When the temperature climbs in Morris County, there is really only one correct move: find the nearest scoop. The good news is that this corner of New Jersey is loaded with homemade ice cream shops, the kind where the flavors are churned on site and the line out the door is half the fun. Skip the chains. Here are the best local ice cream shops across Morris County, NJ, with where to find them and what to order.
Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, Ledgewood
A Ledgewood institution since 1975, Cliff’s is the one almost everyone names first. Founded by former Roxbury teacher Cliff Freund, the shop runs more than 70 flavors between its soft serve and hand-dipped hard ice cream, including local favorites like Morris County Mud, Graham Central Station, and Holy Cannoli. The picnic area out back has been hosting families for nearly five decades, and the shop is open year round, seven days a week.
Address: 1475 US Highway 46, Ledgewood, NJ 07852
Denville Dairy, Denville
A true Morris County institution, Denville Dairy has been scooping homemade ice cream in downtown Denville for more than half a century. The shop hand-packs its own pints, builds custom ice cream cakes, and stocks deep-cut flavors like Coffee Oreo, Vanilla Peanut Butter, and Maple Walnut, plus a wildly popular American Pie made with real strawberries and blueberries. Expect a line in the summer, take a number, and trust that the wait is part of the experience.
Address: 34A Broadway, Denville, NJ 07834
Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor, Chester
Scooping since 1956, Taylor’s is one of the oldest ice cream shops in Morris County, set inside the historic 1876 Centennial building on Main Street in downtown Chester. The parlor pours 48 flavors of homemade hard ice cream plus soft serve, gelato, frozen yogurt, and vegan and no-sugar options. Black raspberry and cherry vanilla are local favorites. Pair a scoop with a walk through Chester’s downtown shops and you have a full afternoon.
Address: 18 Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
Beenie’s Ice Cream, Morristown
Open since 2017 and named after the owner’s family dog, Beenie’s is one of the most creative ice cream shops in New Jersey. It leans into bold flavors like Midnight Snack, Honey Lavender, and Jelly Donut with Sprinkles, and backs them with a full dairy-free and vegan section, a strong gluten-free lineup with a dedicated scoop, and a signature ice cream taco that has its own following. Closed Mondays, with extended summer hours from May through Labor Day.
Address: 38 Morris Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
South Street Creamery, Morristown
Family-owned since 1999 and a short walk from the Morristown Green, South Street Creamery makes everything in-house: 26 ice creams and 8 gelatos rotating at any given time, plus sorbets, coconut soft serve for vegan customers, and sugar-free options. Flavors like Jockey Hollow and Grandma’s Kitchen keep regulars rotating in year-round, and the connected cafe serves crepes, waffles, and more.
Address: 146-148 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Curly’s of Boonton, Boonton
In downtown Boonton, Curly’s makes its own hard ice cream and soft serve daily and hand-presses its waffle cones. Butter pecan, maple walnut, and pistachio get name-checked in reviews, the ice cream sandwiches and Flying Saucers are local staples, and the custom cakes are a go-to for Boonton birthday parties. With gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free, and vegan options on the board, it is one of the more allergy-friendly shops in the county.
Address: 121 Monroe Street, Boonton, NJ 07005
Mendham Creamery, Mendham
After nearly 20 years without a dedicated ice cream shop, Mendham Creamery brought premium homemade ice cream back to Mendham Borough. Tucked on Hilltop Road in the heart of downtown, it serves both hard and soft ice cream, shakes, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, chipwiches, and DIY sundae kits for at-home family nights. Creative flavors like Oatmeal Cookie Craving sit right next to the classics.
Address: 2A Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
The Jefferson Dairy, Lake Hopatcong
Family owned since 1969, The Jefferson Dairy on Route 15 South in Lake Hopatcong makes its ice cream fresh daily and even offers non-dairy options. It is an easy stop after a day on the water.
Super Scoops, Parsippany
Over on Parsippany Road, Super Scoops is the homemade neighborhood parlor Parsippany leans on all summer, with a long list of flavors at friendly prices.
However you spend your summer, an ice cream run is the easy win. Pair it with a morning stop at one of our favorite local coffee shops in Morris County, or earn that scoop first on one of the best hiking trails in Morris County.
