Emack & Bolio's

Vibe: 5/10 - they have couple of seats, but it's cramped and you can't see the flavors as you're choosing Service: 10/10 Value: 6/10 Chocolate addiction: 6/10 - I wish there were more chunks in it, and the chocolate flavor wasn't my favorite Overall: 6.75/10 (3.375/5)

Forgettable service at this UWS location. The lady looked like we were doing her a favor ordering ice cream. She opened late and had a bronze face the entire time we were there. We got some chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and some vanilla peanut butter ice cream with Oreos. They were both really good, but considering the service, hefty price and lack of seats (only a few still are available), there are better places to get yummy ice cream.

TLDR- you should try it, it's great ice cream, I just don't see myself being a regular here though. Emack and Bolio's is pretty well renowned for being a quality ice cream parlor, and it honestly lives up to that reputation. There's always a line outside the door, plenty of unique and tasty flavors to try, and very genial service. That being said, this scoop of Stoney's Delight, however creamy it was, really is pushing the limits of "worth ~ $8". It's gone in a blink, and all in all really not that much ice cream.

Loved this chocolate on chocolate on chocolate option. I had slight hesitation while ordering and decided on that flavor with a cup and the lady behind the counter said along the lines of 'you know she doesn't like ice cream' lmao it's just that I'm lactose intolerant so it's always such a profound decision :') It's such an eclectic shop, and it looks like it has a lot of history and good vibes. There isn't prices anywhere for the ice cream but I think it came out to $13.50 for two scoops for us. You can get 3 different kinds of cones, alone with a bunch of premium cones displayed at the front. There's also a ton of healthy smoothie options about $10-$13 as well!

Emack and Bolios has lots of fun flavors of ice cream and ice cream cones! I love their bananas foster and space cake! There is usually a line outside to get in, but it moves pretty quickly.

Emack and Bolio's is my new favorite ice cream spot in Manhattan: they offer a lot of flavor options (some classic flavors and some unique), are reasonably priced ($6.75 for a one-scoop cone), and offer flavored ice cream cones (Oreo, Fruit Loops, Rice Krispes, M&M, chocolate chip, and pretzel to name a few). I got the Toasted Smoreo, which was honestly one of the best flavors of ice cream I've tried from anywhere; Emack and Bolio nailed the combination of vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookies, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Incredible! You know the ice cream is amazing when the wind chill has been at sub-ten-degree temperatures all weekend but you're craving more ice cream after finishing your cone. I'll be back, 100%.

First Impression - this spot is small, like tiny! Standing room only and about 3-4 bar stools worth of seating. We lucked out and it was empty when we arrived... so we stayed inside to beat the heat and enjoy our cold ice cream away from the melting temperatures outside The Noms: I ordered the Raspberry swirl and blueberry crumble which I LOVED! It was the perfect balance of sweet, creamy and tart. The texture provided by the "crumble" really enhanced my scoop! My husband, Sanjay, ordered the passion fruit sorbet. It was light and refreshing. He has a soft spot for passion fruit and will order anything with it as an ingredient. In Conclusion: 10/10 would recommend... we went on a long leisurely stroll through The Met as an impromptu day date and after looking at all the dope art and sculptures, we were seized by a craving for sweets. This spot was perfect. The service was also dope. Really nice staff and they let us take our time trying flavors and settling on our final choice. Will definitely be back soon!

WOW. I NEED TO GO BACK IMMEDIATELY. This is some of the best ice cream I've had in a WHILE. It is so creamy, fresh, and extremely tasty. It was fairly busy when we arrived and it's VERY SMALL on the inside. There aren't really areas to sit inside except for a few stools against the wall. Definitely a grab and go. But the ice cream itself is just so incredible it's so worth it. I can't wait to try more flavors because WOW.

Okay so let me get started. I went in to emack with my friend and I've been there before, pretty good ice cream if I do say so myself. It was a rly tight space so def not good for claustrophobia. Next I walk up to the desk of the space and start speaking to this guy asking for recommendations and tasting. He gave me an option to taste 3 flavors so I did. He was stingy with the tasting portions. Then I decided to get 3 flavors in a cup. These flavors were Oreo peanut butter, toasted smoreo, and Cookie Monster. It was fire. As I left the guy was really hostile, like cmon man I just wanted icecream. Then when i started eating all was well. Then I got to the bottom of the cup and I taste banana. Wtf. Why banana bro, I'm still mad. Atleast he put it on the bottom and let me enjoy the beginning. Oh it also passed the flip test. So ig that's good. If you don't want your day and taste buds to be ruined I would not recommend. To the man in emack: I'm still waiting for my freaking Oreo peanut butter.

Tiny location that packs a big punch! Delicious homemade ice cream. I try to stop in at least once when I'm in town. So many flavors and so many varieties. It's a great place to stop on the UWS. Service is always good, fast and friendly. Long lines at night, so if you're walking by and and it's empty, go in. Not much space inside, so it's best to grab and go. There is a bench outside if you want to sit. I always try something new and one flavor is better than the other.

I had Emack and Bolio's on my bookmarks for over a year and after a long debate, we decided to hit this place first for our Sunday -Ice cream Day-. I was so excited to have one of their funny looking cones but my excitement didn't last long after entering the business. First, we were being served my this super rude girl and her vibe was just off. I really wanted to walk out but after waiting like 10 to 15 minutes, we decided to stay and have her vibe blocked from getting to us. I think this is one of the main things when walking into a business, first impressions count and that will affect whether the client will come back or not!! Me, for example, won't step back in this location ever again!! Their ice-cream was actually very good!!!!! I had Cookie Monster and the Original Oreo. I really liked them both, a lot!!! Couldn't decide since they're very similar but you have to get them if you're an oreos fan. The cone on the other hand was not what I was expecting... it was so hard and difficult to eat. I recently got braces and didn't think the cone was going to be so hard, the cone literally took the wire out. I guess I was expecting freshly made cones vs their cones, I guess seating there for a while. The three stars are just because their ice cream deserves recognition, it was very good!!! But everything else needs some sort of improvement, specially the customer service skills.

i don't get the hype. this place is tiny. looks dirty. service is slow. too many fucking people and coughing kids in a tight area. i sampled the cookies and cream. barely tasted anything. no flavor. GO TO A SMALL BUSINESS INSTEAD!

Emack and Bolio's Upper West Side is the same delicious ice cream as their other locations. I'm a big fan since the first time I visited. There's something about the traditional taste and texture even though there lots of flavor varieties. The essence of old fashioned ice cream comes through. This location is a sure bet if I'm on the Upper West Side during warm weather. Since there's no seating inside I'm going to have to wait until Spring before I return. If you live nearby I suggest you take advantage of any opportunity to bring some home!

Gotta love me some Grasshopper Pie ice cream in a hot day! It's creamy and refreshing. It can also be called mint chip and oreos. In a large waffle cone and it's pretty much heaven to me. This location of the chain is tiny so don't expect to enjoy it at a table here with friends and family. Just a small bench out front that people are always sitting at. Grab and go.

I don't understand what all the hype is around this place. Yes, they have cool flavors for their ice cream but it tastes like regular ice cream. I personally think Cold Stone is better. There was a line outside the door so I was expecting greatness, but unfortunately I was disappointed. The service was good but the ice cream was lacking and wasn't worth the $23.00 I spent for two cups of ice cream. Don't go out of your way for this one. I won't be returning.

Solid classic flavors, but the price is bit outrageous for ice cream. You're paying ~$8 for a scoop and ~$13 for a pint (extra for cones, which most places give for free)!

this cone is so stale I can't believe they can even legally sell this. however the ice cream was amazing so 3 stars. It's also mad expensive (10$ for one scoop + cone) so I wouldn't recommend based on price point

The John Kouka team would like to remind you of all the superior options a stone's throw away, Amorino for one, Van Leuwen for another. If you like vanilla ice-cream this place is for you! Because no matter what flavor you get it's always Vanilla with a bits of whatever flavor they say it is. The ambiance? There were two barstools that were taken and a bench outside inhabited by a woman without icecream, but with a phone she was playing with and a dog. The John Kouka team (7 people for this expedition) wanted her to go away so we could sit down. There were 3 people working there and about 50,000 flavors. How do they have so much? Vanilla. Go to Amorino. Go to Van Leuwen. Go to anywhere but "Emack and Vanillio's".

Visited for National Ice Cream Day. Really great spot with a varied choice in flavors and serving options. Short walk to Central Park to burn off the ice cream calories after. Folks working there were pleasant and got us in and out in a timely manner.

Over priced and extraordinarily sweet ice cream. The cereal covered ice cream cones were cute at best . Just too sweet very gimmicky

I've now been ruined for all future ice cream, at least temporarily, though luckily my sweet tooth is stronger than my memory. But what a sweet memory. Luckily my visit was during the weekend rains that ruined the NYC homecoming concert. Ice cream was somewhat of a consolation prize, but I don't know how I could've made up my mind quickly had here been a line. But the rains got rid of that problem. They don't offer tastings, and I was debating between the chocolate peanut butter splotch, the peanut butter Oreo, the toasted smoreo, and the mud pie. Too many difficult choices. I eventually went with the peanut butter Oreo...and drumroll...the Reese's puffs cone. Omg, to die for. It was incredible. I'll be back visiting NYC in two months. I can't wait to see what other Yelpers recommend for round #2.

so my boyfriend chipped his tooth on this rice krispy cone because it was so ridiculously hard and inedible. the ice cream was also pretty flavorless and gummy. it also cost me $22 for two cones. hard pass

Good ice cream but only one flavor that we thought was fantastic. We tried vanilla, peach, raspberry sorbet, almond coconut, crème de menthe and they were all good. The space cake was the one that we all thought was outstanding and something you couldn't find at every other place in the city. We didn't have to wait long but the small shop and single employee could make for a very long line during busy times.

This place is one of my fav ice cream spots! It sucks its pretty far from me but when I'm in the neighborhood, I always make sure to stop by. They are home of the original flavored cone created by E & B back in 1980. They are all look and sound so yummy. But my go to cone is their fruity pebbles which sooo good! The fruity pebbles are infused with marshmallow which helps them stick on the cone. Eat bite tastes as fresh and gooey as the one before. The 2 flavors I tried today were: -Banana foster which has bananas cooked in brown sugar, butter and dark rum -Maple walnut Needless to say bother were fingerlickingly delicious! I also just found out Emack & Bolio's strongly opposes using Milk from Cows Injected with the Genetically Induced Hormone bST! Their list of over 100 flavors each year is kept fresh through making new product each week! That'll also keep me coming back for more!

Customer service here is disgusting! They were very rude and they were not wearing gloves. They touched the cones while not wearing gloves. When I asked why they weren't wearing gloves , the two workers there looked at each other and started giggling. Then one of them said "oh, no no we don't do that here. That's just too hard". The other one said "Next time go somewhere they do wear gloves".

We came back from visiting Martha's Vineyard, and were craving creamy ice cream (specifically Moose Tracks) and this place came up. It comes really close to that same delicious home made taste! They have so many great creative flavors (grasshopper - mint n chip w oreo, cookie monster (vanilla w oreo/cookie dough), chocolate addiction, and moose tracks were our favorite). Was worried as the Moose Tracks is made w Splenda and only 4 carbs, but you couldn't taste it - they had a Caramel Moose Tracks too, but that was too sweet for me. They also have these fun cereal/sprinkle covered cones. And I personally loved that we were supporting an entrepreneurial Filipino family. It's teeny tiny, but there is 1 bench or brownstone stoops nearby. Doesn't get any more NY than that. When I asked my nieces and nephew what they would rate it, they said one million stars!

I waited to leave a review in order to give them another shot. Maybe the first time I went they had an off day. I've been here twice and both times it was just so underwhelming. Nothing special about the ice cream. I think the hype lies in the over the top ice cream cones.. but the thing is, cereal mixed with marshmallow that has been sitting out becomes stale and kinda gross. We also spent $17 on a shake and one scoop of ice cream. I was actually mad I spent that money on ice cream I wasn't thrilled about. The shake was just ehh. It lacked flavor. Overall my experience is not something I'll remember to come back for more.

Tasty but sweet! I could have easily shared my 'Chocolate Addiction' ice cream... after a few licks, the sugar was overbearing. Nonetheless, delicious & rich ice cream with lots of unique flavor options and fun cones! Worth popping in for a treat if you're on the UWS.

My friend has been raving about this place for the last two years. She absolutely loves it and cannot stop talking about how awesome the ice cream cones are. We were in the area and she suggested we get ice cream from here, and as an ice cream lover I had to check out what the hype was about. The cones are the main attraction, it's very instagramable , but that's all. The ice cream was okay, I was able to sample the almond bar , which had an artificial taste to it and the vanilla speck. I wasn't impressed and I ended up getting a scoop of the vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, $6.50... Although the ice cream is mediocre the cones are pretty cool.

Emack and Bolio's is one of the more hyped NYC ice cream chains. I had seen pictures on Instagram and had come across it on a list of top ice cream places in the city. Their selection of decorated cones makes them unique. I visited this UWS location around 3:15pm on a Monday. The shop is small and seats around 2-3 small parties. I asked the cashier for the most popular flavors and she named Grasshopper Pie, Toasted Smoreo, and something that had nuts or caramel in it so I disregarded it. I decided to go for a scoop of the Toasted Smoero in a chocolate chip cookie cone ($8). I'm not really a cone person but I figured I had to try one since that's what they're known for. The ice cream was average, which disappointed me. I'm not saying it was bad. But you asked me to do a blind taste test between Toasted Smoreo and a pint of Ben and Jerry's, I wouldn't be able to tell you the difference. The cone was awful and I cannot believe I paid $8 for it. It was hard and tasted like a stale cookie. Again, their ice cream is tasty, but not worth the hype. I would only come back if a friend wanted to try and I would get either the fruity pebbles or rice krispie cones. If you're about getting a good pic, the cones are unique and spice up the presentation of the ice cream.

Crowded spot but good ice cream if you're in the area. The ice cream was good, around $6-10 for one to 3 scoops. You get the option of cone or cup, and the ice cream was pretty bomb. The list of flavors are long but there's a lot of options from basic vanilla to caramel salt and more. Personally the Waffle come is okay. My biggest complaint IMO is that you really can't eat your ice cream in peace with the crowds that go in and out. 1 scoop's price is a bit high for what you get, but it's good enough on a hot day. Ideally I'd go on a farther trip to get better ice cream with a more peaceful setting. But it's a decent spot if you're nearby.

Lots of options! I got to try the raspberry truffle and salted caramel banana and winner was salted caramel banana. There are so many drool worthy cones to accompany your delicious ice cream but my sweet tooth was already satisfied with the ice cream alone. The girl was nice and patient while she offered us samples. Looks like you can also get some milkshakes if that's your thing. Good big scoop of ice cream! Not much seating inside but it's a nice small place and I really liked the ice cream. Definitely would come back for all the other exciting flavors!

Really good and unique Smoreo flavor with graham crackers and Oreo but a way too sweet - couldn't finish the whole small cup.

The ice cream is creamy. The flavors vary in their success. The coconut almond and the strawberry are exceptional. Unfortunately I just ordered a strawberry milk shake. It was incredibly subpar -- barely any strawberry ice cream, just milk, ice (!), and a vague hint of strawberry. In essence, it was awful. Not to mention highway robbery.

So many flavors to choose from and creative combinations. I ordered mint Oreo and a deep dark chocolate. So good and creamy.

Tried the Oreo ice cream which is my go-to. Nothing special. And I had less Oreos thank most places.

Amaze balls! I had the no sugar caramel pecan and it was so on point. Customer service can be better but it's possible that the servers were just stressed because of the number of people coming in to get their late night ice cream fix.

Yummmmmm !!! Rum Raisin always my fav! This place gets JAMMED PACKED!! Very tiny inside. No restroom Buy your ice cream and leave! OK there are like four high chairs. Staff is fast on busy times

My pals and I went to the midtown location! The employee helping us was incredibly kind and energetic! I got a fruity pebble cone with pumpkin ice cream-so good!!! I'm a huge dessert fan and I would def come back to this spot(:

Decided to stop by here after seeing a small crowd and was also craving some ice cream. So glad I made the stop! It's a small little place that has a ton of different ice cream combinations and some unique cones! If you're in the area and looking to fix your craving for ice cream, would definitely recommend stopping by here!

My go-to for traditional ice cream in the UWS. My favorite flavor is grasshopper, mint chocolate chip. Perfect amount of mint flavor combined with a generous amount of chocolate chips. Their ice cream is always creamy and tastes freshly made.

Emack and Bolio's is your quintessential UWS ice cream shop - it's fun, it's got cool flavors, a bit pricey and located in a broom closet. Located right in the main stretch of restaurants on Columbus Avenue, this outpost has excellent ice cream. The day we went, they had some unique flavors like ube (purple yam) as well as your traditional favorites. The family got a bunch of cones and not one complaint. Nothing to add that others haven't already said, but in the summer this place can get a bit crazy. If you're willing to wait in the heat outside for them to scoop your ice cream, you won't be disappointed. Thumbs up.

Amazing I had a emotional experience - literally one bite and cried. It was a transcendent experience

I try to avoid ice cream stores but a friend brought over a quart of vanilla ice cream for the Super Bowl and I have never tasted such a good ice cream! Maybe it was a good batch.... I have a feeling they're always great. I am a foodie particularly with deserts and calories and this was definitely worth it! Delicious!

In a city that sways towards bougie and/or inventive spots, Emack and Bolio's is one of the few places that really lets you get back to the classics. I absolutely love the grasshopper pie (mint chip + Oreos? pls n thx) There are also fun flavors and cones if you're feeling extra, otherwise revel in the nostalgia of a cookie dough or brownie bits to your heart's content.

I really liked the shop and the flavors! I had Space Case, it was a red velvet ice cream and with yellow cake batter. It was very delicious, it was very creamy, and even the cone tasted good. They had different types of cones, for example they have cones that were dipped in chocolate I had sprinkles or chocolate chips all over them. I just got a regular waffle cone because there's only $.50; the other cones go for around three dollars. When I go back I'm going to try one of those special cones.

Dude is there something wrong with eating ice cream in frigid Winter weather sitting outside the bench in front of the storefront? Nope. In fact, you are a badass for doing just that. Emack and Bolio's was a shop we had uncovered on Yelp after having dinner nearby. Walking a few blocks to this was no joke given the wind, but we still wanted some great ice cream. They're known for having some uniquely concocted flavors and serving it on some crazy cones dipped in your childhood cereal. Take it and roll with it. So many flavors to choose from. I recommend the Grasshopper Pie. Not only for its name, but for the Oreos that they infuse into the ice cream. The store is very small so you'll definitely need to take your ice cream outside. Make sure you don't take up all the space if people need to get in to stay warm/cool.

Went here on a whim because Levain's Bakery down the street was closed. Was NOT disappointed. Very cool flavors, even cooler ice cream cone options. I got the peanut butter Oreo flavor and it was delicious, tried the "Smoreo" flavor also, was ALSO delicious! (It was honestly hard to choose) It was small inside and got packed fast, but the whole family came and no one had any complaints about anything.

An outing near the neighborhood after two museum visited. Kids pick this place and we walk there. They have some many fancy favor for the cone. Take a while to pick the right one. Ice cream is delicious as well. A fun place to finish off the day.

They are overpriced for the little amount of Sorbet I got. As far as flavor goes it was delicious and texture was smooth and refreshing. I appreciate the concept and the varieties of cones are tempting but it was such a HOT day that I just wanted refreshing fruity flavor as opposed to a decadent creamy sugary treat! Will definitely return and try one of the unique flavors next time!