Best Gelato in Hillside

"Bar Siena's walk-up dessert window, BomboBar, offers a riff on doughnuts - the "bomboloni" - an Italian hole-less doughnut Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani serves at his restaurants, Siena Tavern and Bar Siena. It's the specialty of the house at BomboBar and works wonderfully in the West Loop for dessert or post-party hunger pangs. Order one, four, six or a dozen and any of six rotating custard flavors that you inject into the doughnut."

"Bombobar is another one of those establishments that started out small but hit it big with the masses. After opening up as a humble walk-up window, Bombobar has expanded to two locations including one 30-seat restaurant in Old Town. If you like over-the-top donuts and shakes, Bombobar is your spot."

"Put together your dream sweet drink with the help of Bar Siena’s walk-up dessert joint, BomboBar. Depending on the season, try the Gelato Shakes or Hotter Chocolates with interesting toppings like Oreo cookies and gummy worms. Not a milkshake fan?"

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Beverly. For more than 80 years, the awning-covered picnic tables of this South Side ice-cream shop have been packed with locals indulging their sweet tooth. The signature five-flavor Rainbow Cone features layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet stacked one on top of the other to form an unbeatable classic."

"It definitely gets points for nostalgia, but at the end of the day, you come here for one thing: the rainbow cone. It’s made with layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries), and pistachio ice creams, plus orange sherbet. While this may not be the combination you’d go for on your own, somehow all the flavors work perfectly together."

"The only thing better than photographing the rainbow is eating the rainbow. This is a Chicago favorite that can always be found at the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza."

"When it comes to vintage ice cream nostalgia in Chicago, it doesn't get any better than Margie's Candies. Any ice cream parlor that cites The Beatles as one-time customers is bound to be fantastic, especially when said parlor looks like it hasn't been refurbished since the Fab Four broke up in 1970. The best backdrop for wheel barrel-sized sundaes and splits is an ice cream shop lined with squishy booths, antiquated music machines, and a time-worn candy counter."

"This candy shop and soda fountain looks a lot like it did when it opened in 1921, and they still serve a lot of the same treats. Order a sundae in a vintage clamshell dish, an extra thick milkshake (a Margie’s classic), or a box of homemade chocolates."

"Regardless of what certain chains might say, Jeni Britton Bauer is the real "dairy queen." The woman who ignited an ice cream renaissance in Columbus, Ohio with her namesake ice cream shop has become synonymous with seasonal and innovative ice creams. With several locations in Ohio, she brought her charming wares to Chicago via a sleek scoop shop on Southport. What sets Jeni apart is her unique approach to flavor combinations and textures."

"Jeni’s has expanded to being sold in many grocery stores, but nothing beats enjoying it fresh from the shop. Try one of their specialty treats like their ice cream cookie sandwiches."

"Edgewater & Rogers ParkIf you couldn’t tell from the name, Lickity Split Frozen Custard & Sweets serves frozen custard, sundaes, candy, and other local treats in enchanting old-world digs. You could go “my way” with your choice of flavor and one topping, or opt for a mix of cupcakes and custard in the Crazy Cake concrete. Even better is the “OMG,” a concoction of frozen custard, brownies, hot fudge, and peanut butter that’ll have you exclaiming its moniker with every bite."

"Lickity Split is a retro-style sweets and ice cream shop in Edgewater that makes its own frozen custard fresh every day. There are only three flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and a specialty flavor that rotates every few weeks), all of which are fine on their own. But you need to order one of the concretes - i.e. custard blended with mix-ins."

"A post shared by Lickity Split Chicago (@lickitysplitchi) on Dec 28, 2018 at 11:11am PST. This old time ice cream shop in Melbourne serves coffee, locally sourced pastry, retro candy, and frozen custard. People with a sweet tooth should definitely come here to grab a creamy and delicious cupcake or a scoop of their favorite ice cream."

"Must Try: Mexican Hot Chocolate Black Dog Gelato has some of the most inventive and interesting ice cream flavors in Chicago. They make their gelato fresh every day in small batches with simple ingredients. They love to create new flavor combinations to keep up with the modern palate."

"It’s incredibly smooth, and there are a variety of interesting flavors, like pretzel Nutella and olive-oil almond (our absolute favorite is the goat cheese cashew caramel). Just keep in mind that since everything is made fresh daily, they might run out of what you’re looking for."

"Black Dog offers some of the most unique gelato flavors in Chicago. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the only gelato place to go."

"Shopping Chocolate and candy Hyde Park. This Michigan-based brand might be best known for its decadent slabs of fudge, but you'd be remiss to not check out the tubs of creamy, small-batch ice cream also tucked under its glass display cases. Classic flavors are loaded up with treats like caramel, nuts, chocolate chips and other dreamy confections (yes, including fudge), then piled into house-made waffle cones that you can smell baking from across the block."

"With more than a dozen locations in Illinois, including Evanston, Naperville, Mount Prospect, and Bolingbrook, Andy’s is spreading the love of frozen custard throughout Chicagoland. Frozen custard is creamier than traditional ice cream, with more butterfat and less air. At Andy’s the slow-churned custard is made fresh hourly to maintain the rich texture."

"With five Chicago-land locations, Andy’s is very accessible. The Jackhammer is one of many flavors of concretes. Choose from a list of over 25 seasonal toppings to add to a frozen custard of your choice."

"Classic chocolate and vanilla custard with all the fun mix-ins one could possibly want. From concretes to malts to sundaes, Andy’s offers every possible way for you to enjoy your custard."

"Carnivals can be fun and terrifying, and they tend to involve both lines and funnel cake. The same could be said of the funnel cake sundae at Sugar Shack in Bridgeport, which is exactly what it sounds like, i.e. an ice cream sundae piled on top of some funnel cake that you’re going to have to wait in line for. It’s delicious, and although you may briefly wonder what it will do to your body, you also won’t care."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. This family operated ice cream parlor in Melbourne boasts of family-friendly service and delicious and fresh ice creams. The shop takes pride in serving the best selection of soft serve and hand-scooped ice creams with as many as 30 distinct mix-ins and toppings."

"Sugar Shack’s treats are the stuff of which the sweetest dreams are made off. Take a seat at one of Sugar Shack’s patio tables and enjoy their funnel cake sundaes, ice cream tacos and other frozen treats for the ultimate sugar rush!. Find Sugar Shack at 630 W 26th St."

"If you don't mind the required nudity in the open treatment areas (men and women are in separate rooms), then this massive Korean spa is the best deal in town. Located just beyond the city's northern border, the 24/7 sauna has a very international feel. After a rough but fantastic scrub-down, wander in and out of the numerous crystal saunas, and stretch out in the sprawling relaxation rooms, some of which are lined with oversized leather recliners."

"Trust Kohler (maker of sinks, baths and showers) to know a thing or two about hydrotherapy. The company has long operated water-loving spas in the suburbs and recently opened its first Chicago location in Lincoln Park. Spend a day unwinding in the cool plunge or hydromassage pool, only to emerge for a Digital Detox wrap when your fingers prune."

"After all that walking, head back to your room at the Dana Hotel and Spa in the chic River North neighbourhood to freshen up ahead of the night portion of your Chicago itinerary. The design-forward property wows from the moment you walk through the multi-storey, airy foyer, which is accented with geometric seating and light fixtures that set the tone for the surrounding ultra luxe spaces. On-site amenities include an acclaimed spa and multiple restaurants, like the rooftop Apogee Lounge where the in-crowd comes to sip hand-crafted cocktails and soak in the views."

"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."

"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."

"A giant fist clenching eating utensils invites guests into this popular Lakeview eatery. Inside, they’ll find a warm dining room and items ranging from stuffed French toast and marvelous milkshakes to giant quesadillas and zucchini parmigiana. Go during off-peak hours or be prepared to wait since there’s usually a line."

"Stella’s has a pretty eye-catching exterior, and pretty hunger-smashing food. This place has been in Lakeview for around 50 years and despite many changes over the decades, it’s still around. Boasting classic diner breakfast favorites and delicious shakes at low prices, Stella’s has no trouble bringing in the crowd."

"Old School Breakfast Favorites: Coffee Simple Shake (Coffee + Milkshake!) ($5.50) or 2 Eggs with a Side and Toast ($6.95). Chicagoians have loved Stella’s Diner since the 1960s. This Lakeview institution offers the kind of breakfast your parents and grandparents probably love."

"With several locations across the city, Golden Nugget has been a Chicago staple for more than 50 years. There’s something for everyone as the expansive menu has buttercream waffles, crepes, fried steak, liver and onions, “Flavors of Italy” and “South of the Border” dishes, and daily specials."