7 Seattle Frozen Treat Spots to Try This Summer (That Aren’t the Usual Scoop)

It's August. It's hot. Come get a cold treat with us.

Seattle’s frozen treat scene is as varied as the city itself — creative, global, and a little bit playful. While spots like Molly Moon’s and Salt & Straw are local icons, there are plenty of other places serving up treats worth seeking out.

From colorful popsicles to towering shaved ice creations, here are seven delicious ways to stay cool this season!

Seattle Pops (Wallingford)

Part popsicle shop, part edible art gallery, Seattle Pops turns summer on a stick into a form of self-expression. The menu changes with the seasons, from strawberry lemonade in the height of summer to pumpkin pie in the fall. Each pop can be dipped in chocolate or dusted with toppings, and everything is made from natural, often local ingredients. It’s a treat you can feel at least a little virtuous about enjoying.

Marmalade (Fremont)

One of Seattle’s sweetest newcomers, Marmalade has quickly won over Fremont with its airy, freshly spun gelato. Each batch is made daily, keeping the flavors bright, clean, and just the right amount of decadent. You might find lemon basil sorbet next to salted graham cracker gelato, both equally tempting. If the weather’s nice, grab a spot on their sunny patio for a little people-watching with your scoop.

Snowy Village (Multiple Locations)

If your idea of shaved ice is a neon-colored snow cone, Snowy Village will change your mind. Their Korean-style bingsoo starts with fluffy, milk-based ice that melts instantly on your tongue, then gets piled high with toppings like sweet red beans, Oreo crumbles, or fresh fruit. Portions are big enough to share, but you might not want to.

Sweet Alchemy (U-District, Ballard & Capitol Hill)

This small-batch creamery goes the extra mile by pasteurizing its own dairy, baking its own cones, and sourcing ingredients directly from local farms. The result is ice cream that tastes exactly like what it’s named after — a scoop of raspberry here really does taste like summer. Don’t skip the handmade waffle cones, which are reason enough to visit.

Hellenika Cultured Creamery (Pike Place Market & select grocers/farmers markets)

Tucked inside Pike Place Market, Hellenika brings a fresh twist to gelato with its tangy, yogurt-like base. The cultured texture adds a refreshing lift to creative flavors like coconut ube, honey lavender, and London fog infused with Earl Grey tea. It’s rich without being heavy, and the unique combinations will keep you coming back to see what’s new.

The Pastry Project (Pioneer Square)

Known for its community-focused baking classes, The Pastry Project also has a charming soft-serve window in Pioneer Square. Each swirl is topped with nostalgic goodies like rainbow sprinkles, chocolate shell, or cookie crumbles. It’s playful, photo-worthy, and the perfect afternoon stop before wandering the neighborhood.

Spice Waala (Capitol Hill & Ballard)

Famous for its bold Indian street food, Spice Waala is also home to some of Seattle’s most unique soft-serve flavors. Mango lassi, pistachio, and paan leaf offer a tropical-meets-spiced twist that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect sweet note to end a meal of their flavorful kati rolls.

The Scoop

Seattle has many great spots for classic ice cream. But why not try something new? Whether it’s a chocolate-dipped popsicle, a towering bowl of creamy bingsoo, or a tangy swirl of cultured gelato, these spots prove there's no wrong way to stay cool.

Kate Neidigh is a writer for Seattle Refined, covering lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel, real estate, gift guides and feature stories. See more of her work on Instagram here.