Bruster's Real Ice Cream

- 513 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675

Introduction / Overview

When New Jersey residents are looking for an authentic, high-quality sweet treat, Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Westwood, NJ, stands out as a beloved local destination. More than just a simple dessert shop, Bruster’s operates with a commitment to freshness that is rare in the industry. The core promise is right in the name: "Real Ice Cream," which means the premium product is made fresh right in the store, guaranteeing a rich, creamy texture and vibrant flavor that is truly a step above. This focus on on-site preparation ensures that you are getting one of the freshest scoops available every time you visit.

The Westwood location isn't just an ice cream parlor; it's a comprehensive dessert destination. Categorized as an Ice Cream Shop, Cake Shop, Dessert Restaurant, Dessert Shop, and Frozen Yogurt Shop, it serves a wide variety of cravings. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick solo treat or gathering the whole family for an afternoon outing, Bruster’s has cultivated a casual and family-friendly atmosphere that makes every visit a pleasant experience. It's a popular choice for groups and quick visits, offering a delightful way to satisfy that sweet tooth.

A significant part of the Bruster's experience is the rotating menu of flavors. While they have an extensive library of over 150 decadent recipes, the Westwood shop typically features around 24 to 38 freshly prepared flavors daily. This rotation keeps the menu exciting and seasonal, ensuring there is always something new to try alongside their classic fan favorites. For example, during the fall, you might find seasonal delights like Pumpkin or Pumpkin Pecan, while summer often brings flavors such as Black Raspberry and Peach. This dedication to seasonal and rotating variety makes repeat visits continuously rewarding for local patrons.

Customer feedback frequently highlights the quality and creaminess of the ice cream, with one enthusiast noting the ice creams are "so creamy and delicious," specifically calling out the "chocolate raspberry truffles" as "amazingly delicious." This passion for the product is matched by the staff's dedication to service, which customers describe as "very welcoming." For the New Jersey community, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is more than a place to get dessert; it's a neighborhood fixture built on the foundation of fresh ingredients and genuine hospitality.

Location and Accessibility

Bruster's Real Ice Cream is conveniently located at 513 Broadway in Westwood, New Jersey. This downtown location is easily accessible for residents across Bergen County and beyond. The shop is designed primarily as a walk-up service window model, allowing customers to approach the counter directly to place their orders, reminiscent of a classic, fun ice cream stand experience. It features ample patio seating, providing a pleasant environment to enjoy your treats outdoors.

For drivers, accessibility is well-managed. Customers have multiple parking options to ensure a smooth visit: designated Bruster's parking is available behind the building, and there are parking meters along Broadway and a nearby municipal lot. Furthermore, the establishment is committed to serving all members of the community, as evidenced by the availability of a wheelchair-accessible parking lot.

The walk-up window style, coupled with the outdoor seating, encourages a casual, community-focused experience. While some Bruster’s locations may feature a drive-thru, the Westwood shop offers a traditional walk-up service with plenty of outdoor space to gather with friends, family, or enjoy a moment of solo dining.

Services Offered

Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Westwood offers a comprehensive menu of sweet indulgences and services to accommodate every occasion. The selection goes far beyond simple scoops to include a wide array of specialty desserts and options for take-home enjoyment.

• Variety of Scoops: Featuring 24+ fresh, rotating flavors daily from over 150 total recipes, served in cups, cones (including freshly baked signature waffle cones), or hand-packed to-go containers.
• Specialty Desserts: A range of signature sundaes including the Hot Fudge Brownie, Banana Split, Peanut Butter Cup Sundae, Turtle Sundae, and the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae, all made to order.
• Hand-Spun Creations: This includes thick, creamy Milkshakes and Bruster's Blasts, which are ice cream mixed with various candy and toppings.
• Cakes and Pies: Custom Ice Cream Cakes (such as Confetti, Rosette, and Cookies & Cream) and Custom Ice Cream Pies (like Turtle and REESE'S®) are available, with a 48-hour lead time required for custom orders.
• Take-Home Options: Customers can purchase pints, quarts, and half-gallons of their favorite flavors to enjoy at home.
• Non-Dairy and Frozen Alternatives: The menu also includes sherbets, Italian ices, sorbets (like Mango Sorbet and Dragon Fruit Sorbet), and non-dairy options made with oat milk, such as Non Dairy Mint Chocolate Chip Oat Milk.
• Seasonal Treats: Limited-time offerings like the warm Apple Dumpling served with Cinnamon Ice Cream.
• Kids' Menu: Smaller portions and fun options like the Dirt Sundae (with OREO® crumbles and a Gummy Worm) and the Dino Sundae.
• Order and Pickup: Online ordering is available for convenient walk-up pickup.
• Delivery: Delivery service is also offered through local partners like DoorDash and Grubhub.

Features / Highlights

Bruster’s stands out in the competitive New Jersey dessert landscape by adhering to several key principles that define its brand and customer experience.

• Freshly Made On-Site: The most significant highlight is that the ice cream is made fresh right in the store daily, unlike many competitors. This process ensures exceptional quality, creaminess, and flavor complexity, all while avoiding artificial preservatives.
• Rotating Flavor Selection: With over 150 recipes in their rotation, the Westwood location offers a dynamic selection of 24+ flavors each day, meaning every visit can offer a new and exciting choice, from classics like Vanilla and Mint Chocolate Chip to unique selections like Southern Banana Puddin and Graham Central Station.
• Signature Waffle Cones: A notable feature is the freshly baked signature waffle cones. The sweet scent of these cones baking often greets customers at the window, providing the perfect, crunchy vessel for a creamy scoop.
• Diverse Menu Offerings: The shop serves a full range of treats, accommodating various dietary preferences with options including traditional ice cream, sherbets, sorbets, Italian ice, and a growing selection of non-dairy, vegan-friendly oat milk-based flavors.
• Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The casual, walk-up service with available outdoor patio seating fosters a welcoming, fun, and comfortable environment that is "Good for kids" and groups, making it ideal for family outings and quick stops.
• Customer Customization: The staff is encouraged to approach every request with a "Yes is the Answer" mentality, ensuring a highly customizable experience, whether it's an unusual flavor combination in a banana split or a special container request.
• Easy Accessibility: The location provides accessible features, including a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, and offers convenient payment methods with credit cards and debit cards accepted.

Contact Information

For local residents looking to plan a visit, place an order, or inquire about current flavors or custom desserts, here is the contact information for Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Westwood, NJ.

Address: 513 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675, USA

Phone: (201) 606-0223

What is worth choosing

Choosing Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Westwood means opting for quality, freshness, and variety. The fundamental reason to choose this location is the "made fresh daily" model. This is the gold standard for ice cream—a dedication to crafting the product on-site that results in a noticeably creamier, richer product than options that rely on mass production and long-term storage. For local users, knowing your ice cream is prepared right there, from a proprietary mix, is a huge draw.

The diverse menu ensures that everyone in a family or group will find something to love. Ice cream purists can enjoy the classic premium scoops, while the adventurous can explore the seasonal and specialty flavors. For those with dietary restrictions, the availability of sorbets, Italian ices, and the newer non-dairy oat milk flavors demonstrates an impressive commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that no one is left out of the treat experience. One customer's experience, despite a minor issue with a brownie, confirms the ice cream itself is "delicious," highlighting the core product's strength.

Furthermore, Bruster’s fills a vital niche in the local community by providing more than just dessert. It serves as a true "Cake Shop" and "Dessert Shop" offering custom ice cream cakes and pies for special occasions, saving Westwood residents a trip for their celebration needs. Combined with a friendly, welcoming customer service experience—which has been praised by patrons—and the casual, outdoor seating area, Bruster's Real Ice Cream offers a superior, memorable, and high-quality local ice cream experience that is well worth the visit.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream

513 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675, USA