Avoid Brain Freeze - My Top 5 Places to Eat Cool

Tangerine and Plum in pretzel cones - Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit

Whenever the temperature goes up I always want to keep cool.  Often this means I get a lot of cravings for ice cream and the like.  Sadly the New Yorker I've turned out to be has become extremely picky when it comes to desserts.  Here are my favorite places that I love to go back to again and again.


16 Handles - One of many self-serve froyo places, this is actually my favorite.  Not just because of their flavors but because of their play on the 1984 movie "Sixteen Candles." Their recipe for Cake Batter is one I can't get enough of and am very biased towards.  It is also worthwhile to check out all of their locations as each has different selection of toppings. Check out their Twitter for contests and maybe free froyo.

Follow them @16Handles

Big Gay Ice Cream - You can't go to NYC without visiting this iconic ice cream shop.  They started out as a truck, but now they've expanding to two locations with lines out the door.  Who can blame them when there's a giant unicorn in the window and an ice cream sundae dedicated to Bea Arthur.

East Village
125 East 7th Street
New York NY 10009

West Village
61 Grove Street
New York NY 10014

Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit - We tried this spot once but I will certainly go back whenever I'm in Union Square and crave dessert.  A simple take on dessert, their soft serve fruit is gluten-free and vegan friendly.  They pride on the fact their soft serve fruit has only three ingredients: fruit, water and organic palm sugar.

25 E 7th Street
New York, NY 10003

Kelvin Natural Slush - On hot days you need ice to cool you down, but for those who can stand plain water there is Kelvin Slush. With just three flavors (Spicy Ginger, Tangy Citrus, and Green & Black Tea) and lots of mix-ins, they can make alot of slushies. If you can't find the truck or just missed it, don't worry -- Whole Foods sells the cold treat as well! Check out their blog for possible choices if you can't make up your mind.

Follow the truck @KELVINSLUSH

Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream - One of the first brands when the food truck phenomenon happened, Van Leeuwen has always had a place in my heart.  I'm not sure whether to blame the days when they are parked in front of Anna Sui or the ice cream. The ice cream is exactly how you imagine it: creamy with crazy fancy flavors like Earl Gray and Giandjua.

Follow the truck @VLAIC

Brooklyn (Boerum Hill)
81 Bergen St
Boerum Hill, Brooklyn 11217
(347) 763 2979

Brooklyn (Greenpoint)

632 Manhattan Ave,
Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222

East Village

48 1/2 East 7th St,
New York, NY, 10003