Something about the summer brings out a craving for sweetness. When it’s hot AF outside like it has been in metro Detroit this year, a dessert that will cool you off is sometimes exactly what you need. Ice cream is a classic choice, of course, but there are also frozen drinks, popsicles, shakes, gelato, Italian ice, floats, and other cold treats.

We compiled a list of some of our favorite Detroit-area dessert shops that serve up delicious treats to help you cool down in the heat and fulfill your sweet tooth cravings this summer.

Read on for our recommendations.

Momento Gelato and Coffee 2120 Trumbull St., Detroit; 313-974-6054; momentogelato.com Bringing a taste of Italy to Detroit, this Corktown shop specializes in gelato, a less fattening version of ice cream. Owner Tom Isaia, who learned the craft during trips to Bologna, Italy, uses skim milk powder, whole milk, and cream to create authentic gelato flavors. Credit: Tom Perkins
The Peach Cobbler Factory Detroit 1300 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-285-8627; peachcobblerfactory.com Renowned for its super sweet Southern-style desserts, this rapidly growing chain has finally arrived in Detroit. Since opening in early July 2024, it has served celebrities like Mike Epps, Jalen Rose, and former Piston Lindsay Hunter. The menu features a variety of sweet and savory cobblers paired with ice cream, plus banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, Belgian waffles, and more. Specialty drinks include house-made Sweet Peachy Tea and Cold Rush Cold Brew Coffee. Credit: Facebook, Peach Cobbler Factory Detroit
Milk & Froth 535 Griswold St., Detroit | 328 S. Main St., Ann Arbor | 313-285-8501; milkandfroth.com Since launching in 2018, this Detroit ice cream shop has been serving up classic dairy and vegan ice creams made from scratch in its Eastern Market production kitchen. Milk & Froth ice cream is also available at select local grocery stores, so you can enjoy the cold treat at home too. Credit: Facebook, MilkandFroth
Huddle Soft Serve 8130 Kercheval Ave., Detroit | 2 John R St., Detroit | huddle-softserve.com For a simple and satisfying stop for ice cream, this spot has you covered. The walk-up window offers vanilla, chocolate, and twist frozen custard for $4, with toppings like sprinkles, sea salt, or mini chocolate chips, served in a cone, cup, or waffle cone. Floats with Faygo Rock & Rye, Vernors, Coke, and root beer are also available. Credit: Tom Perkins
Sugar Factory 45 Monroe St., Detroit; 947-219-0700; sf4.sugarfactory.com/detroit-mi This famous chain, which opened a Detroit location in 2022, claims to be “the most Instagrammed restaurant in America.” It features a candy retail store and a sit-down eatery offering over-the-top entrees and desserts. The cold drinks and shakes are sure to give you a brain freeze and a sugar rush. Credit: Sugar Factory/Facebook
Neveria La Michoacana 4663 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; facebook.com One of the many gems in Mexicantown, this spot features a wide array of sweet treats perfect for a hot day. From paletas (Mexican ice pops) to horchata (a sweet rice milk drink) to mangonada (a popsicle filled with fresh fruit and chili powder) to agua fresca (a fruit-filled smoothie juice drink) and delicious ice cream, this is the place to cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth like they do in Mexico. Credit: Google Maps
Family Treats 2010 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-841-3522 This southwest Detroit ice cream joint serves your favorite heat-busting sweet treats as well as savory fare, including burgers, dogs, fries, and even tacos, all at affordable prices.
Mister Dips 19 E. Grand River, Detroit; misterdips.com This popular ice cream spot offers your favorite flavors with a twist. Specialty soft serve cones are dipped in a mix of creative toppings. Try the Chocolate P.B.D., dipped in dark cocoa, salted peanut butter drip, and Tagalongs, or the Beach Day Sundae, with vanilla ice cream, pineapple, toasted coconut, and Samoas. Credit: Facebook, Mister Dips
Motor City Wine 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; motorcitywine.com One of the most beloved patios in the city, MotorCity Wine offers an extensive selection of red, white, and rosé wines. Its outdoor seating and cozy fire pits make it a perfect spot for summer evenings. Even better in the hot weather, the spot has frozen drink options to keep you cool. The wine bar frequently hosts dining pop-ups and DJ entertainment, creating the perfect setting for an intimate summer party under the open sky. Credit: Facebook, MotorCity Wine
JoJo’s ShakeBAR 88 W. Columbia St., Detroit; 313-462-4315;jojosshakebar.com If you want a meal with great dessert options afterward, this restaurant is the place. The over-the-top shakes come in various flavors, including blueberry, Reese’s Pieces, and banana Oreo. Credit: JoJo's ShakeBAR/Facebook
Sedo’s 8047 Agnes St., Detroit; 313-355-0815; sedosicecream.com Just opening in 2023, this small West Village shop serves delicious hard ice cream. There are tons of favorite flavors, plus many vegan and gluten-free options. The spot also often offers baklava. Credit: Facebook, Sedo's Ice Cream
Treat Dreams 22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3440 | 621 E. 11 Mile Rd., Madison Heights Treat Dreams rotates its ice cream flavors often, but don’t think you’ll only go and find chocolate or vanilla. You might walk in and see lobster bisque or zucchini bread on the menu. The shop just recently opened a Madison Heights location that is walk-up and drive-thru only. Credit: Treat Dreams/Facebook
Mangonadas Del Barrio 1210 Lawndale St., Detroit; 313-724-6074 A southwest Detroit favorite is home of the Mangonada, a frozen spicy Mexican fruit drink, but it also offers some incredibly over the top frozen treats and ice cream options. Credit: Mangonadas Del Barrio/Facebook
Doug’s Delight 24110 John R Rd., Hazel Park; instagram.com/dougsdelight_hp After its longtime owner died, this old Hazel Park ice cream shack was revived by chefs from the nearby upscale Mabel Gray restaurant, who thankfully kept things old-school and low-frills with favorites like Guernsey ice cream and what it calls “Dougies,” or its version of the Dairy Queen Blizzard, which comes in flavors like Bumpy Cake. (For fans of Hulu’s The Bear, the building also holds Matt & Mo’s Italian Beef shop, which serves up the Chicago delicacy.) Credit: Facebook, Doug's Delights
JB’s Ice Pops jbsicepops.com Bridge Detroit reporter Jena Brooker started JB’s Ice Pops with the goal of making tasty and healthy ice pops while contributing to the local food system. The popsicles are for all ages, made with local ingredients from Detroit and Michigan farmers. Unique flavors include Maple Sage, Basil Lemonade, and Blueberry Earl Grey. Detroiters can find JB’s Ice Pops at pop-ups around the city, like Eastern Market and Summertown Fresh Bar. Follow @jbs_icepops on Instagram to see where to grab some during a hot summer day. Credit: Instagram, @jbs_icepops
Cold Truth 4240 Cass Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-680-1199; coldtruthsoftserve.com This Midtown soft serve joint offers out-of-the-box flavors like black sesame with strawberry balsamic drizzle, lavender, and black vanilla. Non-dairy options are always available too. Credit: Google Maps
Detroit Water Ice Factory 1014 Woodward Ave., Detroit Founded in 2015 by Freep columnist and best-selling author Mitch Albom, this downtown spot offers a unique take on frozen desserts. The restaurant features a variety of flavors of sorbet (AKA “Italian ice” or “water ice”), a dairy-free treat made of flavored water and various fruits. Plus, all proceeds go to local charities. Credit: Facebook
La Gelati Multiple locations; lagelatiusa.com Since opening in 2013, this sweets shop has grown to six metro Detroit locations. It offers Italian ice, gelato, ice cream, smoothies, crepes, waffles, and other sweet treats – many that are great to cool down with. Credit: Facebook, La Gelati
Astoria 541 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-963-9603 | 320 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-582-9220 | astoriapastryshop.com This family-owned bakery is known for its variety of cakes, cookies, and pastries, but also offers great ice cream and shakes for when it’s too hot outside for anything else. Credit: Google Maps
Third Street Bar 4626 Third St., Detroit; 313-503-5085; facebook.com This humble bar recently reopened under new ownership, which also came with frozen drink machines for two booze-infused menu items: Irish Coffee and what it calls the Miami Vice, or a blend of strawberry margarita and piña colada. Another new offering is shot glasses made of ice, which guests are invited to throw at a bell on the patio for a chance to win another shot. These cold drink options are perfect for a summer where you want to get lit and have fun. Credit: Lee DeVito
Doug’s Delight in Hazel Park. Credit: Michelle Gerard

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...