Betty Rae's has long been a local favorite for handcrafted, small-batch ice cream, with plenty of…read morenational recognition along the way. So I'm surprised it took me this long to write a review. We stopped by the River Market location last night, and one of the quickest ways to judge a place is simply to look around. There was a line of people waiting to get in and others lingering outside, happily working their way through whatever they had just ordered. That's usually a pretty good sign. A few years ago, Betty Rae's closed its shops, and there was real concern that the brand might disappear for good. Then Matt Shatto of Shatto Milk Company rode in on the proverbial white horse, revived the brand and began expanding it again. I clearly need a few more visits to work my way through the flavor options. When you first walk in, you'll see wooden blocks displaying flavors. Those are just some of the classics that are always available. The big menu behind the freezer cases is where the real decision-making begins. And if you can't decide, the staff is more than happy to let you sample your way through the case. As someone who considers chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough their own food groups, I went with the Cookie Dough. What stood out most was the texture. It was incredibly rich, dense and creamy, almost closer to frozen custard than traditional ice cream. My niece, who is a far more experienced Betty Rae's customer, swears by the Lavender and Caramel combination. I'm not sure I would have ever put those two together, which is probably another reason I need to go back. And Betty Rae's is about more than what's in the cup. The River Market shop has a comfortable, funky personality that fits the neighborhood perfectly. The servers were exceptionally friendly, and even the music is part of the experience. You can find their playlist on Spotify. Great ice cream. Fun place. Terrific people. And apparently, I have a lot more flavors to try.

Very creamy ice cream with a variety of delicious flavors. We tried the Coffee (I forgot what the…read moreexact name was, but it used the beans from the cafe next door), Guava Sorbet, London Fog, and Pecan. Prices were pretty solid too; it was around $7 for two very large scoops/flavors. (You also get to try the flavors) Overall a great ice cream spot to drop in after a meal or to cool off. One note: the photobooth in the back is advertised as B&W but it's actually color lol

Call me a fan of High Hopes. First things first: it can't be denied that over the past few years…read moreHigh Hopes has climbed its way to the top of the craft ice cream mountain here in Kansas City. This spot has a cult following and I'm embarrassed to say how long it took me to get over here to pick up a cone and see what it's all about. I am glad though, that I made the trek and I'm happy to say I've been back a few times since! First thing you'll notice about this spot is that it's a walk up counter, and there is something charming about that. There are a few tables outside on the sidewalk if you want to stay and enjoy your ice cream on the spot. The next thing you'll notice are all of the interesting flavors, my favorite so far has been the banana haze, but I have a feeling they all are good. On hot summer nights there will be a line here, but it's worth the wait and honestly what ice cream spot doesn't have a line in the summer? The folks working are always super nice and willing to answer any questions you have. You'll walk away with a really great sized scoop for the price and one of the best ice creams in KC.

I had high hopes for High Hopes, but I felt kind of disappointed after I went. There was a long…read moreline, and parking was limited to street parking. I ordered the Campfire S'mores ice cream, and although it was rich and creamy, I didn't really get the nostalgic hit of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow. I felt like I was eating a glorified vanilla. For the price and hype, I was expecting more. Would I go back? Maybe if friends wanted to go and try it. Edit: The owner of High Hopes wrote a response including the statement, "Yelp glorifies amateur critics, giving them a platform for disproportionate, often weaponized power to individual opinions over professional expertise." It sounds disrespectful toward Yelpers, as if the typical person or customer isn't allowed to say whether they like or dislike something. That is the entire point of this platform, and arguably, any customer review. The response from Jamie invalidates the individual's experience and alienates the customer. If this is the culture behind High Hopes, it does not feel inclusive to all. Therefore, I will not be going back. I will keep the review at 3 stars because I stand by my original review.

The location off State Line Rd allows spontaneous visits for me. With its convenient spot, I'm a…read morefrequent visitor. I've never had a bad flavor. I always lean toward chocolate or stracciatella, two classic gelato flavors. Flying Cow excels with the classics, but their creativity shines when you get away from the classics and get into fruit options or the root beer float. It's all fun and delicious. Like I said, never had a bad flavor. The scoopers are always very friendly, providing great service. I might be wrong but I think they've added more seating outside than they used to have, so that's great news for anyone trying to enjoy the summer weather.

What a treat this place is!!…read more The staff was so kind and helpful. It's a cozy place where you may have to wait in line outside before waiting inside on a summer night. That's how good the gelato is here. My wife enjoyed her mint chocolate chip and I my pistachio and another scoop of Dirt & Dino. Delish!

This is quickly becoming a regular dessert spot for me and my friends! The service is always very…read morequick, even if there are quite a few people in line. The attention to detail and decor in the space is very fun and thoughtful, with a photo booth and plenty of pictures of their offerings! There is also plenty of seating in the space, and it seems to be kept clean. My friends and I always make sure to get a bingsu and at least one other dessert, we especially love the taiyaki! I would definitely recommend sharing a bingsu, as it is pretty large to eat by yourself. Additionally, they have a wide array of offerings on the menu, and plenty from drinks to ice cream and other desserts.

Really interesting concept with unique flavor options…read more I admit I didn't fully understand what the base of the dessert consisted of, but it wasn't my thing - mainly just plain shaved ice/milk with toppings. It's very light, so not really what you're looking for if you want something heavier and/or more rich. The stuffed waffle things were really good. We tried the chocolate and red bean flavors.

I got the shaved ice cream here! Matcha flavor…read more First off I will say you should bring at least 1 other person here. Don't be like me and come alone! This is a huge portion of ice cream. You could probably split one among 4 people. It's also a cute place to hang out, pretty pastel and wood cozy interior. I really liked the shaved ice cream! The texture was light and fluffy and while it reminds me of bingsoo, it's creamier because it's cream instead of milk I think? Overall it ended up being quite rich, especially with all the whipped cream, and the matcha flavor is a little too sweet. Next time I'll probably try a fruity flavor (and bring friends). I think this place is worth trying at least once! Really unique ice cream that I haven't seen or tried elsewhere.

How the HECK did Shaved Ice Cream escape my extremely powerful radar for all things-dessert??…read more Wow - this was such a fun experience, and a new (to me/us) take on an old dessert! Our family came here for a birthday celebration afternoon to enjoy some sweet treats! The attendant at the counter helped us with numerous questions ranging from "What IS shaved ice cream?" to best sellers, and how much to order! We settled on a couple shaved ice creams to share (although they have many other desserts and drinks, too!), which was more than enough for our family of four, and a great way to try a couple different options! They serve the shaved ice cream in a generous-sized metal bowl, on a large metal tray, and thank goodness for this, as things can get a little messy! We absolutely loved both of our selections - Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Oreo! They have plenty of seating in a super-cute setting! Up front are some comfy chairs around a coffee table, and the rest of the space is full of normal restaurant-style tables and chairs! While not exactly cheap, I would say that the pricing is fair, for a novel dessert experience! ...at least for the shaved ice cream. This will be a fun place to surprise un-knowing folks with a fun, different approach to icy-cold dessert! Food = 4/5 Facility = 4/5 Service = 4/5 Ambiance = 4/5 Value = 3/5

Service was very fast and efficient. When we walked in there was a live band in the place beside…read moreus, which is very cool. It was clean from what I remember. The ice cream was marvelous, me and my friends loved it!

Back again for more Trying the other options wow was it…read moregreat again ..................

The service was nice, and the interior is cute and well-decorated, but the ice cream looks better…read morethan it tastes. It was overly sweet and, honestly, nothing special. It seems more like an Instagrammable dessert than one that's truly enjoyable

We had dinner at Taco Naco and while sitting outside noticed there was an ice cream shop across the…read morestreet. I am lactose intolerant and skeptical but wanted to stop by and see if they had any non-dairy options. I was ecstatic to find they had THREE and they were not just plain chocolate or vanilla! I ordered the Samoa Samoa sundae with coconut ice cream, vegan hot fudge and vegan caramel, rice krispies, and toasted coconut... it was divine! My husband shared it with me because it was a LOT and we just had dinner and he said he couldn't even tell it wasn't dairy. The place is such a vibe, so clean and cute, and the two people taking and making orders were super friendly. We will definitely be back!!

Hamu Bakery is a quaint mom and pop shop that is truly one of Kansas City's hidden gems. They serve…read moreAsian baked goods that for me is better than the franchise Asian bakeries we got recently in town. The owners are always nice and pleasant too! If you want their full selection of baked goods, you have to come in right when they open because they pretty much sell out all the good stuff by the afternoon!

"10/10. I am now a man of faith. That faith is carbs."…read more I will never be able to do better than Eric's amazing review, so I'll just suggest you do yourself a treat and read that instead. Then go here and get something delicious Such a delight to discover this place. So much talent leading to so much deliciousness. Great bakery space - small, but bright and with many enticing options. The service is kind - the owners are nice. We are so lucky to have HAMU. As someone who fueled his early 20s with curry pastries and bao, HAMU is a revelation. It's not Mott St, it's heaven.

I am shocked that more locals do not seem to know about this place! Whether you need a place to…read moremeet up with friends for a coffee drink and some delicious baked goods, or you are spoiling the office with treats, you really need to try this place out. They've recently expanded, and it's got tons of space! It's bright and full of even more light, flaky pastries. From savory to sweet, they've got you covered! I've not tried their cakes, but they were very tempting. The staff has always been friendly and knowledgeable. Go here! You won't regret it.

Love to come to this bakery with a group or just by myself. They have a wide variety of baked goods…read moreranging from sweet to savory and I love their fruit filled donuts. Their cakes are also to die for because they tasted so light and flavorful (highly recommend the Blueberry Yogurt Cake). Their people working here are always quick and efficient and helpful if you need assistance. Nice place to treat yourself to!

Cute and quaint. Same vibes as their two sister restaurants. Saturday at noon, and the case was…read morepretty full. Unsure if they had more options in the back, but outside of macaroons, no gf options. They do have tea but it's not advertised on their menu. They have such cute teapots and cups for their tea. Had the fig honey latte, they do have either oat or whole milk options. Slightly sweet, and very good. I ended up with almond croissant which was flaky, slightly sweet, and great mouth feel.

Enchanté Bakery truly feels like a magical experience. From the moment you step in, the aroma of…read morefresh pastries and coffee makes it nearly impossible to decide what to order. I went for the pistachio honey latte (I'm a sucker for pistachio!) and snagged the last veggie quiche of the morning around 11am. Both were absolutely delicious and perfect for breakfast. My friend had the rosewater croissant and a strawberry matcha iced latte--both equally unique and delightful. Despite being a bustling Saturday morning, the staff was incredibly kind and efficient. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a cozy spot no matter the weather. For parking, I'd recommend Westport Road or 40th Street (west of Main) and taking a short walk. Preordering whole quiches, tarts, cookies, cupcakes may require 48 hours' notice. Enchanté is more than just a bakery--it's a little slice of magic in Kansas City. I can't wait to go back and try more seasonal goodies!