MAINE - If you're looking for an ice cream parlor in Maine, you've come to the right place. You've probably heard of Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream in Bar Harbor, Red's Dairy Freeze in South Portland, Gorgeous Gelato in Portland, and Beal's Ice Cream in Gorham. However, if you're looking for something unique, check out these local favorites!
Best Ice Cream in Maine: From Homemade Delights to Classic Cones, Your Ultimate Guide
Maine, renowned for its rocky coastline, lighthouses, and lobster, also boasts a vibrant ice cream scene. From homemade ice cream made with local ingredients to classic soft serve and gelato, the Pine Tree State offers a frozen treat for every taste. This article guides you to some of the best ice cream spots across Maine.
Maine's Ice Cream Hotspots:
1. Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream (Bar Harbor): Gourmet Scoops and Seasonal Flavors
Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream, with a location in downtown Bar Harbor, is a gourmet ice cream shop known for its wide selection of flavors and its use of local ingredients. Beyond classic scoops, they offer seasonal flavors, waffle cones, sugar cones, milkshakes, floats, and sundaes. They even serve hot chocolate, making it a year-round treat destination. The owners hope to incorporate music into the shop, adding to the overall experience.
- Location: Bar Harbor, ME
- Highlights: Gourmet ice cream, local ingredients, seasonal flavors, waffle cones, sugar cones, milkshakes, floats, sundaes, hot chocolate, downtown Bar Harbor
2. Red's Dairy Freeze (South Portland): A 70-Year-Old Institution with a Secret Menu
Red's Dairy Freeze in South Portland is a true Maine institution, serving up frozen treats for 70 years. This long-standing ice cream shop offers a wide variety of options, from a simple vanilla cone to a decadent banana split. Don't miss their secret menu item, the Boston Shake (a milkshake with a sundae on top!).
- Location: South Portland, ME
- Highlights: 70-year-old institution, wide variety of frozen treats, secret menu item (Boston Shake), classic ice cream shop, vanilla cones, banana splits
3. Gorgeous Gelato (Portland): Authentic Italian Gelato and More
Gorgeous Gelato in Portland brings a taste of Italy to Maine. This shop offers homemade scoops of authentic gelato, alongside other desserts, coffee, and even Italian hot chocolate. They feature classic flavors like hazelnut, dark chocolate, and caramel, as well as rotating seasonal flavors. They are committed to using hand-picked ingredients, avoiding artificial sweeteners, colors, and GMOs. They also offer vegan gelato options.
- Location: 77 Water Street, Portland, ME
- Highlights: Homemade gelato, authentic Italian, coffee, Italian hot chocolate, hazelnut, dark chocolate, caramel, seasonal flavors, vegan options, hand-picked ingredients
4. Beal's Ice Cream (Gorham & Multiple Locations): Over 50 Flavors to Choose From
Beal's Ice Cream, with a location in Gorham and three others around Maine, is a popular choice for its vast selection of flavors – over 50 different flavors! Their logo is bright and colorful, and the ice cream is known for its rich and creamy texture.
- Location: Gorham, ME (and three other locations)
- Highlights: Over 50 flavors, rich and creamy ice cream, bright and colorful logo, multiple locations, wide variety
5. Houlton Farms Dairy Bar (Houlton): Classic Milkshakes and Customizable Treats
Houlton Farms Dairy Bar, beyond its classic milkshakes, offers a variety of ice cream options. You can choose from plain, sugar, or waffle cones, and they have three sherbet varieties and many flavors of soft-serve ice cream. Customers can even customize their drinks with toppings like sprinkles or dip tops.
- Location: Houlton, ME
- Highlights: Classic milkshakes, variety of ice cream, plain, sugar, and waffle cones, sherbet, soft-serve, customizable toppings, sprinkles, dip tops
Maine's ice cream scene is a delicious blend of classic roadside stands, artisan creameries, and unique flavor experiences. Whether you're seeking a traditional cone, a decadent sundae, or a taste of Italy with authentic gelato, Maine has the perfect scoop waiting for you. So, explore these and other local favorites and discover your own sweet spot in the Pine Tree State!