La Plaza Paleteria

A blast from the past. Truly a "travel through time" experience…read more So many ice cream sundae varieties. I did not know this was even a possibility. Comically large sundaes with topics of exorbitant proportions, it is like being a kid in a candy store (quite literally in this case). Go split a sundae with your sweetheart like I did. Or, grab a few chocolates to go. Do both if you're feeling extra feisty!

Margie's Candies always has an extremely long wait during the summer, so be prepared to wait. It's…read morealso a bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients they use in their desserts is unmatched. I had the apple cobbler with ice cream, and it was absolutely delicious. The portion was also large enough for two people, so keep that in mind if you're dining by yourself. They have a full menu with plenty of delicious treats, and they also sell their own chocolate. Seating inside can be difficult to find, so I usually just ate in my car. Overall, this is a great spot, especially if you're looking for a late-night dessert.

Banana Split for 2

English Toffee Sundae

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Sundae

Firecakes Donuts

4.1(2k reviews)

6.8 mi•Near North Side

Delicious! Simple house made donuts, fresh espresso and hot chai were perfect. Firecakes offers…read moremultiple locations, with easy access throughout the city, open early and closing late, making it the perfect sweet treat all day long. The raspberry bold orange donut truly was fire, no premade compote here, fresh raspberry filling was a game changer. The cinnamon roll donut was decadent but totally worth it with all the walking you do as a tourist.

FireCakes Donuts in River North felt more like a quick stop-and-go donut shop than a destination…read moreworth seeking out. I wasn't particularly impressed by the selection, and the freshness of the donuts left something to be desired. The presentation also took away from the experience. Seeing donuts sitting exposed in boxes where customers can easily view them isn't particularly appealing and doesn't create the freshest visual impression. I tried the maple pecan glazed donut, which was overwhelmingly sweet. Even after just one bite, the intense sugar rush was immediate and overpowering, making it difficult to enjoy the other flavors. The vanilla donut was the better of the two--pleasantly doughy, though it still lacked the freshness I was hoping for. Overall, this was an average experience. The donuts were serviceable, but neither the selection, presentation, nor freshness gave me much reason to return.

Happy Birthday!

Vanilla Sprinkle Donut

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Java & Mug Cafe

4.5(267 reviews)

3.7 mi•North Park

On a hot sunny day, we were craving some Korean shaved ice (bingsoo). We decided to stop by Java &…read moreMug cafe after a quick google search of their menu. I was shocked to see how empty the cafe was, especially on a hot day. The quality of the bingsoo was great and really hit the spot! We ordered the injeolmi and strawberry flavors and both were very tasty! I would recommend this cafe for those looking for authentic Korean shaved ice around Chicago.

Super cute Korean-inspired cafe! The sweets were delicious and they had a wide variety of coffee…read moreand teas. The lychee chamomile was an interesting combination that turned out quite yummy! The banana milk lattes were VERY banana flavored, but still good! The cashier was very helpful with organizing all of our orders on this cute tray, and offered help with item selection since it was our first time!

Bingsoo/bingsu

Americano, latte, matcha croffle, black sesame croffle

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Black sesame snow bingsoo

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

3.8(423 reviews)

7.1 mi•Near North Side

•$$$

This is one of our must-go spots whenever we're in Chicago. It's right in downtown and easy to stop…read moreby when you're out walking around the city. We're big chocolate lovers, so Chocolate Lover Fudge is usually our first choice, and we really like the Mint Bliss too. They had a Dark Chocolate flavor for a limited time that we loved, and I still wish they would bring it back! It's self-service, so we usually grab our chocolate, find a spot to sit, and just enjoy the Chicago River and city views. Honestly, sitting there with some chocolate and watching the city around you is part of the experience for us. It's a simple little tradition we have whenever we're in Chicago, and we always look forward to coming back.

This is downtown Chicago, what do you expect for pricing? It's not Las Vegas on the strip, in the…read morehotel ridiculous. But it's of suffice. The only thing outrageous is the satisfactory of sweetness in each item. Okay, so I have a sweet tooth. What can I say, I love desserts. But this place is in a perfect location, within minutes of where you might be staying and with a small shop to buy their selective candy/chocolates. Their sundaes are ridiculously good. Sorry, no pictures or a college essay. But it's Ghirardelli chocolate, you can hardly go wrong. Especially if you've decided to walk through the door with the anticipation of having some form of exceptional chocolate. Enough said.

4.1 mi•North Center, Lakeview

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Hot Fudge Sundae and Hot Chocolate

Margie's Candies

4.1(656 reviews)

I had a super special date at Margie's with my 2 year old, and we had the best time ever. What I…read morelove about Margie's is that it's frozen in time. It's pretty small inside, there are only a few tables. A server comes to your table to place your order, which I feel like never happens at ice cream shops anymore! The menu is huge! There were multiple sections to banana splits, sundaes, and shakes. We decided to go with something simple. My son ordered 2 scoops of cookies n cream ice cream (with sprinkles of course) and I got moose tracks! The ice cream is the real deal. Our server was super sweet, and we were in and out of there in probably 30-45 minutes. We had the best time and will definitely be back this summer.

We heard that Margie's Candies had some seriously good sundaes, so obviously we had to check the…read moreplace out. (The fact that the joint's been around for over 100 years doesn't hurt either.) It's a small restaurant but we managed to snag a cozy table near the back. We'd already spent most of the day eating, so we decided to share the Atomic Fudge Sundae. It's a fairly enormous concoction. I found it interesting that the hot fudge was served on the side, but it's actually pretty smart because you get control how much (or how little) sauce you get. The ice cream is the highlight. It's creamy and rich, and it's got a really nice flavor, too. The hot fudge was less impressive, but that might be because I had already eaten a Ghirardelli sundae earlier in the day and their hot fudge just can't be beat. The service was super friendly and the atmosphere was kitschy and fun. It's a cool place.

4.0 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Coco Loco sundae

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Mindy's Bakery

3.9(2.7k reviews)

On our recent trip to Chicago, we were meeting friends for Wicker Park Fest, but on one condition,…read moreand that was that we met them at Mindy's Bakery for a few treats before heading into the gates. And honestly, I think a stop here for all future visits to Wicker Park now rely on this condition being met! While the baked goods are where it is at, the smell alone was worth selling itself. After we got a few whiffs, we made out way to the counter and did the ole "Ill take that, and this, oh and that too..." and ended up with a wide variety of cookies, tarts, danishes and cakes. All of which were absolutely delightful! Out of our haul, the peanut butter cookie was the highlight for me, and the raspberry crumble bar was it for my partner. Everything in between was delish, but a few things definitely stood out! Service was stellar from entry to exit. They knew we were newbies, so they helped us pick the best of the best. The space is gorgeous, bright, welcoming and classic. They definitely let the baked goods be just as much a part of the decor as the actual artwork. Overall, I get it now...Mindy's was impressive in all the right ways and is certainly a staple for all Chicago trips in the future!

Their seasonal banana cold foam cold brew is so stinkin good! The cold foam itself is super thick…read moreso as you drink your cold brew, quite literally every single sip gets that fantastic cold foam. The bagel, croissant, and peanut butter cookie were all so good! The dough used for the bagel and croissant is so scrumptious. I opted to get the ham and cheese croissant and it was a great balance. Both Bialays are a perfect savory treat! I can't wait to come back and try more of the baked goods, especially the coffee cakes.

4.5 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town

Banana Butterscotch Au Lait

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Twice Baked Almond Croissant

Black Dog Gelato

4.2(689 reviews)

This place is so good and always has new and innovative gelato flavors. The patio outside is so…read moreinviting to enjoy a summer gelato run. I went recently to try their new sandwiches and was mind blown by the quality of the ingredients. Will definetly be back for both gelato and sandwiches. Ps: great p

Gelato was great ! Get the spiced pear Service was prompt…read more You get to taste as many as you would like Ambiance is welcoming! Love their gelato!

Blueberry French Toast

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Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel Seasonal Flavor @dangit.all

Scooter's Frozen Custard

4.4(695 reviews)

3.9 mi•Lakeview

Some of the best mixers and sundae's in the Midwest. Can't eat Culver's anymore after coming here…read more The small concretes are the perfect size. Recommendations include the CFNBC concrete **sub caramel for peanut butter** and the Worms 'N Dirt sundae with chocolate custard (nostalgic and actually delicious). Love this spot!

Scooter's is a must try for a sweet treat! Creamy ice cream and rotating flavors you can find on…read moretheir website. Everything from shakes, concretes, sundaes, Italian ice, and even hot dogs! Line gets pretty long, but it moves decently fast. They have a small inside, as well as a takeout window.

4.2 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Concrete

Mocha Snicker Madness and Trail Mix Concretes

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PB&J Concrete regular

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

4.6(762 reviews)

(4.5) ~ Very Good Overall ice Cream Shop…read more MENU: ** Standard: 1/2 scoop of Campfire S'Mores + 1/2 scoop of Buttercream Birthday Cake on their "exclusive" Buttercrisp Waffle Cone = (4.5) Very Tasty!

Long line, opted for the dairy free option…read more Line organization could use some work inside. Overall, good flavors. Be prepared to wait at least 20-30 minutes during peak hours.

Peppermint Patty (v) and Banana Bread Pudding (v)

Salted Licorice and Bombastix

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Lots of flavors to try

26th Street Sugar Shack

4.3(252 reviews)

8.3 mi•Bridgeport

I ordered the butter pecan ice cream on a waffle cone, and it was absolutely delicious! The ice…read morecream was rich, creamy, and full of flavor, and the waffle cone was perfectly crunchy. The flavor of the cone complemented the butter pecan ice cream so well--it was the perfect combination! There's normally a wait, but on this particular day, I walked right up and was greeted with a smile. The friendly service made the experience even better. I truly enjoyed my visit and will definitely be back!

I think I have to give this place another chance. I got the red velvet funnel cake which came with…read morecream cheese icing and it was huge for $8. That's a great price compared to what you have to pay at a fair. The only problem was that the flavor seemed a little off. Or the texture. I'm not completely sure. I have to come back and try something else. They have a ton of options and at very reasonable prices. I'm gonna try and come back and maybe try a normal funnel cake next time I'm in the neighborhood.

26th Street Sugar Shack . 630 W 26th St, Chicago, IL Ice Cream Milk Shakes Italian Ice Famous Funnel Cake Sundae . Cool!

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A sign that the weather will eventually change

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Ahsley P.

8 years ago

Music was very nicly and the waitresses was super fantastic. I really liked it and enjoyed all the services. Room was also well-cleaned. I will absolutely use their service again. Thank You!! read more

La Plaza Paleteria - icecream - Updated October 2026

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La Michuacana

3.7

(3 reviews)

Every time we come here there's a wait and it's worth it! The ice cream is so fresh. The bars are…read moreamazing and delicious and different. My husband loves finding ice cream flavors with fruits that are not your typical fruit flavors that remind him of back home. The only drawback is the bubble gum flavor doesn't have an actual gum ball which bums out my son but he still devoured the bars lol. Check them out. Parking in the front.

Very cool ice cream shop! They have awesome flavors! You can get 3 different flavors in 1 cup for…read more$7.50. I tried Nutella, pistachio and Ferrero Rocher. All yummy! There is a unique "queso" ice cream I would like to try! Very clean! And they have elote, walking tacos, and tortas if you want more than sweets!

Bella's italian ice

4.1

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This location is now located in the food court. The price was incredible for how much you get. The…read moreparcha (passionfruit) was too bitter for my liking, but the coconut was INCREDIBLE. Service was very friendly.

Stopped in the mall for an online pick up order and got a pina colada smoothie. Sooo delicious!…read moreIt's hard to find one where they don't make it overly sweet. This one was PERFECT! Will def stop by for another while I'm in the area.

La Michoacana

3.0

(2 reviews)

Terrible! I ordered a fererro rocher ice cream with nachos. As I got in my car, I tasted my ice…read morecream to find that it only had pecans in it. So I'm not sure if the whole container was labeled wrong but it was definitely not what I wanted. Also, I got home to taste my nachos and the chips were very stale, the cheese was cold and the jalapeños were very sour. I will not be returning back to this location and I will definitely let my family and friends know to AVOID this location at all costs. Very disappointing.

One of my favorite places! I love this Michoacana location! the ice cream is the best ever!…read moreSpecially the blackberry and cheese ice cream. I recommend this place to everyone!

The Sweet Oasis

4.7

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Update my review again :)…read more The best in the business hands down From quality to ownership Chris (owner) always puts his customers first. Taste and heaping size is the best If you've never been to Sweet Oasis put it on your to do list Warning tho , Be prepared to stand in line But it's well worth the wait !!

Really good ice cream. Speedy and giant scoops. Huge selection of ice cream both soft and regular…read more Lines can get huge where they wrap around the entire inside of the store. Oh well. We enjoy it and the wait is worth it.

Paleteria La Esquina Michoacana

4.5

(2 reviews)

We been there twice I got the elite (corn) on a cup it was pretty good , we also had waffle cone…read morewith coconut ice cream The first time I went we bought a mask and went back for three more , they are selling masks to protect our self for vivid-19

I love a Mexican paleta (ice cream bar) on a hot summer day. Polar Oso offers a great variety of…read moreabout maybe 24 flavors from Strawberry n Creme to Lime to Pecan. If you buy it individually, then expect to pay close to $1.25-$1.75 each, however, if you buy 12 them it's $12. Aside from paletas, they offer snacks like nachos. Definitely worth a trip on a hot day.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

4.5

(485 reviews)

Not gonna lie, it's a little overwhelming but shoutout to their whole team for the open arms…read morewelcome from the start! They gave us free brownie bites, samples of any flavor, and even ice water. The decor was really fun and animals and lights every where, very attention getting. There's also a lot of seating outside and even parking on the street and the side of the building. In terms of ice cream and price? Pretty good! I got a shake and you can get a shake of any flavor. I got the espresso ice cream in a shake and my wife got a kids cup size of the vegan ultimate Oreo with a sugar cone. OH Importantly, they have a good amount of vegan options! Also you can order custom cakes here too. There are a ton of different cone types and toppings to choose from so we'll definitely have to come back. Lastly: CASH ONLY! DONT FORGET, CASH ONLY! We'll be back!

Listen, this place is very friendly especially when it comes to samples. We were offered many…read moreflavors to try and offered brownies 3 times. I'm not complaining but it's really going above and beyond and we are here for it. Now it's really overstimulating as we were in need for some chill and this is not the spot. If we had some mushrooms, this place would be ideal but not for a Sunday @ 3pm. I believe I had a Rocky Road Shake. It was good and very creamy! It was great. My wife had 2 scoops - one of which was Mint Chocolate Chip. While I don't remember the exact price, I do remember thinking this was a lot for a shake and 2 scoops of ice cream. Maybe it was pricey to offset the samples and brownie distribution? Who knows. I do know you have to bring cash and need to be in the mood to take in overstimulation of music and animal themed angst inside.

Paleteria Lindo Michoacan

3.2

(18 reviews)

Waited almost 45mins for our order to be ready after calling it in ahead of time on top of it. I…read morewill be rethinking ordering from this place since they don't seem to care about waiting on those standing waiting for their orders. VERY Disappointed!!!!!

Despite a little bit of a wait which is expected in a mom and pop shop, staff was so friendly,…read morepatient, and kind with my cousins and I as we ordered. After order was taken we received our ice cream very quick.

Candycopia

4.8

(76 reviews)

Such a charming little candy shop! I can easily see why people love it so much…read more My husband and I had the day off today and thought we would stop by. Staff was super friendly and asked if we had any questions, if we're looking for something in particular, or if we wanted a sample. My husband loves sour & Swedish candy and they had plenty of options for him! We took home a few different things to try as we just wanted to shop local and support and were happy we did. They also now have 'dirty' sodas (flavor and add-ins) which I thought was cute. Definitely check them out! ‍

I ordered candy from Candycopia in Oak Park for my sister's birthday. I got her the Sour Patch…read moreBites - Pickle Roulette, Krabby Patty Secret Menu, Challenge (10 Mystery Flavors), Candycopia Sour Challenge 2026 (At-Home Edition), Mr. Simms Black Death Ultra Sour - Authentic UK Import, and the Sweet Heat Gummy Mix. The selection available is huge. I could have easily loaded my cart with a lot more. The ordering process was easy and the package came earlier than the quoted time. My sister enjoyed the flavors. I highly recommend Candycopia!

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

4.4

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Pretty Cool Ice Cream was an experience on its own. Staff was super friendly and actually took…read moretheir time giving recommendations. That helped, because there's a lot to choose from. The place feels like a playground. Bright colors everywhere, magnetic letters on the wall, and I even saw them making the ice cream in the back. Just a fun vibe all around. I went with the Take 5 they recommended. Peanut butter caramel ice cream dipped in a dark chocolate shell with little pretzel pieces. It smelled really good right away. First bite, the shell cracked and got that snap from the chocolate, then it goes straight into the creamy peanut butter caramel. It's smooth and rich, Then the pretzels kick in with that salty crunch and it just balances everything out. Sweet, salty, creamy, a little crunchy... all hitting at once. It kinda takes you back, not gonna lie. It melts a bit fast so you gotta keep up, but yeah... worth it. I'd come back just for that.

Coming here is an experience -- popsicles are served on pink cafeteria trays, there's a magnet…read moreletter wall, and popsicle wrappers are designed by local artists. The employee at the counter was super friendly and gave great flavor recommendations. There is bench style seating in a large corner of the store, and four small round tables that can seat two people each. -- The Key Lime Pie popsicle was creamy, not too tart, and had a nice crunchy graham cracker shell. -- Natalie's Bar was super rich and chocolately, and had a thin chocolate shell. The potato chip chunks were pretty subtle -- I wouldn't have minded larger chunks with more salt. -- The Caramel Horchata Crunch was very creamy and flavorful. The shell is thicker and lived up to the name with the crunchiness! -- The Passionfruit, Orange, and Guava popsicle was more of a traditional popsicle of frozen juice, rather than ice cream in popsicle-form. It tasted fresh and light, and wasn't too tart. -- The Thai Tea popsicle was refreshing but the flavor was pretty mild and more coconuty than normal thai tea.

Petersen's Ice Cream

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