The summer heat has arrived in Pittsburgh – and there is no telling when it will leave! (Remember last year when was 82°F in October?)
If you can’t beat the heat, join it. Surrender to the humidity and rejuvenate with a frozen treat. We’re lucky in Pittsburgh – there’s no shortage of gourmet frozen desserts across the city.
From fruity popsicles to frozen cocktails, we know exactly where to cool off (with a snack) this summer.
What is your favorite frozen treat in Pittsburgh? Please leave it in the comments below.
If you post a picture of your dessert, we want to see it! Tag all Pittsburgh food pics with #goodfoodpgh and @goodfoodpgh
Ice Cream and Other Frozen Desserts to Try in Pittsburgh:
Donut-Ice Cream Sandwich at Glazed & Confused
This Washington, PA, ice cream shop specializes in donut ice cream sandwiches. Yes, that is a donut stuffed with ice cream. Encouraging patrons to “leave their diets at the door,” Glazed & Confused’s menu is filled with funky combinations like a cinnamon bun with vanilla ice cream, an apple fritter with caramel crunch ice cream, or a glazed donut with cookies & cream ice cream.
Glazed & Confused (900 Wildflower Circle)
Macaron-Ice Cream Sandwich
Macaron Bar x Millie’s is one of favorite Pittsburgh collaborations of all time. Behold: the ice cream macaron. This dessert features three of Millie’s most popular flavors (The Best Chocolate, Vietnamese Coffee, and Pistachio), sandwiched between a flaky, macaron cookie from Macaron Bar. Get this sandwich at the Macaron Bar kiosk at the Ross Park Mall, or any Millie’s location.
Macaron Bar Pittsburgh (1000 Ross Park Mall Dr)
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream (Multiple Locations)
The Frozen Rocket at Pork & Beans
Back on the menu at Pork & Beans for the summer is the restaurant’s famous “Frozen Rocket” drink. Inspired by everyone’s favorite red, white, and blue popsicle, the Frozen Rocket features Cruzan rum, Great American blueberry moonshine, grenadine, lemon, lime, 7-up.
Pork & Beans (136 6th St)
Birthday Cake Milkshake from The Milkshake Factory
Any summer birthdays out there? Celebrate with the brand-new Birthday Cake Milkshake from The Milkshake Factory. This colorful treat features a cake shake with rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream, and a brownie fudge caramel.
The Milk Shake Factory (Multiple Locations)
Frozen Cocktails at Bird on the Run
Bird on the Run in East Liberty has an entire menu of frozen cocktails available to pair with their fried chicken sandwiches. Take your pick from a Frozen Negroni, Frozen Zombie, Pomegranate Margarita or Froze. Cheers!
Bird on the Run (128 S Highland Ave)
Aquafaba Ice Cream from Greek Gourmet
Greek Gourmet has a new use for the leftover chickpea byproduct produced when the restaurant makes their famous hummus. Aquafaba is a viscous water that develops when legumes are cooked. The liquid is popular because it mimics egg whites in cooking. Aquafaba is the main ingredient in Greek Gourmet’s new nut, dairy, soy and egg free frozen dessert – Peppi’s Plant Powered GreekFreez. Eerily similar to ice cream, this flavorful dessert is available in chocolate, or mint chocolate chip from the freezer at Greek Gourmet.
Greek Gourmet (2130 Murray Ave)
Arsenal Frozen Cider
At Arsenal Cider House (multiple locations), a boozy beverage and a frozen treat are combined into the wonder that is “frozen cider.” With a texture similar to a slushie or sorbet, Arsenal has an entire arsenal of flavors to try. Be sure to check out “Bootleggers Bourbon Barrel,” and “Alcoholic Rhubarb.” This is a dessert and happy hour all in one.
Arsenal Cider House (Multiple Locations)
Sugar Spell Scoops Vegan Ice Cream
Sugar Spell Scoops has been a staple in the Pittsburgh vegan dining scene for years, so it makes sense that the city when absolutely ballistic when it was announced that the company was opening their first brick and mortar in Sharpsburg. Pittsburgh no longer has to depend on pints and popup events to get their Sugar Spells Fix. At the time of print, Sugar Spells hopes to open the shop later in summer 2018.
Sugar Spell Scoops (1014 North Canal)
Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
The best way to beat the summer heat? With ice cream that’s -321° F. The new Sub-Zero Ice Cream shop, located in the St. Clair retail center, uses liquid nitrogen technology to blend your ice cream, flavors, and toppings in just 15 seconds. Starting from batter (including the options for a gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, or lactose-free base), this ice cream is completely customizable.
Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream (100 Siena Drive)
Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
At this point, if you haven’t had a Leona’s Ice Cream sandwich, you need to drop what you’re doing and go get one. These almost-famous ice cream sandwiches have made their mark on the city, and can be found in dozens of breweries, markets, and restaurants in Pittsburgh. Each sandwich features a brick of ice cream between two homemade cookies. Extremely portable, Leona’s is one of the best ways to devour ice cream on the go. The brand is always coming up with new flavors, but the classics have withstood the test of time – I guess you’ll just have to try them all!
Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches (Multiple locations)
Salud Juicery
Cool down without the calories at Salud. This popular juicery (with locations around the city) offers protein-packed, frosted delights. The menu includes nourishing smoothies and bowls with whimsical names like “Straw Na-Na-Na,” and “ifulike Pina Coladas.” Using ingredients like cashews, dates, and banana, these smoothies are as refreshing as they are delicious.
Salud Juicery (Multiple Locations)
Ice Cream Sushi from Hoshi Pgh
If you’re looking for something a little more funky, Hoshi Pgh, a hibachi-style food truck in Pittsburgh, has a new menu item: Ice Cream Sushi Roll! Served with pistachio paste and cantaloupe, this dessert is great for sharing. Keep an eye on Hoshi’s social media for updates on where you can find the trunk this summer.
Hoshi Pgh (Food Truck)
Stickler’s Ice Pop
This popular Pittsburgh popsicle company (say that five times fast) is known around the ‘Burgh for their whimsical pops. With flavors like Watermelon Kiwi, Ice Cold Coffee, Golfer’s Delite (iced tea and lemonade), and Raspberry Mint, there is truly a popsicle for everyone. Find Sticklers at markets and shops around the city.
Stickler’s Ice Pops (Multiple Locations)
Gus & YiaYia’s Shaved Ice
A Pittsburgh classic for 84 years, a shaved ice from Gus & YiaYia’s is one of the most historic ways to cool down in Pittsburgh. Customers line up in front of this bright orange cart in Allegheny Commons Park for these brightly color ice balls. Nearly every Pittsburgher- old and young – has sweet summer memories from Gus & YiaYia’s.
Gus & YiaYia’s Shaved Ice (Allegheny Commons Park)
Go on the Ultimate Pittsburgh Ice Cream Road Trip
We, of course, have to mention the most popular frozen dessert of all time – ice cream. However, we could never pick just one ice cream shop in Pittsburgh. Instead, check out our Ultimate Ice Cream Road Trip article. Not only do we share 10 out-of-this-world ice cream shops in and around Pittsburgh, we detail the best route for conquering them all on one epic road trip. Enjoy!
What is your favorite frozen treat in Pittsburgh? Leave it in the comments below!
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