Here’s the scoop. Just about everyone has a sweet tooth, and as the warm summer temperatures start to climb, it’s time for ice cream. When it comes to cool, sweet treats, Napa Valley cafés offer artisanal treats, including creamy, handmade, organic ice cream, decadent toppings, fresh fruit sorbets, and traditional Mexican Paletas (frozen fruit popsicles).

Whether you like your ice cream served up in a waffle cone with sprinkles, caramel sauce, dark chocolate fudge, or all of the above, indulge yourself this summer with some of Napa Valley’s best chilly treats.

 

Anette’s Chocolate & Ice Cream

Located in the heart of downtown Napa, Anette’s is truly a place to indulge your sweet tooth. Anette, her brother Brent, and Mary Stornetta have spent nearly 30 years creating tantalizing hand-crafted artisan chocolates and house-made, small-batch, seasonal ice cream and sorbets. Summertime specials include White Chocolate Cabernet Swirl (very fudgy tasting) and the Chocolate Smore, which has thin chocolate brittle mixed into the ice cream, along with double Dutch caramel and marshmallows. “When it breaks down, it gets like this gooey, chewy, crunchy dark chocolate,” Anette proclaimed. Seasonal sorbets come in flavors like mango, triple berry, and blood orange, and during the summer, Anette’s features their signature Coco Maui Vegan sorbet, made with coconut milk and scotch vodka. “It’s like a fudgsicle with bite,” Anette said. Top ice cream with Anette’s famous Hazelnut Brittle, crunchy mini marshmallow bits, caramel sauce, and dark mini chocolate chips for an over-the-top sundae. Or select one of her decadent sauces like Caramel Brandy, Dark Chocolate Merlot, or Italian Cherry Chocolate with Merlot. Non-alcoholic selections include Dark Belgian Chocolate Fudge and Salted Caramel. // 1321 1st St, Napa // www.anettes.com

 

Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca

Located in downtown Napa, Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca owners Christina and Michael Gyetvan have created a comfortable restaurant with the atmosphere of a traditional Italian pizzeria but with a modern touch. This vibrant Italian eatery is known for its thin-crust pizzas, pasta, and a wide variety of local wines. So come for the pizza, but be sure to save room for the rich and creamy Straus Family organic soft-serve ice cream for dessert.

Flavors include vanilla or salted caramel, topped with homemade chocolate or sea salt caramel sauce. (Suggestion: go crazy and order extra caramel sauce.) Their classic Affogato is a creamy soft serve drizzled with espresso. Then there is the rich and decadent soft serve on a Guittard Chocolate Brownie with chocolate and caramel sauce — order two because it’s not something one wants to share. // 1260 Main St, Napa // www.azzurropizzeria.com

 

 

 

Browns Valley Yogurt & Expresso Bar

Browns Valley Yogurt & Expresso Bar is a delicious and affordable place to find espresso, coffee, baked goods, breakfast burritos, and frozen yogurt. This little yogurt shop is a must as the frozen yogurt, as most agree, it is simply the best in Napa Valley.

Owners Cindy and Bill Stewart like to change flavors which are often seasonal, so there is something new to try on the next visit. For mint lovers, Irish Mint is worth the binge. The mint flavor is not overpowering, and the creaminess is reminiscent of the frosty cones from childhood past. Order the large to prevent later regrets.  

The staff is friendly and helpful, and the coffee is always fresh. The frozen yogurt flavors are excellent, and the shop has plenty of options for those looking for something different. // 3265 Browns Valley Rd., Napa // @BrownsValleyYogurtEspresso

 

Mis Raices 

Calistoga’s Mis Raices is a cozy place to stop for a cappuccino, freshly made pastry, and high-quality, handmade ice cream. With small tables inside and out, this cozy bistro has the look and feel of a European café. The place is small but delivers big.

Formerly Café San Marco, new owners Jessica Olivares and her brother, Bryan, serve homemade desserts, organic coffee, and handmade ice cream from Sonoma, with no artificial flavors. Find refreshing choices like Black Cherry, Cappuccino, Almond, Rum Raisin, Strawberries and Cream, and mango sorbet. For those who can’t decide, they offer samples.

There is also a wide variety of Mexican Paletas (frozen fruit treats), donuts, croissants, and other goodies to tempt a sweet tooth. Patrons enjoy sitting outside at a bistro table or savoring their treats on nearby benches or parklets. Bonus: They are open late after most other shops have closed. // 1408 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga // @MisRaicesCafeandIceCream

 

Caffe della Valle

Tucked away in a row of shops on Main Street in St. Helena, Caffe della Valle is a combination bar and café, similar to a café found in Italy, where provisions are offered all day. Traditionally breakfast may be a pastry with a cappuccino, a sandwich for lunch, espresso coffee throughout the day, and at the end of the day, an aperitivo or an after-dinner gelato.

The artisan Leo Leo Gelati is offered in flavors such as tiramisu vegetarian, mascarpone, cocoa, ladyfingers, and coffee. Order the satisfying affogato gelato topped with espresso and whipped cream for a special treat.

Inside the spacious café, one feels like they’ve stepped into Italy; mirrored walls, a small bar, and plentiful table seating. With the beautiful summer weather, linger at an outside table for some of the best people-watching in St. Helena. // 1142 Main St., St. Helena // www.caffedellavalle.com

 

Calistoga Creamery

A long-time favorite with locals and visitors alike, Calistoga Creamery serves ice cream made in-house using organic cream and milk from Sonoma’s Strauss Family Creamery and sorbet made with fresh, local fruit. Daily there are 12 flavors from which to choose on a rotating basis, as well as thick custom milkshakes, root beer floats, and sundaes.

Located in the heart of downtown Calistoga, owner Michael Fradelizio is the maestro who creates the ice cream. He proudly proclaims there is no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or flavors involved. He also makes his own vegan waffle cones, a recipe he created. “It’s all as natural as I know how to make it.” Fradelizio loves to get creative making new flavors, many based on customer request. The local Meyer lemon is always a big hit, and one the all-time favorite ice cream flavors is pistachio, made with “tons” of pistachios. Fradelizio also challenges anyone to beat the flavor of his cold-brewed coffee ice cream.

Starting around the first of July, the shop offers a special blackberry treat with fresh local blackberries, vanilla ice cream, and bits of waffle cone. If there’s a line outside, it’s worth the wait. High Fives: The shop employs high school students, giving them work experience and a little extra cash. // 1473c CA-29, Calistoga // @calistogacreamery

 

Vintage Sweet Shoppe

Famous for its chocolate-covered wine bottles, Vintage Sweet Shoppe in downtown Napa is also known for some of the creamiest, premium ice cream around. This quaint, family-run shop is near the Napa Riverwalk in the Historic Napa River Inn. Owner Debbie Dever said she is a big fan of award-winning Double Rainbow Ice Cream, made in the Bay Area. “Just like us, they are a woman-owned company with an artisanal craft attitude.”

There are many flavors to choose from, and some of Dever’s favorites are Ultra Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Raspberry Sorbet, Coffee Blast, Vanilla Custard, Mango Tangerine Swirl, and White Pistachio. Add flavorful toppings like pineapple, strawberry, raspberry, caramel, chocolate, almonds, sprinkles, Butterfinger, Oreo, cappuccino, or mint chips. The shop also features waffle cones made in-house, from scratch. “We feel with a small business, everything needs to be about quality,” Dever said. Among the amazing milkshakes on the menu, try the espresso shake made with a shot of fresh-made espresso. Bonus: Vintage Sweet Shoppe is open until 10pm every day. // 530 Main St, Napa // www.vintagesweetshoppe.com