Hello, let’s take a look at some top spots around New York City for delicious Italian ice. As it gets hot outside, you might want something sweet, icy, and classic New York to help cool off. Read on as I suggest places I enjoy for Italian ice across the boroughs.
Italian ice has a long history in New York City’s Italian American culture. These shaved ice treats mixed with fruit syrup likely came from the granitas of Sicily and southern Italy. When many Italians immigrated here in the early 1900s, they brought recipes for lemony granitas and ices.
The refreshing, inexpensive desserts soon become popular in Italian neighborhoods and festivals. Over time, Italian ice shops opened all over, serving nostalgic flavors that reminded newcomers of home. Even with more gelato shops now, classic Italian ice remains a New York City summer staple.
Real Italian ice falls between granular shaved ice and smooth sorbet. Tiny ice grains hold sweet fruit syrups swirled throughout a lightly frozen base. Longtime Italian ice sellers use quality ingredients like fresh lemons, ripe berries, and imported nuts and cocoa.
The flavors balance tart and sweet. Popular choices include lemon, chocolate, cherry, rainbow cookie, and pistachio. Some shops have melon, spumoni with nuts, or fruit salad. The lighter texture lets concentrated flavors shine through each icy bite or slurp from a cup.
For many native New Yorker’s, eating Italian ice on a hot day brings back fond childhood memories. Licking drips off paper cups, getting chocolate mustaches – little joys like those stay with us for decades also Italian ice in NYC.
Yet enjoying Italian ice also unites New Yorker’s and visitors in the moment, chilling us out on hot days. When you want that classic summer treat, try spots from our list of the city’s best for refreshing, iconic Italian ice.
Lemon Ice King of Corona
Address : 52-02 108th St, Corona, NY 11368, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours: 11 am–10 pm
With over 60 years crafting Italian ices, Lemon Ice King of Corona perfected fruity flavors bursting with fresh lemon, berry, and other natural tastes. Favorites like signature Lemon Ice, Fruit Cocktail with chunky berries, and Blackberry with whole juicy seeds transport your tastebuds.
Part of the fun is finding those sweet fruit bits! Each icy spoonful balances tart and sugary notes dancing on your tongue. Beyond classics, rotating specials allow you to discover new chunky flavor combos. Lemon Ice King earned numerous awards over its long history for skillfully balancing these flavors.
With over six decades delighting locals and devoted regulars across generations, Lemon Ice King clearly has the winning formula. Watching neighborhood folks play spirited bocce ball across the street while kids laugh and lick drips makes for a classic New York experience. Enjoy the nostalgia along with your summery icy cup.
Many grab Lemon Ice King’s takeout on their commute home from nearby Citi Field or events. Continuing traditions, families savor fruity chill and smiles on trips back across the boroughs. The sweetness brings a sense of NYC history.
Famous Ben’s Pizza
Address : 177 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours: 11 am–12 am
At Famous Ben’s Pizza, Italian ice fame stands beside their revered NY-style pizza slices. Though initially surprising, the pairing makes perfect sense. After all, what better way to balance spicy, melted cheese than a sweet icy dessert? Perhaps Famous Ben’s built ice renown fulfilling endless requests from sweltering pizza patrons seeking cold relief.
We can picture the scene decades back that created this perfect pairing – crowds flocking for Ben’s steaming slices and knots begging for something freezing to balance the heat. Before air conditioning, did Ben take pity and share his personal lemon ice stash? We’ll never know the secret origin, but clearly word spread!
Pasticceria Rocco
Address : 243 Bleecker St #4438, New York, NY 10014, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
With over 40 years perfecting recipes, Pasticceria Rocco represents legacy and authenticity. The Rocco family brought their time-honored techniques from Italy, preserving tradition while encouraging creativity. Alongside classics like lemon, chocolate and cherry, you may find pistachio, spumoni swirled with nuts, or unique cremalata cream ice.
Part of the fun is the daily rotation – regulars stop by eager to see what fruity or nutty options might await each day like kids excited for surprise treats. For a taste of Italy without the flight, Pasticceria Rocco’s cozy shop and welcoming staff provide an immersive experience.
According to owner Rocco, real New Yorker’s forego spoons for Italian ice. Following local style, use your hands to lift dripping, icy mounds straight to your mouth. Let bright flavors burst across your tongue, with icy grains dancing with sweet syrup. Now you’ll feel transported to Southern Italy through this authentic food memory. Enjoy!
More Details
| Names | Address | Working Hours | Maps |
| Andy’s Italian Ices NYC & Ice Cream | 5819 Maspeth Ave, Queens, NY 11378, United States | 10 am-12 am | Link |
| Isabella’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream | 5501 69th St, Flushing, NY 11378, United States | 1:30–8 pm | Link |
| Ralph’s Italian Ices | 64 Veronica Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873, United States | 10 am-12 am | Link |
| FIGO il Gelato Italiano | 178 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012, United States | 1 pm–12 am | Link |
| Amorino Gelato – New York Greenwich Village | 60 University Pl, New York, NY 10003, United States | Wednesday, 11 am–11 pm | Link |
Conclusion
As steamy New York City summer days return, so does the craving for that perfect icy Italian ice confection. A few luscious bites bring refreshment and nostalgia. Maybe you’ll rediscover a beloved childhood shop or stumble upon a new go-to. We hope our guide allows you to explore the city while cooling off with this classic New York treat.
Now make your own summer memories over icy cups with dripping rivulets catching laughter and joyful screams. See you next year when the Italian ice craving calls once more! Until then, stay cool, New York!
- The Lemon Ice King of Corona has perfected Italian ice over 60+ years using fresh, quality ingredients
- Their signature Lemon Ice bursts with tart and sweet flavors in every spoonful
- Enjoy classics like Fruit Cocktail or Blackberry, studded with real fruit chunks
- Famous Ben’s Pizza surprisingly also serves renowned Italian ice
- The sweet and icy dessert perfectly balances their hot, spicy pizza
- Pasticceria Rocco brings 40+ years of authentic Italian ice tradition from Italy
- Try special flavors like pistachio, spumoni, and creamy cremalata
- Visit different shops to taste an array of fruity and nutty Italian ice
- Create fond summer memories over these iconic icy New York treats