Scottsdale
Luxe Bar
Out-there ice cream bars are Luxe’s conceit, like the Speedy for Sweetie, encrusted in the breakfast cereal of your choice and drizzled with white chocolate and blueberry syrup, and the Neverfull of Nuts, all chocolate and peanuts and a whole Reese’s cup crammed inside.
7111 E. Fifth Ave. Scottsdale, 480-577-8466, luxebaraz.com
Phoenix
Sweet Republic
This Food Network darling dominates local ice cream coverage for good reason: Its creamy base is perfection, and its flavors (ranging from staples like vanilla bean and chocolate to esoteric specials like dill pickle and Irish brown bread) are always spot on.
Three locations, sweetrepublic.com
East Valley
Cream of the Crop
Like Sweet Republic, this hot spot in the Barnone retail bazaar incorporates plenty of local ingredients in its myriad flavors, from locally roasted beans in its Peixoto Coffee ice cream to a variety of fresh mints from nearby Agritopia Farms in its Agritopia Mint Chip.
3000 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, creamofthecrop-az.com
West Valley
Papa Ed’s Ice Cream
This charming spot set in a garden in downtown Glendale stocks its ice cream from local maker Karen’s Kreamery. Classics like butter pecan and strawberry hold court with modern favorites like açaí and vegan Vienna coffee.
7146 N. 58th Ave., Glendale, 623-915-4438, papaedsicecream.com
