Ask ten ice cream lovers to name the best ice cream in America, and you’ll probably get ten different answers. Some people are loyal to the scoop shop they grew up with. Others swear by a grocery-store classic, a regional favorite, or the pint they always keep in the freezer.
That is part of what makes ice cream so fun. America has no shortage of great brands, from century-old family businesses to modern makers known for creative flavors and loyal fans. For this list, we looked for brands with real staying power: memorable flavor, quality ingredients, strong identity, and the kind of following that turns a good scoop into a tradition. So grab a spoon and get ready for the delicious inside scoop.
1. Graeter's
When it comes to premium ice cream, few brands have a story or a process quite like Graeter’s.
Founded in Cincinnati in 1870, Graeter’s has spent more than 150 years making ice cream the same way generations of the Graeter family always have: in small batches using the signature French Pot process. While most ice cream today is produced in massive continuous freezers, Graeter’s still makes its ice cream 2.5 gallons at a time in French Pots. The result is an incredibly dense, creamy texture that is difficult to replicate on a large scale.
That commitment to doing things the hard way goes back generations. When continuous-process ice cream machines began changing the industry in the early 20th century, Graeter’s stayed true to its small-batch French Pot method instead of moving fully into mass production. What may have seemed inefficient at the time became the foundation of everything that makes Graeter’s different today: richer texture, less air, and a handcrafted quality that still defines every pint.
Graeter’s has earned national attention over the years, including praise from Oprah Winfrey, who famously helped introduce the brand to a wider audience after featuring it as one of her favorite things. But for longtime fans, the real proof is in the scoop. Graeter’s ice cream has the kind of rich, slow-melting texture that makes people remember exactly where they were the first time they tried it.
Graeter’s is perhaps best known for its iconic chocolate chip flavors, which feature giant shards of gourmet chocolate poured directly into the ice cream during production. Combined with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to craftsmanship that has lasted six generations, it is a brand that continues to prove that some traditions are worth preserving.
2. Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry’s helped redefine what fun ice cream could look like. The Vermont-based brand built its reputation on over-the-top flavors packed with cookies, brownies, candy pieces, and other mix-ins.
From Cherry Garcia to Half Baked, Ben & Jerry’s has created some of the most recognizable flavors in the industry and remains one of America’s most popular premium ice cream brands.
3. Tillamook
Tillamook’s roots in dairy farming show up in every scoop. Made with rich milk and cream sourced from a farmer-owned cooperative, the Oregon brand has earned a reputation for smooth texture and dependable quality.
Its straightforward approach and focus on classic flavors have helped make it a favorite across the country.
4. Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs was one of the pioneers of the super-premium ice cream category in the United States.
Known for simple recipes and rich ingredients, the brand has built a loyal following around timeless flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Coffee. Sometimes the classics really do hold up.
5. Blue Bell
Blue Bell has developed a near-cult following throughout the South thanks to its homemade-style flavors and strong regional roots.
The Texas-based company focuses on approachable flavors that feel nostalgic, making it a go-to choice for generations of families.
6. Baskin-Robbins
For decades, Baskin-Robbins has been synonymous with variety. The brand’s famous “31 flavors” concept helped introduce Americans to the idea that ice cream could be more than just vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
Its wide selection and nationwide footprint continue to make it one of the most recognizable names in frozen desserts.
7. Perry's Ice Cream
Perry’s Ice Cream has been making ice cream in Western New York for more than a century and remains a beloved regional brand with a strong family-business story.
Known for classic flavors, seasonal favorites, and a loyal following across the Northeast, Perry’s is the kind of brand that proves great ice cream does not have to come from the biggest national names. Its long history and regional pride make it a natural fit on any list of America’s best ice cream brands.
8. McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
McConnell’s has been making ice cream in California since 1949 and has remained committed to traditional small-batch methods.
The brand emphasizes local ingredients, quality dairy, and recipes that let the flavor of each ingredient shine through.
9. Turkey Hill
Turkey Hill has become a staple in freezers across America thanks to its wide variety of flavors and accessible price point.
While it may not be as specialized as some of the premium brands on this list, its consistency and broad appeal have earned it a loyal customer base.
10. Gifford's Ice Cream
Gifford’s has been making ice cream in Maine since 1938 and remains family owned after more than 85 years.
The New England brand is known for locally inspired flavors, quality dairy, and the kind of unhurried craftsmanship that tends to produce a better scoop. It is a beloved regional staple and a good reminder that some of the best ice cream in the country never needed to become the biggest name on the shelf to earn its reputation.
What Sets the Best Ice Cream Brand Apart?
Great ice cream starts with great ingredients, but that is only part of the story. The brands that stand the test of time are the ones that combine quality ingredients with a distinctive process, a clear point of view, and a commitment to doing things the right way. On this list, one brand has done all of that longer than anyone else.
Graeter’s has been making ice cream in small batches since 1870, using the same French Pot process that has defined the brand for six generations. While many competitors moved toward mass production nearly a century ago, Graeter’s stayed committed to the small-batch method that made its ice cream different in the first place. The result is ice cream that is dense, creamy, and deeply flavorful, with a texture that stands apart from what you will find in most grocery store freezers.
If you are ready to taste the difference, start here.
