People Are Melting Over This Unusual Ice Cream Trend
July is National Ice Cream Month, and July 20 is National Ice Cream Day. Instead of another scoop of those typical 31 flavors, the biggest ice cream trend skips the classic chocolate and vanilla. Hungry for a taste of the exotic?
Recently, Yelp revealed its Top 100 Ice Cream Shops 2025 list. While there will always be room for a hearty Rocky Road and few people rarely turn down a cookies and cream cone, trending ice cream shops are ditching the familiar flavors. Sweet, savory, and even a little surprising, these flavors are not found in grandma’s freezer.
For the food adventurous group, Yelp highlighted several globally inspired flavors. For example, Ben Scoops, a Southern California favorite, earned praise for its Asian-inspired offerings like langka (jackfruit), macapuno and ube. Customers rave about the combinations. People make a special trip just to enjoy the specialty flavors.
Ben Scoops/Yelp
Another example is Tucombo Ice Cream. In addition to traditional Mexican frozen desserts, the shop offers flavors like queso, guayaba and elote. Guests comment that the sweet and spicy options are refreshing on a hot day.
While specialty ice cream shops can push the envelope with bold, creative and innovative flavors, the concept is not limited to just small mom and pop shops. Larger ice cream brands have jumped into the savory, global flavors trends.
Related: Experts Are in Agreement on Best Strawberry Ice Cream in 2025
For example, Salt and Straw has Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero and Huckleberry Cornbread Pudding on its summer menu. Van Leeuwen is always churning some unusual options, like that infamous Mac and Cheese flavor from years ago.
The biggest takeaway from Yelp’s Top 100 Ice Cream Shops list is that local, independent scoops shops are influencing what people crave in that bowl. No one will turn down a chocolate cone, but they are just as likely to ask for exotic, global ingredients and savory fare. Breyers, Bluebell and others better be listening.
Related: Popular Ice Cream Chain Brings Back Highly Anticipated Summer Flavors