10 Best Classic Ice Cream Parlors Slideshow

Since 1908, the Lagomarcino family has owned and operated this classic ice cream haven in Moline, Ill. The booths were custom made by a local furniture store and the lamps that sit in each booth were designed and shipped from Tiffany's in New York. Try a malt, ice cream soda, egg cream, or sundae, each featuring homemade ice cream. 

Sundae School (Dennis Port, Mass.)

The Endres family opened the original Sundae School in 1976, since then they have opened locations in Harwich and East Orleans on Cape Cod. The specialties are, well, sundaes (no surprise there) — each topped with fresh whipped cream and a Bing cherry. Another notable feature on Sundae School's menu (apart from the exceptional homemade ice cream) is the mini banana split, which includes two scoops of ice cream instead of three. 

Aglamesis Brothers (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Brothers Thomas and Nicholas Aglamesis opened their aptly named ice cream parlor in 1908, and a second location in 1913, also in Cincinnati. They haven't changed much since then — the family-run operation still churns out homemade ice cream and candies, and even the original tin ceiling and marble fountain remain intact.

Eddie's Sweet Shop (Queens, NY)

Eddie's Sweet Shop is a culinary mainstay of the Forest Hills neighborhood in Queens. Like most of these parlors, Eddie's has been around for decades (in fact, Eddie's is nearly a century old). The classic soda fountain serves egg creams, sodas, sundaes, malts, and shakes made with homemade ice cream. The only thing that's changed is that the rare vintage candies no longer cost just a penny. 

Fentons Creamery (Oakland, Calif.)

This family-owned soda fountain and ice cream parlor was founded in Oakland in 1894. Fentons is known for homemade ice cream and unique sundaes like its signature Black & Tan (made with its famous toasted almond ice cream). The Fenton family's operation began as a full-scale dairy, then converted to a creamery and restaurant in 1961. A second location opened in Vacaville, Calif., in 2007.

Mary Coyle Ol' Fashion Ice Cream Parlor (Phoenix, Ariz.)

The ice cream at Mary Coyle in Phoenix is made on the premises every day, as it has been since the parlor opened in 1951. Earlier this summer, the shop closed for renovations, but they re-opened in July. If you're feeling adventurous, order The Mountain, a whopping seven-pound concoction of ice cream, whipped cream, toppings, and nuts. 

King's Homemade Ice Cream (Milton, Del.)

Earl King opened King's in 1972, and generations later, his family still serves homemade ice cream and a regional treat called water ice (similar to Italian ice) at two locations. All products offered at King's are made on the premises and are available for commercial sale. 

Gayety's Candy & Ice Cream Company (Lansing, Ill.)

Gayety's has been crafting homemade chocolates and ice cream since 1920. The third generation family-owned company moved their flagship location from Chicago to Lansing, Ill., and expanded to offer their chocolates for sale online and in stores across Indiana and Illinois. Not surprisingly, Gayety's is known for their hot fudge sauce.

Village Ice Cream Parlor (Lebanon, Ohio)

Village Ice Cream Parlor was founded by a group of ambitious high school friends in 1969. Eleven years later, Dave and Phyllis Harstock bought and turned it into the family-fun business that still flourishes today. Village offers old-school sundaes, malts, and shakes made with their homemade ice cream. 

Crown Candy Kitchen (St. Louis, Mo.)

In 1913, friends Harry Karandzieff and Pete Jugaloff opened Crown Candy Kitchen and started selling hand-crafted candies and homemade ice cream. The retro soda fountain is decorated with Cola-Cola memorabilia and a jukebox. The house specialty? Their selection of colossal World's Fair Sundaes.