No summer day is complete without these sweet and frosty flavors
Each summer, we set out on a quest to find, savor and share the coolest treats in Tempe. Icy, frosty or frozen, these summer treats pair perfectly with adventuring or relaxing on a sunny Arizona day. Tempe’s favorite frozen delights range from flavorful frosty bites and cool smoothies to icy cocktails and decadent frozen treats — all of which are sure to chill you from the inside out. Whether you enjoy innovative flavors or the classics, Tempe has the perfect frozen treats for you.
1. Frozen Yogurt
Aloha Yogurt
219 E. Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 480-289-5238
Aloha Yogurt features 12 flavors each day, including tart, dairy-free and no-sugar-added options. Pair your choice of yogurt with as many or as few toppings as your tastebuds prefer — they have 45 to choose from, after all. Additionally, froyo sammies pair homemade cookie dough bookending froyo and toppings (cereal flavors, cookies and cream, Reese’s, etc.) or seasonal froyo tacos feature such flavors as Thin Mints, red velvet cake. Have your four-legged friend in tow? Try the “dog-urt” from the dog-friendly menu.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
1128 E. Baseline Road, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 480-307-6037
There is always something new to try at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Their innovative research and development team works diligently to roll out new flavors and unique items, including Menchie’s custom frozen yogurt cakes. Menchie’s offers something for everyone, including nonfat, no sugar added, gluten-free frozen dessert options to satisfy everyone’s taste.
Mojo Yogurt
Tempe Marketplace | 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-6493
With more than 28 fresh and tempting flavors, Mojo Yogurt at Tempe Marketplace triggers something inside you that makes you want to smile. Mojo is about producing positive energy that creates a healthy state of body and mind. This self-serve concept offers regular and rotating flavors, as well as smoothies, gelato, Italian Ice and non-dairy offerings.
2. Ice Cream
Crispy Cones
420 S. Mill Ave., Suite 106, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-881-1548
From Shark Tank to Mill Avenue, Crispy Cones is a sweet treat — famous in European countries — that features a fresh dough cone that’s grilled rotisserie-style and covered with cinnamon + sugar or a specialty powder. Select your cone, choose from the spread options, gourmet soft-serve ice cream flavors, fresh fruit and variety of delicious toppings for your own custom creation.
Green New American Vegetarian
2240 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-941-9003
Green is a 100% vegan restaurant serving delicious comfort foods — but don’t skip the soft serve. Widely known by dairy-avoidant dessert seekers, this frozen homemade vegan soy “tSoft tServe” is officially known as the tSoynami. Order chocolate, vanilla or twist all on its own, or opt for one of the creative combinations — most of which involve mixing in such vegan delights as cakes, cookies, chocolate, peanut butter or cereal. Gluten-free options are available.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream at Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-894-3262
Conveniently located right next to the splash pad at Tempe Marketplace, this walk-up window serves up some of the best handmade scoops around from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. From old-fashioned favorites to innovative creations, the menu here features cool treats of all varieties. Ice cream sandwiches, handle pops, cones, pints (and even dog treats) are the perfect addition to whatever splashing, strolling or shopping your visit to Tempe Marketplace has in store.
Insomnia Cookies
116 E. University Drive, Suite 104, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-795-3693
Need a quick cookie and ice cream fix? Insomnia offers ice cream pairings for their delicious, warm cookies. Order from their “Wiches” menu for ice cream sandwich heaven. Choose between an icing filling or scoops of ice cream between their classic, deluxe or gluten-free cookie options. For a lighter treat, enjoy a scoop of ice cream over one cookie or all by itself. And for a “sharable” snack, try the dippers!
Night Creamery
922 E. Apache Blvd., #106, Tempe, AZ 85281
Making its Tempe debut in 2025, Nite Creamery is one of only three locations scooping up the “earth’s creamiest” ice cream. What may not be immediately obvious is that his is an incredibly unique experience where each order is nitro-crafted to perfection. Start by choosing from the capsule menu: Mile & Gold is a fan favorite, All Niter is coffee infused and Pineapple Picante is dairy free (to name a few). Then, prepare for the show as your ingredients are mixed and frozen by the sweetest scientists in this dessert lab. Enjoy!
Sparky’s Old Town Creamery
510 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-921-6228
Ice cream sandwiches are just one of the many offerings at this iconic ice cream shop. Sparky’s Old Town Creamery has over 20 flavors of ice cream and sorbet, including a free mix-in. They even make their ice cream in small batches on-site, so everything is always fresh. If you’re in the mood for something icy, Sparky’s also has delicious Hawaiian shaved ice and smoothies, too.
Sweet Republic Artisan Ice Cream
410 N. Scottsdale Road., Suite 105, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-292-8557
Sweet Republic is known for its exceptional artisan ice cream. They start with their milk and cream from independent Arizona dairy farms and add all handmade ingredients; they even make their own cookies! All of these components make for the ultimate ice cream sandwich. Each of which includes two chocolate chip cookies sandwiched around ice cream of your choice: Salted Caramel Swirl, Chocolate, Brownie Fudge Swirl or Vanilla Bean.
3. Shaved Ice
Bahama Buck’s
1006 E. Warner Road, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-777-9482
Take your tastebuds on a tropical vacation. Bahama Buck’s offers island-inspired shaved ice (Sno) that you can smother with one of their endless possibilities of flavors. They also serve smoothies, lemonade, flavored sodas and “Frostalattes,” an iced and blended drink made with their Kona Coffee blend. Trying everything on this menu will definitely take all summer!
Joe’s Italian Ice
2019 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-907-7077
Joe’s Italian Ice brings Philly-style frozen treats to Tempe. Each specialty treat is crafted to perfection with real fruit from California farms and ice cream straight from a dairy in Philadelphia. They offer nearly 100 unique Italian ice flavors, from Strawberries ‘n Cream to Peanut Butter Cup. You can even combine your choice of soft-serve ice cream with it.
4. Açaí Bowls & More
Berry Divine Acai Bowls
960 N. Scottsdale Road, #101, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-967-0942
Frozen treats from Berry Divine have an unmistakable characteristic: soft-serve açaí that’s piled high with fresh fruit. So, if you’re looking for the best of both worlds — dessert and Mother’s Nature’s sweetest bounty — this is the perfect summer superfood combo. Bonus: The founders of Berry Divine are from Sedona, and you’ll see nods to Arizona throughout this menu.
Nautical Bowls
690 S. Novus Place, #185, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 602-647-5146
More than just a açaí bowl shop, Nautical Bowls is serving up the gamut of sweet, frozen, decadent superfood bowls at its new NOVUS Place location. Start by choosing from the roster of signature bowls or the build-your-own option. With pitaya, mango, coconut, blue majik (spirulina), açaí, chia pudding or cacao for your layers, the flavor combinations are seemingly endless. For the smoothie folks, there is also quite an impressive variety in that department, too.
Qwench Juice Bar
410 N. Scottsdale Road, #107, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-758-4912
Another must-try is Qwench Juice Bar. Nearly hidden at The Watermark, this shop is a gem for anyone planning recreational activities at Tempe Town Lake (located within walking distance). While Qwench is widely known for its vast array of blends aka smoothies, you’ll also find delicious and nutritious raw juices, açaí bowls, yogurt bowls, grain bowls and salads here too.
5. Frozen Libations
Blanco Cocina + Cantina at NOVUS Place
717 S. Novus Place, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-366-3717
Of course, Blanco Cocina + Cantina’s arrival in Tempe has been a buzz about tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, queso and cheese crisps — all with a fresh twist on Sonoran-style cuisine. And the margarita lineup is otherworldly. Cruise right down to the blended section of the menu and you’ll find frozen margaritas available in classic, spiced mango and coconut agave varieties. Bonus: Frozen Palomas come in classic grapefruit, guava and passionfruit, or blackberry and pomegranate.
Electric Pickle
8688 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-520-4000
Few things pair more perfectly than a game of pickleball and a frozen beverage. Whether you win or lose your next match at Electric Pickle, you’ve earned a celebratory toast with one of the coldest drinks in town. So grab a private cabana, an Adirondack chair on the lawn or a seat at the swanky indoor bar and check out the Spiked Slushies. The Frozé Margarita includes El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Hampton Water Rosé, Chareau Aloe, lime juice and agave nectar, and the Chi Chi blends Wheatley Vodka, pineapple juice, coconut milk, coconut water and agave nectar. Dink responsibly!
Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave., #106, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-967-3917
Fat Tuesday is home to over 20 frozen beverage offerings straight from Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Where to start? The world-famous frozen Daiquiri, of course. There are tons of flavors to choose from, but my go-to daiquiris have to be the Creamsicle and the Screaming Coyote; both are a slice of summertime heaven. You can even order 25 ounces of your favorite frosty daiquiri — that’s 14 inches of flavor!.
Ghost Ranch
1006 E. Warner Road, #102-103, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-474-4328
Hands down, the best summer drink goes to the Prickly Pear Frozé’ Rita from Ghost Ranch. The staff would describe it as “a frozen margarita that fell in love with a glass of cold rosé and had the most perfect, well-balanced, cocktail baby.” I mean, after that description, how could you not try it?!
