Summer 2021: Fun Places to Get Ice Cream in Des Moines

What is it about summer that makes even the most uptight parent want to bend the rules a bit? Like healthy dinner rules? How about ice cream for dinner? Go ahead….we won’t tell!!! Whether you’re looking to dazzle your taste buds with a quirky flavor or go for an old-fashioned milkshake, we’ve rounded up a list of amazing eateries serving ice cream and other creamy treats that will have Des Moines kids and parents celebrating all that is summer.

Here’s a few fun places where you can grab an ice cream treat in Des Moines:

Central Standard (Waukee)

Burgers and malts are a classic combo that can’t be beat. Diners can stop in to grab a burger at this Waukee restaurant before ending with one of Central Standards’ over the top shakes complete with a lit sparkler! Pick from classics like chocolate or strawberry or try a new favorite like s’mores or birthday cake.

Home Sweet Cone (Waukee)

COMING SOON to Waukee the Home Sweet Cone ice cream shop expects to open in 2021. They will be dishing up homemade, gourmet hard ice cream in interesting flavors. And, it sounds like they’ll have just about everything needed to indulge a sweets craving offering up malts, milkshakes, floats, cookies, brownies and a make your own ice cream sandwich option.

Molly’s Cupcakes (Des Moines)

This east village cupcakery offers many ways to satiate that sweet tooth. Known for their decadent cupcakes and cakes they also make some tasty homemade ice cream. The flavors offered vary daily, but definitely won’t disappoint!

Monarca – Gourmet Paletas (Ankeny & Clive)

Paletas are delicious Mexican ice cream popsicles that are sold in a variety of traditional and fun flavors. At Monarca they make their’s in small batches, from scratch and with gourmet ingredients. First you choose your favorite flavor base. You then can choose to dip it in a chocolate of your choice, top it with many different topping combinations and finally drizzle it with even more options. The possibilities are limitless.

Sugar Shack (Altoona)

Bust out those letterman jackets because the Sugar Shack in Altoona is a retro 1950s style diner. Enjoy a burger or tenderloin and then have a malt or a banana split and pretend to be Richie Cunningham waiting for the Fonz. Oh, Happy Days.

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab (Des Moines)

Arguably one of the most popular restaurants in Des Moines, it’s a wonder how Zombie Burger has eluded our annual list of cool summer treats? Always bringing a sense of humor and fun to nostalgic favorites their inventive shakes are no exception. How else would one explain shakes titled Human Centipeach, Zombie Unicorn or Crunch Berry?