I scream, you scream for Maine-made ice cream
Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime…
Years ago, when I edited a national specialty food publication, the president of one large out-of-state gourmet ice cream manufacturer called me to pitch his new super-premium line and asked for the address to send samples. When I replied with the Maine address, he was crushed. “Oh forget it,” he said. “We don’t even try to sell our ice cream in Maine. Maine has the best ice cream.” He’s right.
My first job was scooping ice cream at long-gone Deering Ice Cream in South Portland. Since then, I’ve been an ice cream aficionado. I’m not a fan of commercial ice creams or from-away concoctions. The truth about ice cream is, the closer you get to the source, the better the product will be, and in Maine, that’s easy to do. Like jimmies (a.k.a. sprinkles) on a cone, dairy bars serving Maine-made ice cream dot the state. (Updated July 23, 2025)
Where to find the best ice cream made in Maine
Here are Maine’s best shops: Each makes its own ice cream, gelato, or custard. Let me know if I’ve missed one of your faves; this remains a work in progress, and I can use your input. Remember, to qualify, a shop must make its own ice cream or gelato. (FYI: Shain’s, Gifford’s, Pugnuts, Shaker Pond, and Roundtop are Maine ice cream brands that can also be found in many other small Maine ice cream shops.) This list doesn’t include soft serve.
— I haven’t been to every shop…yet…, but * indicates my favorites.
—Just in case you want to immerse yourself in Maine’s favorite foods, here’s a link to my favorite Maine lobster shacks.
—And if chocolate is your favorite ice cream flavor, then check out my Maine Coast Chocolate Trail for artisan chocolatiers.
Southern Coast
Yorks
Alfred
Sanford
Ogunquit
Wells
Kennebunk/Kennebunkport
Biddeford
Saco
Old Orchard Beach
Scarborough
- Maine Scoop (formerly Bailey’s)
- Len Libby
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Greater Portland
Portland
- Beals
- Mount Desert Island Ice Cream *
- Gorgeous Gelato *
- Gelato Fiasco *
- Sticky Sweet vegan ice cream (nondairy) (NOTE: currently closed)
- Zephyr Ice
- Coastal Creamery
- Maine Flavor (vegan ice cream)
South Portland
Cape Elizabeth
Gorham
Westbrook
North Yarmouth
Freeport
- Mainely Custard (also has vegan ice cream)
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Mid-Coast
Brunswick
Edgecomb
Boothbay Harbor
Damariscotta
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Penobscot Bay
Rockport
- Freya’s *
Rockland
Belfast
Searsport
Liberty
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Acadia
Surry
- Pugnuts *
Blue Hill
• Sea & Tree Gelato (follow on IG to find where and when)
Ellsworth
Bar Harbor
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Down East
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Kennebec Valley
Randolph
• Deb’s Ice Cream & Mini Golf
Manchester
South China
Winthrop
• Fast Eddy’s
Wayne
Waterville
Skowhegan
Madison
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Western Lakes & Mountains
Gray
New Gloucester
Raymond
- The Mosquito
Casco
Lovell
Mechanic Falls
Norway
Poland
Raymond
South Paris
Sabattus
Auburn
Lisbon Falls
Lisbon
Mechanic Falls
Farmington
- Sandy River Farm * (by the pint)
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Maine Highlands
Bangor
Bradley
Dover-Foxcroft
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Aroostook County
Houlton
Presque Isle
Caribou
My Mother, who sadly passed away in 2013, was born and raised in Maine but moved to Florida during her later school years. During my childhood we often vacationed in Maine and during the last years of her life she and I would visit Maine every fall. A must do for every single trip was a drive to Bradley’s for Spencer’s ice cream. Her very favorite was the orange pineapple – sometimes she would force two cones knowing she would not have the chance for another until the next year. My husband and I still make the trip to Maine from our home in Florida often and we still drive to Bradleys for the best ice cream in the country. Thank you for your article -we will visit some of the other favorite ice cream shops you have listed.
Gelato Rose in Rockland Maine makes gelato daily right on main st!
I’ll be adding gelato shops soon and will definitely add Gelato Rose. Thanks!
Hilary Nangle, thank you for this compilation.
We love The Ice Cream Place in Smithfield. Do they make their own?
No, it serves Shain’s of Maine, a wonderful ice cream made in Sanford, Maine.
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