Summer may look a little bit different this year, but one thing remains the same: there’s nothing that can take the place of a cold ice cream cone on a hot day. From Lake Norman to Fort Mill and everywhere in-between, here’s where to find the best ice cream around Charlotte.
AROUND CHARLOTTE
Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
Four locations (NoDa, Carmel Commons, Park Road, Rock Hill)
Just in time for warmer weather, Amélie’s French Bakery & Café recently debuted four flavors of ice cream available by the pint: salted caramel brownie, strawberry chiffon, dairy-free chocolate sea salt and lavender lemon sorbet. Order online for curbside, take out or delivery.
Elizabeth Creamery
1601 Elizabeth Ave.
This go-to is temporarily closed, but we hope to visit soon for classic and creative flavors, shakes or a sundae.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (3 locations)
1920 Camden Rd. South End CLT | 416 E 36th St., Suite 400 NoDa | Park Road Shopping Center
The wildly popular ice cream shop with multiple Charlotte locations is open for takeout orders. They also have new seasonal flavors available by the pint for local delivery. Options include Raspberry Rose Jelly Donut dairy-free Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns. Other summer favorites include Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam, Lemon & Blueberries Parfait, Frosé sorbet and Savannah Buttermint.
Two Scoops Creamery
913 Central Ave. (Charlotte)
1616 Camden Rd. (Charlotte)
119 Landings Dr., Suite 104 (Mooresville)
🖤🖤#CLTblackownedbusiness🖤🖤
All three locations are now open just in time for summer. Expect 32 homemade and fresh-churned flavors year-round and summer flavors like s’mores, cotton candy and “crazy cereal,” vanilla cereal base with Lucky Charms marshmallows, Fruity Pebbles and Captain Crunch berries.
Ocha Time
2001 Commonwealth Ave.
In Plaza Midwood, Ocha Time serves up frozen treats like rolled ice cream and soft serve ice cream in taiyaki cones. Pick-up only.
Golden Cow Creamery
170 West Summit Ave.
720 Governor Morrison St.
Options include Vegan Margarita Sorbet at the South End location and cookies from Suarez Bakery for ice cream cookie sandwiches. In addition to more than 150 flavors, the popular creamery offers six classic, scratch-made flavors: Rich Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, Fresh Strawberry, Mint Chocolate Chip, Salted Oreo, and Dunkaroos. Prefer to enjoy at home? Pick up pints to-go or order through Door Dash.
Mr K’s Soft Ice Cream
2107 South Blvd.
This family-run, no frills spot on South Boulevard is serving up soft serve worthy of an after dinner family outing. Operating in the same location as the day it opened in 1967, this mom and pop shop that has expanded its menu to burgers and hot dogs originally opened as an ice cream stand and despite the additions, has stayed true to its roots. The dessert menu is never-ending, and has everything from a simple ice cream sandwich to a “frostbite”, a blend of soft serve and Italian ice. Other favorites are their milkshakes in flavors like butterscotch, peanut butter, and dark chocolate and hand-dipped banana splits. They’re open now for dine-in and outdoor seating, or you can call ahead or walk-in for takeout orders.
Zack’s Hamburgers
4009 South Blvd.
There’s a reason why old-fashioned never really goes out of style, and Zack’s is living proof. Serving up no-fuss hamburgers and sides, Zack’s made sure no one forgot about dessert. Grab a soft serve vanilla cone or one of their classic flavor shakes.
X-tra Ball Ice Cream & Pinball
2914 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd.
For some good old-fashioned family fun, head to X-tra Ball. This part ice cream shop, part pinball parlor offers hand-dipped ice cream, hand-spun milkshakes, and authentic pinball.
Sticks and Cones Ice Cream Truck
Serving the Charlotte area
Sticks and Stones is bringing back all the nostalgic excitement of the ice cream truck with their old-fashioned ice cream on wheels. Enjoy soft serve, floats, cones, popsicles, and sundaes wherever they’re parked that day. Follow them on Twitter to keep up with where they’ll be next.
Popbar
3123 North Davidson St., Suite B
Mix it up at Popbar to create a pop made just to your liking. Choose from the freshest natural ingredients (think coconut, chocolate, pistachio and more) to dip your popGelato, popSorbetto, or yogurtPop in. Or try a photogenic gelatoShake in strawberry, chocolate, vanilla caramel, coffee, or green tea. Open Wednesday – Sunday, plus look out for a mini pop shop coming to Camp North End. Prefer to stay enjoy at home? Order combo or variety packs online.
Shake Shack
South End, Park Road, Blakeney
Shake Shack may be known for it’s burgers and crinkle-cut fries, but no meal would be complete without a treat from their dessert menu. Choose from frozen custard, concretes, shakes, cups and cones in classic and seasonal flavors that vary by location.
Inizio Pizza
2230 Park Rd., Suite 101
10620 Providence Rd.
After indulging in pizza, enjoy gelato in multiple flavors, plus don’t forget it’s just $2 every Thursday. Inizio locations are open for indoor and outdoor dining at 50% capacity during their normal hours.
Fahrenheit Charlotte
222 S Caldwell St.
End your rooftop meal with a sweet treat: their dessert menu includes a Mason Jar Ice Cream Selection of House Made Ice Creams and Sorbets.
Swirl
1640 Oakhurst Commons Dr.
Create your own from a base of vanilla bean soft serve and unlimited toppings, or opt for one of Swirl’s fan favorites.
Futo Buta
222 E Bland St.
After slurping up a bowl of Futo Buta’s ramen, top off your meal with their rotating selection of homemade ice creams. Flavors have included mango, pear, black sesame, and plenty more. Open for takeout and self service on the patio.
Rosemont
1714 South Blvd.
Get your hands on a chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, Oreo, or peach milkshake after downing a burger at Rosemont Bar. Or, if you’re looking for an extra-good time, try one of their boozy shakes like the Shut Up, It’s My Birthday (vanilla ice cream, vanilla vodka, Licor 43, Rumchata, funfetti icing, sprinkles, and a cupcake on top!)
SOUTH OF CHARLOTTE
Waxhaw Creamery
201 W South Main St., Waxhaw
In downtown Waxhaw, find homemade ice cream available in scoop, sundaes, cups and cones, plus Italian ice. Open now for walk-ins and operating under temporarily adjusted hours.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
8835 Christenbury Pkwy., Waxhaw
Since 1986, Andy’s has been serving frozen custard to loving fans. Open for walk-up orders to-go and drive-thru. Seasonal treats available now include Strawberry Shortcake Sundae, Blackberry Concrete and Key Lime Pie Concrete.
Scoop n’ Swirl Homemade Ice Cream
753 Crossroads Plaza, Fort Mill
Scoop n’ Swirl, formally Maggie Moo’s, offers 24 flavors daily – so there’s always something to satisfy your sweet tooth! You can also opt for create-your-own shakes, custom or traditional sundaes or smoothies.
Brain Freeze Nitro Cream at South Main BBQ
116B E South Main St, Waxhaw
Looking to try something different? Try liquid nitrogen ice cream. It’s handmade using liquid nitrogen, which at -320 degrees Fahrenheit, causes the cream to freeze into micro-crystals, creating an ice cold creamy sensation. They can accommodate for nut or lactose allergies.
NORTH OF CHARLOTTE
Ninety’s Sandwiches & Ice Cream
9009 J M Keynes Dr. #4, Charlotte
This quaint spot in University known for it’s daily lunch specials and charming atmosphere keeps diners for the whole meal with their hand scooped ice cream selection. Follow @ninetysicecream on Instagram to drool daily over these lively creations. Open now for store front service (perfect to enjoy by the lake) or you can pre-order online.
Carolina Cones
20801 N Main St., Cornelius
Over the past thirty years, the family behind Carolina Cones has been churning out new flavors to keep Cornelius families coming back for more. The variety of flavors may make your choice difficult, but the friendly faces behind the counter are more than wiling to help. New 2020 flavors include Bananas Foster, Brownie S’mores, Lemon Bar and more. Open for outdoor seating and carry-out.
Abbott’s Frozen Custard
10070 Edison Square Dr. NW, E100, Concord
In Concord, you can find homemade custard in classic and inventive flavors (a new favorite is Lemon Raspberry Swirl), and fun treats like Chipwheels (cookie custard sandwiches), cakes, milkshakes, sundaes, and more.
Whit’s Frozen Custard
428 S Main St., Davidson
In Davidson, head to Whit’s for extra creamy ice cream with tons of flavor. They like to keep it simple, offering Vanilla, Chocolate, and Whit’s Special Weekly Flavor with fruit toppings, nuts, and candies that can be blended into custard for their famous Whitser™. You can also get hand-dipped waffle cones and take home some goodness with weekly flavors stocked in their Grab & Go Freezer.
The Percantile & Creamery
8635 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord
You’ll fall for this adorable coffee, ice cream, and chocolates spot near Concord Mills. The young ones will love the designated play area and will certainly admire the retro car that sits right inside the entrance. You can even order ahead.
Cabarrus Creamery
21 Union St. S, Concord
In Concord, don’t miss Cabarrus Creamery, which Our State agreed was one of the top 25 picks in NC. This spot has something for everyone, from nondairy and low fat, protein smoothies to no sugar added options. They even have “pupcicles” for your four-legged friends.
