News Summary
Novel Ice Cream, located in Phoenix, has been recognized as the top ice cream shop in the United States by Yelp. With a stellar rating of 4.9 stars from over 1,200 reviews, the shop is known for its innovative flavors and artisanal quality. Established in 2017, Novel Ice Cream offers small-batch, texture-driven creations, including unique combinations like Dough Melt and Bourbon Toffee Caramel Crunch. Its three locations in Phoenix reflect its popularity, while community engagement has solidified its status as a culinary gem in the region.
Phoenix has gained recognition in the culinary world as the home of the best ice cream in the United States. Novel Ice Cream, located in Phoenix, Arizona, has been announced as the top ice cream shop in the nation according to Yelp’s annual rankings published on July 5, 2025. This accolade underscores the shop’s popularity and commitment to innovative ice cream creations that have captivated local customers and visitors alike since its opening in 2017.
Yelp’s annual list, which ranks ice cream shops across the country, features Novel Ice Cream prominently at the number one spot. The shop boasts an exceptional rating of 4.9 stars based on more than 1,200 customer reviews, a testament to the quality and satisfaction associated with their unique offerings. Patrons of the shop commend the vibrant flavors and the artisanal quality of the ice cream.
Distinctive Features
Novel Ice Cream specializes in texture-driven, small-batch handcrafted ice cream, creating products with a distinct focus on quality and creativity. The shop prepares its flavors in small batches—only two pans at a time—allowing for dedicated attention to detail and unique recipes for each flavor. Among its signature offerings is the Dough Melt, a delightful dessert that features rich ice cream sandwiched between glazed doughnuts, showcasing the shop’s inventive flair.
The ice cream shop offers a rotating selection of flavors, maintaining eight staple flavors along with four rotating varieties at any given time. Some popular flavors include Bourbon Toffee Caramel Crunch, Cookie Monster, and PB Wasted, each crafted to tantalize the taste buds and deliver a unique experience.
Locations and Community Engagement
Novel Ice Cream operates three locations throughout the Phoenix area, including shops in downtown Phoenix, downtown Mesa, and a food truck stationed in Old Town Peoria. This expansion reflects the shop’s growing popularity and the increasing demand for its unique products.
The successful rise of Novel Ice Cream can be attributed to its strong community engagement and a robust social media presence. The business strategy emphasizes building connections with customers, allowing them to feel a part of the Novel Ice Cream experience.
Recognition Beyond Phoenix
While Novel Ice Cream stands at the top of Yelp’s 2025 list, other Valley ice cream shops have also made a name for themselves. Dessert in Desert in Scottsdale ranked 27th, and Lix Uptown Ice Cream secured 52nd place on the top 100 list, showcasing the region’s vibrant dessert scene and strong penchant for artisanal ice cream.
Customer Satisfaction
Customers consistently express their satisfaction with Novel Ice Cream’s quality and unique flavor combinations. Many are eager to recommend the shop to friends and family, contributing to a strong word-of-mouth reputation that continues to attract new guests. The high level of customer engagement and the unique product offerings have firmly established Novel Ice Cream as a beloved destination in Phoenix’s culinary landscape.
In conclusion, the recognition as the number one ice cream shop by Yelp in 2025 highlights Novel Ice Cream’s dedication to quality, innovation, and community connection in serving one of America’s favorite desserts. As the ice cream shop continues to grow and evolve, it remains a hallmark of culinary excellence in the Phoenix area.
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Additional Resources
- AZ Family
- KTAR News
- AZ Central
- Phoenix New Times
- ABC15
- Wikipedia: Ice Cream
- Google Search: Best Ice Cream Shops in Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Ice Cream Businesses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ice Cream
- Google News: Ice Cream Shop Phoenix Yelp
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
