Massachusetts knows how to do ice cream right, and when it comes to sundaes, this state takes dessert to the next level.
From historic ice cream parlors that have been around since the 1930s to modern creameries experimenting with wild flavor combinations, the Bay State offers sundae experiences that stick with you long after the last spoonful.
Whether you prefer classic hot fudge mountains or artistic creations piled high with homemade toppings, these thirteen spots have earned their place in Massachusetts dessert history.
Get ready to discover the sundaes that locals swear by and visitors plan entire trips around.
J.P. Licks — Boston
Walking into any J.P. Licks location feels like coming home to your favorite dessert.
This Boston-born chain has spent decades perfecting the art of the sundae, and their brownie creations have become legendary across the city. Rich, fudgy brownies meet creamy ice cream in a combination that’s simple but absolutely unbeatable.
What sets J.P. Licks apart is their commitment to rotating seasonal specials alongside the classics.
You might find pumpkin spice sundaes in fall or refreshing fruit-topped versions in summer. Their hot fudge sauce is made fresh daily, creating that perfect balance between warm chocolate and cold ice cream that makes every bite memorable.
The staff here genuinely cares about building the perfect sundae for each customer. They’re generous with toppings and never skimp on whipped cream.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick treat after work or celebrating something special, J.P. Licks delivers consistently delicious sundaes that remind you why Boston’s ice cream scene is so special.
Toscanini’s — Cambridge
Toscanini’s doesn’t just make sundaes—they create edible art. For years, food critics and ice cream fanatics have made pilgrimages to this Cambridge shop, often calling it one of America’s finest.
The secret lies in their obsessive attention to detail and flavors that taste unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
Their small-batch ice cream forms the foundation of every sundae. Burnt Caramel tastes like sophisticated candy with deep, toasty notes.
B3 combines brown sugar, brown butter, and brownies into something magical. When you build a sundae with these flavors, you’re working with ingredients that already shine on their own.
First-time visitors often feel overwhelmed by the choices, but that’s part of the fun. The staff encourages sampling and helps guide you toward combinations that work beautifully together.
Every sundae feels special here, like you’re treating yourself to something truly exceptional rather than just another dessert. Toscanini’s proves that ice cream can be both comforting and gourmet at the same time.
Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant — Newton
Some places never need to change, and Cabot’s is proof of that philosophy. This Newton institution has been serving oversized sundaes the old-fashioned way for generations, and customers wouldn’t want it any other way.
The portions here border on ridiculous in the best possible sense.
Picture this: mountains of ice cream drowning in hot fudge, buried under clouds of real whipped cream, topped with a bright red cherry. That’s the Cabot’s experience in a nutshell.
They understand that sometimes more is actually more, especially when you’re dealing with quality ingredients and time-tested recipes.
Parents bring their kids here to recreate memories from their own childhoods. Grandparents treat their grandchildren to the same sundaes they enjoyed decades ago.
The consistency is comforting—you know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s always good. There’s something deeply satisfying about a place that respects tradition while still making every sundae feel like a special occasion.
Cabot’s reminds us that classics become classics for a reason.
Kimball Farm — Westford
Kimball Farm operates on a simple principle: go big or go home. Their sundaes are so massive that finishing one solo feels like a genuine accomplishment.
Set in the beautiful Westford countryside, this spot combines New England charm with serious dessert skills.
The ice cream here comes from their own production, giving everything an incredibly fresh taste. When you order a sundae, you’re choosing from seemingly endless topping options—crushed cookies, candy pieces, fresh fruit, multiple sauces, nuts, and so much more.
Building your perfect creation becomes an adventure in itself.
Summer evenings at Kimball Farm feel almost magical. Families gather at outdoor tables, kids run around with chocolate-covered faces, and everyone seems genuinely happy.
The farm setting adds to the experience, making your sundae taste even better when you’re surrounded by open space and fresh air. It’s not just dessert—it’s a destination.
People drive from surrounding towns specifically for these sundaes, and after one visit, you’ll understand exactly why they keep coming back.
Richardson’s Ice Cream — Middleton
Richardson’s has an unfair advantage: they make ice cream from their own dairy cows. You can literally see the farm while eating your sundae, which somehow makes everything taste fresher and more authentic.
The connection between farm and freezer is incredibly short here, and your taste buds absolutely notice the difference.
The texture of Richardson’s ice cream is remarkably rich and smooth. When you build a sundae with ice cream this good, you almost don’t need elaborate toppings.
That said, they offer plenty of classic options to enhance your experience. The scoops are generous—bordering on excessive—which feels appropriate given the farm-fresh quality.
Visiting Richardson’s feels like stepping back to a simpler time when ice cream came from local dairies and tasted like actual cream. The sundaes here aren’t fancy or Instagram-worthy in a flashy way, but they’re deeply satisfying.
People across Massachusetts consider this a must-visit destination for anyone serious about ice cream. The combination of quality, freshness, and tradition makes Richardson’s sundaes truly special.
Emack & Bolio’s — Boston
Emack & Bolio’s believes dessert should be fun, and their sundaes reflect that playful philosophy completely. Walking into their Boston locations feels like entering an ice cream carnival where rules don’t exist and more is always better.
The flavors here push boundaries with names and combinations you won’t find anywhere else.
Their sundaes are visual spectacles—bright colors, wild toppings, and presentations that make you reach for your phone before your spoon. But beneath the Instagram appeal, the ice cream itself is seriously good.
They’re not sacrificing quality for creativity; they’re delivering both at the same time.
If you’re the type who always ordered the most boring flavor as a kid, Emack & Bolio’s might gently push you out of your comfort zone. Their staff encourages experimentation, and their sundaes reward adventurous eaters.
The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the experience is memorable. This is where you go when you want your sundae to feel like a party rather than just a dessert.
The Scoop N Scootery — Arlington
The name might sound quirky, but The Scoop N Scootery’s reputation for enormous sundaes is dead serious. This Arlington spot has built a loyal following by creating desserts that look almost impossible to finish.
Almost.
When they say loaded, they mean it. Expect cookies, brownies, multiple types of candy, and enough sauce to create small rivers through your ice cream mountain.
The sundaes here literally spill over the edges of their dishes, which somehow feels exactly right. You’re not just getting dessert—you’re getting an experience that tests your capacity for sweetness.
Groups often share these creations, though ambitious individuals do tackle them solo. The staff seems to take pride in building sundaes that make customers gasp when they arrive at the table.
Despite the enormous portions, they don’t compromise on quality. The ice cream tastes great, the toppings are fresh, and everything comes together in a glorious mess of flavors and textures.
If you’ve ever thought a sundae could use more of everything, this is your place.
Honeycomb Creamery — Cambridge
Honeycomb Creamery takes the craft approach to sundaes, treating each one like a small work of culinary art. Their Cambridge location buzzes with customers who appreciate ice cream made with thoughtfulness and local ingredients.
Every element of their sundaes receives careful attention, from the base flavors to the handmade toppings.
They source ingredients locally whenever possible, creating flavors that reflect Massachusetts seasons and tastes. The result is ice cream that feels connected to place and time.
When these thoughtful flavors become sundaes, the whole experience feels elevated without becoming pretentious.
The portions are reasonable rather than overwhelming, which suits their refined approach perfectly. You’re meant to savor each bite rather than bulldoze through mountains of dessert.
Their handmade toppings—things like house-made hot fudge, candied nuts, and fruit compotes—showcase real skill and care. Honeycomb proves that sundaes can be both sophisticated and satisfying, fancy and fun.
It’s a more grown-up take on a childhood favorite, perfect for when you want quality over quantity.
Christina’s Ice Cream — Cambridge
Christina’s has never been afraid to get weird with flavors, and that adventurous spirit makes their sundaes endlessly interesting. While other shops stick to vanilla and chocolate, Christina’s explores cardamom, rose water, fresh basil, and combinations that sound strange until you taste them.
Suddenly, everything makes perfect sense.
Building a sundae here becomes an act of culinary exploration. You can mix familiar favorites or branch out completely into flavor territory you’ve never considered.
The staff knows their products intimately and can guide you toward combinations that work beautifully together. Don’t be surprised if you end up with a sundae featuring flavors you can’t even pronounce.
What’s remarkable is how well these unusual flavors actually work in sundae form. The toppings and sauces complement rather than overwhelm the unique ice cream bases.
Regular customers often have their favorite exotic combinations, though there’s always something new to try. Christina’s reminds us that ice cream doesn’t have to be boring, and sundaes can be adventures for your taste buds.
Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar — Sharon
Crescent Ridge has earned a cult following thanks to ice cream so creamy it almost defies description. Their Sharon location draws customers from across the region, all seeking that signature texture that makes their sundaes special.
The recipes here harken back to simpler times when ice cream meant pure, rich dairy flavor.
They keep things relatively simple with their sundae offerings, which actually works in their favor. When your base ice cream is this good, you don’t need to hide it under excessive toppings.
Classic combinations shine here—hot fudge sundaes taste exactly like you remember from childhood, only better because the ice cream is so exceptionally smooth.
The dairy bar atmosphere adds to the nostalgic appeal. There’s something timeless about ordering at the window and enjoying your sundae in the parking lot or at outdoor tables.
Crescent Ridge understands that sometimes the best sundaes are the ones that don’t try too hard. They focus on getting the fundamentals perfect, and that approach has built loyalty that spans generations.
Benson’s Homemade Ice Cream — Boxford
Tucked away in Boxford, Benson’s operates under the radar compared to some flashier competitors, but locals know what a gem this place is. Family-run and proudly homemade, everything here feels personal and crafted with care.
The sundaes taste like someone’s beloved grandmother made them, assuming your grandmother was an ice cream genius.
Fresh fruit toppings are a specialty here, especially during summer when local produce is at its peak. Strawberries, blueberries, and peaches find their way onto sundaes with a freshness that frozen fruit toppings can’t match.
Combined with their rich, classic sauces and smooth ice cream, the result is wholesome yet indulgent.
Benson’s doesn’t chase trends or try to reinvent the sundae. They’ve found their formula and they stick to it, which their loyal customers deeply appreciate.
There’s comfort in knowing exactly what you’re getting—quality ingredients, generous portions, and flavors that feel timeless. This is the kind of place that reminds you why simple, well-executed desserts will never go out of style.
Four Seas Ice Cream — Centerville
Four Seas has been a Cape Cod institution since 1934, and stepping inside feels like traveling through time. The vintage charm isn’t manufactured—this place has genuinely been serving sundaes the same way for nearly a century.
The wooden booths, old-fashioned equipment, and classic menu create an atmosphere you simply can’t fake.
Their homemade ice cream follows recipes that have barely changed in decades, and customers appreciate that consistency. The flavors are traditional but executed perfectly, providing the ideal foundation for classic sundaes.
Hot fudge, whipped cream, nuts, and cherries come together in combinations that have satisfied generations of Cape visitors and locals alike.
Summer on Cape Cod wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Four Seas. Families make it an annual tradition, creating memories that connect past and present.
The sundaes here taste like nostalgia mixed with quality ingredients. While the world changes rapidly around it, Four Seas remains wonderfully, stubbornly the same.
That reliability is part of what makes it so special and worth seeking out.
Friendly’s — Springfield
Born right here in Massachusetts back in 1935, Friendly’s helped shape what Americans think a sundae should be. Though now a chain with locations across the country, their Springfield roots run deep in state history.
Signature creations like the Cone Head sundae—an entire ice cream cone flipped upside down on top of ice cream—show the playful innovation that built their reputation.
The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup sundae remains a fan favorite decades after its introduction. Chunks of peanut butter cups mixed with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce hit that perfect sweet and salty combination that keeps people coming back.
These aren’t the fanciest sundaes in Massachusetts, but they’re deeply familiar to anyone who grew up here.
Friendly’s represents accessible, reliable ice cream experiences for families across economic backgrounds. They democratized the sundae, making it something everyone could enjoy rather than a special occasion luxury.
While food snobs might dismiss them, there’s real value in consistency and nostalgia. Sometimes you want groundbreaking flavors, and sometimes you just want a Fribble and a sundae that tastes exactly like you remember.