Chicago’s Essential Italian Ice Spots

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A hand holds a white styrofoam cup of red and yellow Italian ice in front of a colorful wall mural.
Ice is especially nice during Chicago’s hottest months.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Where to go for a Chicago-style frozen treat

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Ice is especially nice during Chicago’s hottest months.
| Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Italian ice is unquestionably an essential summertime Chicago dessert. The basic recipe for the iconic frozen treat is fairly agreed upon: A proper ice should contain sugar, frozen water, and whole fruits or juice. Italian ice comes in a multitude of flavors but the most classic and widespread variety is lemon, sometimes also called frozen Italian lemonade. Though some makers blend pulp, seeds, or even fruit peels in their mixtures, others strain out the fruit and go for a creamier recipe.

Here are some of the city’s coolest spots for Italian ice. Many are open seasonally, so check in before heading over during the colder months.

For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may still pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

This Lincoln Square candy boutique offers gummies, licorice and chocolate in addition to Italian ice, available by the scoop or as push-pops from local producer Zarlengo’s Italian Ice & Gelato. Flavors include lemon, strawberry, and raspberry lemon.

What began as an Italian ice cart blossomed into a fully-fledged shop in Portage Park. The spot has closed and reopened a handful of times, and finally returned for good in the spring with a new partner and menu additions such as acai bowls and protein shakes. Stop by for a cold cup of mango, peach, or kiwi ice — all made with just water, fresh fruit, and cane sugar.

Scooter’s Frozen Custard co-owner Denny Moore encourages his patrons to try a “parfait,” which is a layered mix of Italian ice and frozen custard. Moore blends his desserts how he likes them: Cold, creamy, and without big chunks of fruit. Patrons can expect one fresh flavor every day.

Luke’s On Harlem sells lemon Italian ice all year but it expands the menu to include watermelon and cantaloupe during the warmer months. Store owner Steve DiSilvestro says he blends his store’s ices with in-season fruit for maximum freshness.

This retro-style grill comforts guests with greasy goodness and large scoops of Italian ice that are available in flavors like orange and cream, blue raspberry, and cream soda.

Bella’s owner Adrian Pacheco features both Italian ice and helado de coco — a Puerto Rican dessert that’s a cross between coconut Italian ice and coconut ice cream — made from a family recipe that dates back to 1975. Flavor options include watermelon, lemon, passionfruit and chilli pepper-topped mangonada.

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Neighborhood landmark Miko’s rotates 25 flavors throughout the season, including rhubarb, kiwi, guava, and cucumber. The original stand in Bucktown shuttered in 2019 after 21 years, but Logan Square and Irving Park locations are still slinging icy delights.

Neighbors and friends like to gather at Miko’s. Two people hold white styrofoam cups of Italian ice.

The Lincoln Park dessert shop is the only place in town that serves lychee-flavored Italian ice, according to owner Annette Frankos. Each of the eatery’s 20+ flavors can also be mixed with frozen yogurt to make an “Italian fro-yo.”

Why settle for just one flavor when there’s a variety of tasty options to try? At this Italian ice stand in Bucktown, folks can sample a flight of four scoops. Offerings are made with whole fruits and run the gamut from signature lemon and blackberry to blood orange and pineapple. Don’t forget to snap a photo next to the colorful fruit mural, either.

An Italian ice stand with two walk-up windows and a neon sign that reads “Ava’s Italian Ice. Home of the Flight.”
Ava’s sets itself apart with charming Italian ice flights.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Though this decades-old Elmwood Park mainstay is known for perhaps Chicagoland’s best beef sandwiches, it also serves lemon-flavored ice year round. Additionally, Johnnie’s sells lemon and watermelon Italian ice at its Arlington Heights location.

There’s something for nearly everyone at VinnyD’s, which features tons of cold treats like Italian ice, gelato, shaved ice, milkshakes, and more. The large walkup window and patio make it an especially good spot for big families and groups

Every day, third-generation-owner Steve DeVivo whips up Italian ice with fresh fruit the same way the staff did when the shop first opened in 1929: A little pinch of this, a big handful of that. “I don’t measure stuff no more,” DeVivo says. “It’s like tying my shoes.” One unusual item on Carm’s menu is a chocolate Italian ice that he says tastes “like a Fudgesicle.”

A hanging signboard inside a restaurant that lists flavors of Italian ice.
Carm’s has been slinging Italian ice for nearly a century.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Considered by most to be Chicago’s best-known Italian ice stand, Mario’s serves summertime treats that locals are willing to wait in line for. For those who like pulp, this is the ideal spot as it’s not uncommon to find chunks of fruit in the ice here.

Three women stand in front of a red, green, and white Italian ice stand with a sign that reads “Mario’s Italian Lemonade.”
Generations of Chicago families visit Mario’s each summer.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Like a reverse Frosty the Snowman, Gina’s Italian Ice comes to life when the weather is hot and melts away when it cools down. This year, the seasonal store in suburban Berwyn is offering flavors like red raspberry, horchata, and banana.

Colorful streetside pushcart Carlo’s pops up seasonally in Pilsen with fun flavor combos like mango lemon, coconut cherry, and mango with chamoy and tajin.

Italian beef sandwiches are the focal point of this family-owned South Side spot. But the store’s employees also sling popular Italian ice flavors: pineapple, lemon, mango, and more.

A white styrofoam cup of yellow Italian ice sits on a green picnic table.
Patrons line up in a hot parking lot for Ferro’s icy treats.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

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This Lincoln Square candy boutique offers gummies, licorice and chocolate in addition to Italian ice, available by the scoop or as push-pops from local producer Zarlengo’s Italian Ice & Gelato. Flavors include lemon, strawberry, and raspberry lemon.

What began as an Italian ice cart blossomed into a fully-fledged shop in Portage Park. The spot has closed and reopened a handful of times, and finally returned for good in the spring with a new partner and menu additions such as acai bowls and protein shakes. Stop by for a cold cup of mango, peach, or kiwi ice — all made with just water, fresh fruit, and cane sugar.

Scooter’s Frozen Custard co-owner Denny Moore encourages his patrons to try a “parfait,” which is a layered mix of Italian ice and frozen custard. Moore blends his desserts how he likes them: Cold, creamy, and without big chunks of fruit. Patrons can expect one fresh flavor every day.

Luke’s On Harlem sells lemon Italian ice all year but it expands the menu to include watermelon and cantaloupe during the warmer months. Store owner Steve DiSilvestro says he blends his store’s ices with in-season fruit for maximum freshness.

This retro-style grill comforts guests with greasy goodness and large scoops of Italian ice that are available in flavors like orange and cream, blue raspberry, and cream soda.

Bella’s owner Adrian Pacheco features both Italian ice and helado de coco — a Puerto Rican dessert that’s a cross between coconut Italian ice and coconut ice cream — made from a family recipe that dates back to 1975. Flavor options include watermelon, lemon, passionfruit and chilli pepper-topped mangonada.

Neighbors and friends like to gather at Miko’s. Two people hold white styrofoam cups of Italian ice.

Neighborhood landmark Miko’s rotates 25 flavors throughout the season, including rhubarb, kiwi, guava, and cucumber. The original stand in Bucktown shuttered in 2019 after 21 years, but Logan Square and Irving Park locations are still slinging icy delights.

Neighbors and friends like to gather at Miko’s. Two people hold white styrofoam cups of Italian ice.

The Lincoln Park dessert shop is the only place in town that serves lychee-flavored Italian ice, according to owner Annette Frankos. Each of the eatery’s 20+ flavors can also be mixed with frozen yogurt to make an “Italian fro-yo.”

An Italian ice stand with two walk-up windows and a neon sign that reads “Ava’s Italian Ice. Home of the Flight.”
Ava’s sets itself apart with charming Italian ice flights.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Why settle for just one flavor when there’s a variety of tasty options to try? At this Italian ice stand in Bucktown, folks can sample a flight of four scoops. Offerings are made with whole fruits and run the gamut from signature lemon and blackberry to blood orange and pineapple. Don’t forget to snap a photo next to the colorful fruit mural, either.

An Italian ice stand with two walk-up windows and a neon sign that reads “Ava’s Italian Ice. Home of the Flight.”
Ava’s sets itself apart with charming Italian ice flights.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Though this decades-old Elmwood Park mainstay is known for perhaps Chicagoland’s best beef sandwiches, it also serves lemon-flavored ice year round. Additionally, Johnnie’s sells lemon and watermelon Italian ice at its Arlington Heights location.

There’s something for nearly everyone at VinnyD’s, which features tons of cold treats like Italian ice, gelato, shaved ice, milkshakes, and more. The large walkup window and patio make it an especially good spot for big families and groups

A hanging signboard inside a restaurant that lists flavors of Italian ice.
Carm’s has been slinging Italian ice for nearly a century.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Every day, third-generation-owner Steve DeVivo whips up Italian ice with fresh fruit the same way the staff did when the shop first opened in 1929: A little pinch of this, a big handful of that. “I don’t measure stuff no more,” DeVivo says. “It’s like tying my shoes.” One unusual item on Carm’s menu is a chocolate Italian ice that he says tastes “like a Fudgesicle.”

A hanging signboard inside a restaurant that lists flavors of Italian ice.
Carm’s has been slinging Italian ice for nearly a century.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Three women stand in front of a red, green, and white Italian ice stand with a sign that reads “Mario’s Italian Lemonade.”
Generations of Chicago families visit Mario’s each summer.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Considered by most to be Chicago’s best-known Italian ice stand, Mario’s serves summertime treats that locals are willing to wait in line for. For those who like pulp, this is the ideal spot as it’s not uncommon to find chunks of fruit in the ice here.

Three women stand in front of a red, green, and white Italian ice stand with a sign that reads “Mario’s Italian Lemonade.”
Generations of Chicago families visit Mario’s each summer.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Like a reverse Frosty the Snowman, Gina’s Italian Ice comes to life when the weather is hot and melts away when it cools down. This year, the seasonal store in suburban Berwyn is offering flavors like red raspberry, horchata, and banana.

Colorful streetside pushcart Carlo’s pops up seasonally in Pilsen with fun flavor combos like mango lemon, coconut cherry, and mango with chamoy and tajin.

A white styrofoam cup of yellow Italian ice sits on a green picnic table.
Patrons line up in a hot parking lot for Ferro’s icy treats.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Italian beef sandwiches are the focal point of this family-owned South Side spot. But the store’s employees also sling popular Italian ice flavors: pineapple, lemon, mango, and more.

A white styrofoam cup of yellow Italian ice sits on a green picnic table.
Patrons line up in a hot parking lot for Ferro’s icy treats.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

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