Holy Cow Ice Cream Café

Gloucester, United States

4.7

Open now

22 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 978-515-4886
Website:
www.holycowicecreamcafe.com
Address:
80 Pleasant St, Gloucester, MA, 01930
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
450 ftMaplewood Avenue & Prospect Street
470 ftProspect Street & Pleasant Street
600 ftMcDonald's
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Good for Working
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Gloucester) 10:21 AM Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Holy Cow Ice Cream Café has Gloucester’s tastiest cool treats, serving up super premium ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, cookies, pastries, and coffee. We don’t take shortcuts as we serve the best local Super Premium 16% Butterfat Ice Cream. With over 35 flavors ranging from classics like Chocolate and Vanilla to creative flavors like Crunch-​a-​saurus and Cake Batter, there is truly something for everyone! We also have a variety of healthier options including 95% Fat Free Frozen Yogurt, No Sugar Added 95% Fat Free Ice Cream, Sherbert, and Dairy Free/​Fat Free Sorbet!

It doesn’t stop there. We also pride ourselves in bringing quality Cold Brew Iced Coffee. The cold brewing method takes 12 – 18 hours and yields a smooth product that contains up to 70% less acidity than all the other iced coffees out there. Not only is this method easier on the teeth and stomach, but the taste of the product is unmatched.

On the go or in a hurry? Holy Cow Ice Cream delivers for free with an order of $ 15 or more! Hosting an event? Let us bring the party to you! Holy Cow Catering offers you the choice of any of the ice cream sandwich combinations we make.

If you’re just looking for a great way to beat the heat, make a stop by Holy Cow Ice Cream Café for the areas best summer-​time snacks.

History

Established in 2014.

Holy Cow is an ice cream shop in Downtown Gloucester across from the newly renovated Burnham’s Field. We aim to bring quality ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and the best cold brew coffee in the city to the people of Gloucester, MA. At Holy Cow, we look forward to you joining us for great summer snack.

Meet the Business Owner

Mike S.

Business Owner

Mike grew up in the area and in 2014, wanted to re-​open this nice ice cream shop in downtown Gloucester. Mike has a passion for providing great customer service and great quality frozen treats. He hopes your experience at Holy Cow Ice Cream Café is one you’ll want to come back for again.

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Vicinity

Near this location:
190
ft
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91 Pleasant St
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60 Prospect St
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22 reviews of Holy Cow Ice Cream Café

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Place rating: 4
Cambridge, MA
Very cute little store! I was a fan of the ice cream texture — it was creamy and rich without being overwhelming. They did not have hot coffee, which was disappointing because it was cold outside.
Place rating: 5
Arlington, MA
They were open today and said that their season is just starting out again! We got to try two of the breakfast shakes (cinnamon toast crunch and fruity pebbles), which are fairly innovative and delicious. A little bit more on the consistency of milky ice cream than thick, but we liked them! I had cake batter ice cream, which I really enjoyed. The one scoop was a big portion for a small and a very fair price. I’d recommend visiting them!
Place rating: 5
Lynnfield, MA
By far my favorite ice cream place in the country. Those ice cream sandwiches!!!
Wow. You could get ice cream at any old place. But why would you when Holy Cow is frequently cycling through a multitude of fresh ice cream sandwich ideas. They are jaw-​droppingly good.
The only downside to this place is that the decisions can be difficult to make. Luckily, the awesome staff is both fun and flexible.
I love frappes, and like iced coffee. One day, I had a hankering for a vanilla frappé with some iced coffe mixed in (needed the caffeine) Mike, the owner, mixed up the tastiest frappé Ive ever had.
A new landmark and must-​visit!
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
Holy Cow — I love the name!
Although the flavors themselves are a bit pedestrian, Holy Cow is not just your typical ice cream shop. In addition to your traditional choices of a cup or a cone, here you can get your ice cream dressed up as an ice cream sandwich, on a waffle, stuffed into a cannoli shell, or… wait for it… in a DONUT!
After mulling over the options, I finally settled on the most interesting sounding of the five Ice cream sandwiches — Maple Bacon $ 4.75, which consists of chocolate chip cookies filled with maple walnut ice cream rimmed with candied bacon. Yes, it does sound a bit weird, but the savory sweet combo actually made for a nice treat, particularly since the bacon itself was actually crispy, which added a nice contrast to the chewy cookie. The treat was unexpectedly pre-​made, and handed over in short plastic tub straight from a freezer. This made for an easier to bite into dessert where ice cream did not splurt out from between the cookies, but I would guess that they don’t offer off menu ice cream sandwich combos.
Unfortunately, the ladies manning the shop weren’t able to convict us enough of their sensitivities about allergies for the one with nut allergies among us to feel comfortable about ordering something.
Place rating: 5
Peabody, MA
The most fabulous ice cream sandwich I’ve had… their cookies were outstanding, soft and chewy and the ice cream was fantastic as well.
I got a Peanut Butter one which was rolled in mini reese pieces.
It was VERY rich though, I couldn’t actually even finish it, as it was pretty big and VERY filling.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I stopped in with my mom after we had some snacks and watched the sun set at Stage Fort Park (the 2 benches overlooking the harbor are beautiful). I saw the mention in Boston Magazine and thought I should check it out. Mom has been 3 times and enjoyed each time. We didn’t wait at all around 7 on a Friday night. 2 nice, friendly high school girls helped us and let us sample flavors and told us what they liked and what the house specialties were. I got the moose tracks – really yummy with that fudge type ripple and peanut butter cups. Next time I’ll try an ice cream sandwich and report back. 1 scoop was $ 3.99 ish, and I thought it was the perfect amount. There were a couple seats inside and café tables outside which were nice. Recommended!
Place rating: 5
Wellesley, MA
Worth a trip!!! Great ice cream and many flavors!!!
Place rating: 1
Boston, MA
My husband and I were very disappointed in our experience at this establishment. We went out of our way to come here after spending the day at Wingaersheek Beach. We felt very misled given the Unilocal rating. We ordered the German Chocolate Cake and Black Raspberry flavors. They tasted store-​bought — nothing special. The girl who took and fulfilled our order was not friendly at all, repeatedly asking «is that all,» seeming very unhappy to help customers. My ice cream started melting off the cone so we returned to the outside window to ask for a cup. After receiving a cup, she promptly slammed the window before we could ask for anything else.
PLEASE BE AWARE: As of 8÷21÷2015, 6 out of the 14 recommended Unilocal reviews for this business were completed by accounts with ONLY 1 review. If you include all of the recommended and not recommended reviews, 7 out of 16 were completed by accounts with ONLY 1 review. In my opinion, that is a telltale sign that these reviews are inauthentic.
Place rating: 5
Gloucester, MA
Truly a 5 star place… The cookies were delicious. great black iced coffee. Cookies and ice cream=bomb. And breakfast shakes! The staff is great, Mike was helpful and let my difficult group be idiots without making us feel bad. Amazing shop!
Place rating: 5
Marblehead, MA
This place is hands down the best place on the North Shore to grab an ice cream. The owner is a younger guy who put all his money and hard work to make this happen and he should be proud of what he accomplished here. It is a great place to go on a hot summer night to enjoy some family bonding or to impress your gf. Good luck with this place and I know it will be extremely successful! 100% RECOMMENDED!
Place rating: 5
Marblehead, MA
Saturday we had a surprise ice cream social in #MarbleheadMA for my betrothed Tara​‘s birthday party. (I’m told it was her 50th but I don’t believe it!) Mike Schifino and his crew at Holy Cow Ice Cream Café​from #GloucesterMA served 50 or 60 of us ice cream sundaes and it was fabulous! Thanks Mike​and crew!
Place rating: 5
Westborough, MA
The texture of the ice cream is outstanding! It has that delicious fatty creamy mouthfeel after you take a bite. Maybe you like that, maybe you don’t. BUT YOU SHOULD.
The black raspberry ice cream was good, the chocolate was very good, but the coffee … tasted like cawfee … like, really good, strong but sweet cawfee. I was in love.
There are fronuts — ice cream sandwiches in doughnuts, as well as interesting breakfast shakes (fruit loops, lucky charms, cinnamon toast crunch, and more), frappes, sundaes, and all sorts of goodness.
Also, they deliver. ICE CREAM DELIVERY is even better than sliced bread.
Place rating: 5
Beverly, MA
Clean and very friendly. There’s a great new playground across the street. Very, very yummy. Next time I’m going to try one of the ice cream canolis.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
The place was excellent. A little quiet when we arrived (an hour before closing on a Sunday night) which was nice to see. The staff (two high school students) were courteous and conscientious and had a good sense of humor.
They had been slammed over the weekend and were out of several types of ice cream. Still, they were apologetic and it reminded me very much of «Chilly Cow» in Arlington. Great ice-​cream and a good place to get a summer snack.
Place rating: 5
Lynnfield, MA
What a hidden treasure Holy Cow is! Not to mention their ice cream is fabulous. Great place to bring the kids with the park across the street. Absolutely yummy!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
This place is delicious — I have only tried the ice cream sandwich (classic, FTW!) but I will be back. This is the perfect post-​beach snack.
Place rating: 5
Swampscott, MA
Siri told me about this place and we were not disappointed! Portion sizes were great, right price, and their Moose Tracks FroYo was amazing!!! Kids had mint chip and Oreo ice cream and those were excellent as well! I’ll make the trip from Swampscott again!!! Definitely worth it!
Place rating: 5
Newton Lower Falls, MA
Oh my god this place is amazing! Great atmosphere and delicious ice cream. The owner is a riot! Ask him to tell you a story about his dog Spic
Place rating: 5
Milford, NH
This place is a gem! Right across the street from a park, great for the kids! Owner is super nice. Even make their own ice cream sandwiches. Definitely worth a visit!
Place rating: 5
Newton Lower Falls, MA
Oh my god this place is amazing! Great atmosphere and delicious ice cream. The owner is a riot! Ask him to tell you a story about his dog Spice!
Place rating: 5
Lynn, MA
This place is simply the best. If you haven’t had their breakfast cereal milkshakes, then you should be ashamed of yourself. Their ice cream is excellent, but the hospitality is even better. If you’re anywhere near the area, this place is a must-​stop destination.
Regards,
A Hopeless Romantic
Place rating: 5
Wakefield, MA
Checked this place out yesterday when it opened and I gotta tell you, this place ruled. It looked amazing from the outside and the new interior was perfect. Granted, it was opening day but the place looked immaculate. A very friendly young woman took my order and couldn’t have been nicer. I don’t even think it was because I’m handsome either (6’3″, blond hair, soft blue eyes, muscular, but not overwhelmingly so) and I paid for half my order in change so I don’t think she was tip grubbing either. So I’m a little poor. Poor and handsome. Whatever. So was Aladdin. I got an ice cream and a coffee because it was Friday and on Friday’s I party. They were both phenomenal. Reasonably priced and delicious. If you don’t like reasonably priced delicious coffee and ice cream then I can’t help you. But if you do, this is your spot.