These 15 Southern Ice Cream Parlors Are A Scoop Of Heaven

Here's the scoop on 15 Southern parlors that make their delectable ice creams in-house.

Mayday Ice Cream
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Mayday Ice Cream

While popsicles and slushies are good ways to cool off the summer heat, nothing is quite as good as a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Frozen treats can be found in every corner of the South, but homemade, in-house ice cream is a specialty that stands out among the rest.

The South's frozen dessert scene is thriving, from old-fashioned parlors that opened over 100 years ago to a growing number of chef-owned shops featuring seasonal flavors and fresh ingredients. Whether you're craving a simple spoonful or something a bit more complex, these shops are worth a stop. Here's the scoop on 15 Southern parlors that make their delectable ice creams in-house.

01 of 15

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream

Orlando, Florida

When Kelly Seidl moved to Orlando after nursing school, she noticed a lack of local, hand-dipped ice cream shops. In 2015, she decided to fill the void by starting Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream. The concept had humble beginnings: She worked in her home kitchen and sold at farmers' markets. Now, there are more than 20 locations throughout Central Florida. Signature tastes like Toasted Coconut and Peanut Butter Cookie are local favorites, while originals like Blondie and Banana Pudding also lead the flavor list. Head to one of their shops for the whole gamut of creams, or stop by a counter for a scaled-back experience. Bonus: Kelly's also has non-dairy options for those who don't consume lactose.

kellyshomemadeicecream.com; 3114 Corrine Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803; 407-790-7257

02 of 15

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe

Lexington, Virginia

In downtown Lexington, the smell of freshly hand-rolled waffle cones wafting from Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe is sure to lure you inside. Offering classic varieties like Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip, this Lexington staple also has flavors like Guinness and Chunky Irish Girl Scout on its seasonal rotation list. This Southern parlor is known for its banana splits and extra thick shakes for those craving something other than a traditional scoop. If you are in town during an event, you may find Sweet Things serving their creams off-site too.

lexingtonvirginia.com; 106 W. Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450; 540-463-6055

03 of 15

Howling Cow

Howling Cow

Stacy Sprenz

Raleigh, North Carolina

A collegiate business incubator, Howling Cow sits on the 329-acre dairy farm and education lab associated with North Carolina State University. In the 1940s, the ice cream was originally only available at the campus cafeteria. It made its state fair debut in the 1970s, and the creamery cafe officially opened to the public in 2020. Its treats have been a hit with locals and visitors ever since. If you're wondering what flavor to get, take the online quiz before your visit, and let them suggest a dessert based on your personality.

howlingcow.ncsu.edu; 100 Dairy Ln, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603; 919-513-4695

04 of 15

Grandma's Homemade Ice Cream

Grandma’s Homemade Ice Cream

Grandma’s Homemade Ice Cream

Bardstown, Kentucky

For ice cream like grandma used to make, plan a trip to Bardstown to experience homemade treats from—who else? Grandma! She may not be a relative, but this unique shop has recreated an inviting, family-style experience once you enter its doors. Grandma's Homemade Ice Cream has classic selections while also offering specialized varieties like their Bourbon Ice Cream, best enjoyed in cola as a Kentucky Float. Grandma is known to go wild and create exciting new flavors, such as the recent Dill Pickle. Dogs are family members too, so be sure to get a $1 mini puppy cone to treat your furry best friend when you stop by.

facebook.com/grandmashomemadeicecream; 107 Lincoln Way Suite E, Bardstown, KY 40004; 502-252-1009

05 of 15

Mayday Ice Cream

Mayday Ice Cream

Mayday Ice Cream

St. Augustine, Florida

The name Mayday pays tribute to WWII pilots who got creative and strapped buckets full of cream and sugar to their planes to make ice cream. Thanks to the low temperatures at their flying altitudes, the treat was perfectly churned and frozen when they landed. This bit of history and ingenuity pairs perfectly with the creative flavors found at Mayday Ice Cream. The first shop opened in 2015 in St. Augustine, Florida, and since then, the brand has branched out to include eleven parlors in two states. For a soup to nuts—well, a cone to sprinkles—experience, everything is made in-house, including the cones and colorful sprinkly toppings. If you fall in love with a flavor like Queen Salted Caramel, Mayday will ship straight to your door. 

maydayicecream.com; 100 St. George St. Suite J, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-217-0517

06 of 15

Cruze Farm

Cruze Farm

Eli Johnson

Knoxville, Tennessee

Everything tastes better closer to its source, and the same reigns true for the cow-to-cone, freshly churned ice cream found at Cruze Farm in Knoxville. The cows are allowed to graze on pasture 365 days a year and are hormone-free. Enjoy a cone topped with milk-infused flavors like Lavender Honey or Pomegranate Dolewhip, or try their dairy-free varieties like Vegan Chocolate. For something slightly more complex, ask for a topping-infused Churn or an Affogato, a scoop doused in espresso. You can also visit their other Tennesse locations in Sevierville and Morristown.

cruzefarm.com; 2721 Asbury Rd, Knoxville, TN 37914; 865-333-1265

07 of 15

'55 Exchange

 ‘55 Exchange

 â€˜55 Exchange

Clemson, South Carolina

Heading to college is all about prepping for the future, and ’55 Exchange is a place where Clemson students can learn how to run a business. In tradition-meets-flavor fashion, Clemson's Class of 1955 donated funds to start the creamery, and the rest is history. As a student-run venture, '55 Exchange is a self-sustaining business that engages students in every aspect, from manufacturing ice cream to being on the sales floor. This shop has favorites like Cookies and Cream and Dark Chocolate Chip, and visitors can also order student-made cold brews and smoothies. Perhaps the best part is that you get a treat to enjoy, and the revenue supports academic and professional training for Clemson students.

www.clemson.edu/cafls/icecream; 720 McMillan Rd, Clemson, SC 29634; 864-656-2155

08 of 15

Craft Creamery

Craft Creamery

Craft Creamery

Houston, Texas

Craving European flavors in the South? If so, Craft Creamery provides an over-the-pond taste within the city of Houston. Located within the Montrose neighborhood, this shop is the brainchild of Chef Steve Marques. Influenced by the diverse culture of Houstonians, the parlor uses local ingredients to craft unique flavors like Cacio e Pepe and Miso Caramel, which are handmade in small batches using the French pot method. The creamer is also known for its ice cream pairing events that satiate the palates of the most demanding culinary lovers.

craftcreameryhtx.com; 1338 Westheimer Rd Suite E, Houston, TX 77006; 281-740-4970

09 of 15

Beardcat's Sweet Shop

A stack of ice cream sandwiches from Beardcat's Sweet Shop

Courtesy of Beardcat's Sweet Shop

Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

After a long afternoon on the beach, you can cool off with a scoop (or two) of ice cream from Beardcat's Sweet Shop. Beardcat's is known for its house-made gelato that's made in small batches using ingredients from the Lowcountry. You can also stop in to grab a coffee, grab-and-go sandwich, pastry, or breakfast. The menu features 20 rotating seasonal flavors. Whether you enjoy classics like strawberry and vanilla bean or prefer to branch out—their signature flavor is Olive Oil with Sea Salt—there's a flavor for everyone. The shop is located under the Obstinate Daughter, a two-time James Beard Award nominee. After enjoying a delicious lunch or dinner at the O/D, guests often head downstairs to Bearcat's to get a sweet treat.

facebook.com/BeardcatsSweetShop; 2063 Middle Street, Sullivans Island, SC 29482; 843-416-5025

10 of 15

Big Spoon Creamery

12 scoops of ice cream from Big Spoon Creamery

Courtesy of Big Spoon Creamery

Birmingham, Alabama

The history of Big Spoon Creamery starts with a love story. Geri-Martha and Ryan O'Hara began working together under James Beard Award-winning Chef Frank Stitt in 2010. Four years later, the two got married and began to launch their small business. Believe it or not, Geri-Martha and Ryan began making ice cream and selling it from their driveway. Their homespun pop-up was successful, and soon they had an ice cream cart, then a truck, and eventually a shop in Avondale. Since 2017, they have opened two more Alabama locations in Huntsville and Homewood. This creamery is known for its artisanal ice cream made with local, seasonal ingredients. Using herbs from their on-site garden and ingredients from nearby dairy farms, they create unique, eccentric flavors like sweet basil and sweet corn blackberry. Big Spoon also offers a selection of ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. This ice cream parlor is a must-try when visiting Birmingham.

bigspooncreamery.com; 4000 3rd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35222; 205-703-4712

11 of 15

Leopold's Ice Cream

Leopold's Ice Cream Savannah
Courtesy of Leopold's Ice Cream

Savannah, Georgia

The story of Leopold's Ice Cream starts in 1919 with three brothers from Greece. Peter, George, and Basil learned the art of candy and dessert making from their uncle, who had previously settled in America. The trio opened their first ice cream parlor and it soon became a popular destination after concerts, dances, and high school sporting events. Today, Stratton Leopold, the youngest son of the original owner, Peter Leopold, carries on the parlor's legacy while working in the film industry in Hollywood. This vintage ice cream shop is known for its classic ice cream flavors, old-fashioned hand-crafted fountain sodas, freshly baked pastries, and more. Thanks to their nationwide shipping, you can enjoy Leopold's anywhere in the South. Their flagship location is in the heart of downtown Savannah. Leopold's has held on to the top-secret recipes and techniques that the three brothers created when they opened. When you get a chance, try their Lemon Custard or Rum Bisque flavors, both of which have remained unchanged since 1919.

leopoldsicecream.com; 212 E. Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401; 912-234-4442

12 of 15

Area 51 Ice Cream

The exterior of Area 51 ice cream

Courtesy of Area 51 Ice Cream

Hernando, Mississippi

If you're looking for ice cream that is "out of this world," look no further than Area 51 Ice Cream. Karin and Steve Cubbage opened up their shop in 2014 in Hernando Mississippi, near Memphis, Tennessee. It's safe to say they have grown since then. Only four years after opening their first parlor, Karlin and Steve expanded to a second location in Crosstown Concourse in Memphis and opened an off-site kitchen. They locally source all of their ingredients and utilize nearby farmer's markets and farms. Area 51 features 12 flavors, all of which are made daily, and the menu rotates depending on the season. This ice cream parlor has often been referred to as "the best ice cream in Mississippi." Don't be surprised if there's a line when you visit. Seasonal flavors like Blackberry Goat Cheese and Blueberry Cobbler keep customers coming back for more.

facebook.com/area51icecream; 100 E Commerce St, Hernando, MS 38632; 662-298-3028

13 of 15

Creole Creamery

Creole Creamery

Courtesy of Creole Creamery

New Orleans, Louisiana

Creole Creamery has 4 locations scattered throughout New Orleans. Committed to quality, they use local ingredients and the best equipment to craft their delicious ice creams, sorbets, and sherberts. Chef Bryan Gilmore, who has been an employee since day one, handcrafts each batch of ice cream. Over the years, Creole Creamery has hand-made 99 different flavors, including seasonal specialties. During the holidays, they serve festive flavors like Gingerbread Cheesecake, Egg Nog, Chocolate Pecan Pie, and more. You also might find Thai Basil Coconut, Golden Summer Fig, or Pear & Balsamic Caramel on their Spring or Summer menu. Despite their large selection of unique flavors, American classics will always be available at their locations. Creole Creamery maintains an old-school ambiance in their traditional American parlors, but their innovative flavors keep things new and fresh.

creolecreamery.com; 4924 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115; 504-894-8680

14 of 15

Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store

Braum's Dairy Oklahoma City
Education Images/Getty Images

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

If you've never heard of Braum's, let us introduce you to a Southern legend. Started by Bill and Mary Braum in 1968, Braum's is a chain restaurant that serves ice cream, frozen yogurt, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items. The restaurants also have an adjacent "Fresh Market" which features dairy products, baked goods, beverages, meats, and produce. Their ice cream is what they are best known for. Made with milk from their private herd, the ice cream is fresh and churned to perfection the old-fashioned way. Their selection consists of over 100 flavors. They specialize in creating nostalgic, old-fashioned ice creams, but you can also find unique, gourmet flavors on their menu. Braum's triple Chocolate Cheesecake and Premium Amaretto Peach Charlotte are two fan favorites. Whether you stop by for breakfast, a burger, or Braum's A2 fresh milk, be sure to get a scoop of one of their old-fashioned ice creams.

www.braums.com; 4335 NW 23rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73107

15 of 15

Dolly's Dairy Bar

Dolly's Dairy Bar

Phoebe Evans

Brevard, North Carolina

Before heading to Looking Glass Falls or Sliding Rock, you'll pass by this charming roadside ice cream stand that sits on the edge of Pisgah National Forest. Rocking chairs line the porch and round tables with umbrellas are stationed out front to let customers enjoy their ice cream in the cool Carolina air. Dolly's has an immense selection of flavors. Dolly's "Camp Flavors," named after sleep-away camps based in North Carolina, draw in kids all summer long. Many campers cherish stopping at Dolly's as a family tradition. Dolly's also has tubes for customers to rent for floating down the Davidson River. This ice cream shop opens seasonally during the spring, summer, and fall. There's a flavor for everyone here.

explorebrevard.com/businesses/dollys-dairy-bar; 128 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768; 828-862-6610

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