On a Sunday afternoon in 1892, Reverend John M. Scott stopped by the Platt & Colt Pharmacy and was served a bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with cherry syrup and a cherry. The dessert was dubbed the “Cherry Sunday,” making it the world’s first documented ice cream sundae. And who would’ve thought? The glorious art of adorning ice cream with sauces, sprinkles, nuts, syrups, cookies and various candies started right here in Ithaca (where Taste of Thai is now located, to be exact).
Keeping this nearly 150-year legacy in mind, I happily spent the summer acquainting myself with Ithaca’s ice cream parlors. Regardless of whether there is a blistering sun or bone-chilling cold, no climate will incentivize or deter me from eating ice cream. It’s a simple joy in life, offering comfort after I bomb a prelim or delight while I spend time with friends. However, ice cream season is nearing its end. Before some of these locations lock their doors for the winter, here’s what you should know about Ithaca’s top ice cream spots:
Purity Ice Cream Co.
An Ithaca classic. Open year-round since 1936 and known as “The Ice Cream of the Finger Lakes,” Purity is a fan-favorite ice cream location. The store is split into two halves: the eatery where you can gorge on a burger and fries, and the scoopery where you can indulge on a scoop of vanilla in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone.
Nonetheless, ice cream is Purity’s main attraction. Their menu features over 50 different homemade flavors, including an assortment of vegan options. Any of these flavors can be incorporated into brownie, cookie, cupcake and apple crisp sundaes. And, for $27.95, you can get the Expedition Sundae, which is two brownies and a cookie topped with eight scoops of ice cream, three sauces and four candy toppings of your choice, all topped with whipped cream and cherries. It’s the perfect treat for a club outing or just for yourself after a long week (I don’t judge!).
In terms of their ice cream’s actual taste, I found it to be less creamy and more icy, though the flavors were bold with a balanced amount of sweetness. Historically, Purity produced their ice cream in-store, but recently outsourced it elsewhere. Reviews online from those who have had the ice cream before the change in production indicate that some of the original recipes and flavors have been compromised as a result. Regardless, the ice cream is still delicious and you can sample flavors you’ve only ever dreamed of. Purity is definitely still worth the trip.
Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shop
There’s a long queue for a reason. Sweet Melissa’s is your classic mom-and-pop ice cream shop, so of course it has the best ice cream. It’s the kind of place that just feels nostalgic, even if you aren’t from Ithaca. For me, it evokes memories of distant summers spent with family and friends in my hometown.
Sweet Melissa’s sells hard ice cream, but the soft serve is their specialty. The glossy spirals are light and smooth, melting in your mouth for you to savor. Genuinely, Sweet Melissa’s may have the best soft serve I’ve ever tasted. Besides vanilla and chocolate, their menu also features unique flavors like Two Berry Twist and Orange Vanilla Twist. They also sell homemade ice cream cakes and slices with innovative flavors like Cherry Cookie and Birthday Cake or Biscoff Cookie and Heath Bar. Make sure to check their social media page as they often offer limited-time pop-up desserts, which include ice cream bars, parfaits, cookies, ice cream sandwiches and cobblers.
If you go to Sweet Melissa’s (you should), make sure to bring your wallet as it is cash only. Though they do have a pay it forward board, which has coupons you can use to buy your treat of choice free of charge. They just ask that when you return (of course), you buy a coupon for the next customer.
Cornell Dairy Bar
The Cornell Dairy Bar is a slight hike away from Central Campus, located just past Cornell’s various athletic buildings, arenas and fields, and it accepts Big Red Bucks. Each dining hall is also stocked with at least four of its ice cream flavors. And really, the Dairy Bar just isn’t worth your money or BRBs when you can already satisfy your ice cream cravings through your meal plan.
The ice cream is honestly overrated. Don’t get me wrong — it's good. I will wait in a 10 minute line to enjoy a scoop or two. But it’s nothing extraordinary. The texture is thick and silky and the taste is rich and sweet, but the flavors aren’t particularly memorable. In fact, I think the flavors with candy and cookie mix-ins are even disappointing. There’s just too much ice cream, and not enough chunks.
Cayuga Lake Creamery
The Cayuga Lake Creamery, or “The Creamery,” has two locations, though the closest to campus is inside the Dewitt Mall. In fact, you’ll often catch a whiff of their homemade waffle cones when entering the mall, irresistibly drawing you in.
The Creamery’s recipes consist of all natural ingredients both locally and externally sourced. They have over 200 homemade flavors, though only 20 to 30 in store at a time. Some of their most unique options include Jalapeno Popper, Banana Nut Fudge, Tiramisu and Purple Cow. My personal favorite is Cookie Explosion, which is a mixture of cookie dough, cookies and cream and fudge swirl. The ice cream is thick yet refreshing, and I especially appreciate that the flavors don’t get lost in the creaminess. The Creamery is your best spot for hard ice cream in Ithaca.
Ava Betnar is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Human Ecology. She is an assistant lifestyle editor on the 144th Editorial Board and can be reached at abetnar@cornellsun.com.
