As the weather warms in Portland, a city with a storied ice cream scene, it’ll feel particularly odd not to see the long, swirling lines at Salt & Straw, or the lounging Portlanders licking cones in one of the city’s various parks. Instead, ice cream shops have had to figure out new plans of action for the summer; some ice cream carts and shops are simply out of commission, while other spots have switched into pint delivery mode. Still, many ice cream shops remain open for scoops; sure, the scoopers in question are wearing masks and denying sample requests, but there is still ice cream to be had in Portland, even now.
Below, where to find ice cream in Portland outside of the freezer aisle, from the pre-ordered pints to the plain-old shops serving scoops. For more sweet treats, explore our larger guide to finding desserts in Portland right now.
Best Bets for Immediate (or At Least Same-Day) Ice Cream
Fifty Licks
Fifty Licks is a good option for those still seeking single-serving ice cream; the scoop shops are open for takeout — including single-serve cones — and is offering delivery of both pints and scoops through Postmates. All the classics, like the shop’s mango sticky rice and horchata flavors, remain on the menu.
Ruby Jewel
Ruby Jewel opened up two of its locations — Mississippi and NW 23rd — serving its ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cups. For those looking to really go hard, Ruby Jewel’s ice cream delivery setup is great for people looking to eat a serious amount of ice cream. Customers can order pre-packaged ice cream sandwiches by the 10-pack, 2.5 gallon tubs of ice cream, or DIY ice cream sandwich kits with four pints of ice cream and 16 cookies. Order online for delivery from Beaverton to Gresham. Those looking for something a little smaller can generally find Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches at grocery stores like New Seasons and Fred Meyer.
What’s the Scoop?
This North Williams ice cream spot has reopened its shop, with both take-home pints and scoops. Flavors include things like brown butter almond brittle and banana peanut butter, with a number of toppings to add.
Staccato Gelato
Staccato Gelato remains open at its Northeast Portland scoop shop, filling cups and cones with gelatos in flavors like Thin Mint and Thai iced tea. Customers can call in ahead of time, or walk in between 2 and 7 p.m.
Cloud City Ice Cream
This Woodstock ice cream shop, with its nostalgic flavors like butter pecan and sea salt cookie dough, is open for takeout orders, only offering cups and pints (no cones). Customers can drop by or get an ice cream delivery through Grubhub or Postmates. The shop is open from 1 to 9 p.m. daily.
Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw has started to reopen some scoop shops around the greater Portland area, but don’t expect to walk out with a pre-loaded cone; customers need to order online ahead of time, and will get pints with cones for a DIY-ice cream setup. Pints are available for delivery or takeout at the Lake Oswego, Alberta, Division, and NW 23rd locations, or customers can go big and order a pint pack shipped to their address. Shops are open from 3 to 10 p.m.
Virtuous Pie
For vegan ice cream, Virtuous Pie is still selling pints of its popular ice cream flavors, from salted caramel and pretzel to cookies and cream. Pints are available for delivery through Caviar, or for takeout by calling (503) 334-2073.
Petunia’s Pies & Pastries
Another vegan ice cream option, Petunia’s offers pints of its ice cream for pickup, with an online ordering platform. Ice cream is also available for delivery through Postmates and Grubhub.
Aviv
Yet another vegan ice cream available comes from Aviv, which serves coconut-based halva and pistachio ice creams by the pint. Order through a number of delivery apps, or through the online takeout site.
The More Elusive Scoops
Kate’s Ice Cream
Kate’s Ice Cream is the hottest new vegan and gluten-free ice cream brand out there, beloved on social media for flavors like marionberry cobbler or rosewater cardamom almond. Customers can pick up pints on Tuesdays and Saturdays at her NE Sandy ice cream kitchen, or order local ice cream delivery for Friday drop-off.
Eb & Bean
While this fancy frozen yogurt shop is basically closed, it does drop pint pickup dates on Saturdays and Sundays each week; these pint pick-ups include toppings and cones, for at-home froyo construction. Pre-order pints online.
Pinolo Gelato
One of Portland’s most beloved gelato shops, Pinolo is offering pre-ordered pints and half-pints, also allowing walk-in customers Fridays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (or sold out).
Gracie’s Apizza
It’s never really clear when Gracie’s Apizza will be open for pre-order and pickup, selling pies and pints of ice cream, but the best bet is to social-media stalk owner Craig Melillo’s Instagram page for announcements. Generally, the ice cream flavors rotate, but they’re rarely anything short of delightful.
Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty
It’s not easy to actually snag one of these pints, but on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, chef Sarah Minnick hawks various pints of ice cream via Instagram. The flavors change often, but past pints have included Ayers Creek loganberry, salted caramel, and buckwheat honey toffee. Check the Instagram handle @sarahminnick_ for the latest info on how to order.