Chicago's Top Healthy Ice Cream Parlors

Do you love going to ice cream parlors? Have you ever tried low-fat ices, geleto or healthy frozen yogurts? If you are like me, I get tired of the same old flavors. If you are adventurous and would love to try a flavor other than the usual chocolate or vanilla, then Chicago is the place to go. Even if you are on a diet, you will find a fabulous ice cream parlor that will delight your senses.

If you live in Chicago or plan on visiting soon then here are just a few of the delectable ice cream parlors that will tantalize the palate and savor the courageous soul.

Miko's Italian Ice

Neighborhood: Logan Square

2234 N. Sacramento Avenue, Chicago

773.645.9664

1846 N. Damen

773.645.9664

Hours: Closed in Winter, opens in Spring

Open May-October, based on weather 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; they may close early if it's cold outside.

Price: Very reasonable in price; from $2 for a baby size and $5.50 for a gigantic

The Creation

If you love ice cream, especially Gelato then Miko's is the place to go. Miko's Italian Ices is a hidden Italian Gelato walk up parlor located behind a Cuban grocery serving Italian ice cream or Gelato (jel-lah-toh). Gelato is similar to ice cream but has 55% less air. It is more concentrated than traditional ice cream, has lower fat (not to much fat and part of a healthy diet plan), and is denser in flavor. Some of Miko's flavors are watermelon, banana with chocolate chips, grapefruit, kiwi, green tea, coconut/strawberry, and coconut/banana/chocolate chip.

Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1537 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

(between Damen Ave & North Ave)

Chicago, IL 60622

773.342.2834

Hours:

Monday-Thursday: Closed

Friday-Saturday: 2:00 pm - 12:00 pm

Sunday: 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Price: All items are between $3 and $5.50

The Creation

This is a tantelizing ice cream parlor with a twist of the unique. If you are a "green" advocate then iCream will make your head spin with the numerous selections. It is a liquid nitrogen ice cream parlor, a sweet treat filled with a bowl of fog. Everything is made right in front of you. Choose between the hormone free ice cream, low fat, non-fat, organic, yogurt, or soy. There are over 30 flavors to choose from, including your choice of sweetener, and up to 3 toppings. Some of the unique flavors are: burnt sugar, cinnamon, cream soda, grape, green tea, coffee bean, honey, Irish cream, mint, pear, pomegranate, and root beer.

Neighborhood:

Albany Park/ North Park

4219 N. Kedzie, Chicago

773.583.9257

Hours: 10 am-7 pm daily

Price: Reasonable; Under $10 per entrée

The Creation

What is ice cream? Well, Paleteria Jalisco knows the secret. This tantalizing ice cream parlor supplies many of the pushcart vendors in Albany Park. There are about 24 ices and Popsicle flavors. For the adventurous there is including chili-dusted cucumber, guayaba (Spanish for guava), and mamey, a fruit that looks similar to a light yellow coconut and tastes like the combination of a pumpkin, sweet potato, and a maraschino cherry.

Neighborhood: Wicker Park
1745 W. Division, Chicago
(between Hermitage Ave & Wood St)
773.395.9300

Open: Monday-Sunday: 11am – 9pm

2142 N. Halsted, Chicago

773.868.4900

Open: Monday-Sunday: 11am – 9pm

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago

312.527.3674

Monday-Friday: 7am – 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Block 37, Pedway Level, Chicago
108 N. State

312.658.1241

Monday-Friday: 7am – 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Price: Reasonable; Under $10 per entrée

. Two Punch Tuesday: Get 2 punches on a Starfruit punch card for every parfait, smoothie, frozen kefir treat! Get 9 punches, and get $4.50 off your next purchase.

The Creation

Many say the answer to "What is ice cream?" should be a nutritious treat. Are you looking for a nourishing ice cream that is part of your "green" living lifestyle? If you love the tart taste of kefir this is the place for you. Starfruit is a tantalizing ice cream parlor with flavors that will delight the taste buds. This kefir parlor has cushions on the floor, flowers on the table, and bright lime green high chairs. To top it off, they are environmentally green and use biodegradable cups and utensils. Starfruit has base flavors to choose from: vanilla, pomegranate, strawberry, and peach. Some of the fruit toppings you will enjoy are tropical mango, kiwi, California green grapes, and Brazilian gogi berries. Other toppings to savor are: carob chips, craisins, Japanese mochi balls (a favorite), and milk and honey granola. Specialties ice creams include, white coffee bean, Crème Brûlée and star anise.

Neighborhood: Oakton Park
4558 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076-3144
(between Kenton Ave. and Kolmar Ave.)
847.982.1720
Hours: 11 am-10 pm daily

8000 Waukegan, Chicago
847.965.9805
Hours: 11 am-10 pm daily

Price: Single 4 oz. $2.29 Double scoop $3.99 (make it a double for $1.70 more) and Cones: waffle, cake, sugar or candy-coated cone. Shakes $4.00 Pints $4.50, and frozen bars on a stick $1.89. Bubble teas for $4. And the Village Volcano, which stuffs you with seven scoops, four toppings and cookies for $13.

The Creation

This is a thrilling Filipino parlor that has homemade ice cream made with quality ingredients. This parlor knows the answers of "What is ice cream". The delicious ice cream is coconut-based, using a technique that reduces air content making the ice cream smoother, creamier, and intense. There are more flavors than you can imagine. Among the many surprising flavors are corn, purple yam, jackfruit, coffee bean, ginger, lychee, and halo-halo- with red and white beans, sugar palm, Jell-O bits, coconut, and rice. Also on the menu there is avocado macapuno - sweetened with coconut, cranberry cocktail sorbet, chocolate berry merlot, green tea, and cashew raisin crème brulee - a custard ice cream with custard pieces. And for the thirsty, an inventive sherbet made with Gatorade. Village Creamery also offers bubble shakes in many flavors. This is quality ice cream blended in an array of tapioca bubbles.

2 Locations

859 N. Damen Avenue

773.235.3116

Winter Hours: Wednesday –Sunday 2 p.m. -10 p.m.

1955 W Belmont Chicago
773.348.7935

Winter Hours: Saturday & Sunday 2 p.m. -9 p.m.

This is a hotspot in Chicago for foodies who love gelato and sorbet. Flavors rotate daily offering a mixture of both classic and inventive choices. You will find classic flavors such as double chocolate as well as unique creations such as goat cheese cashew caramel gelato, coconut thyme, carrot ginger sorbet, sesame fig chocolate chip, rosemary Irish cream, cucumber rosewater sorbet, maple cayenne bacon, butterscotch bourbon pecan and the list goes on. They also have some amazing ice cream sandwiches made with gelato.

If you dine out often in Chicago, you more than likely will see Black Dog Gelato on the dessert menu. This amazing café caters to numerous restaurants in the city and tailors unique flavors to their menu. However, there is nothing better than visiting the actual parlor for the ultimate experience.

27 W Washington St, Chicago
312.977.9971

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Although this is a coffee shop with European overtones they have some amazing sorbets and gelatos. Even Yelp has 143 positive Reviews about this divine and eclectic café. Lavazza Espression has an astonishing blend of creativity based on espresso coffee, exclusive food and authentic gelato. The Italian name Lavazza is even synonymous to the making of fine coffee.

If you love coffee or ice cream then this youthful café is ideal to the perfect treat. You will find heavenly flavors like:

• Affogato al caffé: Espresso poured over fresh vanilla gelato.
• Cremespresso: A creamy espresso sorbet that soothes the palate
• Affogato al Cioccolato: Italian drinking chocolate lavishly poured over smooth gelato
• Gelato Croccantino: Vanilla Gelato with crunchy sesame brittle, creamy caramel topping and whipped cream

1400 W 46th St, Chicago

773-847-5523

The Plant is an old meatpacking plant that is being transformed into an Eco farm. The large South Side building will produce food sustainably, while creating zero waste.

The Plant is a green building dedicated to small businesses and aquaponic farming. They already have quite a few aquaponic farms, organic bakeries and even a kombucha business.

Upon completion there will be 125 permanent, full-time jobs at The Plant. Other Eco friendly businesses include a sustainable brewery, indoor mushroom cultivation and tilapia fish breeders. Word is out that Coconut Bliss might be adding a shop. Talk about amazing.