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Home > Restaurants > Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

1 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
nr. Old Fulton St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
718-246-3963 Send to Phone
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  • Price Range: $

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
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    • Generally Excellent
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  • Reader Rating:

    8.0 out of 10

      |  

    10 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Dessert / Ice Cream Shop
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Photo by Robert K. Chin

Hours

Oct-Apr: Tue-Wed, noon-10pm; Thu-Sun, noon-11pm; Mon, closed; May-Sep: Mon-Wed, noon-10pm; Thu-Sun, noon-11pm

Nearby Subway Stops

A, C at High St.

Prices

$3.50-$8

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Special Features

  • Great Desserts
  • Teen Appeal

Alcohol

  • No Alcohol

Reservations

Not Accepted

Profile

The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory opened with a streamlined assortment of classic, all-natural flavors, a spectacular location in a twenties fireboat house on the Brooklyn waterfront, and the financial backing of the River Café next door, where, unbeknownst to many, the pastry chef concocts all the factory's toppings and syrups. The only thing missing was hot fudge, a glaring omission for certain sundae enthusiasts. "It's one of the hardest things to get right," says perfectionist ice-cream maker Mark Thompson, who tasted the store-bought competition and charged former River Café pastry chef Ellen Sternau with improving on it. She rose to the challenge, using high-grade Michel Cluizel chocolate with a 72 percent cacao content for deep, dark fudge that's worth the wait—and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

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8.0 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
90% Would you go back?
70% Would you take a date?
60% Would you take kids?
50% Would you go on business?
70% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 9.2
Service: 6.6
Décor: 6.8
Value: 7.2

If you LOVE ice cream, you MUST go here... (part 2)

icecreamfanatic from 11225 | Posted on 7/10/09

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 8
Décor: 6
Value: 8

Begin near city hall in Manhattan. Enjoy a leisurely walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Exit at the steps,cross under the bridge and walk down to the Fulton Ferry Landing. Be prepared to wait in line. If rainy, or slightly chillier, the line will be shorter. Once at the counter, one person will take care of your whole party, so the first person should eat and not wait for everyone to get theirs, so as not to be drinking their ice cream. I recommend the Banana Split. You can get three flavors of whichever ice cream you want. Try it with whatever toppings you want too. I have been to the BICF over 15 times and never have I been charged for extra toppings. Then enjoy your ice cream on the landing, and feel free to sit on the ground, if the limited seating is unavailable. There is a smallish park next to the River Cafe with benches and shade where you can sit, if available. Whichever way you like your ice cream, be prepared to put effort into getting it, because many other people like it too. Enjoy!

If you LOVE ice cream, you MUST go here...

icecreamfanatic from 11225 | Posted on 7/10/09

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 8
Décor: 6
Value: 8

In all honesty, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory has it's good and bad days. However, IMO the ice cream is quite possibly the best in the city. Yes, the line can sometimes be over an hour long. Yes, it is most likely to happen on the hottest days of the year. (I have even passed out in there before!) Yes, there is no air conditioning. Yes, the service is slow. BUT, there is nothing that will make me stop coming here. It is absolutely one of the best locations in the city, otherwise numerous wedding would not come to the landing for their pictures on the weekends (and some during the week). Let me give you the best scenario for visiting the BICF though.... (check out my next post)

Read All 10 Reviews >>

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