A Harvard Square establishment that has been around 30 years. It gets lots of touristy traffic here, so seating is hard to come by. While I always enjoy the fro-yo here, I would not be able to afford to be its frequent customer here. You are mostly paying for Cambridge's ridiculous real estate price. But they get enough traffic to stay open, which is good. Sometimes the line can get long, but you go through it fairly quickly. Study the menu before you jump in line. They do allow you to sample some flavors, which is a plus. Also, no credit card minimum. read more

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Definitely a nice place to get a variety of ice creams flavors. A bit pricey. At this point, a local chain that's been around for quite a while. read more

Ice cream was ok. I think you pay more for the "setting" than ice cream. The staff was amicable. We went late on a Saturday, crowded, but they kept the line moving fast. They offer a unique variety, not your regular type. Worth a try if you're out that way! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Chocolate vanilla swirl - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

You gotta love a place where you can get an ice cream sundae in a mini baseball helmet! They had a bunch of interesting flavors and they had delicious hot fudge (I mean, most fudge is great sooo). If you're looking for a tasty treat, this place is a good choice. read more

A complete joke of an ice cream parlor. Espressogasm Fortississimo whatever is no better than Brigham's coffee ice cream you can get at Market Basket and costs 100x more per ounce. Get a friend with a Costco card to get you a tub of Kirkland's vanilla or coffee or chocolate and you're vastly better off. read more

Tried the apple cider sorbet and it was delicious!! Unique seasonal flavor that reminds me of an apple sauce. Definitely give it a try! The black raspberry was also pretty fruity and not too sweet. Enjoyed both flavors read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Apple cider sorbet and black raspberry - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Brookline I have being buying ice cream since 2006 And I love them. The one that like the most is chocolate. Mint yogurt read more

We loved this stop in Harvard Square. I got the rum and raisin... and it was delightful in the sweet cream. My wife got the cookies and cream and loved how flavor packed it was. I thought it tasted like a creamy Oreo. read more

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The food was so amazing, and so was the service! It was on campus, and it was a super cool store. Not a lot of seating but it was still super comfy feeling! read more

My very dairy-experienced Wisconsinsite transplant friend recently moved to Boston and explored the city through ice cream. She insisted we go to JP licks because it is the very best. They have classic favors and new twists on old favorites like the salted caramel cookies and cream! 11/10 I would get that flavor again. They also offer dairy free for those with sensitivities or intolerances! Pro Tip: Samples are free so take your time and soak in the creamy goodness. But you'll end up getting the salted caramel cookies and cream every time. Because of JPs I had a "scooper" rest of my day. read more

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JP Licks is one of those trendy foodie spots you have to try if you're visiting the Boston Area. They make their own icecream and distribute it to each of their stores. It is really creamy and smooth. They offer several stock flavors and a few seasonal ones that rotate. In addition to icecream they offer some cookies, pastries, and shakes. We visited on two different occasions and found both experiences enjoyable. They definitely can get packed and it isn't surprising for there to be a line out the door, so be prepared for that. They offer some seating inside and outside, but be prepared to eat standing up. We tried an icecream cup and the Lixwich- their take on an icecream sandwich made on the spot with their cookies. You get to pick the cookie type and the icecream flavor. The Lixwich is packed with way more icecream than I had anticipated. Overall, a cool place to check out if you're craving some icecream! read more

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Slowest service in the universe to think there are 2-3 people working for an order of a hot chocolate and affogato. There is a sign outside that says "best chocolate in Boston".... It's not true - go elsewhere. The espresso in the affogato was so bitter, even the ice cream doesn't help. read more

It took a long time for the barista to make it. And it was too full that it poured out when I held it in my hand walking. I think latte should not be sweet. It tastes like instant coffee to me read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Decaf latte with coconut milk, after I drank part of it. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It's not bad. Ice cream was not the creamiest, a little gummy as if too much stabilizers in it. But good selection of flavors, also have a good non dairy selection as well as a yogurt selection for those who want to cut some calories. Friendly staff. Ordered a vietnamese coffee - which is usually very strong, but this wasn't strong at all. A major plus though, is that they sell doggy treats!! read more

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Some of the best ice cream I've ever had. I will be returning here every single time I come to Boston. I am vegan, so it's not always easy to find vegan ice cream, let alone good vegan ice cream. But this place superseded my expectations. Even my non-vegan family members were blown away by the vegan ice cream and ordered it themselves. The service was wonderful as well and the overall atmosphere was very welcoming. If you like ice cream, you must come here. read more

JP Licks is Cold Stones older/more attractive sibling. This location is small but they make good use of the space that they do have. The staff were friendly/prompt, the ice cream was delicious and overpriced. Overall a good tourist stop. read more

Seriously. Lazy employees, I guess. We ordered 3 ice creams to be delivered by DoorDash. Three different flavors for 3 kids. Apparently they were out of one of the flavors and instead of calling us and asking what we wanted to substitute... our driver just showed up with only 2 ice creams. Some employee wrote--sorry we are out of peach on the receipt. Did it occur to them that maybe with 3 people we wanted our 3 ice creams? So we paid a delivery driver a big tip even though it is a small order, because their labor is still the same. But now don't have enough ice cream. I'm disabled and not able to go there in person easily, so it was a special treat for them to have this delivered. Terrible customer service. read more

Delicious ice cream and fun flavors. We really enjoyed the peanut butter cookies and cream and the cake batter cookies and cream.

Best homemade ice cream in Beantown and I've tried them all. Beats Christina's in Inman Sq, which is #2 in my opinion. Flavors of the month are fun...Best one = Peach. Worse = Everything Bagel! Love the atmosphere inside, a combination of kitschy & old school. Location in Harvard Sq couldn't be better! Service is always excellent! read more

JP Licks is a local ice cream chain (JP stands for Jamaica Plain, the Boston neighborhood where it was founded) but it has basically the same things any other ice cream place has. The ice cream is pretty good, as is the hot chocolate. This store has some indoor seating and some outdoor seating, and it's right by Harvard yard so taking to go is always a good option. read more

This place is AMAZING!! The ice cream tastes so good, it was very packed but now I can understand why. I was in Boston visiting my friend and he suggested to go to JP Licks and I'm so glad I listened. For an ice cream lover like me, this place hit the spot!!!! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Great, creamy traditional ice cream. Also have a very good, coconut based dairy-free ice cream.

I stopped here before hanging out with friends for ice cream and coffee. I found both to be exquisite and reasonably priced. The staff was friendly, and I got through the long line quickly. I didn't stay inside the store for a considerable amount of time, so I can't comment much on the ambiance. I ate my ice cream and drank my coffee outside, but it was clean when I was inside and smelled like ice cream and coffee. Given a chance, I'd go back for more coffee and ice cream. read more

can't go wrong with maple ice cream. The flavor was there and it did not disappoint. 5/5

Nice ice cream spot we got to stop by for dessert! I do wish they had a bigger variety of flavors and their menu was easier to read. The customer service was also aloof and not very helpful. Ice cream is delicious though and the consistency is really thick and creamy. Worth a quick stop! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Coffee Cookies and Cream Ice Cream & Mint Cookies and Cream Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

JP Licks makes me wish I lived in Boston. A couple of notes: - JP Licks serves both soft serve and ice cream but we prefer their ice cream. They also sell pastries and drinks. - We love that their ice cream is creamy and not overly sweet. In contrast to the more gourmet ice cream offered at Toscanini's, JP Licks represents more traditional, homemade ice cream. We appreciate the simplicity of JP Licks, and we may like this place more than Toscanini's. - The peanut butter cookies and cream and mint cookies and cream are our favorites! - There are 4 sizes available: kiddie, small, medium (2 flavors), and large (3 flavors). We have yet to sample our way through the rest of the menu so obviously, we will be back a million times over. read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - PB cookies and cream + mint cookies and cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The ice cream here is pretty good. The biggest strength though is the large varieties of flavors and different types of things you can get. The best flavor I've tried is the excellent Peanut Butter Oreo, a great combo that you don't see nearly often enough. You can also get dairy free flavors if you are unlucky enough to need that, or frozen yogurt for a lighter choice. The ice cream here isn't particularly memorable. It has a decent texture, and like all ice cream, tastes good, but it's nothing I would really feel the need to have again. The biggest weakness here is the always-present huge line, filled with families and little children and said families allowing their children to sample every single flavor. This just about makes it not worth it for a scoop of ice cream here. I would rather go to Toscanini's for superior ice cream in the future. read more

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Nice ice cream, drink, and mood. I ordered vanilla ice in here, and it was simple, but it has deep and good taste.

I don't find tart yogurt in Boston very common, so I was so pumped to find not just original tart froyo at JP Licks, but also blueberry tart!! Prices are a little steep especially when you can get ice cream tubs in the supermarket for so much less, but it's comparably to almost all the other local food ice cream chains and stores here. I got the blueberry and was surprised to find actually blueberry bits! I've only ever had strained blueberry with no pulp. This might be a turn off to some but it's sort of guarantees that it's real blueberry and not artificial flavoring. There was a line but it moved relatively quickly. And the store itself is adorable with fake grass lining the walls. I'll be back! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Amazing ice cream!!! SUPER creamy but a bit expensive. Almost the same price as a pint of ice cream you could get at a grocery store. That's why I give it a 4 star but other than that, I would definitely come back! read more

It was crowded when I went--more from cramped space than many people. The workers were bogged up from the line. The person in front of me asked for a banana in their milkshake after the milkshake was made, and one of the workers went and looked for the banana. They said the store was out of bananas, and even if that isn't true, it was realistically the only way to deal with that situation... I ordered a spinach and cheese croissant and the Mexican hot chocolate (it rang up as "el diablo hot chocolate"). Both were meh. I said yes to the croissant being warmed up but it was handed to me slightly heated up in the middle and completely cold on the sides. The taste itself was...fine. The hot chocolate was also barely warm, but I disliked it more than the pastry. It was too sweet, didn't taste like chocolate, and the bit of heat didn't add very much. Don't be fooled by the "Boston's best hot chocolate" sign outside--it's indistinguishable from Starbucks hot chocolate, if not a little worse. The three stars are for the food, not the service--nothing to complain about with the service. read more

Hands down the best ice cream place in Harvard Square. Came here with a group of 5 friends after dinner because we were craving ice cream for dessert. We decided to buy a pint of ice cream to share ($12), and it was more than enough for all of us. We chose the coffee oreo flavor (now called coffee cookies and cream), which is DELICIOUS. The coffee flavor is very strong and the mixed in oreos give a wonderful crunch and texture to the ice cream. They have rotating flavors of the month that are always interesting to try. I love their winter flavors like pumpkin. They also have a number of sorbets and dairy-free ice cream flavors. read more

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I stopped by after free cone day at Ben & Jerry's yesterday because who can eat only a small scoop of ice cream?? I used to complain about a lack of chocolate-based froyo options but someone told me that the Cookies & Cream flavor at JP Licks is actually chocolate based, so I considered getting that when I saw "Chocolate Chocolate Chip" -- had never seen it before (possibly a limited time flavor?) and it sounded perfect! I went with a small for $4.49--and I noticed immediately that there was freezer burn on some of it. Very unappealing... After trying it I immediately regretted not getting kiddie size. The froyo was way too rich. It tasted almost like hot fudge, which got sickening quickly. The chocolate chips were pleasantly uniformly bar shaped, but the flavor was similarly too rich to really be enjoyable. I've unfortunately yet to find a flavor I've liked at JP Licks, and for the price I really don't think it's worth it... read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Small chocolate chocolate chip frozen yogurt ($4.49). Note the freezer burn on the right :( - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is The Best hot chocolate I have ever tried. The barista is so nice and the ambiance is good too. If you are able to come and try it please do it. read more

I usually don't get pistachio ice cream... but I sampled it and liked it so I went for it! It had lots and lots and lots of pistachio.. so if you're into pistachio, then go for it! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Pistachio! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Delicious ice cream, but I wish they had more dairy free/vegan flavors. - My friend loved her cookie dough ice cream. Large scoops, great consistency, overall great ice cream. Lots of topping choices too. - I got the vegan salted caramel. It was good but very sweet. Probably wouldn't get it again. Other dairy free options included strawberry and grapefruit. I wish they had more vegan options including more basic flavors like chocolate. Texture/consistency was good, so there's potential. - A bit expensive, about $6 for a single scoop. - Place is always packed, and I can understand why for non-vegans, but for vegans, I think pass on this. read more

Highly recommend (if you enjoy pancakes with syrup): Maple buttah walnut! Quick service, despite long the long line. read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Maple buttah walnut - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The service was the best, she is a kind lady who serves the best milkshakes and has an upbringing persona. Best milkshake I have ever had!!

tl;dr within Boston and Cambridge, this is my FAVORITE ice cream (see below). All your standard flavors plus a bit more, and never fails to please :) I have been going to J.P. Licks, specifically the Harvard Square location, for years now - the frequency of my visits has only increased after starting school in Cambridge. The place is always bustling at all hours of the day, and it has become a tradition among my friends and I to make a visit after the end of midterms, finals, or a hard project week. Within the Boston area, JP Licks is second only to Rancatore's in nearby Belmont, but that is an entirely personal opinion! It is by far the best within Cambridge and Boston proper :) The ice cream itself is very flavorful and just the right amount of creamy. I also really appreciate the portion sizes and options - if you don't want to feel guilty about getting a full small cup, the kiddie option is perfect! That being said, whenever I get the kiddie I regret not getting a larger cup.... :) J.P. Licks gets a lot of traffic, which makes seating difficult, especially for more than two people. With the opening of the new Harvard student center by the T station, however, you can just grab your ice cream and sit at the tables on the ground floor of the building (the ground floor is open to the public). Overall, definitely make a visit if you're in Boston: with locations all over, it shouldn't be a problem! read more

J.P. Licks - Cambridge - Small cup of cookies and cream ice cream - my favorite flavor! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Although some of the ice cream and drinks are decent they definitely over sweeten most of their options. The only thing I can definitely recommend are their Oreo cream cheese truffles! Their prices are ridiculously expensive though so come in expecting to spend a pretty penny. The atmosphere is rather outdated compared to other JP Licks I've seen and the staff are HORRIBLE. They always have the worst attitudes and sometimes even come to work in PJs. Plenty of times I've gone in and been ignored because the employees were too busy on their phones or chit chatting amongst themselves. Don't recommend this location at all. read more