Top Ice Cream Spots on Nantucket
These are the island's most beloved destinations for ice cream and frozen treats. Each offers something unique, from homemade flavors to prime downtown locations.
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1
The Juice Bar
12 Broad Street, Downtown
THE iconic Nantucket ice cream destination. The Juice Bar has been a summer institution since the 1970s, and the long lines wrapped around the block are proof of its legendary status. Yes, you'll wait - plan for 20-30 minutes during peak hours - but one taste of their homemade ice cream and you'll understand why generations of visitors keep coming back. Made fresh on the premises daily, their rich, creamy flavors are simply the best on the island. Absolutely worth the wait.
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2
Nantucket Bake Shop
79 Orange Street
A local favorite for homemade ice cream with creative, seasonal flavors you won't find elsewhere. The Bake Shop churns their own small-batch ice cream using quality ingredients, and it shows. Beyond the excellent scoops, they're also renowned for their baked goods - making this a one-stop shop for all your sweet cravings. A great alternative when Juice Bar lines are too long.
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3
Petticoat Row Bakery
35 Centre Street
Combining the best of both worlds: excellent ice cream paired with outstanding baked goods. Petticoat Row is a charming downtown bakery where you can get a scoop alongside a fresh-baked cookie, brownie, or pastry. Their ice cream is rich and satisfying, and the cozy atmosphere makes it a pleasant escape from summer crowds. Perfect for those who can't choose between cake and ice cream.
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4
Stubby's
8 Broad Street, Downtown
A convenient downtown quick stop for ice cream and snacks. Stubby's is perfect when you want a treat without a major time investment. Located right in the heart of the action, it's ideal for grabbing a cone while shopping or between activities. The selection is solid, service is fast, and you'll be back to exploring in minutes.
The Juice Bar Experience
For many visitors, a trip to The Juice Bar is as essential to the Nantucket experience as a beach day or a sunset sail. Here's everything you need to know about this island institution.
A Nantucket Legend Since the 1970s
The Juice Bar has been serving homemade ice cream on Broad Street for over 50 years. What started as a small juice and ice cream shop has become one of the island's most recognizable landmarks. The tiny shop with its distinctive sign and perpetual line has been featured in countless travel articles and remains a rite of passage for Nantucket visitors.
Made Fresh on the Premises
What sets The Juice Bar apart is their commitment to making everything in-house. Their ice cream is churned fresh daily on the premises using high-quality ingredients. The result is an exceptionally creamy, rich ice cream with intense, natural flavors. They also make their own waffle cones, adding to the intoxicating aroma that wafts down Broad Street on summer evenings.
Prepare for the Line
Let's be honest: you will wait in line at The Juice Bar during summer. The line can stretch around the corner during peak evening hours, with waits of 20-30 minutes being common. But here's the thing - the line is part of the experience. You'll chat with fellow ice cream enthusiasts, debate flavor choices, and build anticipation. Most regulars will tell you the wait is absolutely worth it.
Pro Tips for The Juice Bar
- Go early or late: Lines are shortest right when they open or in the last hour before closing
- Weekday mornings: If you can visit on a weekday morning, lines are much more manageable
- Scope out the flavors: The menu is posted outside, so decide before you reach the counter
- Bring cash: Speeds things up and ensures no issues with card readers
- Get a waffle cone: Their housemade cones are exceptional and worth the upcharge
Best Flavors to Try
Nantucket's ice cream shops offer a mix of classic favorites and unique island-inspired creations. Here are some flavors worth seeking out:
Classic Must-Tries
- Vanilla: The true test of any ice cream shop - Nantucket's spots nail it
- Chocolate: Rich, deep chocolate that tastes homemade because it is
- Coffee: A local favorite, perfect for that afternoon pick-me-up
- Strawberry: Made with real fruit for authentic berry flavor
Nantucket Specialties
- Blueberry: Made with island berries when in season
- Cranberry: A nod to the Cape and Islands' cranberry heritage
- Sea salt caramel: The perfect sweet-salty combination
- Butter crunch: A Juice Bar signature that's dangerously addictive
- Black raspberry: Intensely flavored and vibrantly colored
Seasonal Specials
Many shops rotate seasonal flavors throughout the summer. Ask what's new - you might discover a limited-time creation that becomes your favorite.
Alternatives When Lines Are Long
If the Juice Bar line looks daunting, don't despair. Nantucket has several excellent alternatives where you can get your frozen fix with minimal waiting.
Best No-Wait Options
- Nantucket Bake Shop: Homemade quality with much shorter lines
- Petticoat Row Bakery: Excellent ice cream plus baked goods
- Stubby's: Quick and convenient downtown location
- The Hub: Grab ice cream while picking up provisions
Gelato and Frozen Yogurt
If you're open to alternatives beyond traditional ice cream, several spots offer gelato and frozen yogurt options that are equally refreshing on a hot summer day.
Timing Strategy
Sometimes the best strategy is simply waiting for better timing at your preferred spot. Juice Bar lines are typically shortest:
- Early afternoon (before the post-beach rush)
- Right when they open
- Later in the evening near closing
- Weekday mornings for the shortest waits
Insider Tips: Ice Cream on Nantucket
- Best time to avoid lines: Early afternoon or late evening. Weekday mornings are quietest, while Saturday evenings see the longest waits.
- Must-try flavors: Butter crunch at The Juice Bar, seasonal fruit flavors at Nantucket Bake Shop, and anything with a fresh-baked waffle cone.
- Bring cash: Some smaller spots are cash-only, and even at places that take cards, cash speeds up the line.
- Start with a kids' size: Portions are generous - you can always go back for more, but you can't un-order a double.
- Combine with a stroll: Get your cone and wander the cobblestones - it's the quintessential Nantucket evening activity.
- Check seasonal hours: Most shops have extended summer hours but may close earlier in shoulder season.