Looking for the best scoops, sundaes, and soft serve around Belmar, New Jersey? Whether you're a long-time local or a summertime visitor, these seven Jersey Shore ice cream spots are sure to satisfy your creamy cravings.
From traditional ice cream parlors to artisanal gelato, fro-yo, and Italian ice shops, Belmar and its surrounding towns have something sweet for all tastes and ages — even pup cups! Let’s dive into seven of the best ice cream shops near Belmar that will have you coming back for more. (Listed in random order.)
1. Del Ponte's Café & Creamery
602 Main Street
Bradley Beach, New Jersey 07720
What Makes It Special: Handcrafted gelato and ice cream, plus a selection of yummy pastries and desserts from the nearby Del Ponte’s Bakery.
If you're in the mood for Italian-style gelato or small-batch sorbet, head to Del Ponte’s Creamery in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. With a rotating selection of 24 flavors and 23 toppings and drizzles, your taste buds will dazzle with delight. Some of my favorite flavors are tiramisu, peanut butter cup, cannoli, and mint chip.
For a lighter treat, choose a scoop or two from the spinning sorbet wheel. You’ll also find a small selection of freshly baked bread pudding, brownies, cupcakes, and other decadent desserts from Del Ponte’s Bakery next door. A freezer case near the door also offers pints and quarts to take home.Del Ponte’s is probably my most favorite of all those on this list.
RELATED: Places We Love – Del Ponte’s Bakery
2. Hoffman's Ice Cream Shop
569 Church Street
Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey 07762
What Makes It Special: Homemade, hand-scooped ice cream with a nostalgic vibe.
Hoffman’s Ice Cream has been a beloved Jersey Shore landmark since 1976. Located just a short drive from our beach house rental in Belmar, this old-fashioned ice cream parlor is known for its rich, homemade flavors.
Whether you're into classic choices like chocolate and vanilla or something more adventurous like Salty Shipwreck, Strawberry Bon Bon, or Jersey Monkey (banana with peanut butter and chocolate chunks), Hoffman's draws huge daily crowds for good reason.
The generous portions and family-friendly atmosphere make it a must-visit for ice cream lovers of any age. “Take home the very best” is their motto, and you literally can take home their delicious ice cream cakes, ice cream pies, and ice cream sandwiches from a self-serve freezer case.
Sugar-free and vegan ice cream is also available, and you can even buy pumpkin ice cream candles with a Hoffman’s label, locally sourced from Surf’s Up Candle in Belmar.
3. Strollo's Italian Ice
500 Main Street
Belmar, New Jersey 07719
What Makes It Special: Italian ice meets soft-serve ice cream in a tasty twist!
Located across from Klein’s Seafood Restaurant in Belmar, New Jersey, Strollo’s is a local favorite for a refreshing scoop of Italian ice. With refreshing flavors like lemon, cherry, and mango, this smooth, creamy treat is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Also popular is the Strollo’s twist — combining Italian ice with soft-serve ice cream, creating a unique and tasty experience. Whether you grab a cone or a cup after your beach day or while strolling the downtown, Strollo’s is a must-try during your vacation in Belmar.
4. Lola's European Café
539 Cookman Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
What Makes It Special: European-style gelato, sorbet, boozy milkshakes, and dessert martinis.
For a chic dessert experience, head to Lola’s European Café in Asbury Park. Situated on the trendy Cookman Avenue, Lola’s serves up handcrafted gelato and silky sorbet in a relaxed vibe with indoor and outdoor seating, great for people watching in downtown Asbury. For a sophisticated indulgence, try a grasshopper martini or a boozy cookies and cream milkshake. Lola’s in Asbury Park is open year-round.
5. Beach Plum Ice Cream Parlor
420 Main Street
Bradley Beach, New Jersey 07720
What Makes It Special: Homemade, small-batch ice cream, family favorite.
Beach Plum Ice Cream in Bradley Beach, New Jersey, is a local ice cream parlor that families flock to in the summer. Choose from nearly 40 traditional and creative flavors, including fan favorites like banana cream pie, black raspberry, and strawberry cheesecake.
With a laid-back atmosphere and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cone or sundae after a day of fun in the sun. Beach Plum also serves milkshakes, flying saucers, sundaes, banana splits, soft serve, vegan options, and ice cream cakes.
6. Belle’s Ice Cream Shop
300 Morris Avenue
Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762
What Makes It Special: Ice cream is freshly made twice a week, customers rave about the high butterfat content, which makes for a luxurious texture. Non-dairy options are available, too.
Family-owned and operated in the heart of downtown Spring Lake, New Jersey. Serving premium, hand-scooped ice cream, ice cream pies, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, cold brew coffee, Italian ice, sundaes, and cyclones. Order online for pickup, or have your treats delivered via DoorDash or Grubhub. This is a seasonal summer business.
7. Coney Waffle
803 Ocean Avenue and 801 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, New Jersey
The original Coney Waffle ice cream shop opened along Belmar’s Ocean Avenue in 2016. A second location in downtown Belmar, Coney Waffle Ice Cream Cakery, opened more recently at 801 Belmar Plaza (next to Beach Haus Brewery). Coney Waffle is most well-known for its signature waffle cone shaped like a hot dog roll and filled with cannoli ice cream. The other claim to fame at Coney Waffle are the super-sized ice cream creations that you customize with candies, toppings, and drizzles.
Coney Waffle currently has five locations in New Jersey (two in Belmar, one on the Asbury Park boardwalk, Red Bank, and Long Branch). The franchise also recently expanded into Brooklyn, New York, at its namesake Coney Island location, where the owner's grandmother used to sell ice cream on the boardwalk in the 1940s.
Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog, a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com.
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