Here at scoop, there is no denying we love a good scoop…of ice cream or a frozen treat. While there’s no better way to beat the heat than to cool off with a tasty frozen dessert, we’re no fair weather fans. Just cuz summer’s slowly ending does not mean we will stop enjoying ~ we’ll do ice cream and gelato 24 – 7, 365, no questions asked. Charlotte is finally getting some craft ice cream spots to balance out our brewery obsession, and we couldn’t be happier. Here are our picks from the mostly new local spots for best ice cream and other frozen delights.
1. Hart’s Soda Shop
Helloooo nostalgia! Step back into the 50’s and get delicious handcrafted sodas, floats and sundaes out of the Hart’s Soda Shop soda bus….which is a 1971 VW bus painted with blue & white stripes ~ you can’t miss it when they’re at an event around town. You can also find it at their soon-to-be storefront at 908 E. 35th Street in PM. Be sure to hit one of their Sunday Sundae patio parties soon. Doesn’t get any cuter than this.
2. Two Scoops Creamery
Two Scoops just opened in Plaza Midwood (913 Central) and has taken off with a big bang. In their first opening days, the shop sold out of many of its flavors, so get their early if you want your pick of the list. Too new to have much other than an IG and Facebook page, stay tuned to Two Scoops on their social media to make sure they are open & serving!!
3. Golden Cow Creamery
Golden Cow’s storefront is set to open any day now, they’re just awaiting final inspection. In the meantime check out their Facebook page to see where they’ll be popping up ~ they’re always somewhere around town like on the patio next to Wooden Robot or on the MODE patio next to Sycamore Brewery. You definitely don’t want to miss out on a scoop of the BANANA PUDDING ICE CREAM. You heard me right.
4. Jolly Rolls Ice Cream
Charlotte’s newest (and most interesting) entry in the frozen treat category is in Waxhaw, featuring ROLLED ICE CREAM. Best understood by watching them make a serving (you can see a short video on their Facebook page here), ice cream rolls are hand made with milk poured on an iced “grill”, with ingredients chopped up and mixed in on the ice-pan then rolled up into ice cream rolls. East Asian in origin (so says wikipedia at least) and a delicious change of pace and style. Here’s an example of their Cinnabon Roll ice cream roll ~ those things that look a little like crepes? Ice Cream Rolls.
5. Va da Vie Gelato
Located in Park Road Shopping Center, in the middle of the parking lot near CO and the Cigar Store, this tiny store front is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Be sure to find it. Va da Vie is completely committed to flavor, ingredients and quality. Gelato is known to offer more flavor, creamier, more dense texture, less air whipped in and lower milk fat content than ice cream, and Va de Vie doesn’t disappoint. The interior is crisp, cool and modern and the seasonal flavors are amazing.
6. King of Pops
Can’t got wrong with any King of Pops flavor. Of the 25 fruity and creamy seasonal flavors available right now, Grapefruit Mint and Pineapple Habanero are favorites, but our all time pick is their Blackberry Basil Lemonade. Find KOP around town ~ at their POP SHOP in South End, in their carts around town like at JJ’s and Clean Catch, at various Farmers Markets and local events. How to know where to get your KOP fix? Follow them on social media or visit their webpage here. You know they’re good when they have cocktails being developed around their pops, right?
7. Elizabeth Creamery
Elizabeth Creamery is a classic, a small mom & pop homemade ice cream shop near Carpe Diem. No frills, just good ice cream. Famous for their freshly, store baked waffle cones whose baking aroma scents the small store all day long.
