Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Jeni’s is a Columbus-started company by an OSU art grad, Jeni Britton Bauer, and is known for their wacky ice cream flavors made from fair trade ingredients. With locations all over, including the Short North and the North Market, this modern and inventive ice cream is readily available, and delicious 🙂

Don’t pass on the opportunity to freely taste all flavors! And don’t worry, the delightful servers are used to it. Flavors include Salted Caramel, Lavender Berry, Dark Chocolate Cayenne, and seasonal. If you’re not feeling that adventurous, they also just have simple ice creams that are equally delicious.

Jeni’s is accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the Buttles Ave. stop.

Jeni’s also has a booth in the North Market, which is accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the Spruce St. stop and walk south, then taking a right on Spruce, until you hit the market.

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop is a great chain for people who want to experience some serious candy nostalgia, or just want to get their sugar intake in a new, fun way. This shop sells all different types of inventive pops and many old and new candy favorites.

Rocket Fizz is in the Short North and is accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the W Starr Ave. stop.

Kittie’s Cakes

In the historical German Village, Kittie’s Cakes offers awesome baked items with real ingredients. The store is also owned by two former professional golfers.

Watch out…they sell out quick.

Kittie’s is accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the E Main St. and S 3rd St. stop and walk south on 3rd until you hit Kittie’s on the right.

Johnson’s Real Ice Cream

Although you can’t easily bus here, a drive to Johnson’s is worth it. Offering really good ice cream, that is in fact real, Johnson’s has kept a family business going strong since the 1950s in Bexley.

Johnson’s Real Ice Cream is most easily accessible by car.

Pattycake Bakery

Are you a vegan and looking for tasty desserts? Or are you just a regular person looking for tasty desserts? Either way, Pattycake Bakery has some of the best cookies (and cakes and brownies) around Columbus. They use primarily organic and 100% natural ingredients, while also being vegan. WHAT?? Not to mention they are also Columbus’ premier worker-owned co-operative.

Good thing many places around campus sell these goodies.

Pattycake Bakery is accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the E. Weber Rd. stop.

Pistacia Vera

Pistacia Vera is located in the German Village, and is also in the Short North (for bus convenience)! Those cute little colored sandwich cookies are MACARONS (not macaroons – ask what the difference is!). They also sell many different baked goods, complete with coffee and tea.

Pistacia Vera has a booth in the North Market, and is easily accessible by the #2 COTA bus. Get off at the W 10th Ave. and walk south, taking a right on Spruce St.

The German Village shop is accessible by the #2 COTA. Get off at the E Main St. and S 3rd St. stop.

Graeter’s Ice Cream

If you’re from Cincinnati, you should be familiar with this awesome ice cream. With traditional ice-cream parlor feels, Graeter’s offers all the good ice cream preparations you know and love – including your classic cones, sundaes, and milk shakes. They’re known for their raspberry chocolate chip, but their other rich ice cream flavors (and gelatos and sorbets) will make you feel all great inside.

Graeter’s is a walk from the furthest west stop on the CABS route. Take the CABS bus all the way to Carmack Corner, walk north on Carmack Rd., and west on West Lane until you hit Graeter’s on the right.