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Best Ice Cream Shops in the Hamptons and North Fork for Kids

1. Star Confectionery – Riverhead

This family-run, old-school luncheonette from the 1920s serves delicious breakfast and lunch, as well as homemade ice cream, shakes, egg creams, and more. The focus is simple food and friendly service, where patrons all seem to know each other. The stained-glass windows and penny-tiled flooring are Instagram-worthy. Take note: This old-school establishment is cash-only.
Known for: Thick milkshakes in a classic metal cup holder, egg creams, and old-fashioned counter service.
Flavors kids love: Vanilla ice cream with Oreos.

2. Mexicandy – Riverhead

Discover a taste of Mexico with this selection of artisanal popsicles, sweet treats, and ice creams in the heart of downtown Riverhead. Helado—ice cream—flavors such as Horchata, Coco (coconut), Pay de Queso (cheesecake), and more flavors adorn the menu, as well as Nieve—ice—in fruit flavors like pineapple, passion fruit, and watermelon. Find savory menu options, too, including Esquites con Hot Cheetos and elotes.
Known for: Mangonada, a popular Mexican frozen treat that includes a bold combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
Flavors kids love: Chicle (bubblegum) and Fruity Pebbles (vanilla ice cream with the fruity cereal flakes swirled in).

3. Magic Fountain – Mattituck

Operating at its Mattituck location since the 1970s, Magic Fountain's barn-like facade goes along with the East End farm vibe. Yummy soft and hard ice cream, brownie sundaes and banana splits, as well as cakes, sandwiches, and even frozen dog treats, are all on hand. Its vegan and sorbet menu is strong as well. Eat outside or take your sweet treat to go. Plus, it offers delivery and pick-up options for a quicker fix.
Known for: Painted-face ice cream cones. Special flavors include Goat Cheese, Honey Lavender, or Chocolate Pudding Pie. Seasonal specialties include Spicy Mango, Matcha, and Nutter Butter.
Flavors kids love: Rainbow Cookie (vanilla ice cream with chunks of rainbow cookies and cherry swirl), Cotton Candy (cotton candy flavored ice cream with rainbow sprinkles).

4. Patty's Bunches & Berries – Mattituck

Part of the North Fork Harbes family, this farm spot offers pick-your-own berries daily from June through August. Not to be missed is the ice cream patch with ice cream made from the farm’s produce in unique flavors. Its ice cream is homemade with farm-fresh ingredients, and it has vegan options as well. We recommend calling ahead to check crop availability before visiting.
Known for: Berry picking plus an ice cream stand.
Flavors kids love: Blueberry (using berries just picked by their little hands!)

Snowflake is a colorful, retro scoop shop that's been operating since the 1950s in Riverhead. Photo courtesy of the shop

5. Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe – Riverhead

A Main Street staple since 1953, this colorful, retro scoop shop hand-makes both hard and soft-serve flavors. Customer favorites, such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are on the menu, as well as many others. In the summer months, it also offers 5-6 sorbets. It sells pre-packed ice cream, cakes, and other novelties—like our pup's fav, Muttwiches. Enjoy your sweet treat outside or take it to go. You can skip the line and order online in advance. Follow their social channels for the creative flavors of the week!
Known for: Local-themed concoctions such as Peconic Swamp Thing (chocolate ice cream with raspberry and fudge) and berry flavors using locally harvested fruits. The shop also offers seasonal flavors such as Pumpkin and Eggnog. New in 2025 is a six-scoop ice cream flight.
Flavors kids love: Cookie Monster (blue ice cream with chocolate cookie pieces), Cookies & Cream (vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbles) and Cookie Dough (vanilla ice cream with chunks of cookie dough).

6. Country Corner Cafe – Southold

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream since 1977, this Southold sweet spot is a slice of old-style country food and service. Local and visitor favorites include burgers, surf-and-turf, pot roast, and BLT sammies. Hershey's Ice Cream is a staple, offering a huge slate of regular flavors, as well as gluten-free and vegan options.
Known for: Kitchy and rustic decor, plus homemade comfort foods.
Flavors kids love: Cotton Candy (pink and blue ribbon ice cream), Playdough (bright yellow vanilla ice cream with hot pink and blue sugar gems), and Camo Hero (toasted marshmallow and graham cracker ice cream with trenches of peanut butter icing and chunks of chocolate cookies).

7. Candy Kitchen – Bridgehampton

This old-fashioned luncheonette on Montauk Highway serves lunch, homemade ice cream, and milkshakes. A large seating area can accommodate big groups. Sit at the counter and be transported to yesteryear in a setting ripe for photo taking, while sipping on a Broadway soda with a burger and banana split. Note: This establishment is cash-only.
Known for: Counter service, and a nod to old-time favs such as Butter Pecan, Maple Walnut, and Rum Raisin.
Flavors kids love: Birthday cake (vanilla ice cream with chunks of birthday cake swirled in) and Oreo (vanilla ice cream with pieces of Oreo cookies).

8. Sip 'n Soda – Southampton

Posters of famous patrons visiting this 1950s luncheonette line the walls for a retro, pop-culture feel. Its homemade ice cream recipe has never even been written down, yet the quality has remained the same. From cones and cups to ice cream sodas and shakes, there are plenty of confectionery items to choose from, as well as breakfast and lunch items.
Known for: Its summer drink, The Lime Rickey. Its seasonal flavor slate includes Pumpkin, Candy Cane, Fresh Peach, and Cantaloupe.
Flavors kids love: Nutella (chocolate ice cream and hazelnut) and Salted Caramel (caramel ice cream with sea salt flakes).

9. A La Mode – East Hampton

This South Fork ice cream shop is an allergy family's dream. Offering handcrafted, small-batch ice cream in a nut-free, sesame-free, egg-free facility. It also offers gluten-free and dairy-free options. The NYC flagship facility it is churned in maintains the same standards. It hosts birthday parties on-site and offers delivery via third-party apps.
Known for: Allergy-friendly facility and menu.
Flavors kids love: Cooks (vanilla ice cream with vanilla and chocolate cookies and fudge swirls), Partly Cloudy (blue cotton candy ice cream with mini marshmallows), and Pink Sprinkle (pink vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles) are popular flavors here.

FAQs for Ice Cream near the Hamptons and North Fork for Kids

Q: What is the most kid-friendly ice cream shop in the Hamptons and on the North Fork?

Q: Are there any vegan or allergy-friendly ice cream spots for kids in the Hamptons and on the North Fork?

A: Country Corner Cafe in Southold, Patty's Bunches & Berries in Mattituck, A La Mode in East Hampton, and Snowflake in Riverhead boast vegan options, while Snowflake in Riverhead and Magic Fountain in Mattituck also have fruit sorbets. 

Q: Which ice cream spots are Instagrammable for a fun photo with the kids in the Hamptons and on the North Fork?

A: Old-fashioned soda and scoop shops like Star Confectionery in Riverhead and Sip n' Soda in Southampton are a nod to vintage times. The penny tiles, counter service and retro decor are ripe for Instagram. While freestanding stores like Snowflake in Riverhead or Magic Fountain in Mattituck have fun neon lights for nighttime photos. You can also get the perfect scoop shot in front of the entire stand. Patty's Bunches & Berries in Mattituck is a small woodshed on the iconic Harbes Farm property. This makes a great rural backdrop. 

Q: Are there any ice cream shops near kid-friendly attractions in the Hamptons and on the North Fork?

A: Both Star Confectionery and Mexicandy in Riverhead are within walking distance of the Long Island Aquarium. Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton is the perfect spot to pop in for lunch and/or a sweet treat after a visit to either the Children's Museum of the East End or the South Fork Natural History Museum (which are located directly across from each other, by the way!)  Patty's Bunches & Berries in Mattituck is right across the street from Harbes Family Farm. 

Originally published in 2014.