A Guide to Atlanta’s Favorite Ice Cream Spots

My love for ice cream is innate, much like a child’s love, it was nurtured from a young age by my grandfather.

Every evening after dinner, like clockwork, the assortment was unveiled; the first scoops went to the dogs and the remainder to us – nobody was left out. I don’t remember all of the flavors that I had to choose from, but I do remember that mint chocolate chip was always my favorite.

And since July is National Ice Cream Month and the 16th, in particular, is National Ice Cream Day the nostalgia creeps back in during the summer. 

As such, I have compiled a list of must-try creameries in the Atlanta area for you and your little ones. I’ve noted some of my favorite flavors may change with the season. Be it a local shop, Saturday breakfast, or a nearby hiking trail, make sure to include some constants in the lives of your little ones – things for them to look back on and remember with sweet memories and sticky fingers.

A Guide to Atlanta’s Favorite Ice Cream Spots

ITP Parlors:

• Honeysuckle Gelato – Honeysuckle Gelato began as a food truck before moving into specialty food stores and now, finally, a brick & mortar location in Ponce City Market.  If you, too, have been spoiled by this Italian-style ice cream while abroad, give Honeysuckle a try. I love the Fig & Honey flavor for something different.
• Morelli’s Ice Cream – For your classic creamery try Morelli’s on Moreland in Little Five Points. It’s the rich & decadent flavors that won us all over as kids but with a few twists. I love the Elvis Lives, which was my son’s first cone on his 9-month birthday; the peanut butter and banana combination seemed appropriate for a baby and, luckily, proved him to be nut allergy-free.
• Butter & Cream – This is another Atlanta-based shop that is newer to the scene than the others but still scooping up delicious, from-scratch ice cream in Decatur Square. In addition to the classics, you can find decadent flavors like Butterscotch Brownie and Cashew Crème Brulé.

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – Jeni’s hails from Ohio but has made a large footprint on the Atlanta scene with its three locations in Westside Provisions, Krog Street Market, and Decatur Square. You can count on them for unique seasonal flavors, quality whole ingredients, and plenty of samples! Current favorites include Atlantic Beach Pie, Brambleberry Crisp, and Brown Butter Almond Brittle.

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OTP Parlors:

• Sweet Treats (Marietta Square) – No limits here. With their special hand-dipped ice cream machine, you can let your creativity run wild (or choose a store favorite from their long list of combinations). Fruit, nuts, candy and even syrup choices like amaretto and Kahlua make for some non-traditional cool treats. Our favorite is chocolate with amaretto. They will also make a special treat for your four-legged kids too!
• Frozen Cow Creamery (Kennesaw) – New to the scene, this spot is not only located
  in a cute house near downtown Kennesaw, with a precious front porch and rocking chairs but it is like watching a science experiment! They start with sweet cream, add your flavors of choice and use a nitrogen cooling system to make your scoop right in front of you! We opted for a mint chip on the hot afternoon visit, but we also hear the banana pudding is a fan favorite.
• Buzzed Bull Creamery (Milton) – This is a very unique spot. They hand-craft each ice cream and milkshake with the use of liquid nitrogen right in front of you, making it truly the freshest around. For adults, they also offer alcohol-infused ice cream & milkshakes… yes, please.
• Where’s the Scoop? (Alpharetta) – Such fun options here! Strawberry Shawty, Banana Puddin’, Lucky Charms… so many great ones. They are also delicious with rolled, hand-made, farm-fresh dairy recipes that the entire family will love.
• Scoops (Multiple OTP locations)- Scoops is more than your average ice cream shop. With an abundance of sweet treats wherever your eyes take you from chocolate treats and wall-to-wall candy, you’ll know that you’re in sweet-tooth heaven. But don’t forget the ice cream! Most locations offer 32 flavors of handcrafted ice cream with too many mix-ins to list, and if we don’t have your favorite one their friendly staff will be more than happy to make it for you on our cold stone. The combinations are endless and with 10 different types of ice cream cones, you are limited only by your imagination.

In-store Brands:

• High Road Ice Cream & Sorbet – High Road first opened the business as a wholesaler churning out specialty flavors for local chefs and restaurants. Lucky for us, they became so popular that their pints are now sold at specialty food & grocery stores. You can also order online and by the pan, which was a huge late-night hit at our wedding.

• Chloe’s Soft Serve Popsicles – I have to give a special mention to Chloe’s, founded by a mompreneur in NYC who wanted something better for her pregnant self and future baby. Ice cream, no, but good enough to feed your little ones every day, yes!

Where will you be celebrating National Ice Cream Day?