Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

A long line tends to form outside this ice cream shop, a well-known Brooklyn stop for sweet seasonal flavors and dairy-rich scoops. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream keeps its hallmarks simple: indulgent cones, cups, and pints turned out in flavors that rotate with the harvest or the crowd’s cravings. A short trek down Bergen Street leads you to the familiar storefront at 81 Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, where the handmade waffle cones are as popular as any cup flavor of the day.

Coffee and desserts show up mid-afternoon when the afternoon light hits the sidewalk just right. Solo diners tuck into tables under casual, trending simplicity, while parents scout out options that keep kids content without overturning the whole outing. It’s the kind of place where the line moves quickly enough that waiting feels like appetite-building, not frustration.

Ringing up an order is straightforward—call (718) 550-5665 during regular hours if you’d rather skip the curb. Late in the evening the crowd thins, but the sugar aromas linger, pulling latecomers in off the sidewalk.

Check the directions in advance so the walk from the subway feels like a treat, not a hassle.