How A Black Cat Inspired Iowa’s Best Ice Cream Shop

Nothing beats a cone or cup filled with ice cream on a hot summer day. There are plenty of great ice cream shops in Eastern Iowa to visit this summer. But the folks at Tasting Table had a mission to find the best ice cream shop in each state. They read Facebook, Reddit, and Yelp reviews. They looked for shops that had received local and national attention. And they gave bonus points for shops that have a unique twist or perspective. In Iowa, the winning shop centers around a cat named Boo Bear.

The Best Ice Cream Shop in Iowa

Black cats typically aren't good luck. But Tasting Table's best ice cream shop in Iowa disagrees! Black Cat Ice Cream is located at 1301 Locust St. in Suite D in Des Moines. According to its website, the shop was named after a black cat named Boo Bear, who could only be tamed by the soothing taste of ice cream. In fact, photos of Boo Bear decorate the inside of the ice cream shop!

What Makes Black Cat Ice Cream Different?

Tasting Table notes that the flavors at Black Cat rotate. Their website states that the ice cream is hand-made in small batches, and uses grass-fed natural dairy and other ingredients sourced from local producers, making their flavors one of a kind! Flavors can vary daily, so make sure you follow them on social media to see the latest flavors!

READ MORE: Best Brew Pub in the Nation is Located in Iowa

You can visit Black Cat Ice Cream in downtown Des Moines or at Black Cat Valley Junction at 134 5th Street in West Des Moines. The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.