Top Ice Cream Shops in Akron, Ohio

The Summer Scoop with MDB

By Megan Delong-Borick, Everyday Akron team member

I love ice cream. So why not use that as an excuse to visit Akron area ice cream vendors all summer long? Check out my ratings for this year’s summer scoops from all over Akron! 🍦🍨

Chill Artisan Ice Cream

Tried: Twix ice cream — caramel ice cream with chocolate bits
Custard or Ice Cream: Ice cream
Soft or Hard Serve? Hard
Important to know: They have a set number of traditional flavors and a rotating list of creative, interesting flavors, plus vegan and non-dairy offerings. There are chocolate treats and candied nuts available as well.
What’s The Scoop? 3 out of 5 Scoops

Strickland’s

Tried: Reeses Pieces in a waffle cone
Custard or Ice Cream: Custard
Soft or Hard Serve: soft
Important to know: Multiple locations, new flavors every few days / calendar available online, nostalgic feel
What’s the Scoop? 4 out of 5 Scoops

Handel’s Ice Cream

Note from July 2025: Melanie and I popped by the grand opening of their new Fairlawn location (2935 West Market St.) and enjoyed some ice cream cones. I’m pretty sure this is the only Handel’s in the Akron area that has an inside store — which they showed off with fun ice cream cone-shaped balloon art to celebrate. We enjoyed our cones on the outdoor patio. A Handel’s is just what Fairlawn needed!

Tried: Megan got cinnamon roll; Melanie got coffee chocolate chip
Custard or Ice Cream: Ice Cream
Soft or Hard Serve? Hard
Pup Cups available? Yes
Important to know: Open year round, monthly special flavors, multiple locations, consistently good!
What’s the Scoop? 4 out of 5 Scoops

Biggins’ Big Dip

Tried: Biggins’ Big Dip, a vanilla/chocolate twist dipped in chocolate
Custard or Ice Cream: Custard
Soft or Hard Serve? both
Important to know: They have flavors of the day that are hard scoop, plus they always have vanilla, chocolate, and twist custard. They’re located right next to the Portage Lakes, known for their sundaes, and have big portions!
What’s The Scoop? 3.5 out of 5 Scoops

Stow Cone

Tried: Rold Gold sundae with peanut butter and pretzels on vanilla custard
Custard or Ice Cream: Custard
Soft or Hard Serve? Soft serve
Important to know: Not open all year round, also has food, small parking lot but good seating options.
What’s The Scoop? 4 out of 5 Scoops

Pav’s Creamery

Tried: S’mores Sundae — with chocolate ice cream, marshmallow and hot fudge, and graham crackers … It is not technically on the menu anymore, but so delicious!
Custard or Ice Cream: Both
Soft or Hard Serve? Both
Important to know: Multiple locations, fun partnerships with local artists, adult / alcoholic milkshake options
What’s The Scoop? 4 out of 5 Scoops

Sal’s Gelato

Tried: Espresso, pistachio and salted caramel
Custard or Ice Cream: Gelato
Soft or Hard Serve? Kind of both?
Important to know: Bold Italian flavors. They also sell coffee and treats. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, along with a Rubber City Clothing pop up inside.
What’s The Scoop? 5 out of 5 Scoops

This blog post was written by Megan Delong-Borick, a Middlebury neighbor and advocate. She enjoys bird watching, walking her dog, and finding new restaurants to enjoy with friends.