This historical restaurant and ice cream parlor has not only withstood the test of time in the Valley of the Sun, it has also garnered worldwide praise and reviews. Currently it is considered to be one of the best old style ice cream parlors in the world and for many good reasons. Established in 1958, the Sugar Bowl is one of the original businesses that have been in Old Town Scottsdale for half a century and counting.

The exterior of Sugar Bowl is old fashioned and pink, and has not changed since the place first opened almost fifty years ago. They serve all sorts of great eats, but what really attracts many a tourist is their ice cream specialties, root beer floats and of course, their famous brownie Sunday; which also happens to be my favorite.

Centrally located in South Scottsdale in the tourist Old Town District, Sugar Bowl is easy to get to. Once inside you will be greeted by friendly staff and seated at their 50’s styled tables and booths. Then it is on to the menu, which is decorated by the Peanut’s characters from the world famous cartoonist, Charles Schulz, who happened to be friends with the owners when they first opened the joint.

If you find yourself at the Sugar Bowl, make sure that you try two things: the root beer float and their brownie Sunday. The float is classic and needs no explanation. The brownie Sunday however is comprised of a huge, home-baked brownie and is topped with several scoops of ice cream, your choice of flavors, and topped with up to three toppings—yummy fails to describe how good this treat is.

At a first glance the Marble Slab looks just like any other ice cream parlor—that is until you experience their variety of ice cream excellence. This small and locally-based ice cream parlor chain hails originally from Fashion Square Mall in South Scottsdale, where they began their astute climb to notoriety as one of AZ’s best ice cream shops. Aside from their hand-churned ice cream and service with smile, this place has a little more to offer its many customers.

They call it the Marble Slab for good reasons. Each location has a long, marble countertop that they use to hand-mix the ice cream that their patrons order. For example, you can order two scoops of coffee ice cream and then you add toppings, such as peanuts or peanut butter cups; then let’s say you also want some chocolate ice cream. Their workers take your orders, scoop it on the marble counter, add the toppings and then mix it together in harmony before serving it to you.

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The Cold Stone Creamery has hailed the valley for the better part of twelve years as one of the best ice cream parlors in town. Due to their wide variety of flavors, excellent customer service, and of course, their thick, double-churned ice cream favorites, this parlor has experienced substantial growth over the past few years. Now there are several locations that decorate the Phoenix area; but it all started at the Biltmore.

When Cold Stone first opened it took a little bit of time for people to get used to having their ice cream and their favorite ingredients, such as candies, chocolate and sprinkles, mixed together right in front of them. Their signature is their hand-dipped wide-spread waffle cones that also serve as dishes. They scoop ice cream into these waffle cone bowls, which are also covered in chocolates caramels and serve them up! Delicious, unique and one-of-a-kind is what makes this place so freaking great!

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