Outstanding! We love the seasonal variety and the classics! Vanilla Bean never disappoints!

I've been coming here for years!! Even before the remodel. Great place, with wonderful and kind staff. Love their ice cream and the variety of options. The owner and staff also always involve the Cranford/ Union County community, participating in community events every now and then & allowing students/ other groups to have fundraising nights as well. Please consider stopping by if you're in the area, you won't be disappointed! read more

We drove a bit out of our way but discovered so many fun places in Cranford. I want to come back for more ice cream of course and to explore on a sunny day. The staff was super friendly. I checked in for the Yelp event and was overwhelmed by the many options. They give samples of all flavors you want to try. The Greek in me tried the baklava flavor which was delicious, but I am a peanut butter girl at heart and went for the sundae. Cute place, plenty of room to sit and enjoy your ice cream, people watch and just relax with some yummy homemade treats and confections. read more

See all

Just wow! Super fresh and delicious! Not super sweet, very satisfying and satiating. This place really hit the spot. It's clean, offers really unique and creative flavors and combinations. The staff is really helpful and happy to be there and they're all just as sweet as the goodies! I wish this place was closer to home so I could visit more often. Highly recommend. read more

See all

Two words: chocolate silk. Omg please do not leave without trying their signature chocolate flavor. Decadent, not too sweet - it's chocolate perfection. The lines are in the back!!!! It might look like there are no lines when looking at the front door. Don't be deceived. The wait wasn't too bad but the place is popular. Be prepared to wait. So many fun flavors to try! Delicious ice cream. read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Chocolate silk!!!! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

this ice cream was so tasty! i can't believe this creamery was only a few minutes away & i've never tried it! they had so many different flavors, but i managed to stick the following two flavors in a large waffle bowl: bourbon butter pecan & banana cream with cherries & crunchies. my guest got oreo cheesecake & blueberry pie with chopped reese's & sprinkles. i tried the toasted coconut & the sticky toffee pudding right after i made selection & instantly regretted it! the toasted coconut was perfectly creamy & toasty, but the sticky toffee pudding took the show. it had the perfect amount of crunch, salty toffee, with a creamy base to tie it all in. the banana cream literally tasted like a banana sundae. i'm definitely coming back and trying the banana cream and sticky toffee pudding together. read more

See all

During my visit, I experience good customer service; Jacob is kind and helpful with navigating the menu options as well as with ensuring a supportive experience in the eatery through to checkout with a proper takeaway package. There are a few Vegan options available, not all sorbet! Overall, the Cookies and Cream is smooth, thick, and dissolves onto the warmth of the tongue. The cookies are like a subtle sweet crumble offering a crunch if one opts to bite. The pecan and walnut toppings are present, flavor wise, to a fair degree, though not overwhelmingly, which may depend on the ratio of toppings to amount/choice of that which the toppings top/are set to mix with. Unfamiliar to my experience at this eatery in comparison to eateries of the sort is the lack of a nutritional book on site. The amount is more than adequate for more than one person. I finish one scoop then take the rest to go. The ice cream holds steady for about one hour, considering cooler temperatures outside, flowing into a thicker slushy with a solid scoop of ice cream in the middle after about two and a half hours. The establishment offers seating in the front and back, with the in-between space for ordering and walking. There is a restroom available on site. The lighting is interesting as though fitting for a Cracker Barrel like interior, vintage cabin style, if one will, though of a more classic buy-a-milkshake-for-five-cents-and-sit-at-a-stool-with-cushion-at-the-counter type of diner. The light from the fridge near the entrance as well as in the bathroom seem to pose stark differences. The establishment accepts different forms of payment (if tapping doesn't work, try inserting the chip). read more

See all

Get the honey butter cornbread. It's a new flavor and is so good! Cornbread crumbles are stirred into a golden yellow honey ice cream. I got that flavor along with cookies and cream. The honey butter cornbread was the standout. The line was long and moved slowly but the person who took my order was very patient and kind. She didn't rush me. I sampled the flavors before committing and was very happy that they allowed me 2 flavors even for a small cup. The place is neat as a pin inside. They have a few tables and a counter with seats. It's a family place with lots of group orders. Cranford has a great downtown with lots of places to sit outside and it was hopping on a Friday night. Street parking only and lots. Parking is free after 6 pm. read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Cookies and Cream + Honey Butter Cornbread - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

See all

The Smoreo in a waffle cone was amazing. Would come back. Well lit and bright. Very helpful staff. read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Smoreo. Waffle cone. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Long lines but move pretty quick. Most of the young kids at the counter were very friendly and helpful. A lot of options and delicious ice cream. A classic shop. read more

First time going after years of just missing it and hoping. Absolutely worth the wait. A ton of flavors, toppings, and options throughout the store. Try the bananas foster, gingerbread, and blood orange sorbet! My son and I will 100% be back read more

Ohhhhhhh babyyyyyy! Ice scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!! This place is legit! If you are in the area and have that craving then stop in, they have unique creations that will make you feel good about being guilty. Not much more to brag about this 5 star ice cream shop... enjoy! read more

See all

The store is has been completely renovated and is beautiful. Their homemade ice cream is the best around here, with many unique flavors. Hand-packed pints are $9.50 inc. tax. I only buy two pints at a time, because it is irresistable. The coffee, black raspberry, salted caramel, and bourbon butter pecan were delicious. read more

Our first visit to Vanilla Bean Creamery in cute downtown Cranford. The perfect outing to celebrate our 2 1/2 year old's first day of school ever and her twin sisters' first day in their new class for 4 1/2s. M and M ice cream, whipped cream, and sprinkles. A lot of customers were there for the same kids' celebration so the two scoopers were busy. A good place. read more

See all

Best ice cream in town Service is fast, place is clean and in a good location. They have parking in the back. read more

Banana foster is the best ice cream ever! The remodel is modern and there is always a line because it's so good!

Ice cream was amazing! I will be back! The long line is understandable on a nice day! The decor and inside was beautiful and nice! Very clean and would highly recommend! read more

See all

My family and I VBC. Tonight I tried something new, non-dairy cookie dough. It's a trial run and I'm here for it! So yummy!

Prior would have been a 5 but under impressed with the recent remodel mainly due to what seems like much less seating. The existing new seating looks like it's geared towards a pre school and not meant for adults/parents (who would be the paying customers) Seems like they got ill advice on design from some type of consultant and not practical. Le sigh. Wish them well. read more

Always my families #1 choice!! We love the new renovation and the staff is always super friendly!

I've been to Vanilla Bean Creamery several times for ice cream and loved it every time. Yesterday I bought a Classic ice cream cake for my granddaughter's birthday and it was the best ice cream cake I've ever had. Everyone loved it. For our next occasion I plan to order in advance and get a custom cake with their unique ice cream flavors. read more

So at the time of this review they are, I believe, just about ready to open for the season, and we cannot wait. Always clean, well lit, all the staff are high school/ college kids who act with great professionalism and friendliness, can't ask for more. Usually not packed when we go, but always civil and enjoyable when the lines were long. My little guy always gets the vanilla with M&Ms, my wife likes to try the seasonal flavors, and I like my Rockyroad or mint chocolate chip. Somehow we always manage to get a table near the window where the little guy can watch the trains going by in the nearby Cranford Station. Bliss. read more

Awesome place! Cool people and so many great flavors. The Peanut Butter Cup ice cream tastes just like a Reese's. My favorite is by far Nutella. So amazing. The S'moreo was also really really good. My daughter ate up the Cotton Candy ice cream. Can't wait to go back!!! read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Cotton Candy w/rainbow sprinkles - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Amazing service. Staff are very friendly and ice cream is delicious. New remodel looks soooo good and is such a good spot in town.

Went today to try the sugar free flavor. It was so so good couldn't tell me it wasn't regular ice cream. The customer service was great as well!! read more

Ale: I got the banana foster plain on a cone. It tasted very banana-y and had a good texture. The staff was also very patient in letting us try the different flavors. Alo: I got mint chocolate chip on a cone. It was okay... I had it better at other places. The staff was very kind and let us try with endless patience. read more

Have since been back multiple times and have thoroughly enjoyed every flavor I've had. Favorite icecream place in the area! read more

See all

This place is okay, a good dessert spot if you're in downtown Cranford. It is popular so there will be a line but it moves quick. The workers are very nice. I got a new flavor at the time, cornbread and strawberry. My fiancé got cookie dough. The ice cream is homemade. I wasn't too impressed with the texture of the ice cream, it wasn't that creamy. My flavor was cool, I enjoyed the real cornbread inside and the strawberries were okay. The cookie dough flavor my fiancé got just tasted like vanilla and there was barely any cookie dough so I don't recommend that flavor. We both got kid sized cups and that came out to almost $9. Kind of expensive to me! read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - New flavor cornbread and strawberry - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Cute ice cream shop in downtown Cranford. The ice cream is home made. I had the baklava. It was a little sweet but I enjoyed it. Staff was very friendly. They have seating available inside. There's a good variety of flavors to pick from. read more

See all

Great local spot! Was in town visiting college friends and stopped in after dinner. The line moved quickly and they have plenty of ice cream/non-dairy options! I asked for 1 scoop/child cup of their Fudge brownie sundae with chocolate sprinkles. Yum! Other friends tried vanilla froyo and cookie dough. Everyone liked their ice cream and it was perfect for the walk home. Would recommend!! read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Fudge brownie sundae w/ sprinkles - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Had a line out the door on a random Sunday. Must be a good sign. The smoreo and cookie dough were my favorite. The vanilla soft serve on a cone is a classic and can never go wrong with it. There were a lot of flavors and I bet they are all delicious. read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

See all

delicious ice cream & new renovation looks great! love the smoreo flavor! Service is always excellent!

Took my girls there in the afternoon. Delicious ice cream that we got in a waffle bowl. Seating in front with a great view of the bustling Cranford downtown and clock plaza. Tables and front counter Could have used a quick wipe down, but all in all a great experience! read more

New look, fresh and clean. Icecream flavors are as delicious as always. I love the addition of "flavor of the month". As usual, excellent customer service. We love Vanilla bean and their new rewards program! read more

Had an ice cream cake for a birthday, and I must tell you....it was soooo good! Will definitely be back!

Vanilla Bean Creamery has done something rather regrettable: they've ruined ice cream almost everywhere else for me. Every time I get ice cream at other shops, my brain and taste buds automatically default to Vanilla Bean Creamery as a standard - and *very* few ever compare! During lockdown, Vanilla Bean Creamery is still in operation. I tend to purchase pints to take home, but there are seats and tables outside and the set u with the counter inside is fully set up. Indeed, looking at the amazing range of flavors and offerings (including ice cream sandwiches and cakes) you would never know anything out of the ordinary was going on. The staff is wearing masks so they're taking safety seriously. Kudos! At this time my favorite flavor remains the Cappuccino Crunch which features a *delicious* cappuccino flavored ice cream topped with a crumble that reminds me of crushed Oreos. The flavor and textures work together to make one of the most perfect ice creams I have ever had. Also a shout out for the Pumpkin Oreo, a seasonal flavor which tastes exactly like what it sounds like. Part of what amazes me about Vanilla Bean's flavors is that they manage to balance the sweetness *just right* so it does not overwhelm the flavors such as Pumpkin Spice. I have visited Vanilla Bean regularly since they reopened. I highly recommend you do the same! read more

Delicious ice cream! Everything is homemade so the flavors are really unique and dangerously good! My GO-TO favorite ice cream place every time I want to go out for ice cream. read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery is a local ice cream shop right in the heart of downtown Cranford. Its decor perfectly fits the mold of an early 2000s classic ice cream shop, with bright fluorescents, cheery decorations, and emphasis on the most important part -- the ice cream itself. This is a shop that's more focused on taste than presentation. I usually opt for a Root Beer Float here, where you get your choice of hard or soft ice cream inside the blend and it comes in a large Dixie cup with the leftover A&W root beer on the side, just in case you're hungry and thirsty! The staff here are mostly young kids, always super friendly, and they usually have a little tip jar up front marked "college funds." I always really appreciate that small town element. We're lucky to have them downtown! read more

See all

Ice cream shop in downtown Cranford . Inside is like a normal standard ice cream shop . Some tables to side. Bathroom in the back. Parking is street and metered until 6pm . They have interesting flavors worth checking out. I had the peanut butter crunch and it was pretty good. Would come back here again soon read more

See all

Was in the mood for ice cream and was very impressed by the Vanilla Bean Creamery! There were so many delicious options that I'm glad I was with two other people so that I could sample what they picked. I think there was a peanut butter chocolate scoop and a devil dog scoop, but I'm not sure all I remember is that they were all very tasty. I got Holy Cannoli ice cream in a waffle cone and it was some of the best ice cream I've ever had. I was worried that it would be a little gimmicky but the ice cream tasted just like cannoli filling and had chunks of cannoli shell and chocolate. Talk about cannoli heaven! My only regret is that I don't live closer because I'd make this my regular ice cream shop and would try all the flavors! read more

Vanilla Bean Creamery - Cheers to delicious ice cream! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey