9 Ice Cream Shops In Minnesota That Always Have A Line

Minnesota summers call for cold, creamy treats that make standing in line worth every minute. I’ve spent countless afternoons chasing the perfect scoop across the Land of 10,000 Lakes, discovering shops where locals happily wait their turn for a taste of frozen paradise. From classic custard stands to artisanal gelaterias, these nine ice cream havens consistently draw crowds that spill onto sidewalks and around corners.

1. Sebastian Joe’s: A Minneapolis Legend

Whenever I’m craving their signature Pavarotti flavor (banana ice cream with caramel swirl and chocolate chips), I know I’ll be joining a queue that stretches down the block. Sebastian Joe’s has been a Linden Hills fixture since 1984, and their homemade recipes haven’t changed much – because perfection needs no improvement.

Summer evenings bring neighborhood families who chat happily while waiting, creating a community vibe that’s as delightful as the ice cream itself. The raspberry chocolate chip scoops glisten under the shop lights, tempting everyone who walks by.

Though the line moves steadily, regulars know to arrive early or be prepared to wait. The charming patio makes the perfect spot to savor your hard-earned treat while watching others debate between Oreo and Nicollet Avenue Pothole flavors.

2. MN Nice Cream: Instagram’s Favorite Frozen Treat

Cotton candy clouds wrapped around vibrant scoops, edible glitter sprinkled like fairy dust, and colorful cones that pop against any background – MN Nice Cream wasn’t created just to taste good but to look spectacular on social media. Their Northeast Minneapolis shop consistently draws influencers and families alike who don’t mind waiting for these photogenic creations.

My niece dragged me here last summer, insisting I needed to try their unicorn cone. Thirty minutes later, I was holding a sparkly masterpiece that almost felt too pretty to eat. Almost.

While the line snakes around the building on weekends, staff members often come outside with sample spoons of new flavors they’re testing. This clever strategy not only keeps waiting customers happy but also builds anticipation for your eventual turn at the counter.

3. Nelson’s Ice Cream: Portions That Defy Gravity

Whoever said “bigger isn’t always better” clearly never visited Nelson’s in Stillwater. Their small cone could feed a family of four, while their large might require a forklift to carry! This historic shop has been serving massive portions since 1923, creating a reputation that draws crowds from across the state.

My first visit left me speechless as I watched the server pile scoop after scoop onto my cone until it towered over my hand. The line often extends into the parking lot, but regulars bring lawn chairs and make an event of it.

Though many first-timers come for the novelty of the enormous servings, they return for the quality. Their butter pecan remains unchanged from the original recipe developed nearly a century ago. No wonder locals consider the wait time a small price to pay for a scoop (or seven) of nostalgia.

4. Milkjam Creamery: Bold Flavors Worth The Wait

When celebrated chef Sameh Wadi opened Milkjam in Minneapolis, he brought his culinary expertise to frozen treats with flavors like Black (dark chocolate with coconut milk) and Ridin’ Durti (Oreo chunks in chocolate ice cream). The result? Lines that form before opening and rarely diminish before closing time.

Nowhere else in Minnesota will you find such adventurous combinations – cereal milk ice cream swirled with passion fruit, or curry-infused bases that somehow work perfectly. My personal obsession is their Hard Knock Life, a peanut butter base loaded with salted pretzels and chocolate chips.

Though some grumble about the wait, most customers use the time to strategize their flavor combinations or debate whether to get their scoop in one of the shop’s famous black cones. The staff keeps spirits high by offering samples to those patient enough to endure the queue.

5. Pumphouse Creamery: Farm-to-Cone Freshness

Tucked away in South Minneapolis, Pumphouse Creamery doesn’t look like a place that would generate hour-long waits. Yet owner Barb Zapzalka’s commitment to organic, locally-sourced ingredients has created a following so devoted that customers brave Minnesota winters just to get their fix.

During berry season, the line doubles as word spreads about their fresh strawberry ice cream made with fruit picked that morning from nearby farms. I once waited 40 minutes in July heat for their sea salt caramel, made with hand-burned caramel and flaky sea salt that creates the perfect sweet-savory balance.

Unlike chains that pump out endless quantities, Pumphouse makes small batches that frequently sell out – adding an element of urgency to the waiting experience. Regulars know to check social media before visiting to see which seasonal flavors might disappear by day’s end.

6. Grand Ole Creamery: The Cone With A Surprise

Since 1984, Grand Ole Creamery has been drawing crowds to Grand Avenue in St. Paul with their signature malted waffle cones featuring a chocolate-filled tip – ensuring every last bite delivers joy. President Obama once stopped by, further cementing their legendary status and adding to the perpetual line out the door.

Though famous for their Black Hills Gold (caramel ice cream with praline pecans and Oreos), I’m partial to their Sweet Cream – a deceptively simple flavor that showcases the quality of their dairy. The shop’s vintage charm adds to the experience, with old-fashioned signage and staff in striped aprons.

Families make this a tradition, with parents who once stood in line as children now bringing their own kids. The shop cleverly installed a penny-pressing machine near the queue, giving fidgety youngsters something to do while parents contemplate which of the 31 daily flavors to choose.

7. Licks Unlimited: North Shore’s Frozen Treasure

After hiking along Lake Superior, nothing beats joining the perpetual line at Licks Unlimited in Duluth’s Canal Park. This tiny shop has become a mandatory stop for both tourists and locals exploring the North Shore, serving up creamy perfection with a view of the iconic lift bridge.

Their Lake Superior Sea Salt Caramel pays homage to the massive body of water visible from their storefront. During summer weekends, the line can require a 30-minute wait, but watching ships enter the harbor while inching closer to ice cream nirvana makes time pass quickly.

Whenever I visit, I’m amazed by how many languages I hear in line – proof that great ice cream transcends all barriers. The shop’s small interior means most customers enjoy their scoops while strolling along the lakewalk, creating a parade of cone-licking visitors that has become as much a part of Duluth’s charm as the lake itself.

8. Honey & Mackie’s: Farm Market Inspired Flavors

Hidden in Plymouth’s retail district, Honey & Mackie’s draws inspiration from Minnesota’s farmers markets, creating seasonal flavors that reflect what’s growing locally. Their sweet corn ice cream in August creates such demand that they implement a virtual queuing system to manage the crowds.

While waiting in line last summer, I chatted with a family who drives 45 minutes every weekend just for their fresh blueberry ice cream. The shop’s bright interior features a wall where customers can suggest new flavor combinations – many of which eventually make it into rotation.

Beyond traditional cones, their ice cream flights allow indecisive customers to sample four flavors at once. This innovation hasn’t shortened their lines but has certainly made the wait more worthwhile. Their handmade waffle cones, prepared throughout the day, fill the air with a sweet aroma that makes waiting almost as pleasurable as eating.

9. Flapdoodles: Rochester’s Homemade Heaven

Mayo Clinic patients and staff mix with Rochester locals in the seemingly eternal line at Flapdoodles, where owner Matt Tierney named the shop after his grandmother’s word for “nonsense.” Though waiting might seem like nonsense to some, their small-batch ice cream made fresh daily justifies every minute spent in the queue.

Their signature “Doodles” (mix-ins folded into ice cream on a cold stone) create endless customization possibilities. I’ve witnessed patients celebrating their final treatment days with a special Doodle creation – making this more than just an ice cream shop but a place of joy and celebration.

Though they’ve expanded to two locations to handle demand, both shops still generate lines that speak to the quality inside. Families appreciate their community focus, with walls featuring local children’s artwork and a portion of proceeds supporting area schools. Some things are simply worth waiting for.