Report: The top ice cream spots in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are no strangers to southern New Englanders

The popular food publication ‘Yelp’ recently released their Top 100 U.S. Ice Cream Shops for 2023 and the top spot in Massachusetts is very familiar to South Coast foodies.

The Ice Cream Barn on Locust Street in Swansea came in at #46 on the list and has been one of the top spots in the area for a decade.

As their website points out, “The Barn started as two separate dreams brought together by a chance encounter. Tom and Jocelyn Seiter began making ice cream using local ingredients and selling it to farmers markets and festivals in 2008 and dreamed of selling their exceptional fresh and delicious ice cream to as many local people as possible. Kenny Baker, meanwhile, had always dreamed about selling ice cream on his farm using his own milk to make it. Tom, Jocelyn, and Kenny were brought together by a friend of Kenny’s, who also had become a regular customer of Tom and Jocelyn’s. This meeting would eventually materialize into the Ice Cream Barn.”

The Barn’s ice cream has been made fresh on site since 2012 using many fresh locally grown ingredients. Judging by Yelp reviews, the freshness makes a difference.

“It’s true, this place is great! There’s something special about enjoying homemade ice cream while relaxing on a bench staring at a corn field…it’s just so America. The small sundae is anything but – two big scoops of ice cream with a good amount of topping and a ton of whipped cream. I upgraded to a waffle bowl and wasn’t disappointed. They offer a nice number of flavors and the one I had (chocolate peanut butter) was so good it makes me want to go back within the week to try another flavor. What a nice find.” – Mitch K.

“Fairly confident this is my favorite ice cream shop. I’m not a big sweets/dessert person but I’ve been here multiple times over the past several years and it’s been amazing every time.” – Rei M.

“Delicious homemade ice cream with a rotating seasonal menu. My favorite is the spicy chocolate they have around cinco de Mayo! The staff are always friendly and efficient. They have been a local staple since the day they opened.” – Gracie T.

The top spot in Rhode Island was Tricycle Ice Cream in Providence who came in at #7 overall.

“Gigantic ice cream sandwiches and waffle-cone “tacos” are the specialty of this popular Providence shop, which Yelpers ranked on 2 “best” lists in 2022: best ice cream in every state and province and top ice cream sandwich shops in the US and Canada. More than 30 types of frozen gourmet desserts include Red Velvet Cake Batter ice cream sandwiched between Ghirardelli cocoa cookies, “tacos” filled with Caramelized Fruity Pebbles ice cream, and strawberry sorbet push-pops—all beautifully packaged and ready to grab and go (or stay and enjoy).”

For more on Yelp’s rankings, click here.