5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Seattle takes its scoop shops seriously, and the numbers back that up. The ice cream shops on this page have logged over 10,000 Google reviews between them, and every single one sits between 4.5 and 4.7 stars, a spread of just two tenths of a point across some of the most reviewed dessert spots in the city.

Short answer: Salt & Straw on Capitol Hill leads with 3,030 reviews at 4.7 stars, known for inventive, small-batch flavors made locally. Molly Moon's on Capitol Hill is close behind with 2,909 reviews, and Frankie & Jo's, also on Capitol Hill, holds the same 4.7 rating with an entirely plant-based menu. Hellenika Cultured Creamery at Pike Place Market rounds out the list with 1,155 reviews at 4.7 stars for its small-batch cultured gelato.

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1. Salt & Straw
2. Molly Moon's Homemade…
3. Frankie & Jo's Capitol…
4. Gelatiamo
5. Hellenika Cultured Cre…
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How Seattle's Ice Cream Shops Compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Salt & Straw	4.7 ★	3,030	Overall / most inventive flavors	View ›
2	Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Capitol Hill	4.5 ★	2,909	Classic scoop shop / seasonal flavors	View ›
3	Frankie & Jo's Capitol Hill	4.7 ★	1,673	Vegan / dairy-free	View ›
4	Gelatiamo	4.6 ★	1,451	Gelato and pastries downtown	View ›
5	Hellenika Cultured Creamery	4.7 ★	1,155	Pike Place Market / rotating flavors	View ›

5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Seattle (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Salt & Straw

4.73,030 Google reviews

Salt & Straw on Capitol Hill is the Portland-born chain that built its name on chef-driven, small-batch ice cream using local ingredients, with flavors rotating monthly alongside a core lineup. Reviewers consistently mention the shop's practice of offering generous samples before you commit to a scoop.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly praise the free-sample policy as genuinely generous
Flavors described as rich and distinct, not generic
Wide range of vegan options alongside traditional dairy flavors
Highest review count on this page

Worth knowing

Pricing runs on the higher side, around $7 for a single scoop, according to reviewers
One review describes an inconsistent batch texture on a single visit

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume3,030 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The review volume here is unmatched on this page, and the pattern is consistent: people come back for specific, memorable flavors rather than a generic cone. The higher price is a real tradeoff reviewers flag directly.

Website Book now +1206-258-4574 Directions

714 E Pike St Ste A, Seattle, WA 98122

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Capitol Hill

4.52,909 Google reviews

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream on Capitol Hill is a Seattle-founded chain now with a dozen locations, making all its ice cream and toppings on-site at this shop, one of its busiest kitchens. It leans on rotating seasonal flavors alongside year-round classics.

What people praise

Seasonal flavors like Marionberry Pie singled out repeatedly as standouts
Reviewers describe creative flavors that stay balanced rather than overly sweet or rich
Sampling multiple flavors before ordering is confirmed as standard practice
Second-highest review count on this page

Worth knowing

A few reviewers note the line moves slowly at peak times
Pricing is on the higher side for the category, per multiple reviews

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume2,909 · 92th

Confidencevery high

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown72% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: This is the closest thing on this page to Seattle's hometown default, and the seasonal flavor rotation is what keeps reviewers coming back specifically, not just for ice cream in general.

Website Book now +1206-294-4389 Directions

917 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Frankie & Jo's Capitol Hill

4.71,673 Google reviews

Frankie & Jo's on Capitol Hill makes entirely plant-based ice cream from house-made oat and coconut milk bases, with both unique and classic flavors on the menu. It's explicitly built for vegan and dairy-free customers rather than offering a token option alongside a dairy menu.

What people praise

Reviewers who are not vegan themselves still describe the texture and richness as comparable to traditional ice cream
Staff specifically ask about allergies before offering samples, a detail multiple reviewers call out
Flavor range includes both classic options like cookies and cream and more unusual choices
Ties for the highest rating on this page at 4.7 stars

Worth knowing

Priced on the higher end, which reviewers attribute to the quality of ingredients
Limited seating inside, so expect to take orders to go at busy times

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume1,673 · 86th

Confidencevery high

Recency11 days ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown83% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: This shop earns its rating from a specific, underserved need done well: fully plant-based ice cream that reviewers say doesn't taste like a compromise. Worth a special trip if dietary needs matter to your group.

Website Book now +1206-557-4603 Directions

1010 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Gelatiamo

4.61,451 Google reviews

Gelatiamo in downtown Seattle combines a gelato counter with an Italian-style bakery and espresso bar, selling cookies and cakes alongside its ice cream. Reviewers frequently order two flavors at once and describe the shop as transporting them back to gelato in Europe.

What people praise

Multiple reviewers specifically compare the gelato favorably to what they've had in Europe
Pastry case and espresso bar make it a fuller stop than just a scoop shop
Owner responses to reviews are detailed and specific, suggesting active, engaged management

Worth knowing

Limited seating, a mix of small indoor and outdoor tables

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,451 · 81th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown75% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The downtown location and combined bakery and coffee offering make this a practical choice if you want more than just ice cream in one stop, and the gelato itself draws some of the most specific praise on this page.

Website Book now +1206-467-9563 Directions

1400 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Hellenika Cultured Creamery

4.71,155 Google reviews

Hellenika Cultured Creamery, tucked into Pike Place Market, makes small-batch cultured gelato using live Greek cultures and fresh local milk, with flavors that rotate frequently, sometimes changing within the same day. Reviewers describe genuinely new flavors appearing on different visits.

What people praise

Flavor rotation described as constant, giving repeat visitors something new each time
Reviewers praise generous portion sizes relative to price, notable in a tourist-heavy area
Owner responses to reviews are specific and detailed, often naming the exact flavor discussed
Standing-room design keeps focus on the ice cream itself, per the business's own reply to reviews

Worth knowing

Lines can build quickly, though reviewers note timing a visit for off-peak hours helps
No indoor seating, standing room only

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume1,155 · 75th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown86% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The constant flavor rotation and portion generosity stand out specifically in a market known for tourist pricing. A strong pick if you're already at Pike Place and want something that isn't the obvious tourist stop.

Website +1206-899-2277 Directions

1920a Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

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How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each shop. Review volume measures how many customers have actually rated them, benchmarked against other ice cream and gelato shops we reviewed for this page. Confidence blends rating with volume, since a strong score means more when thousands of people back it up. Recency checks how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much does ice cream cost in Seattle? (2026)

None of the shops on this page publish a fixed price list we can responsibly cite as a range, though reviewers at multiple shops mention a single scoop running around $7 to $8. Expect gelato and specialty flavors to sit at the higher end, with cones and toppings adding to the total.

Serving Seattle

Four of these sit within a short walk of each other on and around Capitol Hill, with the fifth two downtown at Pike Place Market and Third Avenue. Wherever you’re starting from in Seattle, an ice cream shop near you is likely a short trip from one of these picks.

What to ask before you pick an ice cream shop

Can I sample flavors before I order?
Do you have vegan or dairy-free options?
What flavors are seasonal or rotating right now?
Is there indoor seating, or is it mostly to-go?
Do you offer pints or larger sizes to take home?
What’s the wait usually like at this time of day?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these ice cream shops?

We pulled real Google Business Profile data for ice cream and gelato shops across Seattle and ranked them on their live rating, how many customers reviewed them, and how recently those reviews were left.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects data verified in July 2026 and is refreshed periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Which Seattle ice cream shop has the most reviews?

Salt & Straw on Capitol Hill, with 3,030 Google reviews at a 4.7 average, the most reviewed shop on this list.

Which of these shops has vegan options?

Frankie & Jo’s is entirely plant-based. Salt & Straw and several others also offer vegan flavors alongside traditional dairy options, according to reviewers.

The bottom line

Salt & Straw is the safe default with the deepest track record and the most talked-about flavor rotation. If dietary needs matter to your group, Frankie & Jo’s fully plant-based menu rates just as highly, and Hellenika at Pike Place Market is worth the detour if you’re already downtown.

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