10 places to grab a scoop in Brooklyn on National Ice Cream Day — or any day

By Joshua Encinias

There is no shortage of ice cream in Brooklyn. From the classic spots like Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory to the new creations found at Caffe Panna, we all scream for it.

A little daunted by how to navigate it all in the midst of a brain-melting heatwave? We’ve selected 10 spots to visit this Sunday, July 21, for National Ice Cream Day — as officially designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 — and none of them will disappoint.

Ample Hills
You can still find three Ample Hills locations across Brooklyn (Prospect Heights, Industry City, and Prospect Heights: The Social). The one-time behemoth may be a bit smaller these days, but their flavors are no less delectable. Their new offerings are just as tasty, like the Oatmeal Lace, which features brown butter cinnamon sugar ice cream and housemade oatmeal lace cookies. Various locations and addresses are in the link above.

Brix Haus Ice Cream Shop
With three locations (in Park Slope, Williamsburg and Prospect Lefferts Gardens), the Brix Haus Ice Cream Shop is among the more reliable and accessible in Brooklyn. Their ice cream is a unique combination of American and Italian styles, so grab a cone or a pint to go and don’t forget a “pooch scoop” for your good boy or girl. Various locations and addresses are linked above.

Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain
If you’re looking for some old tried-and-true scoopage, you can’t do better than the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. Pop in on Sunday for a decadent hot fudge sundae or a few scoops of your favorite flavors. And if you ask, they’ll even give you a soda jerk paper cap for your kid (or your inner child). 513 Henry Street.

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory alleges that ice cream is the new health food. If you believe that, then may I interest you in buying the Brooklyn Bridge? You can’t beat their classic scoops in a cone, cup, or float. Scoop up some fresh ice milk at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and spend National Ice Cream Day with a walk in the park. It sounds nice right about now. 14 Old Fulton Street.

Caffe Panna
Hallie Meyer has just opened her new Roman-style “cafe-bar-gelateria” Caffe Panna outpost at Norman and Banker in Greenpoint. Definitely try her beloved scoops, pints, sundaes, affogatos and granitas, but if you see their sungold soft serve sundae on the menu, run, don’t walk: it’s a mountain of rich “fior di panna” ice cream dappled with sweet tomatoes and topped with basil, olive oil, and sea salt. 16 Norman Avenue.

Harlem Shake
You don’t have to trek uptown for Harlem Shake any more — their Brooklyn location is just five streets away from Barclays Center. Shake is in the name, and on Sunday, you’ll receive $2 off all shakes, any size (average shake prices are $6 to $13). You can’t beat their Peanut Butter Shake! Grab one and thank us later. 119 5th Avenue.

Malai
Pooja Bavishi launched Malai in 2015 to bring the traditions and flavors of her childhood in India to Brooklyn. The first thing you’ll notice in your first bite of her kulfi is it’s denser and creamier than most ice cream. That’s because it doesn’t have the eggs or preservatives you find in most American ice cream. Try out flavors ranging from Agate Candy and Saffron to Lemon Cardamom, Pumpkin Garam Masala Crumble and Masala Chai at their Cobble Hill location. 268 Smith Street.

Morgenstern’s x Russ & Daughters
You have until the end of summer to try Morgenstern and Russ & Daughter’s ice cream collab. Luckily, Morgenstern’s has a huge counter-service spot at the Brooklyn Navy Yard so you have no excuse to miss it. The “sesame bagel ice cream sandwich” is a chewy sesame cookie filled with tangy cream cheese ice cream. The “five-layer halvah bar” is a decadent vegan delight, with halvah ice cream surrounded by dark chocolate. And the “chocolate babka ice cream pop” uses Russ & Daughter’s legendary pastry to excellent effect. Snatch yours for $8 each on Sunday. 63 Flushing Avenue.

Sugar Hill Creamery
If crowds are your thing, then head over to Sugar Hill Creamery at Time Out Market on Sunday where they’ll be giving out free scoops of Free Organic Valley and Sugar Hill Creamery ice cream from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You won’t regret a fresh scoop of this Harlem mainstay’s ice cream. 55 Water Street.

Thick Ice Cream
Longtime local Adriane Stewart opened Thick Ice Cream last year to bring some joy to her neighborhood at the Williamsburg Houses on Graham Avenue. With everything made on-site, you can choose from a rotating selection of flavors (but we highly recommend Pecan Caramel-fried Cornbread if it’s in stock). Pick yours up from the freezer up front in pre-scooped cups, hand-packed pints, or ice cream sandwiches. 206 Graham Avenue, just north of Scholes Street.