attention of families and those seeking for a fun twist on a classic dessert.
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Ice Cream Fondue
One of the primary reasons you should consider adding this to your menu is the fact that ice-cream fondue remains an interactive and fun treat, and is well renowned for being popular with groups and families.
It puts together a unique dining experience that is quite difficult to achieve at home. You will be providing your customers with small scoops of ice cream with a wide array of dipping sauces (chocolate, caramel) and toppings (sprinkles, nuts).
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Ice Cream Hot Dogs
This is a good option that will stand out in your ice cream shop menu especially when you take into account their novelty as well as the fact that they make for good social media posts. These delicacies will always resonate with individuals seeking for a fun and unique dessert experience.
It offers a unique and exciting twist where a doughnut or brioche bun is filled with ice cream and topped with syrups and sprinkles. Being a playful and visually appealing treat, it is a viable addition to any ice cream shop menu.
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Ice Cream and Cookie Dough Combos
Cookie dough on its own is a delicious treat, and when paired with ice cream comes out exceptionally well. Keep in mind that this edible cookie dough gives off a rich and satisfying treat that can be conveniently served as scoops, layered desserts, or even rolled into balls and combined with ice cream. It will prove to be a nostalgic and indulgent option that will ensure that customers keep coming back.
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Nitrogen Ice Cream
Making good use of liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream on the spot is known to produce a smooth, creamy texture. You can offer customers the option to select their base and mix-ins, which will then be flash-frozen.
Note that this distinctive and exciting preparation method draws in customers who have a genuine love for science and novelty. Aside from that, it brings about an ultra-smooth texture that further enhances the ice cream’s appeal.
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Waffle Cones and Bowls
You wouldn’t want to overlook adding freshly made waffle cones and bowls to your ice cream shop menu as it will allow your customers to have a delightful crunch as well as an aromatic experience.
These mind-blowing treats will elevate the general experience of your ice cream shop with its warm, crispy texture and inviting smell, making it must have. Note that customers can decide to have plain, chocolate-dipped, or sprinkle-covered options.
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Ice Cream Fondants
This is another alluring treat that is super ideal for parties and special events and will inculcate a touch of elegance to the menu.
Known to refer to small, molded ice cream treats coated in a hard candy shell, keep in mind that they are made in various shapes and colors to ensure they can entice and grasp the attention of customers.
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Ice Cream Macarons
This is a blend of the trendiness of macarons as well as the popularity of ice cream to come up with a unique and ravishing treat that will have customers coming back.
It features a scoop of ice cream sandwiched between two delicate macaron cookies. Aside from that, they are known to come in a wide range of flavors and colors.
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Ice Cream Tacos
Very popular for being playful and visually striking, you would want to add this into your ice cream shop as it makes for very good social media posts.
To make them, you will have to make use of waffle cones or tortillas shaped like taco shells, filled with ice cream, and finished with sauces and candies. This will turn out to be one of the best fun and unique desserts on your menu.
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Ice Cream Martini
This is one of the best options to give extensive thought especially if you have an interest in attracting adults looking for a chic and indulgent treat.
It is renowned for being a sophisticated dessert cocktail that mixes ice cream with liqueurs such as Kahlúa or Baileys, served in a martini glass.
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Ice Cream Popsicles
One of the top reasons why you should consider this treat is that it is easy to eat on the go, and this makes it super ideal for customers who want a quick and refreshing treat.
Note that this treat can be made in various flavors and layers offering customers a portable and refreshing treat. Also, note that they can be dipped in chocolate or rolled in nuts for extra texture.
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Ice Cream Crepes
While there are numerous reasons why they should be added to any ice cream shop menu, one of the topmost is the fact that cream crepes make for a unique, gourmet dessert experience, resonating with customers who want a sophisticated and delicious option.
Additionally, note that these slim, delicate crepes fully packed with ice cream and topped with fruits, nuts, and sauces make for a European-inspired dessert.
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Ice Cream and Brownie Sundaes
This refers to a blend of warm gooey brownies and cold ice cream that has been renowned for being a classic favorite. To make this mind-blowing menu option, you will have to layer rich brownies with scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream to come up with a decadent dessert.
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Ice Cream Nachos
This is another option to consider if you want an item that will ensure that your ice cream shop can steadily attract groups and families.
They are easy to make since you only need to use waffle cone pieces as ‘nachos’ and top them with scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, and a wide range of toppings.
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Frozen Custard
This is a must addition to any ice cream shop menu especially when you take into account its rich texture and flavor. It is, without doubt, one of the most viable options made with eggs, cream, and sugar, and will produce a richer, creamier texture than traditional ice cream. You can also offer a wide range of flavors to ensure that your shop stands out.
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Ice Cream Roll-Ups
This can set your shop apart especially since it has proven to be an exciting and novel way to enjoy ice cream. It is more or less slim sheets of ice cream rolled up with fillings like fruits, nuts, or chocolate and is attractive for being a portable and fun treat.
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Ice Cream Pizzas
This is another valid choice to consider if you have the intention to draw in crowds for parties and gatherings. Aside from the fact that it is loved by customers of all ages, it is renowned for being fun as well as easily sharable.
Keep in mind that ice cream pizzas feature a crust made of cookie dough or brownie, covered with ice cream, sauces, and a wide array of toppings. Also, make sure they are sliced like a traditional pizza.
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Fruit and Ice Cream Parfaits
You can’t go wrong with this option especially since it is known to resonate with health-conscious customers who are eagerly seeking a balanced and refreshing treat.
This mind-blowing treat is made from layering ice cream with fresh fruits, granola, and yogurt to come with a ravishing and healthier dessert option.
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Spicy Ice Cream Flavors
In this modern age, the tastes and preferences of customers are becoming much more varied and to attain success, your business will have to keep up. One of such new trends includes ice cream flavors with a hint of spice, like chili chocolate or jalapeño lime.
This will make your shop the most visited place for customers who are adventurous eaters. These spicy ice cream flavors make for a distinctive taste experience that is entirely different from traditional options.