this was the best ice cream I have ever had in my life, the staff there was great, quick service…read moreand very nice people

Everything is absolutely charming about this place. The motel rooms look precious and the ice cream…read moreis delightful. Had the coffee and chocolate coconut ice cream. It did not disappoint! The lovely person working the counter was kicking butt and made the line go by super fast!

love this place, only spot for homemade ice cream, absolutey love love the new owners , make sure…read moreyou Stop here

Nice ice cream shop close to Watkins Glen. Staff is super friendly and helpful. The homemade ice…read morecream is delicious. Lots of flavors to choose from. Plenty of seating inside and out.

Home-made soft-serve and sorbet! Great flavors!…read more We found Sweet Melissa's Ice Cream shortly after lunch. (Jul 2026) We had to try their ice cream bars: homemade lemon chocolate chip ice cream, with a coat of crumbled lemon cookies, half-dipped in homemade dark-chocolate shell! Clever and delicious! We also had a dish of homemade Blueberry Guava sorbet! Intense red-purple color and sweet frozen flavor! Great summer treats! We ate faster than they melted :-)

Cute seasonal ice cream spot in Ithaca!…read more Located in downtown- the line can get pretty long in the evenings- even on weekdays. Cash only so be prepared. I am partial to soft serve but have tried both their hard icecream and soft serve. I prefer their soft serve but wish they had more flavors. I tried the classic chocolate twist and the two berry twist soft serves. In the two berry twist, I didn't like the pink flavor- it was too icy and more like a sorbet/dole whip than true soft serve. I liked the purple flavor thought! Overall, I still frequent Sweet Melissa's for softserve close to Cornell! Would recommend!

Fantastic custard and duck eggs - plus a full working duck farm…read more Don't miss the Cookies & Cream and Strawberry Rhubarb flavors. Oh - and the super fresh house-made waffle cone is worth $1.25. Every time we visit this area, we visit Spotted Duck. Note - they close daily from 5 - 6 PM for a dinner break.

Spotted Duck Creamery came highly recommended, yet it still managed to surprise us in the best…read morepossible way. Imagine asking, "What would an ice cream stand be like if it were crossed with a fine FLX winery in a beautiful farm setting?"--that's exactly the vibe here. Elevated, serene, and absolutely delicious. The facility and grounds are immaculate, with a peaceful, pastoral atmosphere that makes you want to linger. The staff was warm and welcoming, and they generously offered samples so we could explore the flavors before committing (dangerous, because they're all incredible). We ultimately chose three flavors: * Cookie Monster (Real Cookies & Cream) -- Their take on cookies & cream is next‑level. It's built on their handcrafted vanilla cream base and loaded with hearty chunks of their own legendary chocolate chip cookies. Think of an ice cream sandwich turned inside out--rich, decadent, and deeply satisfying. * Fleur Bleu -- A gorgeous blend of local organic blueberries, subtle French lavender, and their classic vanilla cream. It's delicate, floral, and beautifully balanced. This one kept us slowing down each bite just to savor the nuance. * Ditch Mint Chip -- Made with hand‑picked fresh mint and dark chocolate chips. Bright, refreshing, and leagues above the artificial mint flavor you get elsewhere. It was excellent, though admittedly overshadowed by the other two standouts. The frozen custard itself is among the best we've ever tasted--rich, creamy, and unbelievably smooth thanks to their signature use of local duck eggs. Even the vanilla base was a sleeper hit, with a depth of flavor you don't expect until it hits you. The setting is perfect for a Finger Lakes outing. Whether you're spending the day visiting wineries, hiking the gorges and waterfalls, or just exploring the region, you need to make this a stop on your route. It's one of those places that elevates your whole day. A truly special spot. We'll be back.

The best ice cream in Ithaca, and that is saying something in a town known for great ice cream. The…read morelocation south of Ithaca is worth the drive, but check to be sure it's open first. I think he's at the Ithaca Farmer's Market, too. Unusual flavors give Dennis' creations the edge. Black Jack is one of my faves, but the gingersnap is a close second. Honestly, they are all fabulous.

We have tried all of the ice cream establishments in Ithaca, and I vote for Dennis' as the BEST…read more His unique flavors are innovative and subtle and the classics hit the spot. The environment at his stand is beautiful and the value for the money is excellent.

New York State is serious about their ice cream. This is the only place we have been but it was…read moregreat. Awesome music too!

Great ice cream. Perfect portion of ice cream to toppings. Very pleasant staff…read more Parking and picnic tables available. Best ice cream around.

Delicious ice cream! Friendly staff. Good ice cream. Kid friendly. Picnic tables to sit onread more

Decent Ice cream selection. Usually has one dairy-free option...would be great if there were two…read more Good service, well-maintained and clean building. Nice covered area with tables. But, unfortunately, right on a really busy road and next to the town much site. It is sort of a standard I use to compare other places against. Only a few are better, but many are not quite as good.

Great place for ice cream or alternative fast food (can't go wrong with a chili dog). Servers are…read morealways nice. Really clean.

Sue and her staff are amazing... they are friendly & accommodating...the BEST ice cream on the…read moreplanet... they are having 3 events soon PONY/HORSE RIDES MAY 31....1-5pm AUG 2......4-8pm OCT 4.......1-5pm Enjoy some ice cream, see some friends and take a ride...kids love this event!

I stopped by purity while in Ithaca and was thrilled with the experience. I had some younger kids…read morewith me and the girl who was helping us, Tessa, was very patient while they tried the samples, even joking with the kids. I got the bulldog crunch ice cream, which was delicious and generously portioned. The 80s vibe was adorable as well. It felt like we were part of the Ithaca family. Definitely reccomend.

Luscious ice cream, also lunch…read more When we saw an amazing fruit tart next door (more or less), and we realized that Purity Ice Cream was so close, the plan was instantaneous and obvious. One of walked two blocks north to get ice cream to top it off! Good plan, because parking here is tricky. (They also serve lots of lunch options, but that wasnt our target today.) (Jul 2026) It's a classic place for families. It's very popular, and yet was pretty quick even with the line of customers. Of about 25 classic and creative flavors, we went for a cup of vanilla with bittersweet chocolate shavings. When the rest of our group showed up, we built our treasured treat on the nearby Cayuga Trail, with a view of the inlet. They always say, look for the crowded places to find good treats. Bingo!

Just went there today for the first time, and wow can I recommend. Such a variety of flavors,…read morechoices, and combinations. Several I found quite different and innovative. I enjoyed the kiddie size strawberry cheesecake sundae. I chose vanilla soft serve, fresh strawberries, small cheesecake pieces in it complete with the graham cracker crust, with whipped cream. I chose not to have the sprinkle and the cherry, and the nice woman made the price less. It was fantastic and refreshing on a very hot day! Highly recommend!