Kow Kow

their “the apple” special is genuinely the best icecream i have ever had. huge sizes, great toppings, and the waffle was so soft and warm. came out so quick too. the service was really nice as well.

We stopped in to try a seasonal special called “The Apple”, which was apple pie-flavored ice cream with caramel swirl topped with crumbles of apple cider donuts from Jaswell’s Farm. It was excellent! This was probably one of the best fall ice cream specials we’ve had around RI this season. We noticed that the business has switched to accepting only cash tips for employees (as of October 2025), so if you plan on tipping, be sure to bring a little cash. The service continues to be efficient and the employees continue to be friendly.

Kow Kow Ice Cream is hands down one of my favorite spots in Rhode Island! Their unique and creative combinations of ice cream, waffles, fresh fruits, and nuts are absolutely delightful. Every bite is a burst of flavor and texture—so satisfying and fun. The presentation is just as amazing as the taste. If you’re looking for a treat that’s both indulgent and refreshing, this place is a must-visit. Totally worth it! ❤️

Fun ice cream place in Providence! They have such interesting flavors that were both absolutely delicious!! Thought the mochi and graham cracker dust were a very fun addition to the ice cream too. Though a bit on the slightly more expensive side for dessert, the massive portions and fun variety more than make up for it.

This was my second time here and Kow Kow doesn't disappoint. While they may not have dozens of flavors, whatever they do have is sure to hit! I typically go for chocolate based ice cream but this time I tried the Graham Canyon. I love how fresh the strawberries were. Bubble waffle cone is top tier! Ice cream is great quality! Definitely will return when I am in the area.

ice cream attractively served in a fresh waffle. interesting. on top you get toppings that are, ahem, top notch (abundant fresh berries anyone? mochi bits on top of green tea ice cream? both? yes!) for me, the waffle while good is a bit much, quantity-wise. almost hard to eat the whole thing, but definitely worth trying — maybe it’s your thing. they have vegan (coconut) options for some ice cream flavors, and a gluten free waffle also.

Ice cream texture is good smooth and creamy but lacks strong flavor. Price is a bit steep for what you get. Waffle is adequate but the texture is a bit too soft for holding ice cream it also is lacking in flavor.

Had 2 or 3 vegan/dairy free flavors available. I sampled 2. Vanilla (which had an obvious coconut base) and coffee. Oreos are dairy free. But I’m surprised they didn’t smash them up to make it an ice cream topping. I’m more upset they didn’t have their vegan waffle available when I went in. 😭😭

Absolutely delicious matcha ice cream with really yummy marshmallow like thingies with fresh strawberries! I personally don't like ice cream that is overly sweet (crazy I know) and this actually hit the spot of being just an overall delicious taste and not being TOOOOO much of a sweet treat either!!! Love love The staff was very efficient with their service and you could that everyone was thoroughly enjoying their ice cream at their outdoor seating! I look forward to coming here again!

Pretty good ice cream! I chose the graham cracker flavor with strawberries on top! It was delicious ice cream with great toppings. The waffle cones looked huge; very glad I got a cup. My biggest complaint is the price; it was pretty pricey for what it was, even the waffle cones. The service was quick and easy once the line got moving! I do wish there were more flavors to choose from too

Have you ever wanted hard ice cream but wish it was a bit softer- not like soft serve, but smooth? TRY KOW KOW. This ice cream is incredibly smooth, soft, but creamy! I ordered the cookies and cream in a cup (two scoops) it was literally a PINT! It cost 7 dollars and the serving size was hearty. The place was packed! I'll be back! **Prepare to park on the street**

Kow Kow is one of my favorite sweet treat spots in Providence. They specialize in Hong Kong-style waffle ice cream, and it's such a fun, satisfying dessert. The ice cream itself is good, but what really makes it special is the whole package--the warm, freshly made waffle paired with ice cream and toppings. That combo is what keeps me coming back. They've got a mix of classic flavors and rotating specials. The classics are always solid, but I've been most impressed with the rotating ones--blueberry cheesecake and miso caramel were both standouts. Flavors are always on point. The matcha and Thai tea, though, were just okay--I wish the flavors were a bit stronger. Parking is street only, but usually manageable. Pro tip: follow them on Instagram--they sometimes do night market events that are worth checking out.

I would choose other ice cream spots over Kow Kow. The bubble-waffle is what makes their product unique to competitors. I did a split scoop of black raspberry/graham ice cream in a choco chip waffle, and that was $9.95... Not really special. I wish I went to The Inside Scoop instead. Not trying to bash the business btw. Everything was fine. It just wasn't special, and for that, I do not have interest in returning.

Oh my goodness, I had forgotten how truly off the charts amazing Kow Kow is! We came here as a group of six to celebrate with ice cream, and it had been a few years since our last visit. Between all of us, we tried Berry Nutty, Milk + Matcha, Oreo Factory, and The Usual. We each were really happy with our choices and the presentation of each was absolutely gorgeous. My choice was the Berry Nutty, and it was completely covered with walnuts, which is exactly what I was hoping for. The fresh blackberries were huge and bursting with juicy flavor, and I opted for hazlenut drizzle rather than condensed milk, which was a perfect choice for me. I went with the choco chip waffle and it was soft, warm, gooey and an absolute dream. Yum! Kow Kow's service was spot on as well. There were two groups before us, but the line moved pretty quickly and we received our ice cream with just a short wait. We ate in the spacious outdoor area, and there were plenty of tables and chairs for everyone. Such a delicious treat to visit Kow Kow and let me just say that it definitely won't be years before we head back there for ice cream again!

I came back to Kow Kow for their Graham Canyon ice cream and original waffle. I got the ice cream and waffle separated this time. The Graham Canyon ice cream consists of graham cracker ice cream with graham cracker swirls and sponge candy pieces. DELICIOUS! My friends and I came here on the Saturday of move in weekend for Fall 2024 Brown University returning students. It was packed with students, but we were able to grab a table and chairs. It was a beautiful breezy night and perfect for ice cream. I really enjoy coming back to Kow Kow!

So good! The cone is the best part. Definitely worth going although parking is tough.

Kow Kow has always been a dazzling 5-stars for me. Shotgun review: - Young crowd - Young & hard-working staff - Easy to navigate menu - Outdoor seating available - Gluten-free options* - Totally photogenic ice cream** *No upcharge for a gluten-free/vegan cone. Can you believe it? I barely can. **Not only is the ice cream a work of art, it's also delicious, crave-worthy, & totally satisfying.

A great place for unique ice cream flavors in bubble waffle cones. The mochi topping is a MUST. My favorites are the Mango Sticky Rice special or the Strawberry Matcha. It can get very crowded here, with little sitting room inside.

While visiting Providence, from the free state of Florida, a family member took me to the KOW!!!KOW!!! Super duper cones and magical ice cream creations! May you stay in business forever. You are hereby Colonel Ingus approved!

Delicious ice cream with great seasonal creations! We love going to KowKow for special occasions and celebrating! We always enjoy the location, eating on the patio outside and we started visiting them at their food truck initially. The staff is great with making recommendations! My only wish would be for them to offer more coffee ice cream creations!

A group of us went to Kow Kow about a year and a half ago on a visit to Providence, RI. I was just thinking about how unique it was. The ice cream cones are huge. The cone is made in house and looks like it has bubbles around it. The mix-ins are delicious. We had one with blackberries, one with Oreo cookies, one with strawberries, and one with chocolate chips. all were extremely fresh and the ice cream is good too. I will certainly visit there again the next time I go to Providence!

Got the persimmon flavor but didn't really taste the persimmon. Otherwise liked it, the waffle was crunchy and reminded me of my childhood. Size was good.

Had to come here after seeing this place all over Yelp! The cone was delicious and the strawberry cheesecake with extra graham is where it's at. The cone was gigantic but I nearly finished the entire thing! You gotta have it! But beware of the crazy lines! We came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and the place was completely packed and the line seemed like it would take an hour but it actually went pretty quickly! So don't let the line deter you from trying this- because it's amazing!

This was my second time here and Kow Kow doesn't disappoint. While they may not have dozens of flavors, whatever they do have is sure to hit! I typically go for chocolate based ice cream but this time I tried the Graham Canyon. I love how fresh the strawberries were. Bubble waffle cone is top tier! Ice cream is great quality! Definitely will return when I am in the area.

The ice cream here has a perfectly chosen flavor profile. The ice cream is creamy and delicious. The cones are awesome. Although it was busy, the service was quick and they all were great. The ambience is well a grab and go ice cream shop. They do have outdoor seating but could be limited at times. There are lots of lovely local restaurants to have dinner and stop at Kow Kow for dessert. I enjoyed my experience. It's hard to go wrong with ice cream!

Came here twice and both times were amazing. I ordered the milk and matcha both times and both tasted great. The ice cream and waffles are made fresh in house and tastes amazing. The service is also very fast but lines can get long especially on weekend nights. The place is overall one of my favorite dessert places ever.

Their Spring hours are here so they are opened earlier at 2PM! A cute ice cream shop in Providence where the ice cream is also so aesthetic. There are new flavors for this month in highlight of AAPI month. There is ube and rice flavor ice cream and other flavors as well. There are so many unique flavors here to try! The waffle comes out fresh and warm each time and there are different flavors for the waffles as well! There is multiple toppings to choose from. There are a couple of seating inside or outside!

This was DELICIOUS! The waffles are freshly baked, so nice and hot and it goes so good with the ice cream. I got the Graham station cone with the chocolate chip waffle cone. It came with graham ice cream, caramel drizzle and strawberries. This was sooo yummy. It was about $10 for one cone. One of the best places I've been to for dessert. The hot cone with the cold ice cream in the middle was just perfect. Very filling, and they're open until 10pm. I would definitely come back here more, but due to living in a different state I probably won't be able to. The oreo one was also good, according to my fiancé. Good prices and quality.

My favorite ice cream place in Providence! Lot of places to compete with, but I really like the creations that Kow Kow makes. Love the ability to mix and match ice creams, waffles, and toppings. Also really love the Asian-inspired ice cream flavors. Their portion sizes are also huuuge so very easy to share with others!! Parking is only on the street, but there are usually places you can find.

Me and two friends from school went. We didn't have enough money. They said they were gonna take toppings off so we could get our ice cream but the thing is they didn't take any off and one of my friends couldn't get it because we didn't have enough money and they gave it to him for free. The ice cream was delicious and the treatment was even better. Must try.

I'm so glad I tried it! Really creative and delicious flavor combinations, and the bubble waffles are fantastic vessels for holding the ice cream and toppings! I only got the 1 scoop and that was more than enough. It was messy, I'm not gonna lie. I'm not sure if this is something I would get regularly, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I also appreciate that they have gluten-free and dairy-free options for those with allergens.

Delicious waffle cone made on the spot! Great fresh strawberries and banana slices. Yum!

Milk & Matcha - highly recommend! We wanted to try the matcha egg puff but was sold out. We ended up getting the original egg puff and turned out to be really good. Loved the overall simple combo the strawberry, mochi topping and the matcha ice cream together.

Visited Kow Kow based on multiple recommendations by friends and coworkers and was very pleased with my visit! The place was VERY BUSY on a Friday, so be aware when making plans. However, the service was still fast and efficient. The shop is rather small with minimal seating, especially on a busy weekend, so be prepared to sit outside and/ or stand inside! They have a free water station on the side of the counter as well, which I found rather nice! Friends and I ordered different ice cream types and 2 of us shared one of the waffle cones, which was a very good decision given how large it was! The " milk and matcha" waffle cone was my absolute favorite! The ice cream tasted like real matcha and it had delicious mochi balls on top! The waffle cone was also made on the spot and tasted amazing! It was soft but not overly soggy! Overall, highly recommend visiting this ice cream shop! Will definitely be back to try their flavor of the month: Thai tea!

The one thing about Kow Kow is that they do NOT skimp on their serving sizes! I brought a group of friends here a couple of weeks ago and was impressed by the efficient service and nice outdoor and indoor seating area. The ice cream flavors can change, but I particularly like their matcha flavors. I was also happy to see that they have started offering some vegan options as well, although they were sold out when we got there. If you want heaping toppings, tons of ice cream, and are also interested in massive waffles, Kow Kow is your place.

Consistently so good (and it seems like the scoops have gotten larger since last time! Evidenced by the mochi that kept falling off) The sticky rice ice cream is a must. If they have the Mango special, definitely go for that. Condensed milk drizzle and mochi are, in my opinion, the best toppings. The egg waffles are just as good as the Hong Kong egg waffles I grew up eating from little street carts in New York. They have three types to choose from but I always go for the matcha.

Great flow in this place, I waited in line for a few and they have the menu printed nice and large on the wall. My husband and I shared one, the pro move is they have little cardboard dishes and we laid it down in that to share it. The portion of a single scoop is quite generous so I'm glad we shared We had cookies and cream ice cream in a chocolate chip waffle cone with Kit Kat, Cinnamon Toast Crunch crumble. Delicious! It's nice there is some seating outside we were able to stay out of the rain.

I love Kow Kow! I have been going since they were a food truck on Waterman Street and even chipped in to help them on Kickstarter so that they could open their own brick and mortar shop on Ives Street. The owner is Laos and I love seeing how she has brought some of her own culture to Providence in one of my favorite desserts, ice cream. I really only get the same one thing every time I go there, but I enjoy seeing their variety and limited edition specials. I believe they also offer gluten free and vegan options from time to time. Their ice cream is also from Warwick Ice Cream, so I'm glad to see they are keeping it local. I have noticed they help in coordinating food drives and other events for local nonprofits, which I find great that they are finding ways to give back to the community. Their work culture also seems great from how they take part in team bonding experiences. Overall, Kow Kow has great food, great values, and I recommend them to anyone who's looking for a sweet treat in Providence!

I've had my fair share of bubble cones around and in my opinion, KowKow has the most bang for your buck! Choose from either their signature cones or customize your own and toppings are included! I believe it was up to three toppings were free and any extra was a charge. They had seasonal flavors so we tried their thai tea and oh boy it was so good! They were very generous with the toppings, especially the fresh berries that were on it. I had to share mine with my boyfriend so it was definitely worth the price. Wish they were closer to CT!

Fun place. Awesome ice cream. Line was longish but I was served very quickly. Live music on Friday night!

-matcha ice cream -condensed milk drizzle -strawberry -mochi -graham cracker crumble Need I say anymore? The ingredients alone speak for itself. Absolutely delicious and refreshing, especially on a hot summers day. All the ingredients are fresh and of high quality. The only criticism I would have is that these ice cream cones are MASSIVE and very filling. I'd come hungry and expect lines in the summer. Great spot to try out, give it a shot!

Not a fan.... don't understand all the hype..our waffles were cold we realized it wasnt buzy so they were premade just sitting there..there was hardly any graham cracker crumbs and condensed milk on mine the matcha ice cream was just ok seemed like it was missing creaminess...place had a weird smell when we walked in i guess from the waffle ingredients didnt smell appetizing...I scooped the ice cream out, threw it away and just ate the cold waffle and strawberries...wouldn't go back

The ice cream was creamy with delicious toppings in a thick and fluffy bubble waffle cone! Oh and they have a gluten free waffle! I can't stop telling all my friends about Kow Kow! Looking forward to my next visit!

We ordered one milk & matcha and one berry nutty. Overall, tasty and very filling! One item is a good amount to share. We each tried to get our own, and it way too much food. The preset ingredients are nice. For the milk and matcha, the mochi was a good texture and went well with the ice cream. The strawberries were fresh. The bubble waffle is chewy and warm, they make the waffles fresh for each order. The ice cream is decent, pretty good flavor, though maybe not as creamy as ice cream from a really nice ice cream place (but within the context of the bubble waffle it's tasty!) The berry nutty was also good. You can sub ingredients, my friend asked for mochi instead of walnuts and there was no up charge. Service is good and fast, though there is often a long line here in the summer. They have a nice outdoor seating area. Sometimes they have live music at night. Cute neighborhood spot!

We were in the area for another fun Yelp event and decided to stop by and try Kow Kow on the way home. The minute that you enter the store you can smell the unique cones being made. It is a rather fun experience overall. The staff are friendly and helpful, as they scurry around filling everyone's orders. I got my Cocoa Crazy cone-death by chocolate ice cream, chocolate drizzle, walnuts, and Oreo cookies. All that I can say is that every bite was amazing. From their homemade ice cream, to those amazing fluffy cones, this is an experience that you must try!!!

Firstly - thank you for being open on Mondays unlike half the businesses in town!!! They have a parking lot in addition to off street parking! They often have vegan options! This is not a snack but a small meal! SO GOOD!! Expect a wait - and to spend about $10. Worth it! What a great little shop!! Everyone was so sweet and also asking each customer about allergies! Well done!

I tried to like this place, but just didn't feel that it was very good. Their specialty is ice cream in an egg waffle, with a ton of toppings. They have a rotating menu. I got the special that month which was the "Dean". It was an interesting choice of pandan flavored ice cream, grenadine syrup , mochi, and lychee?? It was a strange combo and didn't really work well. The good part was that the servings are huge. It is $8.50 but this is a meal-sized ice cream waffle. Service was great and the workers here are friendly. The ice cream itself though was bland. I could barely taste the pandan flavor, which was masked by the sweet grenadine syrup. It didn't work at all together and I felt the lychee and mochi were just oddly thrown in. Also, they make the waffles ahead of time, but by the time I got mine, the waffle was pretty stale. I get that there were a lot of people on line, but having a stale waffle kinda ruined the experience. Maybe I'd go back to try a different flavor, but this one wasn't it.

I'm not huge on waffles, but these waffles cones are BOMB. They're fluffy, light, just the right amount of consistency in terms of cakey, and just the right amount of sweetness. The graham ice cream is INCREDIBLE! Every now and then you'll bite into clusters of what taste like brown sugar and maybe toffee, and I just could've believe how good it was. The raspberry ice cream taste very original and fruity, but also creamy. I was afraid it might be too much of a sorbet but it's not. The strawberries were fresh, and the portion is great. You can definitely share one and be satisfied. Or get your own and feel a bit bad about yourself after. I would definitely come back and try other flavors and toppings.

After a meal on Wickenden. We drove over to try this ice cream that was near by. I am rarely bowled over by Ice Cream these days. They for the most part seem very much the same. Yet Kow Kow us on another level. Both the freshest ice cream, fresh fruits, and all wrapped in freshly made waffles. These Waffles are offered in assorted selections and along the most amazing toppings. Do not bother with what you think is the best. The only thing to exceed all I have mentioned are the ladies behind the counter. They're waiting for you now! Drive over the Kow Kow, you will not be disappointed!

Amazing ice cream, very creative stuff. Waffles also out of this world! Service was fast and friendly!

Talk about a delicious ice cream, it has such a nice crunch, flavor, it's surprisingly not too sweet and decadent. I so enjoyed this, it's big enough to share with someone .. I mean I wouldn't enjoy you deserve.

Definitely a treat! Great location with easy street parking. Very sticky floor inside where you order, but there is a nice outdoor space to enjoy your ice cream. Ordering is easy. There were about 5-6 choices with a special. Many choices were offered vegan. All of the cones were $8.50 and worth it. The waffle was delicious and the single scoop was plenty! Usually when I order an ice cream cone I am a sticky mess. The waffle held the ice cream perfectly and absorbed any melted ice cream. I'll be back.

What's there not to love about this place?!? It's ice cream on a bubble waffle cone! Flavors are on point and the ordering system was very easy! Customer service was great! 10/10!

Kow Kow is without a doubt my favorite new ice cream discovery to hit Providence. Let's start with what sets them apart from everyone else shall we? The CONE. Oh my goodness. Imagine a freshly made Belgian waffle but with the texture of bubble wrap. It is quite possibly the best remix on a cone that I've ever had. I went with the original waffle but they also have chocolate chip, matcha, and vegan/gluten free options available. The week I went, Kow Kow was serving up black sesame ice cream made by Big Feeling. I've always been obsessed with the rich toasted goodness that is black sesame and it's almost impossible to track the flavor down in New England. It was everything I imagined it would be and more--smooth, creamy, dreamy perfection. I wish they had this flavor available all year long, but you can follow them on IG to see what new flavors they have each week!

Crazy good! I got the oreo ice cream with waffle and it was great. The presentation was really fancy with Oreos around the scoop and oreo dust on top. There was a paper cone for the bottom of the waffle which did a good job in preventing a mess. The ice cream itself wasn't the best I ever had (NC State's Howling Cow has my heart), but the combo of ice cream and waffle rivals that of my favorite taiyaki place. Portion size was also generous, and I split it with my gf without feeling like I didn't have much. The line was long but after seeing someone else get their order, I understood why.

By far the most fun and delicious ice cream I've had the pleasure of eating. I must warn you, one of their ice cream cones is a MEAL, not a snack. I have on two occasions shared a cone with my husband and still felt full. The cone is more like a soft waffle not crispy as I would have expected.

how could you not rate this place 5 stars? the ice cream is creamy & delicious, the waffle cones are warm & made on the spot, the service is friendly & its a cute little shop. love going to chomp for a burger then coming here for dessert, it always hits the spot. highly highly recommend to everyone! can't wait to try new flavors.