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12 Amazing Ice Cream Shops in Charlotte (You’ll Love!)

Popbar, one of the best ice cream shops in Charlotte
Best ice cream shops in Charlotte – Nolichuckyjake / Shutterstock.com

There are many ice cream shops in Charlotte where you can get a delicious frozen treat.

You can find shops in the city where you can get classic gelato, and there are also places where you can get more unique types of ice cream. In addition to that, there are flavors for everyone’s liking, including classic ones, such as vanilla and chocolate, but there are also lots of different creative flavors, such as red velvet cake and lavender. At some of these places, you can also get other treats, such as cookies, pastries, and cupcakes.

In this guide, I’ll show you where you can get the best ice cream in Charlotte.

Best Ice Cream Shops in Charlotte

Popbar

Ice cream at Popbar in Charlotte
Ice cream at Popbar

Popbar is an ice cream shop in the city that also has locations in other places in America, as well as locations in Canada and Portugal. The company’s first shop opened in 2010.

At Popbar, you can get all-natural, handcrafted gelato on a stick.

You can choose from more than 60 different flavors, and you can customize the gelato by choosing a dip and toppings. Some of the flavors that you can choose from include passion fruit, banana, green tea, and birthday cake.

There are more than 15 toppings, including white chocolate, sprinkles, and caramel.

Besides the original treat, you can also get a minipop, which is a miniature version of the regular popbar, you can get a delicious type of milkshake, you can get a creative version of an ice cream sandwich, and there are other kinds of treats.

Popbar also has vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free flavors.

Address: 3123 N Davidson St #102b, Charlotte, NC 28205

The Local Scoop

Gelato and decorations at The Local Scoop
Gelato at The Local Scoop

The Local Scoop is an ice cream store where you can get delicious and freshly made ice cream made with locally sourced ingredients. This shop aims to include as many fresh ingredients from local small farms in the recipes as possible.

At The Local Scoop, you can get great classic flavors, as well as creative ones. For example, you can get delicious classic vanilla ice cream at this place.

Besides regular ice cream, there are also non-dairy options and ice cream pies.

Also, fun to know is that The Local Scoop selects a name every Wednesday. People with that name who show their ID or something else that can prove their name, get a free one-scoop ice cream.

Address: 5355 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277

SWIRL Dessert Bar

Ice cream with Oreo crumbles at SWIRL Dessert Bar
Ice cream with Oreo crumbles at SWIRL Dessert Bar in Charlotte

SWIRL Dessert Bar is an ice cream store in Charlotte that opened in 2019. It started as a store where you could get made-to-order cupcakes, but the company grew and now also sells fresh-baked cookies and delicious ice cream.

The ice cream menu consists of a large variety of unique items.

If you want regular ice cream, you can get a single scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream and then add as many toppings as you like.

Besides that, the menu includes a variety of floats, milkshakes, and swirls.

One of the milkshakes that you can get here is the “Pick-me-up”, which includes vanilla ice cream, cookie dough, coffee powder, and caramel sauce.

When you go here for ice cream, I recommend trying one of the delicious cupcakes at the SWIRL Dessert Bar as well. For example, you can get the delicious “Cookie Butter” cupcake, which is made with chocolate cake, cookie butter frosting, chips ahoy, and chocolate sauce.

Address: 1640 Oakhurst Commons Dr #103, Charlotte, NC 28205

Golden Cow Creamery

Gelato at Golden Cow Creamery in Charlotte
Gelato at Golden Cow Creamery

Golden Cow Creamy is a family-owned ice cream store with three locations in Charlotte that was founded in 2016.

The ice cream that you can get at Golden Cow Creamery is made from scratch in Charlotte, using the highest-quality ingredients. The store has a long and complex production process and unique recipes, through which it aims to make the best ice cream possible.

You can choose from 14 different flavors of ice cream at a time, which includes 6 standard flavors and 8 rotating flavors.

Some of the most delicious standard flavors are the vanilla and chocolate flavors.

One of the rotating flavors is a vegan flavor.

Address: 170 W Summit Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Two Scoops Creamery

Ice cream at Two Scoops Creamery
Ice cream at Two Scoops Creamery in Charlotte

Two Scoops Creamery is a locally-owned ice cream store with several locations in Charlotte where you can get delicious homemade ice cream.

There are different types to choose from. You can get one, two, or three scoops, rootbeer floats, pints, milkshakes, and ice cream cakes.

There are many different types of flavors to choose from, and Two Scoops Creamery has a rotating menu.

When you choose a flavor, you can choose from ice cream with a vanilla, chocolate, mint, or coffee base. Besides that, there are also other unique flavors that have a different base, and the menu includes many vegan options.

You can add a variety of toppings, such as caramel, gummy bears, and cherries.

Having ice cream at Two Scoops Creamery is also one of the best date ideas in Charlotte.

Address: 913 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Elizabeth Creamery

Elizabeth Creamery is a small ice cream store that is located on Elizabeth Avenue.

You can get delicious homemade ice cream here. You can get scoops of ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, floats, milkshakes, and ice cream cakes that are delicious.

There are great flavors to choose from, including very unique ones, such as flavors that include ginger. There are also great vegan flavors.

Address: 1535 Elizabeth Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28204

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Outside of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Exterior of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – CLS Digital Arts / Shutterstock.com

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has locations throughout the country, including multiple locations in Charlotte.

At each Jeni’s location, you can get delicious ice cream made using a unique recipe that was perfected over more than 20 years by the founder.

You can choose from many delicious classic and unique flavors. For example, you can get delicious milk chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, lavender ice cream, and many other amazing flavors at this shop.

Address: 4203 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Morelia

Morelia is an ice cream shop in Charlotte where you can get delicious Paletas. Paletas are Mexican ice cream popsicles that are made with fresh natural fruits or with creamy ingredients.

Most paletas have a fruit base, but there are also paletas with a milk base.

Paletas are made by blending simple ingredients such as natural fruits, water, and other ingredients, pouring this mixture into a mold, and then chilling it.

Some of the flavors of paletas at Morela that are made with fruit are mango, strawberry, and passion fruit.

The Belgian chocolate palette is a great option to try as well.

You can choose from many vegan options. For example, some great vegan options are the strawberry and strawberry paletas. You can also add a vegan dark chocolate dip to your ice cream.

Address: 1425 Winnifred St #104, Charlotte, NC 28203

Marble Slab Creamery

Marble Slab Creamery is an ice cream store that opened its first location in 1983. There are two locations of Marble Slab Creamery in Charlotte.

The ice cream that you can get here is homemade in small batches every day with fresh ingredients.

You can get regular ice cream in a variety of flavors, including unique flavors, such as the Cotton Candy Carnival.

Besides that, you can also get ice cream cakes, sundaes, shakes, and other treats at Marble Slab Creamery.

Address: 7800 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Ben and Jerry’s

Exterior of Ben and Jerry's in Charlotte
Outside of Ben and Jerry’s – CLS Digital Arts / Shutterstock.com

Ben & Jerry’s has two ice cream shops in Charlotte. These stores are locally owned and operated, and at the stores, you can get delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

One of the best flavors is the “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough”, which consists of vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookie dough.

The “Marshmallow Sky” is a great flavor as well. This is marshmallow-flavored ice cream that includes marshmallow, chocolate chip cookie dough, and chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough.

At the Foxcroft location, there is an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy your delicious frozen treat.

Address: 7800 Fairview Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226

Pelican’s Snoballs

Pelican’s SnoBalls is an ice cream store with three locations in Charlotte. At this store, which was founded in New Orleans, you can get delicious shaved ice.

You can choose from more than 100 different flavors of shaved ice, including lots of unique, creative ones, at Pelican’s SnoBalls. Because of this, there’s a flavor of everyone’s liking, and there’s always a new flavor to try.

Some of the flavors are candy apple, coffee, pomegranate, orange, green apple, and red velvet cake.

You can also add vanilla, chocolate, or a different type of ice cream to one of these flavors of shaved ice.

Address: 7833 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Bar Cocoa

Bar Cocoa is a dessert shop that is located on East Trade Street in The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte.

At Bar Cocoa, you can get house-made gelato. The gelato is delicious and very fresh, and there are unique flavors. One of the best flavors is the blueberry gelato.

Besides gelato, you can also get pastries, cakes, French macarons, and many more delicious treats at Bar Cocoa, as well as a variety of coffee drinks.

Address: 201 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

More Charlotte Articles

Day trips from Charlotte

Rainy day activities in Charlotte

Weekend trips from Charlotte

Things to do at night in Charlotte

Things to do in Charlotte with kids

Ice Cream in Charlotte Tips

Getting ice cream in Charlotte is very fun before or after doing some other activities in the city. You can find the shops in this article at many places in the city, and many are very close to some of the best things to do in Charlotte. For example, when you go to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art or Mint Museum Uptown, you can get great ice cream at Golden Cow Creamery’s Uptown location.

Fountain in front of the skyline of Charlotte
Fountain in Charlotte

Charlotte Ice Cream Shops Map


Thanks for reading my guide to the best ice cream shops in Charlotte! I hope I helped you decide where to go.

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