SCOOP AND WAFFLE
East Hampton Village, 68 Park Lane
The relatively new kid on the block is Scoop and Waffle, tucked in the alley called East Hampton Square (you may know it as Eastman Way) between Main Street and the Reutershan parking lot. Since its arrival last year, this kid's already become quite popular. Not only are there tons of great flavors and toppings to choose from, but the fresh waffles for sundaes and cones give us the urge to ditch last period and indulge. (Stay in school, kids.) Attached to the eatery Smokey Buns, Scoop and Waffle also serves up boozy milkshakes for the grownups in the room — making it a spot with something for everyone.
THE SWEET SPOT
East Hampton Village,
hamptonsweetspot.com
When Scoop du Jour closed down in 2020, East Hampton had a crisis on its hands (The East Hampton Star reported extensively about the carnage on the ground). Two years ago, though, Tom and Maureen Cooper stepped up to fill that void with the Sweet Spot, as mom-and-pop as it gets. Soft-serve with every topping under the sun is their specialty, but they’ve got plenty of other ways to satisfy a sweet tooth. If you’re susceptible to brain freeze, make sure to try their Greek doughnut holes, a honey-soaked take on the fried dough classic, or caffeinate with one of their signature nitro coffees.
A LA MODE SHOPPE
East Hampton Village, 35 Newtown Lane
alamodeshoppe.com
After a momentary panic a few years ago when it seemed we might be parlorless, A La Mode has graced us with a location in the heart of the village. The New York City-based ice cream makers known for their allergy-friendly treats offer a wide variety; classics like chocolate and vanilla are guaranteed to be nut and egg-free. A La Mode also has originals like Speed Bump (thick chocolate with marshmallows and white and dark chocolate chips) or Partly Cloudy (blue cotton candy with marshmallows). On your way out, grab some swag from their boutique.
MOO MOO’S ICE CREAM
East Hampton Village, 69 North Main Street
easthamptonicecream.com
Hershey’s ice cream in 19 flavors should do the trick. Caramel Cheesecake, Cookie Monster, or maybe Birthday Cake streaked with blue/pink/green should definitely do the trick. Don’t forget the toppings, especially if you have a thing for Lucky Charm marshmallows (no cereal to pick around, thank goodness!). They even have a cold treat for your four-legged friend, so take your dog and grab a bench in their cute outdoor seating area and make the most of the warm weather.
CANDY KITCHEN
Bridgehampton, 2391 Montauk Hwy
instagram.com/bridgehamptoncandykitchen
In the past century, we’ve put men on the moon. We’ve eradicated two strains of polio. And, through it all, Bridgehampton’s all-star Candy Kitchen has been serving up milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream sodas, lime rickeys, and cones. The house-made flavors are listed on the board behind the counter, and the classics are all here — chocolate chip, rum raisin — but sometimes you need one of their summer specials. Think orange sherbet or one of their fresh-fruit flavors to keep the mood light. Take cash because Candy
Kitchen doesn’t accept credit cards. Also, grab a gallon from the freezer up front and a York Peppermint Patty to take home.
BONFIRE COFFEEHOUSE
Amagansett, 249 A Main Street
bonfirecoffeehouse.com/
Bonfire Coffeehouse has just celebrated its two-year anniversary in the little green square north of Main Street. Fans might know them for their caffeine and breakfast staples served in Scandi-chic surroundings, but check out their top-notch gelateria for pure summer delight. Into the traditional? Get two scoops of Mexican vanilla gelato topped with hot fudge. Prefer the artsier stuff? Try their blue spirulina flavor, or maybe an affogato (gelato topped with a shot of espresso) if it’s rainy.
SIP ‘N SODA
Southampton Village, 40 Hampton Road
sipnsoda.com
If you find yourself in Southampton pining for the definitive American soda-fountain experience, look no farther than Sip ’n Soda. The restaurant has been in the Parash family for three generations. Also a family mainstay is their signature Cherry Lime Rickey, which they’ve just launched as a syrup for you to enjoy at home. Check out their rotating cast of seasonal ice cream flavors, currently starring fresh peach, cantaloupe, and black raspberry chip.
CARVEL
Southampton Village, 22 Job’s Lane
Bridgehampton, 790 County Road 39
carvel.com
It’s hard to argue with the legacy of Fudgie the Whale. Carvel makes the list because we’re pretty sure everyone’s been to a birthday party and had an ice-cream cake shaped like a football or leprechaun at some point, and nostalgia can be a beautiful thing. All the Carvel staples are still there — Fudgie never left the menu and probably never will, but other cult favorites including Cookie Puss and their Flying Saucers are here to stay, too. Carvel’s repertory of soft-serve and hard ice cream can make decisions difficult as you stand in front of the frosty glass case.
BUDDHABERRY
Sag Harbor, 125 Main Street
Southampton Village, 30 Hampton Road
buddhaberry.com
It is better to travel well than to arrive, or so the Buddhists say. But who could complain about the destination turning out to be either BuddhaBerry location? They’ve got both low-calorie and regular-calorie frozen yogurt on tap. Try to stay Zen when you pick from over 100 toppings available. Their yogurt specials like Valencia Orange or Buddha’s Best Berry (top secret) are well worth a try. They’ve also got smoothies, waffles, crepes, coffee, tea, and boba. Options on top of options! Be true to yourself. You know you want a black tea cherry smoothie.
JOHN’S DRIVE-IN
Montauk, 677 Montauk Highway
johnsdriveinmontauk.com
Have you ever had a milkshake so thick that the straw stands up on its own for a good 20 minutes? It’s one of those bucket-list items in life, like skydiving or going to Thailand. If you still need to cross this one off, head to John’s Drive-In in Montauk for a banana shake with a heaping scoop of malt powder. If you like your ice cream a little more solid and a little less liquid, try some of their homemade "hard" flavors. Whether you’re in the mood for something esoteric like Pumpkin Oreo or straight-up chocolate, this East End classic has you covered.
DOUBLES
Amagansett, 12 Amagansett Square
doublesamg.com
Delicious? Yes. Bells-and-whistles? No. Skirt the lively dinner crowd in front and head to the restaurant’s back window out of which you’ll be handed a serving of Van Leeuwen scoops. The brand is known for French-style ice cream — think more eggs, more cream, richer than the American stuff. Pick from one of their 11 specialty flavors like Honeycomb (if you know, you know) or Black Cherry Chip. Maybe you like your ice cream sans cow. If so, no worries: try the brand’s vegan offerings, like Peanut Butter Brownie, to get your boat in the water.
RALPH’S
Montauk, 8 South Etna Avenue
ralphsices.com
Ralph’s has outlets all over Long Island. Their Italian ices have propelled them to cold-treat superstardom, and they have just opened their 85th retail location. Ralph’s boasts an enormous menu with 65 sherbet flavors on offer. Keep it standard with a Chocolate Mousse or a Spumoni (an Italian favorite of layered pistachio, cherry, and chocolate). And as a challenge: We’ll leave it to you to figure out what their Doughnado is.
SAGAPONACK GENERAL STORE
Sagaponack, 542 Sagg Main Street
sagaponackgeneralstore.com
It’s back, baby. The long hiatus of Sagaponack’s only neighborhood general store feels like little more than a bad dream. Take in the extensive and stylish renovations and the window that now looks out over the landscape, then turn your attention to the enormous display of penny candy and self-serve frozen yogurt. Toppings abound, A post-beach stopover here after a day at Gibson or Sagg Main is sure be become many families’ new tradition.
BIG OLAF ICE CREAM
Sag Harbor, 8 Wharf Street
instagram.com/bigolaf11963
Big Olaf, located on Long Wharf, is a cash-only shop with lines out the door on a summer night. Enjoy one of their elaborate, pressed-to-order dipped waffle cones with any of more than 30 flavors (Mississippi Mud Pie definitely won’t hurt your feelings). There are low-cal yogurt options as well in a similarly wide variety of flavors, including Heath Bar Crunch or Blueberry Oat Crumble. Make an outing of it by ogling the mega-yachts at dock while you lick.