OHIO STATE - Ohio, known for its friendly Midwestern charm and diverse landscapes, also boasts a thriving ice cream scene. From long-established ice cream parlors serving up classic scoops to artisan creameries crafting creative flavors, Ohio offers a frozen treat for every taste.
Ohio's Sweet Surrender: A Guide to the State Best Ice Cream Parlors
Ohio isn't just the heart of it all—it is one of the undisputed ice cream capitals of the Midwest. Thanks to a rich agricultural history and over 1,400 working dairy farms, the state has cultivated an ice cream culture that ranges from 19th-century French pot parlors to modern artisan scoops.
Whether you are traveling the official Ohio Ice Cream Trail or simply looking for the best local treat, this guide highlights 7 of the absolute best ice cream parlors currently operating across the Buckeye State.
1. Toft Dairy Ice Cream Parlor (Sandusky)
Toft Dairy Ice Cream Parlor, operating out of Sandusky with multiple regional locations, is a beloved Ohio institution. As Ohio's oldest continually operating dairy company, it offers a true "farm-to-cone" experience that is hard to beat.
- Location: Sandusky, OH (and other locations)
- Why it's authoritative: Sourcing its milk from local farms, Toft's processes its own dairy on-site before churning it into massive, generous scoops.
- Highlights: Classic parlor atmosphere, family-friendly vibe, exceptionally large portions, and regional flavors like Lake Erie Cookie Island Monster.
2. Graeter's Ice Cream (Multiple Locations)
Graeter's Ice Cream is a Cincinnati-based powerhouse with a strong presence throughout Ohio. It remains the oldest continuously operating family-owned ice cream company in the country.
- Locations: Multiple locations across Ohio (Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and more)
- Why it's authoritative: They are famous for their traditional 19th-century French Pot process. Instead of pumping air into the ice cream, Graeter's churns it in small, two-gallon batches, creating an incredibly dense, premium texture.
- Highlights: Small-batch artisanal scoops, signature sundaes, and massive, hand-spaded chocolate chunks.
- Must-Try: Their legendary Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.
3. Aglamesis Bro's. (Cincinnati)
For a true step back in time, Aglamesis Bro's. It is a Cincinnati institution. Founded by brothers Thomas and Nicholas Aglamesis in 1908 originally in Norwood, this family-run parlor has been serving up handmade ice cream and candy for well over a century.
- Location: Cincinnati, OH (Oakley and Montgomery locations)
- Why it's authoritative: In 1913, they built and opened their Oakley Square location, which remains virtually unchanged today with its fancy dishware and twisted-wire parlor chairs.
- Highlights: Authentic old-fashioned charm, historic architecture, and premium handmade candies.
- Must-Try: Their famous opera creams and classic milkshakes.
4. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl (Zanesville)
Tom's Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville is a meticulously preserved slice of mid-century Americana. It is a long-established ice cream parlor offering a wide range of frozen treats and roasted nuts.
- Location: Zanesville, OH
- Why it's authoritative: Operating since the late 1940s, Tom's has maintained its original nostalgic atmosphere. The servers still wear traditional white button-downs and bow ties, offering a genuine historical dining experience.
- Highlights: A wide range of classic scoops and sundaes, freshly roasted nuts, and a deeply nostalgic diner atmosphere.
- Must-Try: The legendary Tin Roof Sundae.
5. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Multiple Locations)
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is a Columbus-based phenomenon that helped pioneer the modern artisan ice cream movement nationwide.
- Locations: Multiple locations across Ohio (Columbus, Chagrin Falls, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and more)
- Why it's authoritative: Founder Jeni Britton Bauer threw out the traditional ice cream playbook, eliminating synthetic flavorings in favor of whole ingredients, fair-trade vanilla, and grass-fed dairy.
- Highlights: A highly sophisticated, chef-driven ice cream experience featuring uniquely creative flavor profiles.
- Must-Try: Fan favorites like Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle.
6. Handel's Homemade Ice Cream (Youngstown)
Handel's started in 1945 when Alice Handel began serving ice cream out of her husband's Youngstown gas station, using fresh fruit from her own backyard.
- Locations: Headquartered in Youngstown with numerous franchised locations statewide.
- Why it's authoritative: Despite massive expansion, Handel's maintains its commitment to quality by making its ice cream fresh daily at every single location. It consistently ranks among the top ice cream franchises in the United States.
- Highlights: An extensive menu of traditional and modern flavors, all made in-house daily.
- Must-Try: "Graham Central Station" — Graham cracker ice cream layered with a graham cracker ripple and chocolate-covered crunchies.
7. Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream (Cleveland)
Founded by two brothers in 1999, Mitchell's takes the "farm-to-cone" philosophy to the next level in Northeast Ohio.
- Locations: Cleveland and the surrounding Northeast Ohio suburbs.
- Why it's authoritative: Mitchell's is deeply committed to sustainable agriculture and local sourcing. At their flagship shop in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood—housed in a refurbished theater—you can actually watch the ice cream being made from scratch through a massive glass wall.
- Highlights: Organic berries, fair-trade chocolate, locally sourced grass-fed dairy, and highly transparent production methods.
- Must-Try: Fresh Mint Chocolate Chunk.
Ohio's ice cream scene is a delightful mix of classic parlors, family-run businesses, and innovative creameries. Whether you're craving a generous scoop of a traditional flavor, a decadent sundae, or an adventurous new taste, Ohio's ice cream parlors offer something for everyone. So, grab a spoon and explore the sweet side of the Buckeye State!
