Best Ice Cream & Gelato Shops in Bloomfield, West Orange & Montclair NJ

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19 and if you're living in (or considering a move to) Essex County, you're in luck. Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair each have standout spots for ice cream, gelato, and frozen treats that go well beyond the chain scoop shop. Whether you're a lifelong local or still mapping out your new neighborhood, these are the places worth knowing about.

One of the things I love about these three towns is how each one has its own personality and that extends to their food scenes. Here's a look at the best ice cream and gelato spots across Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair that are worth a visit, especially this time of year.

Bloomfield

Holsten's Ice Cream, Chocolate & Restaurant

Holsten's Ice Cream, Chocolate & Restaurant isn't just an ice cream shop it's a Bloomfield institution. Open since 1939, Holsten's is a classic old-fashioned soda fountain and confectionery on Broad Street with over 20 homemade ice cream flavors, handmade chocolates, and a full diner menu (the onion rings are legendary). If the name rings a bell, it's because Holsten's was the filming location for the final scene of HBO's The Sopranos. The vintage 1950s-style atmosphere is still intact, and it's the kind of place where families have been coming for generations.

Location: 1063 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Known for: Homemade ice cream, chocolates, classic diner food, Sopranos history
Link: holstens.com

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard on Broad Street is a go-to for a quick frozen treat in the heart of Bloomfield's downtown. Rita's serves Italian ice, frozen custard, and blended custard treats a nice alternative to traditional ice cream, especially on the hottest days. It's a popular stop after a stroll through the downtown area or after catching a summer concert on the Town Green.

Location: 1066 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Known for: Italian ice, frozen custard, blended treats
Link: ritasice.com

23 Skiddoo Gelato

23 Skiddoo Gelato at 27 Carteret Street is the newest frozen treat spot in downtown Bloomfield, and it's already become a regular stop for me. The same team behind 23 Skiddoo Cafe expanded into the space next door to serve up small-batch gelato with rotating flavors like Pistachio (my personal favorite), seasonal fruit sorbets, and creative weekly specials. The vibe is warm and welcoming, exactly the kind of family-run neighborhood spot that makes Bloomfield's downtown feel like a real community. I stop in whenever I'm showing homes in the area or just grabbing a treat after a walk downtown.

Location: 27 Carteret St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Known for: Small-batch gelato, rotating flavors, family-owned, connected to 23 Skiddoo Cafe
Link: 23skiddoogelato.square.site

🍊 West Orange

Guerriero Gelato & Cakes

Guerriero Gelato & Cakes has earned a reputation as one of the best gelato shops in the state it's been named "Best Gelato in the USA" and "Best Ice Cream in Essex County" by multiple publications. The shop at 476 Pleasant Valley Way offers premium gelato and hard ice cream with creative flavors you won't find anywhere else, including Samoa Cookie, Banana Pudding, Biscotti Crunch, Cannoli Cream, and even a Taylor Ham ice cream. They also make homemade ice cream cakes that are perfect for summer birthdays and celebrations.

Location: 476 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
Hours: Mon–Thu 3–10 PM, Fri 3–10:30 PM, Sat 1–10:30 PM, Sun 1–9 PM
Known for: Award-winning gelato, creative flavors, homemade ice cream cakes
Link: guerrierogelato.com

Montclair

Applegate Farm

Applegate Farm at 616 Grove Street is a Montclair staple a simple, old-fashioned ice cream shop that's been serving scoops to locals for years. There's no frills here, just solid ice cream in a no-nonsense setting that feels like a neighborhood throwback. It's the kind of place you walk to on a warm evening after dinner, grab a cone, and end up running into half your neighbors. If you're exploring Upper Montclair or the Grove Street area, it's an easy stop.

Location: 616 Grove St, Montclair, NJ 07043
Known for: Classic scoops, neighborhood atmosphere, walkability
Link: applegatefarm.com

Absolute Zero Ice Cream

Absolute Zero Ice Cream on Bloomfield Avenue specializes in made-to-order rolled ice cream a fun, interactive experience where they mix your chosen ingredients on a subzero pan and scrape them into perfect rolls right in front of you. Unlimited toppings are included in the price, and you can customize your cup with fruit, cookies, cereal, and more. It's especially popular with kids and teens, but honestly, the finished product is genuinely delicious regardless of age. A standard cup runs about $7–$8.50.

Location: 410 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
Known for: Made-to-order rolled ice cream, customizable flavors, unlimited toppings
Link: absolutezeroicecream.com

il laboratorio del gelato

il laboratorio del gelato on Valley Road in Upper Montclair is for the serious gelato lover. This small-batch artisan gelato shop makes everything in-house with quality ingredients and unusual, sophisticated flavors. It's a step above your typical ice cream stop the kind of place where you taste three samples before committing and somehow leave with two scoops you've never tried before. Lines can form on warm evenings, which tells you something. Open daily from noon to 10 PM.

Location: 598 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ 07043
Hours: Noon–10 PM daily
Known for: Small-batch artisan gelato, unique flavors, made in-house
Link: laboratoriodelgelato.com

Benvenuti Montclair

Benvenuti Montclair at 20 Church Street brings a taste of Italy to downtown Montclair with artisanal gelato, Lavazza coffee, and traditional Italian pastries. It's a grab-and-go spot with a focused menu think espresso and gelato on a weekday afternoon, or a pastry and coffee before browsing the shops along Church Street. It's a nice complement to Montclair's walkable downtown and fits right in with the town's foodie culture.

Location: 20 Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Known for: Italian gelato, Lavazza coffee, traditional pastries
Link: benvenutimontclair.com

Why do local ice cream shops matter when choosing a town?

This might seem like a small thing, but the local food scene tells you a lot about a community. Towns with independent ice cream shops, gelaterias, and family-run spots tend to have active downtowns, engaged residents, and the kind of neighborhood character that makes daily life feel richer. Bloomfield's Broad Street, West Orange's Pleasant Valley corridor, and Montclair's multiple downtown districts each have their own food identity and ice cream shops are often the gathering spots where community life actually happens.

If you're comparing towns and trying to figure out which one feels right, I always say: spend a Saturday afternoon there. Walk the downtown, grab an ice cream, and see how it feels. That's the kind of thing no listing sheet can capture but it's often what tells you where you belong.

If you're thinking about a move to Essex County and want to get a real feel for what daily life looks like in Bloomfield, West Orange, or Montclair, I'd love to help you explore. Every situation is different, and I want you to feel informed and comfortable with whatever you decide.

Talk soon,
Sorelle