America’s Most Iconic Ice Cream Parlors
Modern dessert trends come and go, but some ice cream shops never stop doing things the old-fashioned way. These places still swirl milkshakes by hand, serve scoops in glass dishes, and welcome guests with the same vintage charm they’ve had for decades. These parlors hold a special place in their town’s history for the memories made across generations.
Goolrick’s Pharmacy – Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Goolrick’s claims the title of America’s oldest continuously operating soda fountain. This downtown fixture began as a pharmacy in 1897 and still serves sundaes and sandwiches at its original counter. After recent fire and flood damage, it’s undergoing a careful renovation set to preserve its old-school charm.
Fentons Creamery – Oakland, California
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Melvin Fenton added ice cream to the family dairy and helped invent Rocky Road. It’s a Bay Area icon, now located just up the street from its original spot. Their signature sundae, the Black & Tan, layers toasted almond and vanilla ice cream with housemade caramel and chocolate sauces. Production still happens on-site, and they welcome guests to watch. Their vintage soda counter is intact and buzzing.
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum – Columbus, Indiana
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Zaharakos is still in the 1900s. The original carved mahogany bar stretches 50 feet, flanked by stained-glass details and soda fountains brought back from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. After being restored in 2009, this historic parlor now includes a museum showcasing antique syrup dispensers and a century-old self-playing organ. The menu includes towering sundaes and thick malts.
Bassetts Ice Cream – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Inside Reading Terminal Market since 1892, Bassetts is America’s oldest ice cream shop still in its original location. It began with Lewis Dubois Bassett churning ice cream by mule power in 1861. Now into its sixth generation of family ownership, the shop serves Philadelphia-style ice cream, meaning no egg yolks, for an ultra-creamy, rich texture. Their flavors range from the classic banana (once briefly discontinued) to pomegranate blueberry chunk.
Angelo Brocato – New Orleans, Louisiana
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Gelato in the Deep South? Thank Sicilian immigrant Angelo Brocato, who brought the taste of Palermo to New Orleans in 1905. This family-run shop honors its Italian roots with every batch. The current Mid-City location recreates its French Quarter ambiance with glass jars, ceiling fans, and marble-topped tables.
St. Francis Fountain – San Francisco, California
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San Francisco’s oldest ice cream parlor still stands at 24th Street, with its checkerboard floor and neon glow intact. It was originally a Greek family-run soda fountain and candy shop before it transformed into a diner. Their milkshakes come in classic and vegan varieties, served in retro glassware. New owner Mantakarn Seenin continues its legacy under the city’s Legacy Business Registry.
Graeter’s in Hyde Park – Cincinnati, Ohio
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Graeter’s has churned ice cream the same way since 1870: in small French pots, two gallons at a time. The Hyde Park parlor opened in 1922 and remains a flagship location. It’s family-owned and operated for four generations, and is famous for its dense, creamy texture and bold chocolate chunks. Oprah called their Black Raspberry Chip a favorite.
Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Klavon’s started as an apothecary, but is now a picture-perfect ice cream parlor. It shut its doors in 1979 but reopened two decades later with help from the founders’ grandchildren. Inside, you’ll find original marble countertops, old-school stools, and vintage fountain equipment, all fully preserved. Their sundaes are famously indulgent, served with whipped cream and a cherry in classic glassware.
Aglamesis Bros. – Cincinnati, Ohio
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Aglamesis Bros. has a distinct early 20th-century feel, probably due to the tiled floors, marble counters, and Tiffany-style lamps. The shop was founded by two Greek brothers and still uses old-school methods, including hand-packed pints and seasonal flavors. Its Oakley location, operating since 1913, serves chocolate-dipped confections and creamy scoops in silver dishes. The ice cream is made with Midwestern dairy, and their coconut chip is a local favorite.
Eddie’s Sweet Shop – Queens, New York
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Time doesn’t move much inside Eddie’s, considering it’s open since 1925 and hasn’t changed its decor or approach. The staff still hand-whips the cream and mixes the syrups daily. The family-owned business has kept Eddie’s exactly what it’s always been: a modest, old-school shop with the best vanilla malt you’ll ever have.
Petersen’s Ice Cream – Oak Park, Illinois
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This Chicago-area staple has been churning butterfat-rich scoops for over a century. Their famed Turtle Pie, a seven-scoop sundae in a graham cracker crust, borders on edible architecture. Petersen’s ice cream features 16 to 18 percent butterfat. Inside, guests still admire the tin ceilings and onyx countertops.
Fair Oaks Pharmacy – South Pasadena, California
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On Route 66, Fair Oaks Pharmacy is a hybrid of soda fountain nostalgia and full-service pharmacy. It opened in 1915 and still sells hand-dipped shakes, sundaes, and classic phosphates. The interior, including chrome stools, marble counter, and vintage posters, remains frozen in time. They’ve adapted a bit with newer flavors like Buttered Popcorn Milkshake, but the vibe hasn’t budged.
Doumar’s – Norfolk, Virginia (1907)
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Doumar’s is where the ice cream cone was born—literally. Abe Doumar rolled the first cone at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, then built a waffle cone machine still used today. The Norfolk shop opened in 1907 and has been family-run ever since. Their Ringo sundae includes a crushed cone as a topping. They keep six simple flavors on tap, and their old-fashioned curb service is still available for drive-up guests.
Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor – Ephraim, Wisconsin (1906)
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Open seasonally since 1906, Wilson’s is a Door County gem. The shop is known for its jukebox, home-brewed root beer, and jelly beans dropped in cones to prevent leaks. They top their sundaes with local Door County cherries and serve milkshakes in tall glasses.
Leopold’s Ice Cream – Savannah, Georgia (1919)
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Movie posters line the walls of this establishment, but the real star at Leopold’s is the ice cream. After being opened by three Greek brothers in 1919, it now runs under Stratton Leopold, a film producer and son of one of the founders. The parlor still makes its original flavors like Tutti Frutti, Rum Bisque, and Lemon Custard by hand. Its marble counter and soda fountain setup replicate the original shop.