The Scoop Around Denver: Discovering the Best Ice Cream in Town

By Siet Milne-Wright and Natalie Hustead, with help from the DBA Staff

At The Docket, we embarked on the delightful yet daunting task of hunting down Denver’s best ice cream shops. Our mission? To identify the most family-friendly, date-worthy, and all-around top ice cream destinations. We sifted through thousands of reviews and conducted extensive blind taste tests to ensure our results were conclusive. Here’s what we found.

How We Chose the Contenders

To make our shortlist, ice cream shops had to meet three criteria: a referral from a trusted source, a substantial number of positive Yelp reviews, and, ideally, they had not been recently featured by local publications. We also included a few local classics to keep our loyal testers on their toes.

The Contenders

Our contenders (in no particular order) included:

  • Sweet Cooie’s
  • Liks
  • Sweet Cow
  • Little Man
  • Smith + Canon
  • High Point Creamery

The Taste Test Showdown

Our rigorous blind taste tests were conducted by our dedicated staff at the Denver Bar Association offices. The top two winners from our initial rounds went head-to-head in the final round. And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winner is…

And the Champion Is… Sweet Cow

Sweet Cow clinched the title of the best ice cream in Denver by a single vote! With multiple locations across Colorado, this beloved local chain has won the hearts (and taste buds) of many. Our blind taste test confirmed what many Denverites already know: Sweet Cow’s ice cream is simply unbeatable.

 

Category Winners

Best Family-Friendly Ice Cream Shop: Little Man Ice Cream

Little Man Ice Cream offers a charming, wholesome atmosphere that’s perfect for families. Their outdoor seating and playful decor make it a delightful spot for kids and adults alike. It’s a fantastic destination for a fun family outing.

Best Ambience and Most Date-Worthy Ice Cream Shop: Sweet Cooie’s

Sweet Cooie’s relaxed and inviting ambiance makes it the perfect place for a cozy date. Its unique location offers a charming settings and serves Little Man ice cream to enjoy with someone special.

Best Shop for Coffee and Ice Cream: Smith + Canon

Smith + Canon, located in the Colorado Mills Mall, is a hidden gem. It offers world-class coffee and unique ice cream combinations. The small batch ice cream selection is a jackpot, and the relaxed, entertaining atmosphere makes it ideal for a business meeting or a casual chat over coffee and ice cream.

Conclusion

Denver’s ice cream scene is vibrant and diverse, with flavors ranging from classic Vanilla to exotic Blackberry Basil Swirl. After weeks of testing and passionate debates, Sweet Cow emerged as the clear winner, solidifying its status as the top ice cream shop in Denver. Next time you’re craving something sweet, you know where to go. Bon appétit!