Best Ice Cream Shops in Boston?

[jeff29992001]

i hrd that ice cream is a tradition in boston in both hot, and cold weather. in sleet and ice, how good is business? lines out the door, over 10 ppl per hour?

and where are the best ice cream shops located in boston, and cambridge areas? (other areas welcome).

[theclash]

J.P. Licks ----Center St. Jamaica Plain and Newbury st near Mass Ave

Toscanini's-----Cental Sq. and Harvard Sq Cambridge

Christina's -----Inman Sq Cambridge

[Verjuice]

Is Christina's the place with all of the deliciously unusual flavors, like chamomile and black licorice?

[VivreManger]

I still like in Herrel's: Harvard Square and Brighton (on Brighton Ave. near Pho Pasteur)

[alithea]

Christina's is the best! They have 30+ flavors at a time, carrot cake and cardamom and a great champagne sorbet. I also like Herrell's, already mentioned, and JP Licks, Coolidge Corner, Brookline.

Has anyone tried Athan's gelato in Brookline, Washington Sq. area? It is also supposed to be great.

[Sheri-FB]

Adding a vote, and soft spot, for Herrells - that's where we got engaged one lovely February afternoon. And yes, there were people there at that time of year but not a large crowd (they closed off the bank vault for us)

Edited January 16, 2004 by Sheri-FB (log)

[essvee]

Herrell's, Herrell's, ah say, Herrell's. Best. Ice cream. Ever. Especially the chocolate pudding, lemon mousse, and malted vanilla.

I miss me some Herrell's. Snif.

[ludja]

Any good gelato places in the North End?

[bigwino]

Another vote for Christina's. I went there after feasting at East Coast Grill the other night. I had Mexican Chocolate (Chocolate with spices and just a touch of chile) and mocha madness (I think that's the name - lots of chocolatey stuff in mocha ice cream). Both were delicious.

[Moopheus]

Oh, why choose? Tosci's, Christina's and Herrell's are all great ice cream. My preference was usually for Tosci's. JP Licks and Emack & Bolios also good, though not as rich and tasty in my opinion as the top three. If you're willing to take a drive Bart's in Amherst and Northampton is great; Herrell's is out there also.

Sadly, living in New York now I am deprived; here in the city there isn't anything of that quality, or at least not that I've found yet. There were a couple of good places here in Brooklyn that have closed. Boo hooo hooo.

[Kouign Aman]

Any changes, or do the quadrivirate of

Toscaninis

Herrell's

JP Licks &

Christina's still stand as the best in town?

[ejw50]

another vote for Christina's from me. Herrell's is also great.

To me, JP Lick's is a little less expensive and they give you more, but not quite as good (to me).

Tosci's closed for a while because the owners didn't pay taxes. After a "save tosci's" fundraising campaign, it reopened.

[LindaK]

Any good gelato places in the North End?

Gelateria on Hanover Street, with a couple of dozen flavors (haven't been for a while, I presume it's still there). Some of the nearby pastry shops sell a limited selection.

I would add Emack and Bolio's, which is a NYC import., But the ice cream is good anyway (!), and I esp. love their smoothies.

Don't forget the local chain, Friendly's. I don't think there is one in Boston proper, but they are scattered around the nearby 'burbs. As a kid, their black raspberry and maple walnut flavors were my favorites.

[Chantilly Bob]

Any good gelato places in the North End?

Gelateria on Hanover Street, with a couple of dozen flavors (haven't been for a while, I presume it's still there). Some of the nearby pastry shops sell a limited selection.

I would add Emack and Bolio's, which is a NYC import., But the ice cream is good anyway (!), and I esp. love their smoothies.

Don't forget the local chain, Friendly's. I don't think there is one in Boston proper, but they are scattered around the nearby 'burbs. As a kid, their black raspberry and maple walnut flavors were my favorites.

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Right after Fenway Park among things I miss about living in Boston is the ice cream. I was always a big Toscanini's fan. Mandarin Chocolate smothered in hot fudge. Sob.

One comment: Emack and Bolio's is most definitely native to Boston. Allegedly the unusual name came from two clients of one of the founders (a lawyer). NYC has enough stuff to claim, don't give it one of Boston's better ice cream parlors too!