When the St. Louis summer heat hits, nothing beats a frozen sweet treat. Whether you’re looking for dairy-free, low-sugar or just made-from-scratch goodness, these local spots deliver cool comfort with a conscious twist.
Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream
This cozy shop sources cream from pasture-raised cows and takes pride in its high-quality ingredients. Try the strawberry cheesecake flavor; it’s the perfect balance of creamy, tangy cheesecake and sweet strawberry swirl. Vegan options include Rocky Street and other rotating flavors, ideal for cooling off in the summer sun.
4400 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.833.3800, serendipity-icecream.com
Gelato Di Riso
Located on the Hill, Gelato Di Riso crafts authentic gelato with milk- and water-based options. Its gelato is made with milk instead of high-fat cream, resulting in a smoother, lighter treat that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Enjoy fun flavors like peanut butter cup, tiramisu, pink grapefruit and espresso chip.
5204 Wilson Ave., St. Louis, 314.664.8488, gelatodiriso.com
Mr. Wizard’s Frozen Custard and Yogurt
A beloved St. Louis staple, Mr. Wizard’s serves up creamy frozen custard and lighter frozen yogurt options. Frozen yogurt is a great lower-fat dessert option if you’re watching your intake. Its vanilla and chocolate yogurts contain no fat, and the chocolate is sugar-free. There’s also the option to customize your scoops with toppings and syrups.
2101 S. Big Bend Blvd., St. Louis, 314.781.7566, wizardcustard.com
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
At Jeni’s in the Central West End, you’ll find flavors made from dairy from grass-fed cows. It offers sorbet as a lighter, more refreshing option. There’s a range of dairy-free options like caramel pecan sticky buns and Texas sheet cake, as well as gluten-free flavors such as green mint chip, darkest chocolate, wildberry lavender and coffee with cream and sugar.
389 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, 314.367.1700, jenis.com
Clementine’s Ice Cream
Known for its small-batch ice cream, Clementine’s offers “Naughty” (alcohol-infused), “Nice” (made with grass-grazed dairy) and “Non-Dairy” ice cream flavors, including coconut fudge and lemon poppyseed, meaning you don’t have to compromise on taste or lifestyle. Using coconut milk in non-dairy ice cream offers a creamy texture with just as much flavor, making it ideal for those who are lactose intolerant or following a plant-based diet.
Multiple locations, clementinescreamery.com
This article appears in August 2025.