Thermometers in Downtown Phoenix are about to get a workout: summer is officially here. And while some people’s idea of summer fun is frying eggs on sidewalks, we’ve been busy stuffing our face with ice cream and frozen yogurt. (This job really does have its perks.)
The fruits of my labor found some of the best, and sweetest, treats your sugary heart could desire — and they’re all available at locally owned businesses in Downtown Phoenix.

Yogurt Time / 1. E. Washington St. Suite 180

With 12 frozen yogurt flavors and more than 60 toppings to choose from, Yogurt Time is the ultimate stop for build-your-own fro-yo enthusiasts. Conveniently located at CityScape Phoenix, Yogurt Time is a perfect spot to grab a tasty treat before a game, after a concert or even a midday sugar fix.
Fro-yo flavors rotate each week and include dairy-free options (almond milk) as well as low fat, non-fat and sorbet. From churros to toasted coconut, fresh fruit, candy bar crumbles and more — the variety of toppings at Yogurt Time is enough to make anyone drool. Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

A Touch of Yogurt / 2 N. Central Avenue

Located just steps away from the First Avenue and Washington Street light rail station, A Touch of Yogurt has been satiating the sweet tooth of downtown locals for over 30 years. Family-owned and operated, this modest sweet shop serves non-fat yogurt, smoothies and sorbet plus an assortment of 40+ toppings.
The traditional fro-yo menu changes every day and features flavors like banana coconut cream, Bavarian coffee, chocolate and many others. Sugar free and non-dairy sorbets are available.  And if you’re too lazy to leave the office, you should also know they deliver for only $3. Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Snoh Ice Shavery / 801 N. Second St.

Snoh Ice Shavery serves up the fluffy frozen fare and boba tea drinks that the Valley has come to love.
Snoh’s Chinese-style shaved ice is the perfect balance between creamy and icy, and it’s not too sweet — with flavors like taro, thai tea, matcha green tea, coconut and more. Unique toppings include almond pudding, honey boba, lychee fruit and mochi balls. Snoh’s also got a slew of cool refreshing drinks like slushies, milk tea and iced teas, which can all be pimped out with various flavorings. Hours: Monday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Melt Ice Cream Shop / 910 N. Fifth St.

Where can you get artisan ice cream served in a Chinese takeaway container with a fortune cookie on top? Melt.
The ice cream shop recently found a new home inside Jobot Coffee & Bar (333 E. Roosevelt). It serves up fun flavors like Little Debbie oatmeal cream pie, mint chocolate chip, as well as creative multi-layer flavors like honey, ricotta, cherry and pistachio. Hours: Monday-Friday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Fair Trade Cafe / 1020 N. First Ave.

If you’re looking for a colorful, cozy and creative coffee shop that also serves delicious ice cream and sorbet, head to Fair Trade Cafe.
Located on the ground floor of Roosevelt Square Apartments on First Avenue north of Roosevelt, Fair Trade has a great selection of locally made ice cream and sorbets. English toffee, chocolate raspberry truffle and banana cream pie are just some of the ice cream flavors you can find. Sorbets range from peach habanero to pineapple strawberry and more. Hours: Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Novel Ice Cream at ThirdSpace / 1028 N. Grand Ave.

If the sound of a warm donut stuffed with ice cream doesn’t get your heart racing, I just don’t think we can be friends.
Novel Ice Cream serves up these sinfully scrumptious desserts known as Dough Melts and European waffle ice cream sandwiches from a teeny weenie little cottage behind ThirdSpace bar on Grand Avenue. It’s known for its crazy flavors inspired by other sweet treats — think Nerds, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, honey baklava, Biscoff cookie and more. The sorbets are sometimes inspired by adult beverages like mimosa and blackberry Merlot. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Monday.