Lickety Split: Five Local Must-Try Ice Cream Spots

Anthony Faccenda

​We are lucky in Rhode Island to have so many ice cream parlors, but sometimes too many choices lead to too much indecision. Since we know you'd rather be eating ice cream rather than researching it, we've culled down the endless options to five must-try locations—including one in nearby Swansea.

Keep reading to see if your favorite ice cream spot made the list. 

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Tricycle Ice Cream
Various locations
http://www.tricycleicecream.com/
 
Living up to the old adage of "do one thing and do it well," Tricycle Ice Cream has been satisfying ice cream sandwich lovers since 2014. During the summer, you can find this food cart every Saturday at the Hope Street Farmers Market in Providence selling their unique style of ice cream sandwiches. Featuring core flavors like Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream on Espresso Shortbread Cookies and Thai Tea Ice Cream on Toasted Coconut Shortbread Cookies, these definitely aren't your run of the mill ice cream sandwiches. And be sure to be on the lookout for the special flavors which vary from week to week. Click here to see where Tricycle Ice Cream will be this summer, as well as to see the locations that stock their product.

The Ice Cream Barn
289 Locust St, Swansea, MA
https://www.theicecreambarn.com/
 
A favorite among residents of South Coast, MA, The Ice Cream Barn is so good that it even attracts Rhode Islanders who think driving more than 15 minutes is a day trip. Housed in a working dairy farm, The Ice Cream Barn features delicious ice cream that is made on site and is open three seasons out of the year. Be forewarned that when you get there you'll likely see an enormous line, but the staff keeps it moving and you'll likely wait no more than 15 minutes. This writer recommends either the Banana Peanut Butter Cup or Pistachio. There are even no sugar added options for more health-conscious consumers.

Ice Cream Machine
4288 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI
http://www.icecreampie.com/
 
Offering the widest variety on our list, Ice Cream Machine features over 40 flavors of ice cream, including Brownie Batter, Dulce de Leche, and Grape Nut. In April, the Cumberland favorite began offering fudge (16 flavors) and 65 kinds of penny candy. Due to the overwhelming number of options, do yourself a favor and look at the online menu before visiting so you don't hold up the line.

Three Sisters
1074 Hope St, Providence, RI
http://threesistersri.com/
 
From spiked maple latte to coconut almond joy, Three Sisters offers some of the most unique and appetizing ice cream flavors around. Despite offering 20 flavors of ice cream, the menu's crown jewel is certainly Kulfi. Native to India, Kulfi is flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, and pistachios, and is probably unlike most ice cream flavors you've ever tried. It's also a great dessert following a meal at one of Hope Street's two Indian restaurants—India and Not Just Snacks.  The flavor earned Three Sisters a mention in Yankee Magazine in June 2018. 

Holy Cow, A Heavenly Experience
5000 S County Trail, Charlestown, RI
https://www.holycowri.com/
 
Located off the beaten path in Charlestown, Holy Cow, A Heavenly Experience is a hidden gem that every Rhode Islander has to try. Known for its fun atmosphere and friendly staff, Holy Cow is a must after spending a relaxing day at nearby East Beach. All of the flavors are great, but this staff recommends Toasted Coconut. And what's more, dairy-free folks are in luck because Holy Cow's vegan options are actually pretty awesome.

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