12 essential ice cream stops around Charlotte and what to order
I scream, you scream, doesn’t everyone scream for ICE CREAM? Summer weather has quickly arrived, so grab your spoon and dig into one of these 12 frozen treat stops around the Charlotte region.
Charlotte:
Amelie’s French Bakery
Everyone here is aware that Amelie’s offers a variety of fancy desserts and confections. However, have you heard the big news? They are now offering ice cream (and sorbet) sandwiches made with their famous macarons!
What should you order? Here is the flavor breakdown for their two offerings – (1) Lavender Lemon sorbet between two macaron cookies and (2) Salted caramel custard ice cream with salted caramel brownie pieces between two macaron cookies.
A post shared by Amélie's French Bakery & Café (@ameliesfrenchbakery) on May 23, 2018 at 7:06am PDT
Bar Cocoa
201 E. Trade Street
This chocolate retail shop is located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. They specialize in house-made pastries, French macarons, cakes and house-made gelato.
What should you order? Gelato push pops. “We decided to bring back the push-pop to invoke a sense of ‘90s nostalgia,” said Head Pastry Chef Crystal Broadbent. “Warm weather and chilled treats signaled the beginning of summer as a child, and we aim to recall those memories through timeless flavors.”
Golden Cow Creamery
Multiple Locations
Customers can expect hand-crafted small batch ice cream that changes seasonally. It’s owned by North Carolina natives Liz and Alex Hannah, who only use fresh milk, cream, sugar, real fruit and locally-sourced spices (when possible) in their flavors.
What should you order? They are widely known for their throwback Dunkaroos variety, but I also really enjoy the Salted Oreo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiWrvATB3Fr/?taken-by=goldencowcreamery
Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream & Drive In
2107 South Blvd.
Family owned and operated since 1967, this diner allows patrons to go back in time to yesteryear and enjoy the simplicities of classic fare.
What should you order? You can’t go wrong with the Ice Cream Blitz. Customers choose a soft serve flavor and customize it by choosing one of these add-ins: Butterfinger – Gummy Bears – Heath – Kit Kat – M&Ms – Oreos – Peanuts – Pecans – Spanish Peanuts – Sprinkles.
Ninety’s Ice Cream & Sandwiches
9009 J M Keynes Dr. # 4
It’s all in the name… my personal favorite is the fact that they often feature cereals from my childhood.
What should you get? Grab an ice cream sammy. Expect a mound of delicious ice cream between two macaron buns. They often add those cereals I was talking about into the mix… see drool worthy photo below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiNYf31A47O/?taken-by=ninetysicecream
Pelican’s SnoBalls
You’ll know you’ve found the right place when you see a bright blue building with pink writing. There’s over 100 flavors to choose from, so get creative and make your own vacation in a cup.
What should you get? In order to jam-pack an assortment of flavors into one glorious cup, I go for the rainbow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYtFi0iFzr_/?taken-by=lehighpelicans
Pop Bar
3123 North Davidson St.
Located in NoDa, this popsicle paradise allows you to decorate your ice-cold flavor of choice with a variety of dipping sauces and toppings.
What should you get? I’ve never had a bad treat here… and I can’t wait to get my hands on their new popStuff’d! bars. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, let us know if you’ve snagged yours in the comments below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjL2SEKFlPr/?taken-by=popbar
Two Scoops Creamery
This shop is locally owned and run by three best friends; how cool is that? All of their ice creams are made from their family’s secret recipes – which makes their varieties unique to the Two Scoops stores only. They have two locations in Charlotte and one in Lake Norman (Mooresville).
What should you get? My favorite will always be their Cookie Monster.
A post shared by twoscoopscreamery (@twoscoopscreamery) on Apr 14, 2018 at 9:09am PDT
Gastonia:
Tony’s Ice Cream Company
Ice creams are freshly made right next door to their family-style restaurant in downtown Gastonia. If the name sounds familiar, they also package and sell their sweet tubs of deliciousness in grocery stores and restaurants throughout the state.
What should you get? I’m a-ok with a waffle cone and mint chocolate chip (or get whatever your favorite flavor is – they have over 20 to choose from). If you’re feeling extra special, go for a hot fudge sundae.
Lake Norman:
I recently gabbed about my favorite places to eat and drink around the Lake. Of course, Carolina Cones and Whit’s Frozen Custard are both a must-try if you haven’t visited them yet. Check out my other two round-ups for more details.
10 of the best places to wine and dine in Cornelius.
Honorable Mention:
1608 East Blvd.
I know this isn’t an ice cream shop, but their Pistachio Gelato Sundae is what dreams are made of.
If we missed your preferred parlor, please share your scoop in the comments section below. Per the usual, this is not a catch-all list… and we’d love to hear about your sweet picks if they’re not included above.
And if you’re looking to indulge in a pint at home, we ranked six of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams over on my blog. Spoiler Alert: The Brambleberry Crisp is sinfully addicting (and my personal favorite).
This story was originally published June 5, 2018 at 1:00 AM with the headline "12 essential ice cream stops around Charlotte and what to order."