The Franklin Fountain
Philadelphia • ★ 4.5 (4163 Google reviews)
The Story
The Berley brothers built the Franklin Fountain as a loving forgery of 1900s Philadelphia — pressed tin, penny tile, syrups cooked in house and jerks in paper hats. Expect a line down Market Street in summer; it moves, and the Mt. Vesuvius sundae is worth it.
From the Counter
Recent Google reviews
Danielle Mingle-Melick
★ 5
The Franklin Fountain was one of our favorite stops in Philadelphia! The moment you walk in, it feels like you've stepped back in time with the beautiful vintage décor, old-fashioned soda fountain, and historic atmosphere. The homemade ice cream was absolutely delicious, and there were so many unique flavors to choose from. The staff was friendly, and even though it was busy, the line moved quickly. If you're visiting Old City and looking for a fun dessert spot with incredible ice cream and a nostalgic experience, The Franklin Fountain is a must-visit! We can't wait to come back.
David Alpern
★ 4
A Philadelphia institution and tourist attraction. They offer a variety of typical and featured flavors with substantial portions are and prices to match. While it has the ambience of on old timey ice cream shop, there's no where to sit inside, which puts a bit of a damper on the experience. Everything is to go, in either a choice of cones or cardboard box. As a result, there's usually a crowd sitting on the benches or standing in front. It's a bit of a social experience. At busy times the line can stretch out the door, so service can take a while. If the line is particularly long, head over to their other storefront, two doors down, where the line can be much shorter. I like the ice cream and the portion size a lot (perhaps too much, actually), but it would have been nice if the space was larger and there was at least some indoor seating to enjoy the ambience.
Hazel McNibbens
★ 5
Old-timey joy for neighbors and tourists alike! As a resident of Old City, I’m fortunate to call this corner ice cream parlor and soda fountain mine. The homemade ice cream is delicious. I recommend the honeycomb ice cream, as well as the caramelized banana. The interior space is charmingly Victorian. The hype is most definitely justified!