Edgewater’s newish dessert destination Banana Cream Ice Cream launched in late 2021 with a plethora of sugary treats. Stop in the lime green-painted space for indulgent milkshakes, banana splits, doughnut ice cream sandwiches, hot cinnamon waffle rolls, and more.

Decadent, rich custard powers Lickity Split’s sundaes and concretes, and the signature banana splits are sure to brighten anyone’s day. The shop has an additional outpost in West Ridge; in addition to custard, both sell a selection of unusual candy and other sugary treats.

This Chicago Transit Authority-system themed scoop shop offers something for everyone, from dairy and vegan ice cream to specialty waffle cones (plain and ube) to crepes, sundaes, and banana splits. There’s also a shimmery replica CTA train for an extra serving of fun.

This Lincoln Park establishment is one of the few places in Chicago that serve this unique Japanese dessert that’s shaped like a fish. Customers start by choosing a filling (red bean, Nutella, or peanut butter) for their taiyaki cakes. Soft serve ice cream and toppings are then added in to complete the hot-and-cold, Instagram-friendly delights.

Dana Salls Cree, the former pastry chef of the Publican, joined forces with Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits owner Michael Ciapciak to open this charming Logan Square shop in 2018.

Instead of cones, Pretty Cool’s lineup consists mainly of ice cream bars on sticks. Items range from custard bars and vegan ice pops to icicle pie pops dipped in graham cracker shells. A second location is expected to open in Lincoln Park this summer.

Take a trip back in time at this vintage ice cream stand. The Freeze, formerly known as Tastee-Freez, has been dishing out nostalgic desserts since the ‘50s. Snag dipped soft serve cones, sundaes, malts, milkshakes, and more from the walk-up window.

There are plenty of fun, colorful ice creams found around Chicago, but the menu items at Eli’s Ark are arguably the cutest of the bunch. A mom-and-pop gelato shop that opened in 2018, Eli’s squee-worthy scoops are shaped like animals — think, pigs with pink marshmallow snouts and pandas with miniature Oreo ears.

Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream parlor arrived in 2021 in West Town. Vaca’s Creamery features soft serve, sundaes, and milkshakes made without dairy. Guests can top their orders with extras like confetti cookie dough, Mexican cinnamon cookie crumble, and toasted marshmallows. Egg-free waffle cones are also available.

Instagram-famous dessert spot BomboBar, the walk-up window in the West Loop outside Bar Siena, has revamped its facade and menu, but still features a dozen varieties of gelato and gelato shakes alongside bomboloni — traditional hole-less Italian doughnuts — in six flavors including peanut butter and jelly, cookies and cream, and lemon pistachio. In an Earth-friendly move, the team has ditched the plastic mini squeeze bottles of filling that used come with the bomboloni, and cut back on the over-the-top decorations and garnishes.

There's an obsession in preserving childhood for adults, and Cone does this with Irish-inspired creations. The “Banshee” sundae features ice cream covered in Lucky Charms. It’s magically delicious.

Get ready for cones in surprising colors, edible gold or silver leaves, boba ice cream bars, melon pan buns stuffed with ice cream, and soft serve flavors like taro at Japanese-style spot Kurimu in Little Italy. There’s a second location open in Wicker Park, and a suburban outpost coming in June to Schaumburg.

This Chinatown spot was among the first in Chicago to offer Thai ice cream. Workers roll the ice cream by hand in front of customers and finish it off with mix-ins such as fresh fruits, Oreos, and chocolate chip cookies.

Waffles are ice cream's best friend, and Scoops knows this. Its waffle cones and bowls are made in house and come in a number of different flavors. The candy toppings are top-notch as well.

Rainbow Cone fans will come find anyone who says anything negative about their favorite iconic treat. For more than nine decades, the South Side institution has been stacking up colorful slices of orange sherbet, chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries), and pistachio ice creams. It’s a must-try for locals and visitors alike. Additional outposts can be found at Navy Pier, Lombard, Darien, and, in a truly historic recent move, Skokie, the first-ever Rainbow Cone location north of downtown.

Located in Pullman, Richard’s produces quality flavors by the pint. Enjoy intriguing options like banana pudding, peach cobbler, pineapple vodka, sweet potato pie, Key lime pie, and more. The ice creams are also available in sundaes.