The NYC Ice Cream Shop Where Every Order’s A Mystery
Hidden on a quiet corner in Brooklyn sits an ice cream shop unlike any other in New York City.
At ‘Surprise Scoop,’ customers never know what flavor they’ll get—that’s the whole point!
You simply walk in, pay your $7, and receive whatever creation the ice cream chef has dreamed up that day.
The concept has sparked both outrage and devotion among NYC’s dessert enthusiasts since opening last summer.
1. A Bare Storefront With A Hidden Twist
Blink and you’ll miss the unmarked white façade with just a small blue cone painted on the window. My first visit happened completely by accident when I ducked inside to escape a sudden downpour last July. The interior is equally minimalist—white walls, a single counter, and absolutely no menu in sight.
What struck me immediately was the line of people waiting patiently, all with a look of anticipation I couldn’t quite understand. ‘First timer?’ asked the woman behind me, noticing my confusion. She explained the concept with such excitement that I couldn’t help but stay.
The shop operates on a cash-only basis, and they’re only open Thursday through Sunday from 3-9pm. This limited availability has only added to the mystique surrounding the place.
2. From Hot Cheetos To Everything Bagel: Wild Flavor Experiments
My first mystery scoop turned out to be a surprisingly delicious lavender honey with chunks of honeycomb. Lucky me! But friends who’ve visited have received everything from the sublime (bourbon maple bacon) to the bizarre (pickle juice sorbet with dill).
The owner, former Michelin-starred pastry chef Alexis Rivera, apparently spends months perfecting each flavor before it debuts. Her most controversial creation—Hot Cheetos ice cream with a lime swirl—somehow garnered both one-star Yelp reviews and devoted fans who still beg for its return.
Last month, their Everything Bagel flavor (cream cheese ice cream with an everything bagel seasoning swirl) went viral on TikTok, bringing in tourists from as far as Japan. The flavors change without notice, which means you might never encounter the same one twice.
3. How The “Flavor Roulette” Works
Surrender control—that’s the fundamental rule at Surprise Scoop. Once at the counter, you’ll hand over your money and receive a plain white cup filled with whatever creation the ice cream maestro has concocted that day. No substitutions, no samples, no exceptions.
When I finally reached the front of the line, the server—a bearded man with tattoo-covered arms—simply asked, ‘Ready?’ No other words were exchanged as he handed me my mystery scoop. The silence is part of the experience, creating an almost ceremonial atmosphere.
Some days feature a single flavor for everyone; other days, they rotate flavors hourly. The true thrill comes from never knowing whether you’ll get something delightfully familiar or wildly experimental. That uncertainty creates a unique anticipation I’ve never experienced elsewhere.
4. Why Locals Are Divided On The Hype
“Seven dollars for ice cream you might hate? That’s peak Brooklyn nonsense,” grumbled my neighbor when I mentioned my new obsession. He’s not alone—the shop has become somewhat polarizing among locals.
Critics point to the hefty price tag, the often long lines, and the occasional truly inedible flavor (garlic black pepper, anyone?). The shop’s strict no-refund policy has sparked more than one heated argument at the counter during my visits.
Yet defenders—myself included—argue that the experience itself justifies the cost. Where else in our algorithm-driven world, where preferences are tracked and predicted, can you experience genuine surprise? The shared experience of tasting something unexpected creates a unique camaraderie among strangers in line, sparking conversations that wouldn’t happen at ordinary ice cream shops.
5. The Real Charm: Experience Over Flavor
“Remember that awful seaweed flavor we got?” my wife laughed as we walked past Surprise Scoop last weekend. Strangely, those disappointing flavors have become our favorite memories. We’ve started bringing out-of-town visitors here specifically for the shared adventure.
The genius of the concept isn’t actually about ice cream at all—it’s about creating a rare moment of unpredictability in our otherwise carefully curated lives. I’ve watched stern business executives giggle like children when handed something blue and sparkly, and witnessed first dates bond over their mutual disgust at a particularly bold cheese flavor.
Perhaps the real product being sold isn’t ice cream but a momentary release from choice fatigue. In a city with endless options, there’s something refreshingly simple about surrendering to surprise, even if it occasionally tastes like Hot Cheetos.