Step up to Bassett’s, and prepare to fight for your ice cream.
For over a century, this Philadelphia creamery has churned its ice cream the same way, and the lines prove it. People don’t just come here for a treat—they come for history you can taste.
Spoons dive into rich, creamy flavors that seem to laugh at modern shortcuts. Every scoop feels indulgent, nostalgic, and impossibly satisfying.
Two scoops? Expect a race against drips, especially on a hot day.
The shop itself hums with energy—families, students, and longtime locals all trading stories over waffle cones and classic sugar cones. Chocolate-dipped, sprinkle-laden cones steal the show, but cups hold their own, ready for extra toppings and slower savoring.
At Bassett’s, ice cream isn’t just dessert. It’s a tradition, a thrill, and a reason to stand in line with a smile, knowing every bite is worth the wait.
A brief history and why the line still forms
Before you even see the counter, you notice the line. It bends around Reading Terminal Market, a patient parade drawn by the promise of cold, creamy tradition.
Bassetts traces its roots to 1861, a Philadelphia original that stuck to its craft through wars, booms, and trend cycles. You will feel that history in the bustle and the confident rhythm of the scoopers.
What keeps people waiting is not gimmicks. It is a custard-style richness balanced by clean flavors, the kind that makes a single spoonful unfold slowly.
You might come for a cone and leave with a story you want to repeat. The market setting cranks up the atmosphere, but the ice cream carries the day.
Reviews echo the same notes: silky texture, generous portions, and quick, practiced service even when the line looks daunting. Expect decisions to be tough, because forty-plus flavors ignite second thoughts.
Thankfully, patient samples help. When it is your turn, you will know.
Bring cash or card, a flexible mindset, and a willingness to share. Portions run large, so splitting is smart.
Post-scoop, grab a stool and people-watch while the market hums. It is Philly in a cone, no shortcuts necessary.
Essential visitor info: hours, location, and how to beat the rush
You will find Bassetts at 45 N 12th St inside Reading Terminal Market, steps from SEPTA transit and Center City landmarks. Doors open 9 AM daily and close at 6 PM, which makes mornings your best bet for quick service.
Weekend afternoons pack out, so plan ahead. A quick glance at the market entrance signs will point you straight to the glowing counter.
Phone ahead if you have questions at +1 215-925-4315, or scan the website for flavor updates. The location is wheelchair accessible, and the space funnels lines smoothly.
If you are parking, use nearby garages and validate inside the market for savings. Keep your ticket handy.
Beat the crush by arriving just after opening or in the final hour before close. Lines move faster than you think, thanks to seasoned staff and order kiosks.
Have your flavors in mind, and consider grabbing a stool immediately if one opens. You can always swap turns with a friend.
Bring a reusable bag if you are eyeing pints to go. The market is climate controlled, but ice cream still melts quickly in summer.
Napkins are plentiful, though wet wipes are clutch. Plan for extra time, because you will probably want another taste.
What to order: can not miss flavors locals love
If indecision strikes, start with Salted Caramel Pretzel. It is a Philly crowd-pleaser that nails the sweet-salty balance with chocolate-covered pretzel crunch.
Coffee Fudge Truffle delivers a roasty backbone and chewy fudge ribbons that keep each bite interesting. For fruit-forward relief, Blueberry Pomegranate sings bright and tart without losing creaminess.
Classicists should go Vanilla Bean, where speckles prove the real deal. Chocolate loyalists find deep cocoa comfort that does not veer chalky.
Seasonal specials like pumpkin appear, so ask what is churning. Samples help, and staff are generous when the line allows.
Consider a split cup to compare textures: a dense custard-style base next to a lighter fruit sorbet changes pace. Peanut butter and butterscotch options earn regular shoutouts, too.
If you love mix-ins, scan for ribbons and chunks on display. What you see is what you taste.
One tip: some flavors present subtly, so pair a bolder scoop with a mellow one. You will get contrast without palate fatigue.
And yes, cones matter here. A chocolate-dipped waffle cone turns any combo into a small celebration you can actually hold.
Cones, cups, shakes, and portions: how to size it right
Portions at Bassetts are famously generous. Even a basic order feels like a celebration, so consider sharing.
Two scoops can overflow a cone and turn into a race against drips. If you want to linger, a cup might be your best move, especially during peak times when you will be weaving through crowds.
For cone lovers, the chocolate-dipped waffle with sprinkles is a fan favorite. It adds texture, protects against early leaks, and makes photos pop.
Cake cones keep things lighter, while classic sugar cones split the difference. Cups are tidy and welcome extra toppings like peanuts or hot fudge.
Shakes deserve attention. They blend thick, old-school style, with flavors like toffee, coffee, or classic chocolate shining through.
Ask for whipped cream and a wide straw. If you are on the go, shakes travel better than melting towers.
Kids or light snackers can request a smaller portion even if it is not prominently listed. Staff try to accommodate, especially on quieter mornings.
Remember napkins, grab a stool if possible, and pace yourself. You can always return for round two rather than forcing a heroic finish.
Service, speed, and the market experience
Reading Terminal Market brings energy, and Bassetts channels it into choreography. Lines look long, but staff move with practiced efficiency.
You will see samples offered, flavors explained, and scoops stacked fast. Even late in the day, the rhythm holds, and trays keep sliding across the counter to grateful hands.
Service comments trend positive, highlighting patience and courtesy, with the occasional off moment when the crush peaks. Order kiosks help, especially for pints and simpler combos.
If you need help deciding, ask for a recommendation. Regulars swear by it.
The atmosphere is part of the treat. Neon, clatter, and that friendly market murmur make every bite feel like a local secret shared in public.
Pull up a stool if you can, watch the flow, and trade notes with neighbors. You might leave with a new flavor to try next time.
Because this is a market, expect crowd dynamics: strollers, camera clicks, and quick hellos. Keep your receipt handy for parking validation elsewhere in the building.
And yes, wipe stations and napkins are within reach. The whole scene is efficient, a little chaotic, and charmingly Philadelphia.
Pricing, value, and how to get the most for your dollar
Bassetts sits in the budget friendly camp for Center City treats, especially considering portion size. You will pay a fair price and receive mounded scoops that often feel like a bonus.
Sharing is the stealth strategy. Two people can make one order plenty, with room left for a market snack later.
For maximum value, scan the flavor list for dense mix-ins. Salted Caramel Pretzel and Coffee Fudge Truffle deliver on that front.
If you are flavor curious, request a sample or two first. Pints are economical for take home plans, particularly if you are staying nearby with freezer access.
Parking can add up, but validated market garages help. Keep the ticket and ask a vendor to stamp it for the discount.
Time your visit for off peak hours to snag a seat and avoid rush stress. The experience feels richer when you are not juggling drips and crowds.
Finally, consider skipping extra toppings if your flavor already has texture built in. You will save a dollar and keep the focus on that custard-style base.
However, homemade whipped cream is worth it when you want something celebratory. Balance smart spending with pure treat joy.
Plan your perfect visit: a quick step by step
First, aim for an early arrival near 9 AM. The market hums but lines have not ballooned yet, and staff are ready with samples.
Walk the short path to the glowing counter, scan the board, and lock in two flavor contenders. Keep a backup choice in case a favorite rotates out that day.
Second, claim a stool if you spot one. Seats go quickly and make large scoops easier to manage.
Order a cup for control or a dipped cone if you want a handheld celebration. Add homemade whipped cream when the mood calls for it.
Third, pace your tasting. Start with the lighter flavor, then switch to the richer scoop so your palate climbs rather than dulls.
If you are sharing, trade halfway for fun contrast. Snap a quick photo, then focus on melting windows.
Finally, grab a pint to go if you can. Validate parking elsewhere in the market and browse other stalls while finishing your treat.
Note your next flavor target for the return visit. Tradition this good deserves a sequel.
Behind the flavor: sourcing, churn, and why texture matters
You can taste decisions here. Bassett’s leans on high butterfat cream, slow churn speeds, and patient aging to coax round, steady flavors.
That is why a simple vanilla lands with warmth and a lasting finish, and why chocolate coats your spoon rather than racing off like a milkshake.
Texture is the quiet hero. The custard style base means fewer ice crystals and that signature dense scoop that resists your spoon, then yields.
You feel it on the tongue first, a silky weight, then the flavors bloom without getting icy or chalky.
Ingredients are chosen for clarity. Madagascar vanilla, real cocoa, fresh fruit when seasonal, nuts toasted to release oils.
Nothing screams modern hackery, just classic technique repeated until it feels inevitable.
Ask for a taste and notice the clean melt that never goes greasy. If you carry your cup through the market, it holds its shape, then softens like a good memory.
That is craft, not luck.
Pairings beyond the scoop: market snacks, coffee, and sweet add ons
Reading Terminal Market turns a single scoop into a small feast. Grab a hot coffee from a nearby stall and park it next to vanilla for an instant affogato vibe.
A chocolate scoop with a fresh soft pretzel hits that salty sweet switch like a light.
Feeling playful? Split a whoopie pie and slide a slab of ice cream in the middle.
You will not win neatness points, but you will grin. Fruit cups make clean, bright chasers after heavier flavors.
Waffle cones are fragrant and worth the upgrade. Or go cup and crown it with chopped nuts from a neighboring stand for added crunch.
Little pairings stretch the moment without crowding the flavor.
Take your time. Find a table, watch the shoppers, let the melt pace your conversation.
Around here, the scoop is dessert and intermission all at once.