Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

- 620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has become a beloved fixture in New York’s dessert landscape, quickly evolving from a single yellow truck on the streets of the city in 2008 to a brand synonymous with quality, artisanal ice cream. For local New Yorkers in the Brooklyn area, the Greenpoint location at 620 Manhattan Ave serves as a go-to spot for both classic dairy and innovative vegan frozen treats. The brand’s founders, Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill, built their reputation on a commitment to making "good ice cream that makes you feel good," focusing relentlessly on simple, high-quality ingredients, even if it means sourcing them from around the world—like Sicilian pistachios or Oregon-grown strawberries. This dedication to premium ingredients is what sets their ice cream apart, offering a rich, dense, and flavorful experience that many locals appreciate.

This Greenpoint scoop shop, classified as both an Ice Cream Shop and a Dessert Shop, offers a tempting selection that caters to a broad audience, including those seeking non-dairy options. Their philosophy is simple: use only the best ingredients—cream, milk, eggs, and cane sugar for their classic French-style ice creams, and a base of cashew, coconut, and oat milk, along with raw cocoa butter and extra virgin olive oil for their equally popular vegan line. Whether you are grabbing a quick scoop after a walk in the neighborhood or settling in for an afternoon treat, Van Leeuwen provides a friendly and professionally run establishment perfect for satisfying that sweet craving.

Beyond their core commitment to superior ingredients, Van Leeuwen has made a name for itself through inventive and celebrated flavors. While classic options like Vanilla Bean (made with cold-ground whole Tahitian vanilla beans) and Chocolate are always available, their rotating and signature flavors are often the talk of the town. Favorites that frequently appear on their menu and draw local New Yorkers include the renowned Honeycomb—a sweet cream ice cream featuring gooey honeycomb candy pieces—the aromatic Earl Grey Tea, and the decadent Sicilian Pistachio. The shop also consistently maintains a strong selection of inventive vegan flavors like Vegan Cookies & Cream Caramel Swirl and Vegan Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, ensuring that everyone can find an indulgent treat. The sheer variety and the artisanal quality of the ingredients make every visit a delightful culinary adventure.

Location and Accessibility

The Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop is conveniently located at 620 Manhattan Ave in the vibrant Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA. Greenpoint is a highly accessible and walkable area, a factor the brand’s founders consider essential for their shop locations. The Manhattan Avenue address places it right in the heart of local activity, surrounded by other neighborhood businesses, making it an ideal stop during a day of exploring Greenpoint.

For those traveling via New York City's public transit system, the shop is generally easy to reach. The nearby Greenpoint Avenue station on the G train provides easy subway access. Numerous local bus routes also service the Manhattan Avenue corridor. As a destination popular for a quick visit, local users will find the location conducive to both spontaneous and planned trips. While specific details on physical accessibility are not provided, the location's status in a prominent, ground-level commercial area in a busy neighborhood suggests a reasonable level of convenience for most visitors.

Services Offered

• In-store shopping: Enjoy the full experience of choosing your favorite scoop, sundae, or pint inside the scoop shop, with a casual and trendy atmosphere.
• Takeout: Perfect for grabbing a cone or cup to enjoy while walking through Greenpoint.
• Delivery: Have your favorite ice cream pints and treats delivered directly to your home or office in the local New York area.
• In-store pickup: Place an order online or by phone and pick it up quickly at the location, minimizing wait time.
• Onsite services: General services provided at the physical location, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience.
• Coffee offerings: In addition to ice cream and desserts, the shop offers coffee, including specialties like the Bigface Coffee Affogato, allowing for a broader range of treats.

Features / Highlights

• Artisanal, High-Quality Ingredients: Van Leeuwen prides itself on using only simple, choice ingredients, such as 18 percent butterfat and 6 percent egg yolks in their classic ice cream, which technically classifies it as French custard, lending it a notably silky and rich texture.
• Extensive Vegan Menu: A significant portion of the menu is dedicated to high-quality, non-dairy vegan ice creams, typically made with a blend of cashew, coconut, and oat milk, appealing to a wide variety of diets.
• Signature Honeycomb Flavor: A universally celebrated signature flavor, the Honeycomb ice cream is noted for its sweet cream base and the textural contrast provided by the perfectly balanced honeycomb candy pieces, which offer a subtle caramel crunch.
• Atmosphere: The atmosphere is consistently described as Casual, Trending, and Trendy, making it a comfortable and stylish place for a dessert break.
• Payment Flexibility: The shop accepts both Credit Cards and Debit Cards, and following a settlement with NYC authorities, is compliant with the local law requiring them to accept cash payments, offering multiple options for New York users.
• Family-Friendly: The shop is explicitly listed as Good for kids, making it a great destination for families and children in the area.
• Popular for Solo Dining: The quick visit style and relaxed setting make it an ideal spot for individuals looking to enjoy a sweet treat on their own.

Contact Information

Address: 620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA

Phone: (347) 987-4774 or +1 347-987-4774

What is Worth Choosing

For New Yorkers seeking a truly indulgent and high-quality ice cream experience, Van Leeuwen is a worthwhile destination. The brand's commitment to "good-good" ice cream means you are not just buying a dessert, but a product where the quality of every simple ingredient shines through. For first-time visitors or those looking for a guaranteed hit, the Honeycomb flavor comes highly recommended by patrons, praised for being "rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced," a testament to the brand's superior execution. The deep, velvety texture of their French-style ice cream base elevates simple flavors and perfectly complements their inventive mix-ins.

Furthermore, the shop's strong focus on its vegan line means it's an excellent choice for non-dairy ice cream enthusiasts. Unlike many places that offer a token non-dairy option, Van Leeuwen dedicates serious research and high-quality vegan ingredients to ensure their non-dairy counterparts are just as rich and satisfying as their traditional offerings. Trying a vegan flavor like Vegan Cookies & Cream Caramel Swirl provides an experience that is far from a mere substitute, but a premium dessert in its own right.

While one customer noted a perception of small scoop size relative to the price point, this is often a common trade-off with artisanal, premium products that use expensive, meticulously sourced ingredients. The choice to maintain a world-class formula over cutting costs is a core principle of the brand. Choosing Van Leeuwen is choosing a focus on product excellence, creative flavors, and an inviting, modern New York City shop atmosphere—perfect for a quick, luxurious, and satisfying dessert break in Greenpoint. It’s an ideal spot for a moment of personal indulgence or a casual, kid-friendly outing.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA