Kansas City has no shortage of ice cream, but not every scoop is worth the price. To find out which shop truly delivers the best mix of flavor, variety and cost, we set out to visit three of the city’s standout spots: Betty Rae’s, One More Scoop and Alice Scoopers. Each shop brought something unique to the table, reflecting the character and creativity of our hometown.
We rated each stop on flavor, price, wait time and overall experience — determined to answer one simple question: which ice cream shop is the best in Kansas City? After comparing notes (and plenty of scoops), we came to the same conclusion. Let’s just say .. there’s one place that earned “one more scoop” for a reason.
Betty Rae’s
412 Delaware Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105
Our first stop was Betty Rae’s, located near the River Market in downtown Kansas City.
Anthony’s take: When I first approached the shop, it wa s very colorful and displayed art around the walls outside the shop. It showed community and vibrance to the street. I got the Smores flavor, and it was rich. The flavor was very powerful. The chocolate tasted very rich, and the flavors mixed well. For this flavor I would give it a 8.1 out of 10, the store’s atmosphere was great, although the ice cream wasn’t a 10, it was still good.
Will’s take: They have a new shop opening soon in the Northland, but we went to the River Market store. First, the shop feels festive and lively. I visited on a Tuesday around 4 p.m. I waited about five minutes. I ordered Cookie Monster, which had a nice pastel blue tint to it, with dark cookie bits mixed in. The flavor seemed like vanilla with a hint of chocolate. The ice cream looked fun, but the flavor tasted weak. The cookie pieces didn’t add much, and the vanilla base didn’t stand out. I gave Betty Rae’s 5 out of 10 stars. The prices are low. A kids’ scoop costs $4.50. So, if you’re in for a quick and easy experience, this is a good option.
One More Scoop
3522 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64119
Moving on to the next shop: One More Scoop, located on Vivion Road in Kansas City.
Anthony’s take: When I arrived, the atmosphere was simple, but not bad. The walls were white, and there was a big ice cream cone in the entrance, so that was cool. On the other hand, the ice cream was amazing, I got peanut butter flavor, and it was very simple but flavorful, so much flavor in one cup. The ice cream was incredible. Their motto is “Homemade ice cream right here in KC.” Their flavors are so creative and unique — from Mama’s Texas Sheet Cake to the Strawberry :Chiefs” cake, there were so many flavors to choose from. I give One More Scoop an 8.5.
Will’s take: Despite its compact, size don’t underestimate it. The shop is just off Vivian Road near Antioch. It offers more than 15 flavors. It’s a strong option if you want bold flavors. I got the espresso brownie. It came in a crisp, buttery waffle cone filled with silky coffee ice cream and fudgy chocolate chunks that smell like a fresh coffee. Each bite is a perfect mix of bitter espresso and a satisfying crunch. I had little to no wait. Prices start at $6 for one scoop in a cone. If you like coffee flavors, this shop is a great choice. The espresso brownie tasted rich and balanced. I rated it 9.4 out of 10. It was my favorite stop.
Alice Scoopers
10207 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64155
Alice Scoopers was the next shop we traveled to — located on North Oak in Kansas City.
Anthony’s take: As soon as I walked into the shop, I saw a wall filled with art from customers. The shop resembled a community and just a nice small shop serving ice cream. I got the mint chocolate chip, and it tasted very sweet. The mint was rich in flavor. It wasn’t my favorite because I think the flavor wasn’t the best. It didn’t really get the same reaction as the other shops. I would give Alice Scoopers an 8.0 out of 10.
Will’s take: Alice Scoopers offers a variety of flavors and is a great local shop in the Kansas City area. With little to no wait time, it has creative flavors and a giant graffiti wall where customers can draw. It creates a messy, high-energy vibe. The shop pairs this with
ice cream flavors named after songs and artists to keep the atmosphere fun and loud. The shop wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst. I rated them 6 out of 10. I take points away for the lack of flavor in the ice cream, I tried gold digger, a blend of chocolate and Reese’s, mint chocolate chip, and Hammer Time, an Oreo ice cream and double stuff Oreo pieces. All three flavors sounded bold, but they tasted mild. The mix-ins didn’t pop, and the chocolate flavor wasn’t strong. The shop was enjoyable, and service was amazing, but the flavors, not so much.
The winner is…
Anthony’s take: After visiting the three of the best ice cream places in Kansas City, it’s safe to say there’s a winner: One More Scoop. The flavor was on point. The homemade ice cream was delicious, and the shop had so many unique flavors to choose from that were created just right here in Kansas City.
Will’s take: Overall, my favorite was One More Scoop. I gave it a 9 out of 10. I think it is your best option for ice cream in Kansas City. However, these are all great options if you want a sweet treat.
