Purity Ice Cream

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633

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7 years ago

Purity Ice Cream is an Ithaca staple. For people visiting from out of town, it's a popular request to stop here... and because it's been around basically fooooorever? I'm not opposed to bringing people to experience it, etc... but having grown up in and around Ithaca, it's just not my first preference for ice cream. Purity has changed a lot since my childhood. It used to be much smaller, but they've since added on the back seating and food service section. I'm all about the additional space, as it means plenty of seating for those ridiculously busy periods. But that's the thing... this place gets SUPER busy. It doesn't help that the parking lot can be a bit of a cluster either. While driving down Rt. 13 the other day, I noticed that Purity was surprisingly quiet, so I opted to stop and see if they had a favorite flavor of mine still available - blueberry cheesecake. Turns out, it's not exactly the same flavor, as it's now blueberry cheesecake muffin. I ordered two scoops in a bowl (too much... after getting my order, I realized one scoop would have been plenty), and my mother, who was with me, ordered a Mexican sundae. The employee at the counter asked "can you remind me what's in that sundae again?"... really? This is an ice cream shop and you have to ask for the ingredients for a Mexican sundae? My mother noted the ingredients, I paid, and then we waited at the pick-up counter... for much longer than I would have anticipated, given so few people in the shop. When we finally got our ice cream orders, we sat down in the extra seating area inside. While having my ice cream, it struck me how sweet my ice cream tasted. Now, mind you, I don't have much of a sweet tooth... but I do enjoy some ice cream or other sweet treats on the rare occasion. This was just a lot of sweetness hitting my tastebuds at once... certainly sweeter than I remember the flavor of my childhood being. I ended up not finishing it... which was a shame, considering it was almost $20 ($18, I think?) for one Mexican sundae and one bowl with two scoops of blueberry cheesecake muffin ice cream (no sprinkles or any other additions... just ice cream). TL;DR I like the idea of supporting local as much as anybody, but Purity just seems overrated to me. You don't actually get an employee until you're at the register, and then THEY'RE asking you how to put together a classic type of sundae? Plus, my ice cream just tasted too sweet. So ultimately, no thanks... I'm in no rush to visit again. Especially not in a rush with how ridiculous it can be to park in their lot, get out into the flow of traffic again when leaving, etc. - not worth it. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Amanda K.

Elite 25

32

300

1760

3 years ago

Stopped by for some ice cream one evening and it was really good! I got the happy trails which was vanilla ice cream, fudge swirl, and peanut butter cups. It was pretty good but there weren't many pb cups and when they were there they were just bits of chocolate and not actually peanut butter. My bf got the vegan vanilla bean and he enjoyed it. He wanted the banana split but I guess they didn't have it. We both agreed it had a different consistency than normal ice cream and other vegan ice creams we've had before but it still tasted good. They had a good sized parking lot and seating both inside and out. read more

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Mackenzie J.

0

9

2

3 years ago

The icecream here is pretty good- a mix of fun and usual flavors, as well as fries and other food items. The service is on the slow side during peak hours as they get PACKED. The space itself is rather nice, but on some days can be a little messy. I think this is a great place for large groups due to the space indoors (plus more people to talk too while waiting), but the price being on the higher end knocks it down a little. I enjoy this place but it's not a go-to anymore. Definitely check out Sweet Melissa's if you're on a budget or have a smaller group/want to be outside. Purity does have outside space but it's limited. I will add, Purity sells donuts now that are very sweet, but I quite enjoy them on occasion! Maybe it's the nostalgia talking but I'd say this is a great icecream place if you're willing to pay a little more and wait for the seating space, convenient location, and good flavors read more

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Dean L.

61

49

11

3 years ago

My girlfriend and I are always on the lookout for good creameries when home or away. My qualifications are a little more stringent than hers as I only eat non-dairy. I love it when I can choose from nut milk varieties instead of having to eat sorbets or Italian ice. Purity had this in abundance. For this, I was happy and grateful. Cute from the outside, it had an "old-timey" feel, which makes sense as it was founded in the 1800s! The staff was lovely and the menu was large. This is where the good stuff ended. Going inside, it had a dingy feeling. I cannot say exactly what, but it felt "depression-era." Where it mattered, Purity failed. The ice cream did not taste good. Not bad, just not good. It tasted bland, as if infused with ice. My girlfriend reported the same for her dairy choice. Go for the history, but no need to come back. read more

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Mary B.

42

829

1213

5 years ago

What a great place to meet friends and eat the best food in the world, ice cream! I had chocolate bittersweet, another had dreamsickle and the others had various flavors that I cannot remember, nor did Zi remember to take a photo until we all ate our ice cream. What does that tell you about the place? Delicious ice cream available here! I noticed the owners wish to retire and sell their place, so looking for a business? Or stop by and enjoy ice cream! read more

Purity Ice Cream - This is the place! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Lauren M.

0

5

2

1 year ago

So many options, milkshakes were delicious. Would definitely go back again. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great ambiance[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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Andres D.

25

420

570

5 years ago

Awesome local spot for excellent ice cream and other treats! The place is pretty big and has a cute diner energy (there's also some diner food available in the back). Service was super nice. The servings are large and the ice cream is very high quality. Highly recommend! read more

Purity Ice Cream - Storefront - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - Blondie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Olivia M.

36

161

424

5 years ago

Whenever we are in Ithaca, we always try and grab a new flavor here! Every time I go I am never disappointed. Their ice cream is very creamy and extremely flavorful. They are THE place for ice cream in Ithaca and the lines out the door on a hot summer day definitely prove that! We even brought our dog who got to try some of the Matcha ice cream. He definitely gave his paw stamp of approval on this one! read more

Purity Ice Cream - Matcha Ice Cream for a great pup! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Jack W.

412

181

891

7 years ago

Third time coming here in person. Finally giving this place a review after a good experience today. Ice cream: Yum, they have so many different kinds of flavors. I was surprised to see vegan options since I'm somewhat lactose-intolerant, so decided to give the French Vanilla a try. Service: Fantastic. I remember not having a great experience the first time, but this time, the ice cream wasn't dripping. The lady who gave me the ice cream was extremely kind. Despite the long lines, ordering and getting the ice cream did not take long. Price: Great prices. I got the junior scoop on a regular come and the portion size was huge. I think they have amazing prices for the portion sizes. Ambiance: It's not the best, but the atmosphere is nice. Inside is fairly clean and the decorations are a good addition. I really like this place for ice cream. It's definitely a little bit far from Collegetown, but I highly recommend it if you're in Ithaca. It is overhyped, but it's well-deserved for the wide diversity of flavors, fantastic service, and prices. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Vegan French Vanilla - Junior Scoop - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Arthur P.

670

30

42

5 years ago

I highly recommend the apple crisp sundae. It has everything you could ever ask for in a sundae: warm apple crisp, rich vanilla ice cream, caramel drip, 3 inches of whipped cream, and candied cherries on top. Surprisingly, the whole gooey package costs less than 6 dollars! Considering the fact that a single scoop of Van Leeuwen's will cost you the same amount, a Purity sundae is truly a steal. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Apple Crisp Sundae - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Jessica F.

139

264

190

5 years ago

I had such high hopes for this place after reading the reviews, but I don't understand what all the hype is about. Service is not friendly and the ice cream tastes like the value brand you get from the grocery store. Way overpriced for what you get. Giving two stars because the place is clean and menu is extensive. I also like that they are still requiring masks and had outdoor seating. read more

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Emily R.

0

29

5

3 years ago

There vegan ice cream is sooooo good! They were even able to accommodate my cousin who has nut allergies by preparing his ice cream in the back room from fresh containers instead of what was in the front. The only problem is that there is almost always a super long queue and then after you order you queue again to wait for pick up. I wish they had multiple locations. read more

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Patti W.

52

119

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5 years ago

Best chocolate brownie hot fudge sundae ever! She had the same thing only with chocolate ice cream. Yum Yum! read more

Purity Ice Cream - My aunt and I enjoying our afternoon in Ithica. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Pinky P.

37

249

174

4 years ago

Yum!!!!! This place was soooooo good! We got two custom milkshakes. Mine had coffee ice cream and Oreos and it was like a dream in a cup! Ice cream is fresh and you can tell the difference from store bought stuff in the first sip! read more

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Melanie C.

0

75

237

3 years ago

Disappointed today. "We pack very few quarts of Mint cup and Mocha chip now" but you can either (1 pay more for pints or (2) wait 15 minutes in line for me to pack it. read more

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Terry B.

Elite 25

320

195

130

5 years ago

This place makes zero attempt to accommodate people with food allergies. Besides the aggressive signs that basically say "if you have a nut allergy you shouldn't even enter the building", they also seem completely unaware of what is in their food. I have a soy allergy and asked if a particular sundae had any soy in it; they said "We're not really sure... and we can't guarantee no cross contamination." I asked if they knew the ingredients and they said they didn't, nor did they seem interested in finding out. Also for context, they weren't busy at the time - there were more employees in the building than customers, just standing there. So, I didn't get anything. No big deal - my wife said they weren't anything special anyway. Ps: "Purity" is a funny name where cross contamination is just the norm read more

Purity Ice Cream - If you have any food allergies, beware - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Cassie C.

128

339

585

5 years ago

Oh my goodness, a must stop if you're in Ithaca! Grabbed a few scoops and a root beer float for my family and I. Everything was great from the friendly and quick service to the various flavors offered. The root beer float was made with Ithaca's brand of soda and it was refreshing on a warm day. My dogs give their vanilla cone four paws. read more

Purity Ice Cream - My corgi, Alfie, enjoying some plain vanilla on a sugar cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - From left to right: root beer float, bulldog crunch, vanilla - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - My Great Pyrenees, Urso, enjoying a vanilla cone. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - Look at that vast menu! It was hard to pick what I wanted, but I definitely recommend their root beer floats! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Josh B.

Elite 26 All-Star

727

1860

9884

6 years ago

When I saw mint chip as the top Yelp mention, I felt like Travolta in Pulp Fiction, "you don't put bourbon in it or anything?" But it succeeds even without reinventing the genre. I opted for slightly more exotic fare in the other 2/3 of my triple scoop. Chai Chai Again was a knockout, earning the exclamation point on the menu. Meanwhile, the abundant cherries lent intriguing texture to the Boomberry. read more

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Alicia C.

834

1529

3646

6 years ago

Such great ice cream! Flavors rock! Loved my chocolate peanut butter and the vanilla with reese's. Sooooooo tasty! And the waffle cones are very fresh. Plenty of outdoor seating for you with COVID restrictions. read more

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Dana S.

Elite 26 All-Star

48

1234

2996

6 years ago

Lots of interesting ice cream flavours! I got their chai ice cream and was happy with the strong spiced flavour, and my waffle cone also had a nice taste and texture. The staff was helpful in describing the flavours for us so we could decide what to order and social distancing was well enforced inside. They have plenty of outdoor seating with cleaning rags and solution available, although it seemed like the some of the benches were a little close together. I'm guessing they don't have the ability to move them and are trying to accommodate as many parties as possible, but I would have felt more comfortable if every other bench was roped off. We were lucky to get a table on the far side of the building that was far from the main seating area. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Chai Chai Again - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Tina G.

392

129

237

4 years ago

I came with 3 of my friends during the weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ice cream. Surprisingly, it wasn't that busy on a Saturday. Although I would recommend to get a waffle cone instead of a regular cone as they give you a lot more ice cream in the waffle. read more

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Stephanie D.

139

380

482

4 years ago

There was a pretty long line here but it moved decently quickly to order but the wait time for our actual ice cream was longer than expected. I tried the boomberry which was raspberry with fruit. I liked this ice cream better than cayuga lake creamery. They also have sundaes and burgers and milkshakes but i didnt get to try any of those read more

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Ashok J.

50

1106

160

4 years ago

Yaay for ice cream. Purity had some good flavors. We sampled some and ended up buying a pint of bomberry. Excellent ice cream.

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LaDreena W.

61

432

852

6 years ago

It's pretty good, but just not better than Cornell dairy bar. The place was clean and there was clear instruction on keeping six feet apart. The chocolate chip cookie dough after dark tasted like there were mint chocolate chips in it; which was confusing and unpleasant. Also, the black cherry was just a bit too sweet for my liking. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Chocolate chip cookie dough after dark in the cup and a black cherry cone. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Debby C.

31

143

22

4 years ago

A really nice spot for a family outing. The grill menu was simple but effective, fresh ingredients in the burgers, soft buns and good portion sizing. We saved just enough room for the ice cream of my husbands childhood dreams: black raspberry, chocolate debris, salted caramel, vanilla and strawberry, all delicious. You can't visit Ithaca without coming here at least once, twice if you're lucky. read more

Purity Ice Cream - Burgers, fries and kids chicken nuggets - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Jessica F.

28

174

478

4 years ago

A must if you're in Ithaca! There are a plethora of great creameries in the area, but this is one of the gems. Their ice cream cakes are the best and we get them annually when we're in town for family gatherings. Love the raspberry truffle! read more

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Brenda K.

173

394

758

5 years ago

I hail from Rochester, but every time I'm in Ithaca, I am SURE to visit Purity Ice Cream. My most recent visit was YUMMY as always -- this time with scoops of Chocolate Debris and Bulldog Crunch. Yum-Yum-YUMMY! Wonderful to sit outside and enjoy inspirational signs made by local children, to lift spirits in this ongoing pandemic. A fantastic reward for hiking Buttermilk Falls. See ya at Purity! read more

Purity Ice Cream - Chocolate Debris on top of Bulldog Crunch - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - Great art inside - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Cory W.

3

231

335

3 years ago

I'm an out of towner...clearly this is the place to go for ice cream on a Friday night. From the time entering the doors to the time we received our ice cream it was about 35 minutes. The wait was well worth it! I got the Cookie Monster shake and it was creamy, chunky, and so good! read more

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Colette H.

Elite 26 All-Star

383

1474

14562

6 years ago

Love it here (even though last time I drove by it was closed)! Their ice cream is creamy and fresh. And their employees are friendly and helpful. I love their chocolate and coffee flavors. I wish they had more locations, because I love it here! read more

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Abeer A.

2

8

13

5 years ago

Purity is our favorite ice cream place in Ithaca! They have a lot varieties of flavors but the best of all is the CHOCOLATE flavor!!! It has a creamy distinct chocolate flavor that I absolutely love! Another thing I love at purity is their truffles they taste amazing! read more

Purity Ice Cream - Chocolate truffle - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Hanan M.

0

8

0

2 years ago

Many kind of ice creams. Many flavors. The service was very friendly and patient to explain the difference between the kinds of ice creams

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Stuart O.

27

269

672

4 years ago

Local ice cream shop in Ithaca. Lots of non dairy options for folks who are looking for that. Lots of coffee and chocolate options. Good ice cream but not 5 stars. Not as creamy as I like. Still delicious, just not 5 stars. read more

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Andy B.

Elite 22

371

482

4535

7 years ago

The home of the original ice cream sundae, Purity Ice Cream is a must-visit on any trip to Ithaca. It's a step back in time to the classic ice cream parlors of years past, offering up all sorts of delicious frozen desserts, from their classic sundaes and ice cream cakes to shakes and ice cream sodas... and, of course, some of the most delicious ice cream flavors around. The ice cream is made in small batches using the milk from some very contented upstate New York cows, giving the ice cream a great, creamy texture that's hard to find elsewhere. With over 30 flavors on offer, the choice was hard, but I settled in on a scoop each of the mint chocolate chip and the 'Chocolate Debris', chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate and fudge brownie pieces. The Chocolate Debris was thick, rich, and fudgy - a good choice for any chocoholic - and the mint chip was hands-down the best I've ever had, with a great texture and a perfect balance of flavors. The large seating area harks back to an earlier time (great for large groups), the staff is great, and the ice cream is as wonderful as ever. Why aren't you in your car yet? Don't miss this classic! read more

Purity Ice Cream - Mint Chip and Chocolate and Chocolate Debris - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Erica I.

155

203

322

5 years ago

A trip to Ithaca isn't complete without a trip to Purity. Bring your patience in the summer because the lines can be long, but the ice cream is worth it! There are so many options to choose from, everyone in your party will be pleased. It's a little expensive but worth it for an occasional treat! They also have a ton of baked goods, and ice cream goods (ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches etc) to go I've never gotten any but have always been tempted! Seating is a bit limited, especially with COVID, so you may want to assign a member of your party to be on seat-duty while you're waiting in line for ice cream! read more

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Will C.

0

6

3 years ago

The ice cream that was provided to me was in the form of a coffee special on a toasted waffle cone. I was quite delicious in the sense that it was very creamy and delectable. read more

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Jen E.

63

664

2037

5 years ago

This place was so good that we went twice during our weekend trip to Ithaca. I really loved the atmosphere, they serve all sorts of flavors of ice cream and sundaes etc, as well as baked goods. All the ice creams that we tried were really good. Also got the half moon cookie which was delicious and the chocolate brownie with peanut butter frosting was amazing, so fudgy and delicious! I highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is really fun, very clean and bright, and there's lots of room to enjoy your ice cream both inside and outside. Service was also fantastic. Definitely go get some ice cream or whatever sweet treat you're in the mood for! read more

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Christy C.

14

96

6

3 years ago

Was there this weekend and got the homemade banana ice cream - which had a note next to it that it is small batch. It tasted like nothing. Like they hit the nail right on the head with nothing flavored ice cream. I also had black cherry which was nothing special at all. Wouldn't rush back here. read more

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Elise K.

0

1

0

4 years ago

I ordered the apple crisp Sunday...had nothing related to apple in it at all. Very very disappointing for $7 Not going back read more

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Elizabeth W.

56

91

388

5 years ago

Very nice ice cream. I wanted the salted caramel but they were out of it. They offered an alternative which was NOT made by them??? Why would you do that?? So I opted instead for the Apple Crisp Sunday with vanilla ice cream. It was so good it left me wondering just how amazing that salted caramel would have been... read more

Purity Ice Cream - Banana Split - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Alyssa R.

723

1203

3504

9 years ago

It seems like any new place I visit, especially in the summertime, warrants a trip to an ice cream shop. So I couldn't possibly leave Ithaca without visiting their crazy popular Purity Ice Cream shop. This place looks like any other as your driving down the road. They've got a parking lot and picnic tables out front... but inside is nonstop ice cream action set in this modern version of a diner or malt shop. We fell into line and looked over the menu... b/c I couldn't decide between two flavors yours truly got two scoops, and let me tell you - two scoops is a lot of ice cream at Purity.... First up was a scoop of Chocolate Peanut Butter - different than most cpb's I've had at other ice cream shops. I'm used to a chocolate ice cream that looks like chocolate, this version is light, I thought they gave me the wrong scoop before I took a bite and got that chocolate peanut butter combo. I missed having that rich chocolate flavor but there was plenty of peanut butter throughout. Second scoop: Goose Tracks - similar to the Moose Tracks of the world... vanilla ice cream w/ fudgy swirls and peanut butter cups. Another good one with plenty of swirls and pb cups. Two scoops + a milkshake were just under $10 and [as hinted to previously] very filling. 3 stars for my first visit b/c I didn't love the chocolate peanut butter... and when Hubs ordered his milkshake they asked if he wanted vanilla syrup AND vanilla ice cream. Why do you need the syrup if you're using the ice cream? That seemed strange to me.. . read more

Purity Ice Cream - two scoops w/ a sugar cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Purity Ice Cream - from the patio out front looking in... - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Page 3 of 12

700 Cascadilla St
Ithaca, NY 14850
Directions
(607) 272-1545
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.purityicecream.com/

Full menu

Hours

What time does Purity Ice Cream open?

Purity Ice Cream opens at 7:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Purity Ice Cream close?

Purity Ice Cream closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Purity Ice Cream take credit cards?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Purity Ice Cream have catering options?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream does have catering options.

Does Purity Ice Cream have a drive thru?

No, Purity Ice Cream does not have a drive thru.

Does Purity Ice Cream have a happy hour?

No, Purity Ice Cream does not have a happy hour.

Does Purity Ice Cream serve alcohol?

No, Purity Ice Cream does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Purity Ice Cream allow dogs?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream allows dogs.

Does Purity Ice Cream have TVs?

No, Purity Ice Cream does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Purity Ice Cream have bike parking?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream has bike parking.

Does Purity Ice Cream have outdoor seating?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream has outdoor seating options.

Does Purity Ice Cream have parking?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Purity Ice Cream wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream is wheelchair accessible.

Does Purity Ice Cream have free WiFi?

Yes, Purity Ice Cream has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Purity makes homemade ice cream, vegan ice cream, sweet treats from our bakery, and a fun all day kitchen menu!

History

Established in 1936.

OUR STORY Known as "The Ice Cream of the Finger Lakes", Purity has been providing original recipe, small batch ice cream to Central New York for generations. Purity Ice Cream, the Pride of the Finger Lakes, was first produced in 1936 when Leo Guentert opened his shop on Ithaca's First Street. Leo, born in Germany, graduated from Cornell, then worked for Nestle´ and the old Ithaca Ice Cream Co., prior to setting out on his own. His granddaughter, Margo Klose, also a Cornell grad, took over the reins upon Leo's death at the age of 96. In 1998, Bruce and Heather Lane bought Purity with an eye towards revitalizing this Finger Lakes icon. We still use Leo's original recipes. Ice Cream the way it used to be made! In small batches. With local, high quality ingredients, including BGH-free milk from upstate NY farms. In 2021, Kevin bought Purity to keep the staple of Ithaca alive! We have invested in building up a food menu and bakery to create the Purity Experience for the next generation

Meet the Business Owner: Kevin S.

When I was growing up, my parents would bring me every weekend to Purity. It was our family tradition to get our favorite ice creams: Bittersweet! As I grew older, my love for ice cream and that shop never wavered, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the shop with my children creating new memories. My desire is to build the same fond family traditions I grew up with for the next generation! We strive to deliver good back to our community through our Non-Profit flavor of the month and monthly donations to children's charities!

More Info

Health Score

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Sweet Melissa's Ice Cream Shop

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!

Vanilla soft serve (small cone; sprinkles on the side), blueberry w/ Oreos hard ice cream (one scoop)

Black raspberry kid cone

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Cornell Dairy Bar

Came here for ice cream and oh my gosh was it delicious! So creamy and a large portion size too…read more In addition to ice cream by the scoop, there are also full coolers of ice cream and other desserts to go, as well as apparel and other fun things. The students were friendly too, and there were plenty of tables that were clean too. I'd love to come back here again the next time I'm in town.

This place has a soft space in my heart, so that might skew my review. As an alum, I spent too much…read moretime here during my undergrad days. After not being there for a while, this was legitimately my first stop on campus when visiting. Went straight from the airport and got some scoops. Even on days when the temperature dipped below zero, I found myself wanting ice cream from Dairy Bar when I was a student. Years later, I'm happy to say that the flavors were still as good as I hoped. There are times when nostalgia can carry or elevate a memory of something, and luckily, nostalgia aside, I very much enjoyed my ice cream here. Pro tip for those who might not know: they serve limited flavors of the same Cornell-made ice cream in dining halls. They also serve it during the buffets at Statler Hotel. I love the different flavors, and would eat it at any time of day.

Beebe Black Raspberry, French Vanilla, Dragon Day Mint Cookies & Cream

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Interior

Dennis' Homemade Ice Cream

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.

Speaking from the farmers market experience…read more... The lemonade is incredible! Fresh squeezed lemons are always used, and I love that the strawberry lemonade is made with a fresh purée.

Small coconut cup, and a small lemon ginger snap cone! Delish

Mandarin chocolate

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Cold Stone Creamery

4.0

(7 reviews)

1.0 mi

We walked in and they were currently helping another customer. The store was very clean. The…read morecounters were organized. Everything seemed very presentable. We did not get the usual, "Welcome to Cold Stone," greeting we normally get from straddling at other Cold Stone stores. We were next in line. After the customer left, they stayed at the cash register and talked for a bit. Which seemed a bit odd to me since we were waiting. Usually, in other establishments, the staff is very attentive and is eager to handle the next customer. Or if we came in as a group, they tag team to get us all completed in a timely fashion and work on the next. This is not what happened. When she finally came to us, we started our order. I was paying attention to how she kept herself, what she did before and after the handling of our ice cream. As she was finishing the mixes in the ice cream, I immediately noticed something different. In all the locations I have been to, this one was different. She leveled our ice cream with the cup it was in. I made this face. I thought it was odd and possibly thought she was going to bug the rest of it in but she didn't. She actually took a bit away in order to level the top of it. When she gave us our order, the ice cream was pouring over the side after she leveled it. She didn't bother to wipe it. I absolutely love cold stone. I know this is a new store and customer service is important. I do hope this is something they are not taught. Ice cream was delicious but I gave it three stars for this above. Hope next time for a five star review.

Love this local cold stone! The staff is always friendly and fast! Its a smaller shop but there is…read morestill plenty of seating with a bar top along the back wall to add more seating. Its a good location with plenty of parking. And of course the ice cream is always great!! The staff are very knowledgeable of each special on the menu!

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Byrne Dairy

2.8

(12 reviews)

1.3 mi

Excuse me, Byrne Dairy... WHAT IS THIS MASTERPIECE?!…read moreI stopped in expecting a quick sandwich and instead got a full architectural achievement. The staff is super friendly (all of them), the vibe is great, and the food is absurdly good. It's so nice to find a place where people actually care about what they're doing. Instant favorite.

Overall, Byrne is a solid spot to stop for a sweet treat when on the road. I would return. I got…read moretheir swirl soft serve which was creamy and the perfect pickmeup. They are also very generous with portion size (I ordered a small which was more than enough).

Swirl soft serve

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Cayuga Lake Creamery at The Dewitt Mall

(33 reviews)

0.6 mi

Literally stumbled across this place in the search for ice cream during a mini vacation. The most…read moreincredible selection of flavors, all able to be tasted! Several vegan options, which was much appreciated. Dewitt Mall is a small little place and this shop absolutely increases the charm. Fun decor, along with outdoor and indoor seating. The long line moved fast, and the employees were quick to fill order while being very friendly and accommodating lots of questions. Truly a hidden gem!

To finish off a good lunch or dinner, stop by Cayuga Lake Creamery for a scoop or two of their…read moredelicious ice cream. My favorite is the Sea Salt Caramel -- but they'll let you taste a few flavors if you're undecided. The staff is so great.

Seneca Salt Caramel and Cherry Jubilee ice cream in a fancy waffle cone

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Menu

Scoops

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.

My girlfriend had been here before with her family and really wanted to come back and I totally get…read morewhy. It's a charming little roadside ice cream spot with that classic small-town feel and a solid variety of flavors. We got Lemon Chillo and Toasted Coconut, both creamy, flavorful, and perfect for a summer treat. The kiddo scoop was just $4, which felt like a steal for the quality. Heads up: it's cash only, so come prepared! Simple, affordable, and sweet in every way - this place is 100% worth a stop if you're nearby.

Menu

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Dryden Creamery

4.9

(9 reviews)

10.9 mi

Dryden Creamery is a cute little ice cream place with the whole kawaii thing going on. You got your…read moreusual ice cream shop stuff, but your options also include boba, pork buns, and cute emoji pillows. I didn't try any of the food because apparently my exciting ice cream order as a boring old adult is now just a vanilla malt milkshake, but it hit the spot! The best part is that they give you a boba straw with your milkshake. This should be required everywhere. Tiny milkshake straws are a crime against...milkshakes. If you brought your dog, they also have a walk-up window and pup cups for your pup. It's hard to screw up a vanilla malt milkshake, but the unique concept, friendly atmosphere, and nice people working there easily earned five stars. I was only visiting Dryden, but this place deserved a quick shoutout!

Had a rough day and wanted to treat myself. Super cute inside and fabulous staff. I'm not a huge…read morehard ice cream lover, but the dark chocolate raspberry truffle was devine. I will return soon to try the bubble tea, more my speed.

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Jason's Grocery & Deli

Jason's Grocery & Deli is our go-to late-night spot, especially when the froyo cravings hit. We…read morelike running like crackheads to this place for their delicious frozen yogurts. The original flavor is hands down the best! The toppings selection is great too, with a good variety to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for something fruity or a little bit of everything, they've got you covered. We love loading up with fresh strawberries, popping boba, and a sprinkle of colorful candies--just like in the picture! Despite seeming expensive, it's actually not that bad price-wise. It's a sweet deal for a sweet treat (who knew indulgence could be so affordable?). Interestingly, despite being a grocery store, many people don't come here for groceries (there are simply better options out there). Instead, they flock here for the froyo. Its alt name is the "froyo spot," and for good reason. If you're in the area late at night and looking for a froyo fix, Jason's Grocery & Deli is definitely the place to be. It's become a bit of a tradition for us, and we're never disappointed! (Plus, the late-night runs are always an adventure.)

Come here for the froyo and maybe an Arizona can. I do not recommend you come here for anything…read moreelse. If you do not like froyo, knock off two stars. The pricing on the stuff here is not great, and sometimes some of it is expired.

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Smart yogurt!

Shtayburne Farm

Delicious ice cream and cheese. A ton of variety for everyone, with great views. Would definitely…read morerecommend trying

Such a fun experience!…read more So many fun flavors of icecream and different cheeses! Not to mention the adorable cows!! We tried the flight of 8-- 5 icecreams and 3 cheeses. For icecream we tasted the purple cow, peach cobbler, cookies and cream, black cherry chocolate, and the coffee heath crunch. My favorite was the coffee flavor- unlike other coffee icecreams I've had, this coffee had a much more robust and richer flavor profile. I liked cookies and cram-- always a classic. The cherry flavor was a tad too artificial for my liking. Purple cow was fine- very similar to the Cornell Dairy flavor- both are good though! I liked the peach cobbler flavor though wish there were more of the mix-ins. For cheeses, we tasted the butter garlic cheddar curds, the signature Summit Cheddar, and the plain quark. The garlic cheddar curds were so good, I took a bag home with me! Summit cheddar had a nice nutty flavor, not too 'sharp' though. The quark was interesting... it had a rather mild flavor and interesting texture (similar to boursin). I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I also took home a bag of the tomato basil cheese curds which I didn't like as much as the garlic ones. The tomato ones had a very subtle flavor-- too subtle. There was a line when we got there though it moves relatively quickly and is definitely worth the wait! Overall, I had so much fun picking out so many icecreams and cheeses to taste as well as seeing the cows! I would highly recommend Shtayburne Farm!

Cheese and ice cream flight.

Cheese and ice cream flight

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Cornell Dairy Bar

Came here for ice cream and oh my gosh was it delicious! So creamy and a large portion size too…read more In addition to ice cream by the scoop, there are also full coolers of ice cream and other desserts to go, as well as apparel and other fun things. The students were friendly too, and there were plenty of tables that were clean too. I'd love to come back here again the next time I'm in town.

This place has a soft space in my heart, so that might skew my review. As an alum, I spent too much…read moretime here during my undergrad days. After not being there for a while, this was legitimately my first stop on campus when visiting. Went straight from the airport and got some scoops. Even on days when the temperature dipped below zero, I found myself wanting ice cream from Dairy Bar when I was a student. Years later, I'm happy to say that the flavors were still as good as I hoped. There are times when nostalgia can carry or elevate a memory of something, and luckily, nostalgia aside, I very much enjoyed my ice cream here. Pro tip for those who might not know: they serve limited flavors of the same Cornell-made ice cream in dining halls. They also serve it during the buffets at Statler Hotel. I love the different flavors, and would eat it at any time of day.

Beebe Black Raspberry, French Vanilla, Dragon Day Mint Cookies & Cream

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Interior

Sweet Melissa's Ice Cream Shop

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!

Vanilla soft serve (small cone; sprinkles on the side), blueberry w/ Oreos hard ice cream (one scoop)

Black raspberry kid cone

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Spicy Asian

Food so good nothing else matters. If you want the best vegetarian options for distinctively…read moredifferent dishes which all taste great, this is the place for delicious dining. I've posted pictures of the treats we had previously: Hot and Sour Soup, Seaweed Salad, Shredded Potatoes with Sour Spicy Sauce, Kung Po Tofu, Sizzling Japanese Tofu, Sauteed Dried String Beans, and brown rice. We ate here a year ago when we last visited Ithaca, and this was the place I was so happy to return to for dinner tonight. We couldn't be more pleased with the wonderful dinner we had. Tonight the three of us had: vegetable soup with tofu Vegan by request: Szechuan style "hot numbing" vegetables stir-fried hot pot minus meats and added tofu Vegan shredded potatoes with sour spicy sauce Vegan seaweed salad Vegetarian Singapore rice noodle with tofu instead of meat (can be made vegan upon request by omitting egg) Vegan brown rice

All was the worst experience in my life! I could go on and on and tell you but I'll save u the bad…read moreexperience. And end with this no fortune cookie Added insult to injury. Everything the food and service was totally off the day we went in! I do not recommend and wished I asked for a refund

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The Yellow Deli

We stopped here passing through on a trip, and we loved the atmosphere! The interior details and…read moreconnection with nature were lovely and unique. We had a wonderful lunch experience and friendly service. Would stop here again!

I've been told this place was a cult by some friends but never heard about what they did…read more I decided to try it, I went in and it was extremely unsettling. Our waiter seemed extremely creepy as well. All around bad vibes, don't go here!

Drinks and breakfast menu

Upstairs

Creamy tomato soup bowl

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Eta Pie

4.7

(102 reviews)

0.4 mi

"Creative and whimsical" pizzas…read more Eta Pie in Ithaca NY was recommended by friends for some of their fun recipes, so we got several to-go for our contribution to a little gathering. We started off easy, with a Napoli red-sauce cheese pizza. It's made with the best San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil, generous fresh-tasting sliced mozzarella, and a tasty tangy an Italian cheese blend. The red sauce was a traditional flavorful slightly sweet, slightly garlicky tomato sauce. All on a tasty thick-edged bready crispy-crusted soft-inside crust. It was a delightfully better-than-it-has-to-be cheese pizza. We thought the Palo Alto BBQ chicken pizza would suit us: richly flavored sweet lightly smokey BBQ sauce, mozzarella & smoked gouda, grilled chicken, and red onions. It was basically a flatbread. It tasted good, but to quote a guest, "it wasn't pizza" :-). Maybe it was the gouda that pushed it to the fancier edge. We struck out on our own with an olive and sausage red-sauce pizza. This was our favorite, due to the sweet bright fennel, garlic, black-pepper sausage, which surely tasted freshly home-made. Eta Pie has creative recipes and ingredients. Cheeses can incluse Gorgonzola, provalone, feta, paneer, Swiss, and ricotta. Sauces and drizzles include blue cheese, ranch, garlic butter, honey, pineapple-habanero, crema, mornay, pesto, herbed crème fraiche, masala, Korean BBQ, and a spicy red-sauce. Toppings include steak, carnitas, Black Forest ham, fried chicken, shrimp, clams, scallops, smoked salmon, bacon, bulgogi, caramelized onions, vidalia onions, jalapeños, broccoli, fried eggplant, spinach, artichoke hearts, kimchee, and even peaches! Meet the Eta Pie philosophy: creative culinary seriousness. Choose thoughtfully, and you will find excellence on a crust :-)

The service was very poor and almost nonexistent, idk if the guy had a horrible breakup or what but…read moreI felt bad for him, no hi when we walked in, no 'can I help you' or 'can I take you order' nothing like that at all, he just stood there, we were the only ones in there too. Another guy walked in and he did the same thing to him and the guy said thank you and the worker said nothing. It was very strange. The pizza somehow only tastes like a tomato, the cheese on both the regular and vegan pizza had no taste, the crust too, it all definitely needed seasoning. The bathroom was sooooo nasty and the toilet had something on it that I won't even discuss on here, just use your imagination, maybe the guy was mad about that?

Order here

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Pizza box

Hakacha Restaurant

Food was amazing!! Service was awesome! Dway was a great waiter. Very polite, attentive. And very…read moreprofessional!!! Great experience for the third day in a row!!!

After an extensive eye exam, we wanted a place for a decent ethnic meal. My wife found this place,…read morewhich was relatively nearby. Conveniently located by a bookkeeping service and the Tompkins County DMV is a strip mall, parking was easy. It was early so only us and two other tables. The hostess/server was very nice. We ordered the spring rolls and pad Thai. They were good. This place is not fancy and has a very limited menu. The atmosphere is enhanced by many lights overhead strung across the ceiling. The price is definitely right. All in all, a good choice for an early meal.

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Gyoza

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Raspberry Rose Soda

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32 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Bran L.

3

80

8

3 years ago

Purity Ice Cream Company, once known for its delectable frozen treats and somewhat affordable prices, has left many consumers disappointed and disillusioned. One of the most glaring consequences of Purity Ice Cream Company's cost-cutting strategies is the noticeable decline in the quality of their products and quantity of. In an attempt to reduce expenses, the company has probably compromised on key ingredients, opting for lower-grade substitutes and artificial additives. This compromise has resulted in a discernible change in the taste, texture, and overall enjoyment of their ice cream. What was once a delightfully creamy and rich dessert has now become a lackluster and disappointing experience. read more

Steven L.

159

3

4

11 years ago

Purity is amazing. An abundant number of choices and options for pretty much any ice cream lover. I'm never disappointed when I come here! The lines can get long at times but ordering and pick up are pretty quick. I've also purchased some prepackaged items from the stand freezers which can be checked out at a different register which is super convenient. I've only really had the ice cream and cupcakes which are both wonderful. I've heard that their other options are also quite good. read more

Marlene S.

0

8

0

13 years ago

Went here at the suggestion of a client I was visiting while traveling on business. This place is all about ice cream and people rave about it apparently. I had the mint chip soy based ice cream because I'm lactose intolerant. It was surprisingly good! Would definitely go back next time I'm in the area for business. read more

JohnnDiane C.

0

16

0

10 years ago

YUMMY! And there's parking. This is the best ice cream and cakes in town. Maybe second only to Byrne Dairy Chocolate Peanut Butter but that's impossible to beat. Try the carrot cake! read more

Alexis M.

173

4

0

3 years ago

I love how the food is always cooked fresh, which sometimes may take a little longer but I'll wait for good quality. The local fried chicken sandwich and of course fresh cut fries read more

Kevin S.

0

3

0

3 years ago

Purity gets busy but it's always worth the wait. The food in the kitchen is fantastic. Great ice cream and food combined with old school tunes makes this a must stop in Ithaca. read more

Jenne B.

0

10

0

10 years ago

awesome selection of ice cream. employees are very friendly but slow. I had to wait almost 8 minutes to get service although there was only 5 people on line. wired car parking. read more

Xavier L.

7

2

0

11 years ago

Great place to go for hard ice cream, I've never been disappointed by quality of service or quality of their products.

J K.

7

131

88

7 years ago

What seemed like an eternity just for a muffin I wanted to grab and go. It was not like this before the renovation!

Kate G.

18

77

37

5 years ago

This place is amazing. Ice cream is delicious and worth the wait. Place is cute and service was wonderful.

Hamer G.

0

1

0

11 months ago

great ice cream and Gesten was great! Super good service. fantastic diversity of flavors too.

Fanum L.

1

12

0

5 years ago

Purity is a staple of the Ithaca area. You will never be disappointed if you go to Purity.

Alexis M.

0

1

0

2 years ago

My favorite was madigan mint! Delicious- I got fries and dipped them into the mint shake

Ahmed B.

95

35

14

4 years ago

Very good ice cream and friendly servers. Recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

Jesse M.

0

3

0

4 years ago

Came here with the kids to get some ice cream and was surprised by the quality.

Angela N.

Elite 9

107

291

7

19 years ago

Purity wants to be Fenton's, but it's not Fenton's. It's just ice cream.

Izzy R.

34

12

0

10 years ago

Always amazing ice cream. it's interesting watching this place develop!

Ronald M.

8

10

0

10 years ago

Great ice cream always crowded so there's always a wait but worth it

Kyra B.

0

7

0

11 years ago

Delicious as always, friendly staff, and lovely new interior!

Marguerite Z.

0

3

0

9 years ago

I really like their renovated space. Nice variety of flavors.

Purity Ice Cream - icecream - Updated August 2026

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Cayuga Lake Creamery

4.1

(148 reviews)

Delicious as always. Travel to their Interlaken location on the west side of Cayuga Lake. Admire…read morethe lazy bumblebees that mosy around prior to entering the building. The interior is the same as always, while the available flavors are unpredictable, but a taste makes everything right in the world. Their flavor menu has been updated to indicate which flavors contain gluten and which ones don't. They also now have a protocol for those with strict gluten allergies. This time it was spring, so they didn't have my favorite Jalepeno Popper this time around. But they did have Lavender. For the second and third scoops we got Pistachio, followed by Butter Pecan. As a reminder, they use 14 percent buttermilk, and their ice cream emphasizes FLAVOR over sugar. Despite the high fat content, their ice cream doesn't feel heavy while you're eating it. Take that as a warning, since you might feel it after you consume too much. The Lavender was fantastically floral. The Pistachio was like eating Pistachios. Each flavor is exactly as described. Previously, I had also gotten my coworkers ice cream from here several years prior. Hand-packed into pints, you'll need a serious amount of self-control to avoid finishing them in a single sitting. They've also opened up a location in DeWitt Mall on the Seneca Street side of the commons.

Right down the road from Fingerlakes Cider is a small shop with an outside window and pickup. A…read moredecent number of flavors available, and the portion sizes are decent, so even though a local told us the prices were a bit high, I found the price to portion size about right. I ordered pistachio, and there were a ton of pistachios in it, although it was green which to me means they put artificial colors in their ice cream, and it was a bit heavy for me. My friend got the peanut butter ripple flavor, and he said it was good. There were quite a few places to sit and enjoy the ice cream outside, including a shaded park.

Cayuga Lake Creamery at The Dewitt Mall

(33 reviews)

Literally stumbled across this place in the search for ice cream during a mini vacation. The most…read moreincredible selection of flavors, all able to be tasted! Several vegan options, which was much appreciated. Dewitt Mall is a small little place and this shop absolutely increases the charm. Fun decor, along with outdoor and indoor seating. The long line moved fast, and the employees were quick to fill order while being very friendly and accommodating lots of questions. Truly a hidden gem!

To finish off a good lunch or dinner, stop by Cayuga Lake Creamery for a scoop or two of their…read moredelicious ice cream. My favorite is the Sea Salt Caramel -- but they'll let you taste a few flavors if you're undecided. The staff is so great.

Ice Cream Bar

(25 reviews)

Yummy stop off the road for ice cream. Kids loved the little stop for a quick snack. We ordered…read morethe Oreo shake, a little too sweet for us. The dole whip reminded me of Disney and had to try it. Came as a swirl in strawberry and pineapple flavor. Pineapple is yummier than strawberry. We also tried different scoops, lemon sorbet and coffee. Service was excellent and fast.

Super cute ice cream place on the main road, right across from a local diner(also very cute!)…read more Family owned and operated, the pride of ownership is everywhere. Plenty of cute, clean seating. Lots of choices in addition to their soft serve; Purity ice cream, floats, slushies, and Dole Whip! They also serve snacks, and gluten free cones

Toad's Too Ice Cream Oasis

4.6

(31 reviews)

Cute hole-in-the-wall!…read more Closer to Cornell than the Frosty Cow! Lots of flavor options, but sad you can't get more than one flavor. I tried the custard and it was delicious! Not as eggy tasting as I expected... actually not eggy tasting at all. Still creamy and sweet. Large portions. Also tried the cotton candy hard icecream which was good but not my type of flavor. Make sure to check out the toad tire garden when you're here! A few benches in the garden for sitting too. Overall, I would recommend! Not quite as polished as the Frosty Cow, but it has its own Ithacan charm about it.

This little ice cream stand/shop is a hidden treasure! I thoroughly enjoyed, thank youread more

Super Cream Dairy Bar

(66 reviews)

Delicious ice cream, large portions and great prices! The coffee ice cream is outstanding. Served…read morewith a smile Clean tables. And, just down the road from Bobs BBQ.

We've stopped here several times and have always had a great experience! We love the long list of…read moreice cream flavors and enjoy the many picnic tables situated in the shade. The mozzarella sticks were delicious and the prices are great

The Frosty Cow

4.4

(22 reviews)

•$$

Great spot for soft serve, just a short drive away from Cornell!…read more I tried the red velvet soft serve and really enjoyed it. It didn't taste like red velvet cake at all... it just kind of tasted like vanilla, with a hint of chocolate maybe? Nonetheless, the color is fun and I liked it. A very cute spot for icecream. Quite a few picnic tables to sit at although only one is shaded so it can get pretty hot. There is also a drive through which is nice! Lots of flavor options! Overall, I would recommend!

I'd been wanting to check out Frosty Cow for a while and I finally got the chance to go with my…read moregirlfriend and a friend... except none of us actually ordered anything. And no, we didn't see any cows either. Strike one. The second time was more eventful. I went with a different group of friends, and this time we did get ice cream and see the cows. (Let me be clear: the cows are not part of the official Frosty Cow experience, but somehow, they're always part of the story.) They're just... there. Big, red-eyed, slightly intimidating cows, chilling nearby like unofficial mascots. We got lowkey scared at first, but of course, that didn't stop us from taking a ridiculous amount of photos. It's unpredictable, though; Another time we drove past, and the cows were nowhere to be found. So if you're planning your visit around cow sightings, maybe call ahead and ask, "Are the cows out tonight?" Totally normal question. As for the ice cream, it's definitely worth the hype. We got the Fruity Pebbles flavor, which was creamy and nostalgic in the best way. My girlfriend found it a little too milky for her taste, but I loved how rich and dairy-forward it was. The cereal bits gave that perfect crunchy finish. All in all, whether you're in it for the ice cream or just hoping for cows, Frosty Cow is a fun little stop worth checking out.

Dennis' Homemade Ice Cream

4.7

(19 reviews)

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.

Speaking from the farmers market experience…read more... The lemonade is incredible! Fresh squeezed lemons are always used, and I love that the strawberry lemonade is made with a fresh purée.

Cream At the Top

4.9

(13 reviews)

This is probably one of the better Ice Cream stands around Cayuga Lake. The frozen custard is…read moregreat, the portions are large, and all the picnic tables and trees surrounding parking lot provide plenty of places to sit comortably. It is a the middle of nowhere a bit, but worth driving a bit to get there.

Everything is Awesome! Go immediately! Fa ily friendly and…read morethe ice cream is great!!!

Trimmers Ice Cream

5.0

(17 reviews)

I'm sorry I don't have pictures but the ice cream is so good and so creamy and huge portions. This…read moreis now our go to place for ice cream when we're up here!!! The servers are so nice and friendly too.

Was recently visiting the Finger Lakes area and relatives recommended Trimmers - what a treat! The…read moreice cream is delicious and the portion sizes beyond anything I've encountered anywhere else. The 3 size scoops include toddler, one & two scoop, served in either cone or cup. The toddler size easily equals 2 scoops anywhere else. They even have a selection of dairy-free flavors.

Scoops

4.8

(13 reviews)