When Austin heats up, the city offers plenty of ways to stay cool. From small-batch ice cream and classic snow cones to frozen cocktails and dipped bananas, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your quick guide to Austin’s best frozen treats.

Ice Cream

Amy’s Ice Creams
In the mood for a classic scoop? Take a trip to one of the 14 Amy’s locations found across the Austin area. There are over 350 specialty ice cream flavors in rotation (the Mexican vanilla is a favorite), or you can build your own signature flavor with their crush’ns (toppings) that include everything from fresh strawberries to ginger snaps.

Bésame
Located at Meanwhile Brewing & Littlefield's, this locally owned and operated ice cream food truck is serving up a rotating menu of small-batch ice cream, made by hand daily. Try signature flavors like Damn Good Chocolate, banana pudding and My Jam (pretzel milk ice cream with swirls of homemade strawberry jam). If you're lucky, you'll be able to snag a limited-time flavor, ice cream puff or ice cream cake in one of their weekly flavor drops.

Lick Honest Ice Creams
Cool off with a cone from this artisan ice cream shop known for its seasonal confections (with flavor combos like sweet persimmon and sage). All of Lick’s milk and cream is sourced from a family-owned Central Texas dairy farm. And everything from syrups to marshmallows and waffle cones are made in-house.

Luv Fats
This small-batch ice cream is homemade by Austinite Chi Ndika, with flavors inspired by her Kenyan and Nigerian roots. Luv Fats' dairy-free creations celebrate healthy fats by using avocados and coconut milk as a base to create yummy flavors with fresh produce, nuts and herbs found at Austin area farmer’s markets.

OMG Squee
For too-cute-to-eat ice cream, you have to check out OMG Squee in East Austin. This Asian American dessert shop serves colorful swirl soft serve in a fish-shaped waffle cone. Try flavors like Brown Sugar Milk Tea or opt for the local favorite, Ube. 

Zed's
If you're into soft-serve, then you'll obsess over Zed's. Try New Zealand-style ice cream swirled with real fruit and topped with the treats of your choice at this cute brick-and-mortar ice cream stand. Their Zed’s Dirt Cake special includes banana ice cream, chocolate drizzle, Oreos and gummy bears.

Gelato

Cannone Gelato
Stop by The Picnic food truck park near Zilker Park for delicious gelato and sorbetto. Owner Salvatore is from Italy and serves up gelato made fresh in-house with only the best ingredients.

Dolce Neve
These three Italians are making gelato the traditional way, employing recipes and machinery from their native region and using a from-scratch mixing and freezing technique called “mantecazione vertical.” You’ll notice the creamier consistency in unique flavors like the savory yellow pepper and goat cheese.

Gelato Paradiso
After a day of shopping on popular South Congress Avenue, cool off with a cool treat at Gelato Paradiso. Sample flavors of sweet gelato like panna cotta and salted caramel, or opt for a refreshing mango or strawberry sorbet.

Snow Cones and Ice

Jim Jim’s Water-Ice
Hit the Sixth Street shop for 34 flavors made fresh daily. The classic Italian treat combines real fruit and other ingredients, using a quick freeze process to create velvety textured ice.

Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs
Open since 1996, this family-run snowball stand cooks up more than 70 syrup flavors made with pure cane sugar. You’ll find traditional New Orleans-style chocolate and cream syrups, along with customer favorites like Orchid Cream Vanilla and Boston Cream Pie. The flavored syrups are poured over snow and served up in a cup.

Sno-Beach
An original Austin food trailer, Sno-Beach has been serving icy scoops since 1993. Flavors run the gamut and include cantaloupe, pomegranate, root beer, sangria and so many others.

Sisters SnoShack
This snowball stand is owned and operated, as the name suggests, by four sisters. Located in northwest Austin, Sisters SnoShack serves authentic New Orleans-style shaved ice in a variety of classic and rotating special flavors. 

Frozen Drinks & Cocktails

Corner Bar
With the self-proclaimed "coldest air conditioning in Austin", visiting this neighborhood hang is a no-brainer. They have 20 beers on tap plus tasty specialty cocktails, including their frozen blackberry margarita and frozen pina colada.

De Nada Cantina
Find no-fuss, classic frozen margaritas at De Nada. Choose between good ol' lime or try one of their seasonal flavors like mango and prickly pear. Insider tip: order a large to take home one of their iconic souvenir cups.

Hotel San Jose
Feeling fancy? The lounge at Hotel San Jose serves up their famous frosé, frozen Rosé with lemon. This sweet summery treat is delicious and pretty, and is best enjoyed in the leafy courtyard (which happens to be a great spot for people watching).

Kinda Tropical
Don't miss the liquid happy hour at this Eastside hangout spot with a colorful array of refreshing cocktails like the Frozen Spicy Pineapple Margarita or Frozen LaBoeuf Stuff (Watermelon, Mint, Gin). Food specials are also on the menu, and both are available for dine-in on the patio.

Lil’ Easy
At laid-back Lil’ Easy, you’ll find tasty cajun-inspired drinks and bites. The menu features an incredible lineup of frozen cocktails that will cool you down on a warm Austin day. Local favorites include the frozen espresso martini and classic painkiller. And, don’t forget to take home the collectible cup that all frozens come in!

Frozen Foods

Bananarchy
Austin’s only frozen banana stand has revolutionized the art of dessert. Build your own banana with dips like chocolate or peanut butter and a food truck full of toppings (including coconut and candies). Or try the signature Afternoon Delight: all four dips swirled together and topped with nuts and graham crackers.

Blenders and Bowls
You don’t have to feel guilty while enjoying chilly treats! If you want a healthier option, Blenders and Bowls serves up smoothies and Acaí bowls daily. Not only will these treats cool you off, they’ll fill you with nutrients and energy.

Hay Elotes
There are lots of Mexican treats to choose from here, but don’t pass up the Fresas Con Crema, a deliciously sweet confection of strawberries and cream. The cream is a mix of condensed milk, Mexican sour cream and sugar that’s dotted with diced strawberries. Top it off with whipped cream, chopped nuts and even more fruit, such as blueberries or raspberries.

Traveling to Austin this summer? Check out our complete guide to an awesome Austin summer, from the top swimming holes to can’t-miss festivals and more.