What's summer without visiting your favorite spots for ice cream and frozen yogurt? From over-the-top shakes to classic drive-in ice cream stands, The Bend has a variety of shops for frozen goodness. Here's a guide to local ice cream options in South Bend, Mishawaka and the surrounding area.
The Black Cat and Meyers' Ice Cream
Pizza and ice cream, all in one spot. The Black Cat is a longstanding favorite for pizza in New Carlisle. On the back side of the building, with a couple of tables to hang out, there is an ice cream shop that serves up all sorts of delicious flavors.
Bonnie Doon Drive-In
Still serving up plenty of nostalgia, this old school Mishawaka drive-in is worth a visit. It's well-known for sundaes and other amazing treats. Bonnie Doon is also considered on of The Bend's best places to grab a burger, so we suggest doing both.
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Caracas Bistro
Head to this Mishawaka eatery for great Venezuelan food but make sure to save room for the absolutely massive milkshakes. You're likely to get one topped with a donut, ice cream cone and/or a piece of cake. No, really.
Fat Boys Creamery
This one is an absolute hidden gem. Located in South Bend's Keller Park neighborhood, it features soft serve ice cream and "loaded" dessert waffles.
The Chief Ice Cream
Tracing its roots to a small shop in 1962, the original location in nearby Goshen landed on a Thrillist list of the top 31 ice cream shops in the nation. The Granger location is a chip off the old block, serving up classic cones and fun flavors.
Let's Spoon Frozen Yogurt
Think we'd leave out the froyo? No chance! Let's Spoon is a wildly popular place with two locations in South Bend. They constantly rotate flavors and you can build your own concoction with dozens of toppings from which to choose.
PaddyShack Ice Cream
Cones, sundaes, floats, splits — PaddyShack in Granger has it all. This family run shop offers up hand-dipped options to a slew of regular customers. Some even say it's the best in the area. We'll let you decide.
Paleteria y Neveria La Rosita
Visit this shop on the west side of South Bend for a truly unique ice cream experience. The La Rosita crew makes their own paletas (popsicles) and is well known for the chamoyada, a fresh fruit cup with a little spiciness to it. La Rosita is truly a gem in the Westside dining scene.
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South Bend Chocolate Café
If you're in downtown South Bend and looking for ice cream, this is your place. South Bend Chocolate Café serves up dozens of flavors by the scoop. You should probably game some chocolate to go too.
Vanilla Bean Creamery
Vanilla Bean Creamery in Granger offers up a ton of variety and generous scoops of its all-homemade ice cream. Some reviewers have gone so far as to say it's the best they've ever had. Who are we to argue?
Urban Swirl & Scoop
Urban Swirl built its reputation on soft-serve frozen yogurt and sorbets, plus milkshakes. There's plenty to love from that collection. Now it's also serving Graeter's Ice Cream, a known brand across the Midwest.
Whistle Stop Ice Cream
Located right across the street from Howard Park, Whistle Stop is the newest addition to The Bend's ice cream scene. Owners make their ice cream from scratch and offer up to 20 flavors. After getting your cone, you can walk the paths at Howard Park.
