Stay sweet. Stay in community.
‘Tis the season for ice cream, frozen yogurt, shaved ice, and any other sweet treats that will help you beat the heat. Chicago’s not short on mouth-watering ice cream and confection shops, but only a select few are Black-owned. You’ll want to add these spots to your summertime repertoire ASAP.
Photo via Facebook/Shawn Michelle's
46 E. 47th St. - Bronzeville
Shawn Michelle’s is a crowd-pleaser for everyone in your crew. Flavor fanatics will appreciate the menu offering signature flavors like black walnut, Jamaican rum raisin, raspberry cookies & cream, and more. Don’t worry, vanilla and chocolate fans won’t be disappointed either. It’s also worth noting that this shop has a sizable vegan ice cream menu!
Photo via Facebook/B&B's Candy & Ice Cream
8238 S. Racine Ave. - Auburn-Gresham
1308 W. 95th St. - Brainerd
B&B’s operates under a mantra that it’s “more than a candy store,” but we still won’t blame you for getting nostalgic at the sight of it. Stop in for shakes, floats, and scoops. Go ahead and spoil yourself by tacking on some candy or cookies to take home for later.
Photo via Facebook/Ohana Ice & Treats
1800 W. 103rd St. - Beverly
Whether you’re craving shaved ice, ice cream, or even a fresh fruit smoothie, Ohana Ice has everything you’ll need to stay cool during the summer. Vegan options are also available.
Photo via Facebook/Kilwins Chicago Hyde Park
310 S. Michigan Ave. - The Loop
5226 S. Harper Ave. - Hyde Park
This national chain has made itself right at home in Chicago with multiple locations and enough ice cream, confections, and other sweet-tooth-pleasers to keep us coming back. Even though the corporation isn't Black-owned, the Michigan Ave. and Hyde Park locations are owned by Black mother-daughter duo Jackie and Janel Jackson.
Photo via Facebook/Richard's Super Premium Ice Cream
11033 S. Langley Ave. - Pullman
Richard’s is a Chicago favorite that can make your day that much sweeter. Order a few pints of the butter pecan, peach cobbler, or sweet potato pie to be delivered straight to your home. Better yet, plan a stop at its headquarters in the Pullman neighborhood, where you can also order from a menu of Chicago-style hot dogs and cheddar-caramel popcorn. It doesn’t get much more Chicago than that.
Photo via Facebook/Can't Believe It's Not Meat
1368 1/2 E. 53rd St. - Hyde Park
226 W. Chicago Ave. - River North
Hyde Park’s hub for vegan eats is also home to some delicious vegan milkshakes! Choose between berry, cookies & cream, and other flavors. Fresh fruit smoothies also make for a tasty cooldown.
Photo Via Facebook/YoFresh Cafe
635 Chicago Ave. - Evanston
With ten enticing flavors of frozen yogurt to choose from, you can’t go wrong with YoFresh Yogurt Cafe. The cafe offers non-fat, gluten-free, dairy-free, and no-added-sugar yogurt options to make sure there's something for everybody. In addition to fro-yo, the shop also serves coffee, sandwiches, soups, pizza, hot dogs, and more.
Photo Via Facebook/C&W Mini Market & Ice Cream Parlor
1901 Church St. - Evanston
Swing by this neighborhood market and ice cream shop to experience the taste that locals love. C&W Mini Market and Ice Cream Parlor sells a variety of fresh food products and its beloved homemade ice cream. If you want to really satisfy your sweet tooth, enjoy a funnel cake with your ice cream!
Photo Via Facebook/Cold Stone Creamery Evanston
1611 Sherman Ave. - Evanston
Cold Stone is a massive ice cream chain that provides build-your-own creations that we are all familiar with. This location in Evanston is a Black-owned franchise, so you can enjoy the experience and taste you know and love while also supporting the community.
Updated SEPT 2026
Did we miss your favorite spot?
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