Missouri knows how to keep things cool when the weather turns warm, and few things do that better than a hand-dipped cone made right where you order it. From frozen custard stands that have been around for generations to newer shops churning out small-batch flavors, the state is full of spots worth the extra gas money.
Some of these places are famous statewide, while others are quiet neighborhood favorites that locals guard like a secret. In this list you will find nine ice cream and frozen custard shops across Missouri that make the treats themselves and keep people coming back season after season.
Grab some napkins, because things are about to get sweet.
1. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis
Few names in Missouri dessert history carry as much weight as Ted Drewes. The Chippewa Street location sits right on old Route 66, and it has been a St. Louis tradition since the 1930s.
The signature order here is the concrete, a frozen custard so thick that servers famously turn the cup upside down before handing it over. If it drips, you get it free.
Popular concrete flavors include the Fox Treat and the Cardinal Sin, made with real cherries and hot fudge. The menu stays simple and focused on custard done well.
Come winter, the Chippewa spot transforms into a Christmas tree lot, which is about as St. Louis as it gets. Expect a line in summer, but it moves fast.
2. Andy’s Frozen Custard, Springfield
What started as a single stand in Osage Beach grew into a beloved brand rooted in Springfield, where Andy’s keeps its home base. The custard is made fresh in small batches throughout the day.
The Jackhammer is the fan favorite, a cup layered with custard, hot fudge, and a peanut butter core. It is rich enough to share, though most people do not.
You will also find concretes, sundaes, and the James Brownie Funwich, an ice cream sandwich built with brownies. The menu leans indulgent without getting complicated.
Service is quick, walk-up style, and the shop draws steady crowds on warm evenings. It is an easy stop if you are passing through southwest Missouri.
3. Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery, St. Louis
Small-batch and inventive is the whole idea behind Clementine’s, which opened in the Lafayette Square neighborhood and has since expanded to several St. Louis locations. Everything is made in house.
The shop is known for its creative flavor lineup, with playful names and rotating seasonal options alongside classic favorites. There are also dairy-free and creamy microcreamery styles for different tastes.
Gooey Butter Cake is a standout flavor, a nod to a signature St. Louis dessert baked right into the ice cream. It captures the local flavor better than most souvenirs could.
The shops have a bright, welcoming feel and make for a nice stop while exploring the historic neighborhoods around them. Flavors change often, so repeat visits rarely feel the same.
4. Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream, Webster Groves
Handcrafted in small batches, the ice cream at Serendipity has earned a loyal following in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves. The shop makes its flavors on site with a focus on quality ingredients.
Gooey Butter Cake shows up here too, along with a rotating roster of creative and classic flavors. The lineup changes with the seasons, so there is usually something new to try.
The parlor has an old-fashioned charm that fits its neighborhood setting near the shops of Old Webster. It is the kind of place you visit after dinner or a walk downtown.
Cones, cups, sundaes, and hand-packed pints round out the offerings. If you want homemade ice cream in a friendly, low-key spot, this one delivers.
5. Silky’s Frozen Custard, St. Charles
Concretes so thick they practically defy gravity have made Silky’s a St. Charles favorite for years. The frozen custard is churned fresh and served with a long list of mix-ins.
The Sherman Blaster is a signature concrete loaded with peanut butter, brownie pieces, and hot fudge. It is a heavy hitter for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.
You can build your own concrete or sundae from a big menu of toppings, or keep it simple with a plain cone. There is room for both the adventurous and the traditionalists.
The shop sits near historic Main Street St. Charles, making it an easy add-on to a day of walking the cobblestone district. Warm evenings bring out steady crowds.
6. Fritz’s Frozen Custard, Kansas City area
Watch closely at Fritz’s and your order might arrive by train. Several locations use a small overhead railway system to deliver custard right to the table, which turns a simple treat into a bit of a show.
The frozen custard here is made fresh daily and served as cones, sundaes, and concretes. Flavors of the day rotate, so the board is worth checking before you order.
Kids love the train gimmick, but the custard is what keeps adults coming back. It is smooth, dense, and made the classic Midwest way.
With several spots around the Kansas City metro, Fritz’s is an easy stop whether you are running errands or making a special trip. The novelty and the flavor together make it stand out.
7. Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Lawrence-area roots
Big scoops and homemade flavors are the calling card at Sylas and Maddy’s, which serves the Kansas City area with ice cream made in house. The shop keeps a rotating case of creative and classic options.
Portions here are generous, and the flavor list runs long, from chocolate-forward picks to fruit and candy blends. There is usually a special or two worth asking about.
The setting is casual and family-friendly, the kind of place you visit for a weekend treat. Cones, cups, and hand-packed containers are all on the menu.
If you want homemade ice cream that does not skimp on size, this is a solid stop in the metro. The variety keeps regulars guessing what to try next.
8. Pineapple Whip, Republic
Summer in southwest Missouri has a signature taste, and for many people that taste is Pineapple Whip. The seasonal stands serve a swirled frozen treat that has become a regional obsession.
The flagship flavor is the tangy pineapple whip that gives the business its name, though other fruit flavors and swirls appear too. It is light, cold, and refreshing on a hot day.
Locations operate seasonally, typically opening in the warmer months and drawing loyal crowds from the moment they reopen. Fans track the opening dates like a holiday.
Simple, quick, and unmistakably local, Pineapple Whip is the kind of treat people plan road trips around. If you are near Republic or Springfield in summer, it is worth seeking out.
9. Central Dairy, Jefferson City
Legendary for enormous scoops at small prices, Central Dairy in Jefferson City has been a stop for generations of Missourians. The parlor sits at the company’s longtime home in the capital city.
The flavor menu is long, covering plenty of classics and a few surprises. What really draws people is the value, since the scoops are famously large.
The old-school parlor setting adds to the appeal, with a straightforward menu of cones, sundaes, malts, and shakes. It feels like a piece of Missouri history that still works.
Families passing through Jefferson City often make a point to stop, and it is an easy detour near the Capitol. For big portions and a nostalgic feel, few places compete.
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