My three best friends and I have this fun tradition of going on a “sweet treat” ice cream run after almost any meal we eat out on Nassau Street. We take our ice cream very seriously, and luckily the bustling downtown Princeton area—which is within arms reach of our campus—has plenty of options. Though this is a heavily debated topic, I’ve decided to share my rankings of Princeton’s ice cream spots:
4) Halo Pub
Coming in at number 4, I’m unfortunately going to have to give this one to Halo Pub. I like their ice cream, but I don’t love it. I will say, however, that the kind of rustic vibe of their shop setup is really nice! I’ve only been there a few times, but when I do, it’s fun to get comfy in one of the red booths with my friends while talking over some ice cream.
3) Thomas Sweet Ice Cream
Now I’ll admit, before this year, I had only ever been to Thomas Sweet once or twice. They’re well-known for their signature “blend-ins” and whimsical store decor. But while I’ve grown to enjoy their ice cream more, they’re located a bit further down Nassau Street than I’d like and sometimes it’s just not worth it to trek over there.
2) The Bent Spoon
Controversial, I know. When people think of Princeton, many think of The Bent Spoon and all its wacky, yet undeniably delicious, flavors. Where else are you going to find Ricotta Pistachio or Lavender Mascarpone ice cream? Bent Spoon is the quintessential ice cream shop of our quaint college town. But as much as I love this place, I’m going to have to give first place to…
1) Kilwin’s
By far my most frequented ice cream joint at Princeton is Kilwin’s. Although it’s a chain store and doesn’t have that small-town charm of Bent Spoon, I’d argue that there is something special about its classic flavors. My favorite thing to get there is a scoop of Mackinac Island Fudge or, when I’m in the mood, a scrumptious hot fudge sundae. Kilwin’s is timeless, and my friends and I absolutely love stopping by for our post-dinner dessert. (Note: I regret to inform everyone that, since initially writing this blog post, the Kilwin’s location in Princeton has unfortunately closed. :( However, I stand by my rankings and will miss Kilwin’s dearly!)
Though I didn’t choose to attend Princeton because of its ice cream scene, it has certainly been one of the many hidden perks of our community. Whatever your rankings, and with summer right around the corner, be sure to check out these local favorites whenever your sweet tooth is calling!