The Best Ice Cream & Frozen Treats in the Western Suburbs

Summer has officially landed in the Western Suburbs, and there's no better way to beat the heat than with a scoop (or three) of something cold and delicious. From handmade gelato to old-school ice cream parlors, our area is packed with spots that turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet little outing. Here's where to find the best frozen treats from Phoenixville to West Chester to Malvern this season.

D'Ascenzo's Gelato — West Chester

Travel + Leisure once named this cozy West Chester shop the best ice cream in all of Pennsylvania, and locals will tell you that's no exaggeration. D'Ascenzo's makes its gelato by hand in small, rotating batches, so the flavor case is always a little different — which is exactly why regulars keep coming back to see what's new. It's the kind of low-key, family-run spot that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto a neighborhood secret.

Zwahlen's Ice Cream & Chocolate Co. — Audubon

Tucked near Valley Forge National Park on Shannondell Boulevard in Audubon, Zwahlen's is a find. Everything is made by hand in the store — premium store-made ice cream alongside European-style chocolates that owner Melanie learned to craft at chocolate school in Montreal. The daily special flavor alone is worth the trip, and the handmade chocolate selection makes it a great stop for a gift too. Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Capri Homemade Italian Ice — Wayne

If you haven't been to Capri on Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, you're missing one of the area's true summer traditions. This beloved shop has been serving its handmade Italian water ice using family recipes passed down for generations — and after 25-plus years, it's still the real deal. Alongside the classic water ice, they offer soft serve and hand-crafted gelati. Flavors rotate seasonally with customer favorites always available. Weekday hours are 3–9 p.m. and weekends 1–9 p.m.

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream — Downingtown & Berwyn

A regional favorite with a reputation built over decades, Handel's brings their homemade ice cream tradition to the western suburbs. Known for generous scoops and a rotating lineup of creative flavors made fresh in-store, it's the kind of place that draws a line on a summer evening — and the line is always worth it.

Scoops 'N' Smiles — Malvern & West Chester

A favorite for families, Scoops 'N' Smiles serves up Dutch Farm ice cream the traditional way, with about 20 flavors rotating through the case on any given day. Expect crowd-pleasers like chocolate brownie, blueberry swirl, and the unmistakably Philly classic, tandy cake. With locations in both Malvern and West Chester, it's a great stop after a Little League game, a hike, or just because it's hot out and someone in the car is whining for ice cream (no judgment — we've all been there).

Brown's Cow — Phoenixville

This Phoenixville institution has been scooping up Bassett's Ice Cream — a Philadelphia-area staple since 1861 — for years, and the lineup of roughly 40 flavors means there's always something new to try. Raspberry truffle, moose tracks, and pomegranate blueberry chunk are fan favorites, but keep an eye out for the rotating seasonal flavors too. It's a classic stop on any Phoenixville evening out, especially after grabbing dinner along Bridge Street.

Kilwins — West Chester

Right on the corner of Market and Church Streets in downtown West Chester, Kilwins brings its nationwide reputation for handmade ice cream, fudge, and chocolates to a charming small-town setting. The smell of waffle cones being made fresh in the window alone is worth the stop, and it's a perfect way to cap off an afternoon of shopping or a date night downtown.

Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm — Chester Springs

For a true farm-to-cone experience, head out to Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm, where the ice cream is made right on site using milk from the farm's own dairy herd. Each flavor is even named after one of the cows — a fun detail that makes this a memorable stop for kids and adults alike. Grab a cone, then take a stroll around the farm to meet the herd before you head home.

Gemelli Artisanal Gelato — Phoenixville & West Chester

Gemelli has earned national recognition — including a James Beard Foundation nod for Best Gelato — and it's easy to see why once you taste it. Made fresh in small batches with farm-sourced ingredients, the gelato here leans into bold, grown-up flavors like raspberry-chocolate, blueberry-mascarpone, and tiramisu, alongside classics for the kids. With locations in both downtown Phoenixville and West Chester, it's an easy stop whether you're out for a stroll on Bridge Street or wandering Gay Street after dinner.

Make It a Sweet Summer

Whether you're after artisanal gelato worthy of a James Beard nod or a classic waffle cone piled high with Bassett's, the Western Suburbs have you covered all season long. Pair a scoop with one of our favorite local hangouts for the perfect summer evening — a walk through downtown West Chester, a sunset at a local park, or a stop after dinner at one of the rooftop bars we've covered before (the adults can have their fun too).

Did we miss your favorite ice cream spot? Let us know in the comments or drop us a note — we're always looking for the next great scoop to try.