We All Scream for Ice Cream: The Scoop on Ice Cream Shops in Vancouver and Clark County
Table of Contents – Ice Cream Shops in Vancouver and Beyond
Ice cream alone is great, but ice cream shops are an experience. They evoke a sense of wonder and excitement that you just can’t get from a cardboard carton in the grocery store aisle. There’s something special about walking up and down the line, peering through the glass, and deciding which flavor will hit the spot at that moment. And of course the sampling. Lots of sampling. Clark County is home to a number of high quality ice cream shops, so my family and I set out to try them all! Here are our takeaways on ice cream shops in Vancouver and beyond.
Eight Cow Creamery
This new Ridgefield establishment is already a huge hit across Clark County. On the weekends, lines can go out the door—but don’t worry, they move fast! Eight Cow Creamery started out as a food truck, but recently opened a brick and mortar with lots of seating, including a heated outdoor area overlooking a beautiful green space. The owners, parents of eight children themselves, designed this place to be inviting to families and groups. The inside is the epitome of a modern farmhouse style, with white shiplap, real wood accents, and even mini milk cans for disposing of sampling spoons. Oh, and the ice cream is to die for. It’s extra creamy with that homemade consistency, and it comes in a variety of flavors ranging from conventional to unique. I tried several of their offerings, and the PNW Mud Tracks was my favorite: chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and crunchy muddy buddies mixed in. They also have a fun punch card program—when you fill your card, you get to spin the wheel, which is full of valuable prizes, including free ice cream. All in all, Eight Cow Creamery is the full package, with excellent service, top-notch ice cream, and lots of space to bring friends and family.
Location: 4327 S Settler Dr., B Suite 140, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Sorridi Gelato
Sorridi does gelato right. Seriously—this is not just American ice cream masquerading as gelato. The owners at Sorridi have nailed their in-house formula to create a thick, rich, creamy gelato that could fool you into thinking you’ve hopped the pond to Italy. The service is impeccable, and they encourage sampling their various flavors, which include a variety of traditional and unique selections and several dairy-free options. I tried the Mexican chocolate, a dark chocolate with a perfect—not too strong, not too light—hint of cinnamon, and it was exquisite. The quality and care that goes into this gelato is apparent from the first bite. It’s a small establishment, but there are several tables if you’re looking for a place to sit down and enjoy your sweet Italian-style treat. For true, Italian-style gelato, you’ve got to give Sorridi a try.
Location: 9228 NE HWY 99, Suite 111, Vancouver, WA 98665
Ice Cream Renaissance
If you’re looking for a place to sit down, relax, and enjoy some quality sweets made from natural, locally sourced ingredients, then Ice Cream Renaissance is the place for you. This Vancouver fixture offers not only high-quality ice cream, but various pies and other baked goods as well. I highly recommend getting a warm baked cookie in your ice cream—you won’t regret it. They offer at least one dairy-free option, which was grasshopper when I was there. The inviting interior has plenty of sitting room, a large fireplace, and even a sizeable board game collection to entice you to slow down and savor both the ice cream and the atmosphere. Perfect for a family outing or a date night.
Location: 1925 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660
Parakata Monarca Mexican Sorbet and Ice Cream
Located in Vancouver Mall near the children’s play area, this establishment is probably the most culturally influenced ice cream shop in town. As the name suggests, Parakata Monarca focuses on its Mexican theme, from the flavors and menu items down to the colorful decor. While you can certainly get a normal chocolate ice cream cone here, the real draw is the selection of Mexican-inspired ice cream flavors like horchata and avocado and menu items like the “pepino split” (a cucumber split in half, covered in mango, chamoy, and lime sorbet, and topped with sour candies and tajin) and ice cream sandwiches made with mini concha (traditional Mexican sweetbread). And the raspberry sorbet tastes like berries right off the vine! While there are a few tables for seating at Parakata Monarca, it’s set up more as a place to grab a treat while you do your shopping. Or, as my family did, you can take your treats next door to look at the cute puppies in the pet store window!
Location: 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Space 162, Vancouver, WA 98662
The Yard Milkshake Bar
Since appearing on Shark Tank Season 11, The Yard has been blowing up across the nation. Now that it’s made its way to the waterfront in Vancouver, Clark County residents can enjoy some of the most iconic ice cream creations there are. The Yard is known for what can only be described as extravagant milkshake arrangements—mason jars filled with blended ice cream and topped sky high with oversized toppings like donuts and cookies. But they aren’t all show—The Yard boasts high quality ice cream (even the sherbert is extra creamy!) with multiple dairy-free options. My son and I shared a “Cookie Monster” shake, which featured a blue cookie dough ice cream milkshake topped with about 6 inches of whipped cream and a mounds of cookies of various sizes. If you’re not up for dropping a pretty penny for the huge shakes, fear not! They also sell ice cream by the scoop or by the pint (served in their signature mason jars) and even delicious cookie dough. The store itself is decorated with an excitement that matches its milkshakes and it has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so it’s great for either eating in or taking your treat out for a stroll along the waterfront.
Location: 656 Waterfront Wy, Vancouver, WA 98660
Treat
Treat is a no-nonsense ice cream shop that lets the quality of the ice cream do the talking. Located next to some of Vancouver’s favorite ethnic restaurants, Thai Orchid and Dediko, Treat is a favorite stopping place for downtown diners to grab a sweet treat after a dinner date. There is some outdoor seating available, but most customers opt to enjoy the high-quality ice cream on the go. Its lengthy flavor menu includes classic and seasonal flavors, multiple vegan options, baked goods and floats, so there is definitely something for everyone!
Location: 210 W Evergreen Blvd., Suite 600, Vancouver, WA 98660
Salt & Straw
Portland’s most popular ice cream shop has hopped the river to the ‘Couve, and residents here are loving it. Lines are often out the door at this trendy ice cream shop, but they almost always have multiple scoopers on hand to keep things moving quickly. Salt & Straw is known for its unique flavors such as “Arbequina Olive Oil” and “Pear & Blue Cheese,” but there are safer options such as “Chocolate Gooey Brownie” and “Double Fold Vanilla” for the less adventurous. They rotate their “limited edition flavors,” so you can come back regularly for something new and exciting. The shop is set up for ice cream on the go, with no indoor seating and a few public benches outside. The setup makes sense, though, given its location on the Vancouver waterfront—an excellent spot for walking while you lick!
Location: 740 Waterfront Wy, Vancouver, WA 98660
Cold Stone Creamery
If customization and options are your jam, then Cold Stone is probably your go-to ice cream shop. With its signature mixing stations, Cold Stone allows customers to pick from seemingly limitless toppings to fold into whatever flavor (or flavors!) of ice cream they choose. Or you can have your choices blended into a milkshake! The combinations are endless, and the quality of the ice cream is surprisingly good for a large chain. There are even take-home options, including ice cream cakes!
Location: 16010 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Ste 101, Vancouver, WA 98684
Baskin Robbins
At this point, Baskin Robbins is synonymous with variety. “Thirty-one flavors” is a part of American culture. Vancouver is lucky to have multiple Baskin Robbins shops spread across town, offering dozens of flavors to ice cream lovers wherever they are. Most of the shops have plenty of seating, too, so it is a good place to take a break if you’re shopping at a nearby Fred Meyer, where they are often co-located. And the multiple locations make Baskin Robbins a convenient place to get a fancy ice cream cake for a special birthday party.
Three Vancouver Locations:
7910 E Mill Plain Blvd., Suite 102B, Vancouver, WA 98664
16600 SE McGillivray Blvd., #110, Vancouver, WA 98683
7411 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662
“Researching” our area’s scoop shops was quite enjoyable for me and my family, but not for the reasons I expected. Of course we loved eating copious amounts of frozen treats, but the best part was experiencing the unique flavors and vibes at each of the establishments and seeing the love and care with which the workers prepared and presented their frozen creations. And going out to these ice cream shops got us out of the house and into our beautiful community, creating memories that are far more valuable than the cream and sugar we devoured.
All photos by Andy K.
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