Best Ice Cream Shops in Maine

Maine takes ice cream seriously. With long summers perfect for soft-serve cones and a dairy tradition dating back generations, Maine’s ice cream shops range from roadside stands serving classic flavors to innovative parlors pushing boundaries. Here’s where to find the best frozen treats in the state.

The Classics

Gifford’s Ice Cream (Multiple Locations)

Founded: 1980 (Skowhegan) Specialty: Maine’s largest ice cream producer, classic flavors Must-Try: Maine Wild Blueberry, Moose Tracks, Campfire S’mores Locations: 30+ ice cream stands statewide Why Go: Reliable quality, Maine institution, everywhere

The Story: Started in Skowhegan, now Maine’s most widespread brand Signature: Wild Maine Blueberry uses real Maine blueberries Pro Tip: Factory store in Skowhegan has most flavors

Shain’s of Maine (Multiple Locations)

Based: Skowhegan, where the company still is Specialty: Hard ice cream, classic New England flavors Must-Try: Lobster Tracks, Dirty Socks (chocolate with peanut butter swirl) Locations: several family stands across Maine. The company does not publish a count, so the “15+” previously given here is not restated Why Go: family-owned across five generations, in the company’s own words, with quality ingredients

The Story: Gifford’s says “For 5 generations our family has been churning out New England’s best ice cream”. An earlier version of this page called it third-generation and placed it in Sanford; the company is in Skowhegan and publishes no Sanford stand Signature: Dirty Socks. Unusual name, beloved flavor Pro Tip: the Skowhegan operation is the original. No Sanford location appears anywhere on the company’s site

Hodgman’s Frozen Custard (New Gloucester)

Founded: 1947 Specialty: Frozen custard (creamier than ice cream) Must-Try: Any flavor. Custard texture is the star Locations: Original location only Why Go: Old-school custard stand, Maine tradition since 1947

The Story: One of few remaining custard stands in Maine Signature: Soft-serve custard is richer than regular soft-serve Pro Tip: Cash only, seasonal (closes after Indigenous Peoples’ Day)

Pro Tip: Busy summer evenings. Arrive before dinner rush

The Innovators

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream (Multiple Locations)

Founded: 2006 (Bar Harbor) Specialty: Creative flavors, local ingredients Must-Try: Salted Caramel Brownie, Maine Strawberry Sour Cream, Blueberry Basil Lemon Locations: Bar Harbor, Portland, various Why Go: Consistently rated Maine’s best, inventive flavors

The Story: Started in Bar Harbor storefront, now statewide Signature: Unusual flavor combinations that work Pro Tip: Portland locations less crowded than Bar Harbor

Gorgeous Gelato (Multiple Locations)

Founded: 2007 (Portland) Specialty: Italian-style gelato, sorbet Must-Try: Ricotta with Honey & Fig, Maine Wild Blueberry Sorbetto, Sea Salt Caramel Locations: Portland, Yarmouth, Wells, Freeport Why Go: Authentic gelato, lower fat than ice cream, intense flavors

The Story: Italian-trained, authentic technique Signature: Rotating creative flavors, uses seasonal Maine ingredients Pro Tip: Sorbet is dairy-free and incredible

Gelato Fiasco (Multiple Locations)

Founded: 2007 (Brunswick) Specialty: Gelato, creative flavors, pints nationwide Must-Try: Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp Locations: Brunswick, Portland, Portsmouth NH Why Go: Award-winning, sold nationally, Maine roots

The Story: Started near Bowdoin College, now in grocery stores coast-to-coast Signature: Small-batch, inventive flavors Pro Tip: Try flight to sample multiple flavors

Regional Favorites

Southern Maine

Scoop Deck (Wells Beach)

Specialty: Hard ice cream, beach proximity Must-Try: Wild blueberry, whoopie pie ice cream Why Go: Perfect post-beach treat Pro Tip: Walk from Wells Beach

Big Daddy’s Ice Cream (Old Orchard Beach)

Specialty: Huge portions, boardwalk location Must-Try: Anything. Portions are massive Why Go: Classic beach boardwalk ice cream Pro Tip: Share a large (seriously)

Dock Square Coffee (Kennebunkport)

Specialty: Ice cream + coffee shop Must-Try: Lavender honey, sea salt caramel Why Go: Upscale flavors in Dock Square Pro Tip: Get a cone for the walk around town

Captain Goodwin’s (Peaks Island)

Specialty: Ice cream on Casco Bay island Must-Try: Whatever’s available (limited flavors) Why Go: Island ice cream experience Pro Tip: Ferry from Portland, bike around island, ice cream reward

Midcoast

Round Top Ice Cream (Damariscotta)

Founded: 1924 Specialty: 75+ flavors, Maine institution Must-Try: Wicked Whoopie (whoopie pie ice cream), Allen’s Coffee Brandy (yes, really) Why Go: Absurd variety, local landmark

The Story: Family-owned nearly 100 years Signature: Most flavors in Maine Pro Tip: Try a flight to sample variety

Dot’s Ice Cream (Topsham)

Specialty: Soft-serve with extensive toppings bar Must-Try: Soft-serve with homemade toppings Why Go: Build-your-own sundae bar Pro Tip: Go at off hours, very popular

Dorman’s Dairy Dream (Thomaston)

Founded: 1952 Specialty: Classic soft-serve stand Must-Try: Chocolate-vanilla twist Why Go: Old-school roadside stand charm Pro Tip: Cash only

Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe (Brunswick)

Specialty: Gelato Fiasco served here Must-Try: Affogato (espresso over gelato) Why Go: Combine excellent coffee and ice cream Pro Tip: Quiet alternative to Brunswick main Gelato Fiasco

Downeast & Acadia

CJ’s Big Dipper (Ellsworth)

Specialty: Huge cones, family-friendly Must-Try: Soft-serve twists, sundaes Why Go: Last ice cream before Acadia Pro Tip: Stop here on way to Mount Desert Island

Morton’s Moo (Bar Harbor)

Specialty: Ice cream sandwiches, creative combos Must-Try: Any homemade cookie ice cream sandwich Why Go: Unique ice cream sandwich concept Pro Tip: Bar Harbor location convenient

Amore (Bar Harbor)

Specialty: Gelato and breakfast Must-Try: Pistachio gelato Why Go: Less touristy than other Bar Harbor spots Pro Tip: Great for breakfast + ice cream combo

Western Mountains

Scoops Ice Cream (Bethel)

Specialty: Hard ice cream, ski town location Must-Try: Giffords flavors Why Go: Perfect après-ski treat Pro Tip: Open year-round (rare for ice cream)

Smedberg’s Crystal Spring Farm (Cornish)

Specialty: Farm-made ice cream Must-Try: Farm-fresh flavors Why Go: Working farm, watch ice cream being made Pro Tip: Visit animals, then get ice cream

Lakes Region

Songo River Queen II Ice Cream (Naples)

Specialty: Ice cream on paddle wheeler cruise Must-Try: Any flavor. Setting is the star Why Go: Ice cream on a boat! Pro Tip: Take sunset cruise

Wilcox Ice Cream (Bridgton)

Specialty: Old-fashioned ice cream parlor Must-Try: Classic flavors Why Go: Town center location, vintage charm Pro Tip: Walk around downtown after

Unique & Unusual

Nutter’s Ice Cream (Cape Elizabeth)

Founded: 1957 Specialty: Family recipes, ocean proximity Must-Try: Almond joy, butter pecan Why Go: Near Two Lights, Portland Head Light Pro Tip: Combine with lighthouse tour

The Goldenrod (York Beach)

Founded: 1896 Specialty: Saltwater taffy + ice cream Must-Try: Ice cream sundaes Why Go: Historic candy/restaurant institution Pro Tip: Watch taffy being made, then get ice cream

Beal’s Ice Cream (Portland Pier)

Specialty: Working wharf location Must-Try: Classic flavors Why Go: Authentic fishing pier setting Pro Tip: Watch lobster boats while eating

The Shop at Island Cow (Peaks Island)

Specialty: Island general store with ice cream Must-Try: Gifford’s ice cream Why Go: Ferry ride + island exploration + ice cream Pro Tip: Rent bikes, tour island, reward yourself

Old Quarry Ocean Adventures Ice Cream (Stonington)

Specialty: Ice cream at kayak launch Must-Try: Post-kayak cones Why Go: Combine paddling and ice cream Pro Tip: Book morning kayak tour, ice cream for lunch

Soft-Serve Specialists

Dairy Bar (Windham)

Specialty: Soft-serve, burgers Must-Try: Chocolate-vanilla twist with jimmies Why Go: Classic drive-in experience Pro Tip: Get a picnic table outside

Rapid Ray’s (Saco)

Founded: 1953 Specialty: Soft-serve, fried seafood Must-Try: Soft-serve after fried clams Why Go: Old-school roadside stand Pro Tip: Cash only, seasonal

Scoop Deck (Various)

Specialty: Soft-serve and hard ice cream Must-Try: Dipped cones Why Go: Multiple Southern Maine locations Pro Tip: Generous portions

Ice Cream by Category

Best Creative Flavors

1. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream - Blueberry Basil Lemon, innovative combos
2. Gorgeous Gelato - Ricotta Fig, seasonal specials
3. Gelato Fiasco - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel
4. Round Top - Allen’s Coffee Brandy (Maine-specific!)

Best Classic Experience

1. Hodgman’s Frozen Custard - 1947 stand
2. Brown’s - York Beach. Note that brownsicecream.com is not this business: it belongs to a frozen-food distributor in Minneapolis established in 1963. No site for the York Beach shop could be confirmed, so the 1940 founding date is not restated here
3. Gifford’s - Maine institution
4. Dorman’s - Classic soft-serve stand

Best for Families

1. Big Daddy’s (Old Orchard) - Huge portions, boardwalk fun
2. Round Top - 75+ flavors, something for everyone
3. Gifford’s - Everywhere, reliable
4. Dot’s - Fun toppings bar

Best Locations/Views

1. Beal’s - Working fishing pier
2. Nutter’s - Near lighthouses
3. Captain Goodwin’s - Island ice cream
4. Songo River Queen - On a paddle wheeler!

Best for Ice Cream Connoisseurs

1. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream - Quality, creativity
2. Gorgeous Gelato - Authentic Italian technique
3. Gelato Fiasco - Award-winning
4. Round Top - Variety and local character

Best Soft-Serve

1. Hodgman’s - Frozen custard (creamier)
2. Dorman’s - Classic 1952 stand
3. Rapid Ray’s - Old-school excellence
4. Dot’s - Great toppings

Best Road Trip Stops

1. Round Top (Damariscotta) - On Route 1, worth the stop
2. Brown’s (York Beach) - Beginning of coastal Maine
3. Nutter’s (Cape Elizabeth) - Near Portland
4. Gifford’s - Everywhere!

Maine Ice Cream Specialties

Must-Try Maine Flavors

• Wild Maine Blueberry - Using real Maine blueberries
• Whoopie Pie - Maine’s state dessert as ice cream
• Allen’s Coffee Brandy - Very Maine (Round Top)
• Lobster Tracks - Moose Tracks with red “lobster” swirls (Shain’s)
• Sea Salt Caramel - Made with Maine sea salt
• Maple anything - With real Maine maple syrup

Regional Variations

• Portland area: Innovative flavors, gelato shops
• Southern beaches: Classic soft-serve stands
• Midcoast: Family-owned institutions
• Downeast: Mount Desert Island Ice Cream dominates
• Mountains: Fewer options but après-ski friendly

Ice Cream Etiquette

1. Be patient - Popular spots have lines (worth it)
2. Taste before ordering - Most places offer samples
3. Know your terminology -
   • Small = Often huge by normal standards
   • Jimmies = Sprinkles (chocolate)
   • Frappe = Milkshake with ice cream (Maine-specific term)
4. Cash is helpful - Some stands are cash-only
5. Tipping at a counter is customary but there is no standard amount, and the “$1” previously given here was not sourced from anywhere
6. Don’t complain about prices - Quality ice cream isn’t cheap
7. Try local flavors - Blueberry, maple, whoopie pie

Planning Tips

Best Times to Go

• Off-peak: early afternoon is quieter than the after-dinner stretch. No one measures this, so treat it as a rule of thumb rather than a schedule
• Weekdays better than weekends
• Early summer: Less crowded than late July/August
• September: Still open, way less busy

What to Know

• Many seasonal: Open Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Cash preferred: Many stands don’t take cards
• Portions are large: Small often enough
• Lines move fast: Don’t be deterred
• Maine ice cream is rich: Very creamy, high butterfat content

Combining with Other Activities

Beach Days:

• Old Orchard: Big Daddy’s, Pier Fries
• Wells: Scoop Deck
• York: Brown’s, Goldenrod
• Kennebunk: River Bend Farm, Duffy’s

Lighthouse Tours:

• Portland Head Light → Nutter’s
• Cape Neddick (Nubble) → Brown’s (nearby)
• Two Lights → Nutter’s

Hiking:

• Acadia → Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
• Camden Hills → Get cone in Camden downtown
• Bradbury Mountain → Freeport Gorgeous Gelato

Island Day Trips:

• Peaks Island → Captain Goodwin’s or The Shop
• Monhegan → Limited options, bring treats
• Vinalhaven → Carvers Harbor Market

Budget Tips

1. Small is enough - Maine portions are generous
2. Skip toppings - Ice cream quality stands alone
3. Kiddie cones - available at most places. Prices vary by shop and are not quoted here, because none of these stands publishes a rate we could confirm
4. Soft-serve cheaper - Than hard ice cream
5. Share a large - Truly large!
6. Grocery store pints - MDI, Gelato Fiasco sold retail
7. Afternoon over evening - Some have happy hours

Seasonal Considerations

Summer (Peak Season)

• All stands open
• Longer hours than most, though the shops publish these individually and they move with the season
• Biggest crowds
• Full flavor selection
• Expect queues after dinner on summer evenings

Spring/Fall (Shoulder)

• Many stands closed
• Reduced hours
• No lines
• Year-round shops only
• Perfect for locals

Winter

• Very limited options
• Gelato shops stay open
• Gifford’s in grocery stores
• Ski town shops open weekends
• Indoor seating appreciated

Top 10 Must-Try Ice Cream Experiences in Maine

1. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream (Bar Harbor) - Best flavors
2. Hodgman’s Frozen Custard (New Gloucester) - Historic custard
3. Round Top (Damariscotta) - 75+ flavors, institution
4. Gorgeous Gelato (Multiple) - Authentic Italian
5. Brown’s (York Beach) - Classic beach town
6. Gelato Fiasco (Brunswick) - Award-winning
7. Gifford’s (Anywhere) - Maine standard
8. Beal’s (Portland Pier) - Working waterfront setting
9. Big Daddy’s (Old Orchard) - Boardwalk experience
10. Captain Goodwin’s (Peaks Island) - Island reward

Final Tips

1. Arrive before the after-dinner rush, which is the busy stretch on summer evenings
2. Bring cash - Many stands don’t take cards
3. Try local flavors - Blueberry, maple, whoopie pie
4. Share if unsure - Portions are generous
5. Take a photo - Ice cream + ocean/mountains = Maine
6. Ask for samples - Most places offer them
7. Go often - It’s summer in Maine, you need ice cream daily
8. Support local - These are family businesses
9. Embrace the line - It moves fast, worth the wait
10. Get a waffle cone - If they make them fresh, always worth it

Maine’s ice cream scene is as much a part of summer as lobster rolls and lighthouses. From tiny roadside stands serving soft-serve twists to innovative gelato shops pushing flavor boundaries, Maine proves that cold, creamy treats are serious business. Whether you’re rewarding yourself after a hike, cooling off at the beach, or just embracing vacation, there’s always a reason, and a place, for ice cream in Maine.