Best Ice Cream and Frozen Treats in the Milwaukee North Shore

Ice Cream at Fitzy's cafe in Whitefish Bay

Fitzy's Cafe
424 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay

Nstled in Whitefish Bay’s historic Fitzgerald Pharmacy, Fitzy’s Cafe blends vintage charm with modern flavors, offering a fresh take on the classic soda fountain experience. Craving an affogato? We pair rich espresso with creamy ice cream for a decadent treat. But ice cream isn’t the only reason to visit. Fitzy’s serves finer craft coffees from Midwest’s best artisan roasters, seasonal blends and unexpected specialty drinks. House-made, locally sourced and organic foods are at the forefront of our chef-curated menu. The seasonal menu highlights savory and sweet breakfast creations, French pastries and approachable bistro fare for the best in neighborhood dining. Step inside, grab a scoop, and experience the magic of a classic soda fountain reimagined!

Purple Door Ice Cream
6300 W Mequon Road at Spur 16

Super-premium, homemade ice cream using local ingredients. Purple Door creates a quality, delicious product while supporting the community and respecting the earth. A multitude of flavors and signature "ice cream flights" available at our retail shop and ice cream pints and sandwiches sold in Milwaukee grocery stores.

Dairy Queen
245 East Hampton Rd

Open since 1953, Diary Queen on Hampton Ave has operated as one of the oldest continuously running Dairy Queen franchises in the Milwaukee area — and now it’s been recently updated and renovated! Unlike modern soft-serve-focused Dairy Queen locations, BayDQ maintains a “Treat”-style menu that emphasizes hand-dipped classics like Buster Bars and Dilly Bars, alongside custom-blended ice cream cakes and cupcakes. The shop’s outdoor patio is located right off Oak Leaf Trail, which makes it a perfect treat stop at the end (or in the middle) of a bike ride.

Kopp’s Frozen Custard
5373 N. Port Washington Rd.

Founded in 1950, Kopp’s Frozen Custard in Glendale achieved legendary status for dense, velvety custard and jumbo burgers. The shop’s rotating Flavor of the Day system—featuring options like German Apple Streusel and Chocolate Oreo—draws dedicated followers who check the monthly flavor calendar religiously. Kopp’s achieves its signature custard texture through a precise 18% butterfat content and a proprietary stabilization process that prevents ice crystallization. This results in a product denser than typical soft-serve yet smoother than traditional ice cream, capable of supporting elaborate toppings without structural collapse.

Indulgence
4525 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood

Since 2017, Indulgence Chocolatiers’ Shorewood boutique has partnered with Purple Door Ice Cream, a Milwaukee-based artisan creamery, to offer a unique dessert experience combining handcrafted chocolates with small-batch ice cream. This collaboration allows families to enjoy 12–20 rotating flavors of Purple Door’s super-premium ice cream, paired with signature toppings designed by Indulgence’s chocolatiers.

Baskin-Robbins
8820 N Port Washington Rd, Bayside

The Bayside location of this national chain has carved out a distinct identity through its “Creature Creations” program, which transforms standard ice cream scoops into themed desserts using chocolate molds, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Options like the Dinosaur Delight (complete with a wearable crown) and Unicorn Fantasy cater to children’s imaginations while providing photo-worthy moments for social media-savvy parents. Beyond novelty items, this outlet maintains strong ties to local schools through fundraisers and sponsorships, aligning with the North Shore’s emphasis on community-driven businesses.

Culver’s

11150 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon
300 W Bayside Drive, Glendale
1325 E Capitol Dr, Shorewood

Culver’s is a beloved fast-food chain renowned for its ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard. Founded in 1984 by Craig and Lea Culver in Sauk City, Wisconsin, the brand emphasizes quality ingredients and community involvement. Each Culver’s location is independently owned and operated, ensuring a personalized touch in every meal. Their menu features handcrafted burgers made with fresh, never-frozen beef, and frozen custard made in small batches throughout the day. The “Flavor of the Day” program offers a variety of unique custard flavors, such as Caramel Fudge Cookie Dough and Andes Mint Avalanche. Culver’s is known for its warm hospitality and commitment to supporting local communities