This is no definitive list, but it’s a great start if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. For more restaurant listings, visit www.bostonglobe.com/caperestaurants
Caffe Gelato Bertini
Cape Cod is awash in ice cream emporia, but Caffe Gelato Bertini, a tiny shop, captures the artistry of more refined and less fatty Italian gelato and sorbetto (made with and without milk, respectively). Bertini also serves excellent espresso. For the coffee lover’s taste trifecta, order an affogato: gelato topped with a shot of espresso and a gob of whipped cream. 20 Pearl St. (rear), Hyannis, 508-778-0244, www.capecodgelato.com
Millie’s
Millie’s — named for “Madaket Millie’’ Jewett, an island legend who sold ice cream and minded the coastline — opened in 2010 with a Baja-style menu featuring fish tacos and po’ boys. There’s a lunchtime takeout window and a food truck that can often be found parked at the Cisco Brewery. 326 Madaket Rd., 508-228-8435, www.milliesnantucket.com
Nantucket Ice Cream & Juice Guys
Nantucket Ice Cream & Juice Guys will satisfy your sweet tooth with ice cream, smoothies, and much more. “Just listen for the music and look for the smiles!’’ 44 Straight Wharf, 508-332-4949, facebook.com/nantucketicecream
Nantucket Pharmacy
Step back in time at the all-purpose Nantucket Pharmacy, where the Rockwellian lunch counter boasts ice cream and what might be the island’s best breakfast sandwich. 45 Main St., 508-228-0180
JT’s Seafood Restaurant
Whether you are seated at the outdoor deck or inside at a picnic-style table, JT’s Seafood Restaurant offers value and variety in a quaint, family-friendly setting. Fried seafood is a specialty, but grilled dinner specials, ribs, and even heart-healthy sandwiches are on the menu. For dessert, step up to the window for an ice cream cone. Story books, paper, and crayons are available for the kids, while beer and wine is on tap for the adults. 2689 Main St. (Route 6A), Brewster, 508-896-3355, www.jt-seafood.com
Captain Frosty’s
The quintessential Cape Cod clam shack, Captain Frosty’s was a dairy bar for 20 years before expanding to a full menu in 1976. Lightly fried clams and scallops, hand-cut onion rings, and black-angus burgers bring locals and tourists back year after year. Cap the summer experience by walking around to the front and ordering an old-fashioned soft-serve ice cream. 219 Route 6A, Dennis, 508-385-8548. www.captainfrosty.com
Kream ’n’ Kone
With seven varieties of seafood rolls, 24 flavors of soft-serve ice cream, and award-winning chowder and fried clams, the Kream ’n’ Kone has been ranked by national publications as one of the East Coast’s best “seafood dives.’’ The outdoor patio overlooking Swan River provides the quintessential summer Cape experience. 961 Route 28, Dennis, 508-394-0808, www.kreamn kone.com
Sundae School
Housed in a historic barn, the Sundae School takes no shortcuts with its homemade ice cream. The owners use the freshest fruit, the finest vanilla extract, and real white pistachios. Two favorites are amaretto nut (with roasted almonds) and creme de menthe chip made with creme de menthe liquor and chocolate chips. 381 Lower County Road, Dennisport, 508- 394-9122, www.sundaeschoolicecream .com
Polar Cave
You won’t go hungry at Polar Cave, where owner Mark Lawrence has been known for dishing out generous portions of award-winning ice cream since 1995. The Arctic Landslide, chocolate ice cream with swirls of marshmallow, dark chocolate chips and almonds, and the Cotton Candy, a soft blue-and-pink ice cream, are memorable. 22 Falmouth Road, Mashpee, 508-477-5553, www.polarcave .com
The Canteen
Bursting with energy and flavor, newcomer The Canteen, with its communal dining room and homey backyard on the harbor, has been an immediate hit. The zesty menu mixes regional fare, childhood favorites, and health-conscious selections, including fried oysters on brioche, Bloody Mary oysters from the raw bar, s’mores ice cream bars blowtorched to order, kale-and-quinoa salad, and the house specialty of crispy Brussels sprouts in fish sauce. 225 Commercial St., Provincetown, 508-487-3800, www.thecanteen ptown.com
Lewis Brothers
Ice cream from Lewis Brothers is homemade and heavenly. Flavors include old-time favorites, plus liquor-infused selections, like Mudslide Chip, and other inventive concoctions, such as Purple Rain. Sundaes are created with ladlefuls of made-from-scratch hot fudge, and whipped cream so dense that they use spatulas to heap it on. The brothers’ (there are three) solar-powered ice cream truck parks at a variety of spots throughout the season; locations posted on Twitter. 310 Commercial St., Provincetown, 508-487-0977, www.lewisbrothersice cream.com
Nauset Ice Cream
Skip the long lines at the nearby national chain in favor of the locally made, oversize scoops at Nauset Ice Cream. A convenient stop off the Cape Cod Rail Trail, the no-frills, friendly stand offers over 25 flavors, including Cape Cod cranberry, black raspberry mochaccino, coffee heath, and coconut almond chip. 4550 Route 6, Eastham, 508-240-2649, www.nausetice cream.com
Scoop Shack
The Scoop Shack is one of the best ice cream shops on the island and every kid’s dream, with walls lined with shelves stocked with candy ranging from nostalgia brands like Sugar Daddies and Mary Janes to gummy worms and 26 flavors of taffy to colossal pixie stix. The 28 ice cream flavors are homemade and creative _ carrot cake has been a favorite since opening two years ago, and this year owner Brian MacPhail is introducing sea salt caramel truffle and marshmallow Fluff flavors. Also, six flavors of soft serve. Hours run late—open until 11pm during the week and midnight on weekends. 22 Dock Street, 914-400-6424
Vineyard Scoops
The homemade ice cream at Vineyard Scoops is especially creamy, and it’s a haven for soft-serve and sorbet fans as well. They also serve iced lattes and coffee drinks. 56 Main St., Edgartown
The Sweet Spot
This adorable little spot called The Sweet Spot offers 32 flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt, as well as soft serve. Try the Cookie Monster: vanilla with peanut butter, M&Ms, chocolate chips and cookie dough. It also has the island’s most comprehensive candy store – selling candy by the pound, gummies, sour patch, as well as old school options like Bit o’Honeys and flat taffy. 12 Circuit Ave. Extension, 508-687-2022
Chilmark General Store
While they make a dozen different and creative sandwiches, the Chilmark general store is most beloved for its pizza. They also sell gourmet cheeses, charcuterie and freshly baked breads for a beachside picnic. Organic produce is grown on a nearby farm. Other specialty items include small batch ice creams and fair trade coffees. 7 State Rd., Chilmark, 508-645-3739; www.chilmarkgeneralstore.com
Hot Chocolate Sparrow
Hot Chocolate Sparrow has quite the following, and no surprise given its astonishing array of decadent desserts. Along with steamy sensations like mint hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, gourmet coffees and lovely teas, there’s frozen hot chocolate and chai frappes. Plenty of ice cream (with their homemade sprinkles) and other concoctions, but also efforts to nourish nicely, with items like sustainable energy cookies. 5 Old Colony Way, Orleans, 508-240-2230, www.hotchocolatesparrow.com
