Finally got to put this place on the list and wasn't disappointed by the fun flavors offered. It's located in a cute little corridor off the Main Street, perfect for cute pictures. I ordered the Cookie Monster and it is so blue! Definitely a large serving and very creamy. I tried the donut combination and it is very sweet. The service was great all around and quick! read more

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Getting a scoop of ice cream is such a great way to cool off on a hot day. We stopped by to check out the shops in this cute little alley way and grab a sweet treat. The options they offer are a lot of fun! You can get ice cream inside of a donut, in a cone, in a bowl or get the Lesli Knope and get your ice cream between two waffles. They have about twelve flavors of ice cream, but they are packed with flavor. I picked out the cookie monster and it was amazing! It had big chunks of cookies in it and was full of flavor. We were all pretty happy with our ice cream and the prices weren't bad either. read more

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I have been coming to Novel Ice Cream for years now, and ever since my first visit to the Phoenix location, it has been my favorite place for ice cream. Now that they have a Mesa location, it is a little more convenient for me, as I currently live in Chandler. Even with the different locations, the high-quality product remains intact. I like the location of Mesa Novel Ice Cream because not only is there a lot to do nearby, but it is also a nice area to walk around when it is not too hot outside. There is also a nice coffee shop just a little walk away from the shop. The service at both locations is friendly, and every worker has been fun to talk to, especially when it is not busy and they have some time to spare. They are also happy to offer suggestions, whether it is ice cream flavors or delicious combinations that would pair well with their Dough Melt. While the vast majority of ice cream flavors complement the Dough Melt, the sorbets are hit and miss with the Dough Melt, but by themselves, their sorbets are some of the most refreshing sorbets you can have. I recommend Novel Ice Cream to anyone in the Mesa area; it has the best ice cream in Arizona, in my opinion. I also encourage everyone to try their Dough Melt at least once, as it is unbelievable. read more

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Likely going to be a line. You have to get the donut icecream. The warmth of the donut and the cold of the icecream is perfect. I believe this is there original location. Even at 10:30 there was a long line. The Cookie Monster is our favorite but beware - the mouth will be blue! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Best honey lavender I've ever eaten. This tiny gem in Mesa-out of this world delish. Worth your time to explore Mesa. The fun flavors include island paradise and sour apple. My dog Oliver enjoyed peanut butter ice crème pup cup. Husband loved his pecan delight. I will be back. read more

Novel Ice Cream - So many fun flavors - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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I see why this place is the best in the country. I tried a few flavors all amazing but ended up going with the unique option in kiwi sorbet. Such a good blend of tart and sweet. It's a little window but they do have a table for two outside to sit and eat at which we got lucky and was open. The staff were super helpful and friendly and I highly recommend this place. Next time I'm getting Chocolate with the raspberry drizzle read more

Novel Ice Cream - Kiwi sorbet - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

This was an unexpected surprise. Didn't even know it existed. It was sort of hidden. I tried the honey lavender after sampling it and the blackberry. The flavors were mild but definitely could tell there was both lavender and honey in the scoop. The service was friendly and they were helpful. Seating is available outside of the shop. read more

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A hidden gem! My friends and I came here on a whim Sunday afternoon and it wasn't very busy. This location of Novel is a walk up window, down a narrow outdoor corridor/alley(?)... there were some benches and a seating area on the sidewalk just outside this area. I think the flavors probably rotate but I decided to try the Cookie Monster single scoop. It was delicious!! I loved all the cookie chunks!! Can't wait to come back here! read more

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As an ice cream fiend - I was very excited to try this place. With a list of about 10 flavors to choose from, I settled on the popular Cookie Monster this time. I'd be crazy to not order the Dough Melt - where they add the ice cream scoop into a warm glazed donut. This was so delicious and a perfect treat for my walk home. Keep in mind that the ice cream will melt pretty fast if you happen to get it in the middle of summer. There's also the option to get a cup or cone, and many toppings to choose from! It DID leave my mouth the bluest blue that it's ever been (siri play Blue Lips by CORTIS), but I have no regrets. There's one 2-seater table right next to the ordering window, and a few tables in front of the alley where this is located, so hope to get a table if you go with larger groups, or come to terms that this is a standing/walking treat. Can't wait to get more flavors! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Cookie Monster Dough Melt - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

WOW... just WOW!!! We were actually recommended this place by the amazing restaurant where we had dinner, and all I can say is thank goodness we listened. What a hidden gem! There is something magical about a warm doughnut paired with cold creamy ice cream. The combination of temperatures and flavors was incredible. It was one of those treats that makes you stop mid-conversation just to appreciate how good it is. I honestly can't believe we are only now discovering this spot. The staff were so friendly, and genuinely happy to help. My friend has a food allergy which they were patient, thorough, and took the time to answer all of her questions, which meant so much to us. Great desserts, wonderful service, and a team that truly cares about their customers. That's a combination that's hard to beat. read more

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Novel Ice Cream is such a cute and unique spot! The ice cream is creamy and delicious, with fun flavors and fresh toppings. The staff was friendly, and the atmosphere made the experience even better. I'll definitely be back! read more

We were expecting really good ice cream based on the reviews but we were really underwhelmed. The area is a nice place to walk around and we got lucky and found a parking spot right in front. The store is located down a hallway and has lots of seating outside. We ordered the Dough Melt with Biscoff and the Leslie Knope with Butter Pecan. The donut was good but would have been better if it was warm. We are used to Afters who puts their donut in a press to warm it. The Biscoff ice cream was like a vanilla with cookie mixed in. I was expecting a more Biscoff forward flavor. The Leslie Knope had a 7 minute wait because they had to make the waffle. I liked that the waffle was warm but it got hard and cold quickly with the ice cream. It wasn't fluffy at all and I think by waiting I was expecting a fresh waffle, but it seemed to be more of a frozen waffle placed in a toaster. It was also more difficult the eat the waffle sandwich vs the donut sandwich. We ended up biting the waffle and using a spoon for the ice cream. The butter pecan ice cream had good flavor but was nothing special. Definitely recommend the Dough Melt over the Leslie Knope, and the Butter Pecan over the Biscoff. An additonal star because the service was friendly and she offered to answer questions as we were indecisive since it was our first time there. However, we probably won't be back as there are many ice cream options closer to us in Gilbert that have better quality ice cream that is creamier and smoother, and more variety of flavors. read more

Their Phoenix location was voted #1 in Yelp's Top 100 Ice Cream Shops, so I wanted to check out their Mesa location as closer to my house. My boyfriend and I are long distance, but when he was in town, this made for a perfect date night treat! Though the place has no interior seating and only one table, we quickly pivoted the plan to eat in my car. Definitely more of a grab and go place to plan a little differently next visit. And yes, next visit as we both loved what we ordered! My boyfriend wanted the Leslie Knope, but was advised it would take 5-10 minutes so he went with the Dough Melt. I took a bite of his, and it truly was heavenly to have ice cream between a deliciously warm glazed donut though I preferred my order. My scoop of chocolate was perfect for me as I don't like to go too overboard with the sweets! Definitely return here and recommend as the ice cream was very good. Hard for me to find chocolate ice cream that isn't just pure sugar, and tastes like chocolate. Novel hits the mark for me! read more

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Novel Ice Cream is one of those spots that feels like a hidden gem--tucked away near the museum, it almost feels like you've discovered something special when you find it. And once you try it, you realize why it's so popular. The ice cream tastes incredibly fresh and homemade. My personal favorite is the honey lavender--it's perfectly balanced. The lavender flavor is distinct and aromatic without being overpowering, which is rare since lavender desserts can sometimes lean too subtle or too strong. It's clearly a well-loved place because there's usually a line, but it moves quickly, so the wait is never a big deal. And it's absolutely worth it for the dough melt--seriously, it's to die for. There's just something amazing about that combination of cold, creamy ice cream sandwiched inside a warm donut. On top of all that, the staff is always very friendly, which makes the experience even better. I will always recommend this place! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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They are awsome we love this place check out my full review on my Tiktok food review Channel at. Tiktok.com/@flavor.finders.az read more

Out looking for a treat after some ice skating in Mesa! A few blocks away is Novel Ice Cream. It's something special for sure. Two handfuls of flavors to choose from. I chose Mocha Peppermint...delicious. One block from downtown Mesa not far from anything if you're looking for something sweet. After we finished our ice creams someone mentioned they also have donuts filled ice cream sandwiches...ahhhh! Next time for sure. Last words... special. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Mocha Peppermint deliciousness. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Ice cream! Donuts! Drinks! Great customer service! What's not to LOVE at Novel! Always a great time picking up a sweet treat at Novel Ice Cream in downtown Mesa. Bonus points that they are open late (midnight or 1am most nights). They serve 8 daily flavors and have 4 daily rotating flavors created in small batches so it's always fresh. You can choose cup, cone or Dough Melt which is a donut ice cream sandwich! Delicious! It's in a cute greenery covered alley with a few other shops as well. There are a few spots to sit and enjoy every wonderful bite. read more

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The greatest ice cream, shops, and customer service on the planet. No question. I tell everyone about Novel. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

We stopped by here to grab some ice cream because we had seen something about a ice cream doughnut sandwich. I got the crunchy caramel toffee, ice cream and chocolate. All the ice cream was delicious. We also got Tres leches in the doughnut, it was a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it was pretty good stuff. The service was quick and friendly and we loved sitting right outside on the patio while watching the pigeons and birds. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Outside - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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After speaking with the owner Shawn after he reached out to me about my 3 star review, I've updated my review to one star. His defensive attitude shows my rushed, snobby experience was a reflection of leadership rather than an isolated incident. I entertained the text just to see what I could help with. Not expecting any refunds or an invite back because it wasnt just the service that I didn't like. The ice cream was underwhelming and "not worth the calories". I had no intention of returning unless there was a fundamental change in their recipe. The ice cream is bland and tastes of eating pure butterfat. Even a doughnut sandwich could not redeem the ice cream. I stand by my statement that you would be better off at Churn, Salt and Straw, or Handel's. Very disappointing experience, flavor, and ownership. His response to this publicly is further reflection. I refused to engage because he led off defensive. That is not how to treat a customer. His assertion that I have been misleading is appalling. It's mid ice cream. I implore customers to stay away or meet the same treatment on display. Serve the community at the highest level. This isn't the highest. I will add another screenshot of him asking for a phone call. I rejected the phone call because i could tell there was defensiveness from the beginning and he proved me right read more

Novel Ice Cream - The "attempt to improve" that was really just the starting attempt to mouth off about how offended they are that I had a bad experience - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Love love ice cream. This is literally a tiny hole in the wall shop. One tiny table outside to sit, but sitting on the street The chocolate ice cream was rich and a nice chocolate taste. It was not bitter What surprised me was the lemon bar ice cream. In the past I have found lemon ice cream to have a slightly curdled aftertaste this one did not. The lemon was light and refreshing The butter pecan was DELICIOUS. There was a good sprinkling of pecans. read more

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They have eight Staple Ice Cream flavors: Bourbon Toffee Caramel Crunch Cookie Monster Madagascar Vanilla Chocolate Straight Up Strawberry Butter Pecan Honey Lavender PB Wasted They have some rotated flavors - Rotated Ice Creams (2) Rotated Sorbets (Dairy + GF) (2) The Bourbon Toffee Caramel Crunch is their best seller. I thought it had a good toffee and caramel flavor. The flavor wasn't weak here. With that, you know they have good ice cream. The honey lavender has a strong lavender flavor. Those who like floral flavors will like this one. The Thai ice tea flavor was good too, but there was something crunchy in it like an eggshell. I wasn't sure what it was. Otherwise, it had a nice strong flavor. Atmosphere - They hand you the ice cream out of a window. You order at a window. This all takes place in an alley. The weather could be hot, cold, just right, rainy, windy or sunny. It was getting busy in the alley. There was one table in the alley. Outside of the alley there were a couple of benches. Service - There were about three employees at the time. The service here was fairly quick. Order and pay at the window. Self seating only outside if you can find a spot. Parking - Surface parking lot. No parking meter or parking structures. Would be nice if there was a nearby parking structures or if there was covered parking with solar panels or trees. Unique - No seating. Is literally in an alley. Nice hole in the wall place. In the evenings I think it would be pretty there. Did not see a health rating on Yelp. read more

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It's nice having rotating flavors came here with coworkers after lunch and the Vietnamese coffee was fire

Delicious and shockingly inexpensive! Even the location was quaint and unique! My eating companions and I enjoyed: single scoops of: chocolate, butter pecan, Cookie Monster, raspberry sorbet, and vanilla. Everyone loved their ice cream! I highly recommend the butter pecan it was nutty and so good!!! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Single scoop butter pecan - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

A very cute and convenient ice cream parlor. I love the concept of ordering from a window, which makes the whole process of ordering and paying very efficient. They are great with encouraging samples, and I suggest taking advantage because they have so many tasty flavors! We settled on the Cookie Monster Dough Melt and a scoop of the Straight Up Strawberry, and they were both soooo full refreshing. The workers here were also very friendly, which is always a plus for me. read more

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Always a good time here with people. Tried a couple samples. I wondered if the Cookie Monster is natural dye or not, cause I'm not a fan of artificial dyes. Seeing that it transfers I don't think it is. Their bourbon Carmel is always great and pb was tasty as well! read more

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Our go to ice cream place with changing flavors all the time, stop and try the cookie monster and all their other flavors! We've tried a lot and don't really have favorites coz every flavor is good!!! read more

We'd heard great things but weren't sure what to expect. We tried the Cookie Monster, as recommended by the staff. The donut was warm, soft, and absolutely delicious, and pairing it with the ice cream was chef's kiss. We savored every bite of this sweet indulgence. Plus, there's a charming little bookshop right next door, which made the visit even better! Highly recommend. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Cookie Monster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Novel Ice Cream delivers the kind of craftsmanship that makes dessert lovers pay attention. The ice cream is rich, ultra-creamy, and thoughtfully balanced with flavors that feel creative without trying too hard. The textures are smooth, the sweetness is dialed-in, and every scoop tastes intentional. The ambiance is fun and modern with a casual neighborhood feel, portions are generous for the price, and the shop is clean and well-kept. There's a solid variety of flavors (plus their signature creations for the adventurous), and it's a great spot for both families and serious ice-cream fans alike. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates ice cream made with care. Novel proves dessert can be playful and high-quality at the same time. read more

Kid approved, adult approved with vegan options as well. I was expecting it to be so hard to find based on reviews but it was quite simple. Flavors were very good. Order at the window and sit outside. Prices are very fair and I always appreciate a kids size scoop option. read more

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My mom and I have been seeing this place on TikTok so often and after hearing all the "best ice cream in Phoenix" claims, we knew we had to check it out when we were in the area one day. We got there a little before they opened at noon and there was already a line forming. They had a decent amount of flavors (not as much as Handel's, but better than some ice cream places I've been to) and some interesting sounding sorbet flavors. It was $4.80 for a single scoop and $5.80 for two scoops so it was economically smarter to just go with two scoops for a dollar more. So that's what we did. I ordered the Cookie Monster and Peanut Butter Wasted in a cup and my mom ordered the Peanut Butter Wasted and Pecan Pie. She originally wanted the Bourbon Caramel Toffee Crunch but that flavor was OUT. Within opening they were already out of one of their best sounding flavors! Weird, but okay. The ordering system was a little wonky. You gave the employee your order and then you remain where you're standing at the register until the worker hands you your individual thing of ice cream. There was another boy in the back working with the girl taking our orders but it just seemed a little inefficient. There was a good-sized line behind us and I feel like we had already been waiting a good amount of time for the ONE GROUP OF FOUR people in front of us to get their ice cream. But then again, it's not like there was a number system or any way to keep track of orders as they were being prepared, so it's almost like you had to remain standing there until you got your order. I don't know, it just seems like if the line is long or if there's a large party of people in one transaction that it could take a hot minute to get that order served. On to the ice cream itself. It wasn't anything spectacular that all these reviews are saying. I think it's certainly comparable to the creaminess of Handel's. My mom wasn't impressed with the Pecan Pie flavor she resorted to since her first choice wasn't available. It was quite literally just bits of pecans in butter pecan ice cream. We thought there'd be chunks of pie bits in there too, but no. The Peanut Butter Wasted flavor was super peanut buttery though, which was much appreciated. This place also does the ice cream and donuts thing too, so maybe that's why they're so popular/awarded highly. Anyway, I was glad I tried it out, but I'd much rather get four scoops of Handel's ice cream for only a dollar more. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Cookie Monster and pecan pie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Finally got to try Novel Ice Cream! The place is super cute, i felt like i was by the Harry Potter street or something. Got to try their chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce, and in terms of the ice cream, it was actually ok. I think places like Jenni's have more rich ice cream, but everyone has different preference! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Talk about perfect reward after finishing my 5 full marathon. We started celebrating at bar as Mercuria family and celebrated all of our finishes and support as teammates. One of teammates Lizzie at end of the night ask if anyone wanted to join for some ice cream. She notice Novel Ice Cream during race weekend. So few of us like hell yay!! Me at this point between, gels, salt tablets, coffee, and beer. Why not. Plus Lizzie telling me all made daily fresh! No way past it up. I love about Novel Ice Cream definitely has that hole in the wall or hidden gem vibe. It start location not much sign, off main road in downtown Mesa, and walk down hallway at the very end. It small window counter that order. Not many places to sit bench front and outside building little outdoor patio area. It reminds me ice cream truck order it and find place enjoy it. The menu board cool set up with different colors and old school vibe. Lot of different choices so tough pick one. I settled on the honey lavender. Da bomb. They also have doughnut filled ice cream. If craving fresh ice cream. Someone order sorbet and said that was da bomb. No flavor can go wrong. In Mesa should check out Novel Ice Cream. read more

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It might be a little hard to find at first, but this spot is absolutely worth it! Novel is so good! Novel is tucked in a shopping alley right near the Natural History Museum - a little hard to find your first time coming here. The ice cream here is delicious! They have a few specialty items in their Dough Melt and Leslie Knope. Each a different type of ice cream sandwich. I highly recommend the Dough Melt. Ice cream in between a warm, fresh donut. Treat yo self! Cookie Monster is a go to flavor but they have a great selection overall. Samples are allowed! And then you can add a range of toppings too. If you have a sweet tooth and are needing a new place to check out, you gotta add Novel to your list! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Dough Melt w/ Cookie Monster ice cream. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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So cute, been wanting to go here forever. Have to try the dough melt if you go. Hidden away down an alley but worth it. read more

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Hidden in an alley, this place is worth checking out. They offer 12 different flavors, multiple toppings, and your style of: donut melt, Leslie knope, float, pint and scoop. I ordered the Cookie Monster with the donut melt which I rank 10/10. Service was great, they allowed me to sample multiple flavors and my order was served quickly. There's also outside seating near the entrance of the alley. read more

Novel Ice Cream - Cookie Monster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

$7 and some change for a cone and 1 scoop of Madagascar vanilla Madagascar vanilla ice cream was actually really good and really set itself from other ice cream shops 9/10 Its location is really cute and not far from down town Mesa. Service was good, will stop by again read more

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The exterior is so cute and inviting, there's plenty of seating outside and a couple little tables through the hallway. It's a walk up window and they had a good amount of flavors and toppings! read more

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I have been frequenting Novel for years now. This location in Mesa is the closest to me currently. I stopped by last night with my bestie. This location is so cute! Its located in an alley, and is just a pick up window. I ordered a scoop of strawberry with sprinkles on top. My bestie got the limited time dubai chocolate flavor in a cone. It was all so good!! The strawberry was so nice and creamy! The Dubai chocolate was perfect. I hadn't tried a cone before since I usually opt for a cup or the donut sandwich option, but the cone was excellent! It had a delicious vanilla flavor. Service was top notch as always. They have a great selection of flavors as well as toppings.Come check it out next time your in downtown Mesa! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Strawberry scoop with sprinkles - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Yum yum yum! A warm pressed doughnut with thick cold ice cream, yes please! A dough melt comes with a free topping of choice which is a nice bonus texture to your dessert. Service is fast and friendly, offering a nice quick explanation of their shop and its function to newbies. Only took away one star because the featured 4 rotating flavors were mostly fruity sorbet flavors which I didn't think would pair very well in a sugary donut, but who knows maybe I'm wrong! PB wasted definitely gave a peanut butter skrewball flavor! read more

Novel Ice Cream - Outside - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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