Best Ice Cream/Gelato in Naperville: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Wins the Friday Poll!
Naperville · Community Photo
Naperville's sweet tooth has spoken, and this week's Winner Friday poll crowned a downtown favorite for the Best Ice Cream/Gelato category: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Tucked into a storefront on South Main Street, the Ohio-born ice cream maker beat out a strong field of local scoop shops with its rotating lineup of inventive, small-batch flavors. For a city with no shortage of sweet spots, that's a title worth savoring.
A Scoop Shop Built on Bold Flavors
Jeni's built its national reputation on thoughtfully sourced, small-batch ice cream, and its Naperville location brings that same approach to the western suburbs. The flavor case rotates regularly, mixing rich, distinctive combinations with seasonal specials, so regulars rarely order the same thing twice. Pints to go and dairy-free options round out the menu for whatever the craving calls for on a given visit.
Why Neighbors Keep Coming Back
Sitting right in the heart of downtown Naperville, the shop is a natural stop before or after a walk along the Riverwalk or a browse through nearby shops. The ever-changing flavor menu keeps first-time visitors curious and regulars coming back to see what's new, and the small-batch approach means quality stays consistent scoop after scoop.
Runner-Ups Worth a Visit
Dairy Queen (Treat) — A reliable neighborhood classic for soft serve, Blizzards, and easy drive-through convenience.
Arista Coffee & Café — An Italian coffee shop known as much for its Lavazza espresso as its creamy gelato, tucked inside CityGate Centre.
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store — A super-premium ice cream stop on 95th Street known for house-baked waffle cones and old-fashioned fountain service.
Cookie Dough Creations — A Naperville original since 1994, pairing safe-to-eat cookie dough with sixteen ice cream flavors inside a retro arcade near the Riverwalk.
Where to Find Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's is located at 218 S. Main St., Naperville, IL 60540. Hours run Monday through Wednesday from noon to 11:30 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Call ahead at 630-506-8005, or follow the shop on Facebook for flavor updates.
The Winner Friday poll keeps rolling — follow Life in Naperville and Ruth Sheahan to stay in the loop on next week's category!
Source: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Life in Naperville - Facebook Page
Header Image Source: Life in Naperville - Facebook Page
