Photo of the Honey Hut building and sign with a hand holding ice cream in a cup in front of it

Treat your tastebuds: 3 Cleveland-area ice cream shops to try this summer

July is National Ice Cream Month, and with rising temperatures in Cleveland, it’s a great time to check out some local favorites. Those who work and study at Case Western Reserve University likely know their way to the nearest Mitchell’s Ice Cream shop in University Circle, and many have probably heard about East Coast Custard and Mason’s Creamery.

But, if you’re looking to change things up, there is no shortage of places to try a new frozen treat in Cleveland and our surrounding communities. We’ve pulled together a few suggestions to help you satisfy your sweet tooth and keep cool this summer.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

Founded just over 75 miles southeast of Cleveland in Youngstown, Ohio, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has maintained its reputation of fresh flavors since 1945. The ice cream served up at Handel’s locations across the country is made fresh daily. Each location offers more than 45 flavors each day, with offerings ranging from confetti brownie batter to deep dish apple pie to rocky mocha blast. Other ice cream offerings include chocolate-covered pops, hurricanes, shakes and sundaes. If you want to make the flavor last, there are pints and quarts available to go.

You’re not limited to ice cream at Handel’s. You can also order vegan options, sorberts, sherberts and ices.

The nearest location to campus is the Mayfield Heights shop (1249 Som Center Road). Other Cleveland-area locations include those in Rocky River (19935 Center Ridge Road) and Broadview Heights (103 E Royalton Road).

View the full Handel’s menu and find your closest location.

Honey Hut

Honey Hut, a family-run operation, has been a local favorite since its 1974 opening in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Since then, it has spread to have four more locations across the Northeast Ohio region, with spots in Brecksville, Brunswick, Parma and Solon joining the original Old Brooklyn stop.

Each location has 13 original flavors, including classics like mint chocolate chip, cookies n cream, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, and other signature flavors like orange blossom, honey pecan and coconut. 

Honey Hut also has a rotating specialty flavor menu that changes monthly. July specials include birthday cake, blackberry and dark chocolate cayenne.

If you like to enjoy your ice cream with a lakefront view, you can get a taste of limited varieties of Honey Hut at the concession stands at Huntington Reservation in Bay Village and at Edgewater Beach in the Lakefront Reservation.

Learn more about Honey Hut and plan your next visit.

Remixx Ice Cream + Cereal Bar

A relatively new addition to the Edgewater neighborhood, Remixx Ice Cream + Cereal Bar puts a twist on your favorite frozen treat. Offering cones, dishes and shakes, Remixx allows you to pick a base ice cream and then make it completely your own with mix-ins.

In addition to some of the sugary cereals you remember from your childhood (think: Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Pebbles), you can add toppings such as animal crackers, strawberries, Oreos and Reese cups. Flavored syrups (birthday cake, mint, and cinnamon bun, for example) and drizzles such as caramel sauce, whipped cream and peanut butter allow for further customization.

Remixx Ice Cream + Cereal Bar is located at 11512 Clifton Blvd.

Ready to start dreaming up your own concoction? Check out the Remixx website.