If you find yourself suffering from the oppressive heat of a North Carolina summer, look no further than Raleigh ice cream shops. From classic parlors with sundaes that defy gravity to innovative creameries boasting flavors both whimsical and wonderful, Raleigh offers a something for everyone. Dive into the world of sunshine and sprinkles and the smoothest, creamiest concoctions that make up Raleigh’s ice cream wonderland.
I have personally only tried less than half of these Raleigh ice cream shops. Shame on me. As a result, the information I’m sharing is from a combination of personal experience, with some help from friends, Google reviews, and business websites. Here’s the scoop on 40+ ice shops in Raleigh, organized by location.
City Market
These are ice cream in the area east of Fayetteville Street, around City Market, Moore Square, and Transfer Food Hall.
Amorino Gelato – International gelato shop that shapes their ice cream into a flower! In addition to scoops, they offer gelato macarons, waffles, crepes, espresso drinks, and other sweet treats.
Captain Cookie & the Milk Man – Indulge in Captain Cookie and the Milk Man’s freshly baked, made-from-scratch cookies, paired perfectly with local dairy and enormous ice cream sandwiches.
Raleigh Popsicle Co – Hand-crafted gourmet popsicles made from local fruit and fruit purree. Also look for popsicles filled with cookies, cereals, and other fun things. You can also have your popsicle dipped or drizzled with additional toppings. And they have Philly Water Ice, too!
Warehouse District
This is the area directly west of the Fayetteville Street District. It is defined by Dawson Street to the east, the train tracks to the south and west and Edenton Street to the North.
Big League Waffles & Scoops – Get Liege waffles and local ice cream at this spot in Morgan Street Food Hall.
Raleigh Rolls – This spot in Morgan Street Food Hall offers ice cream rolled on cold slabs which is then adorned with an array of toppings.
Videri Chocolate Factory – This local chocolatier transforms cocoa beans into tasty treats. Explore on a self-guided tour, and then enjoy a chocolate bar, bonbons, or ice cream.
Boylan Heights
This area includes Boylan Heights proper as well as anything north of MLK, west of the train tracks that cut off the west side of downtown, and east of the prison.
Bold Batch Creamery – Bold Batch pride themselves on making super premium, artisanal small batch ice cream with the greatest care. They currently take online orders that can be scheduled for pickup at Hartwell on Friday evenings or from their production facility on certain weekdays. They also plan to deliver through DoorDash.
Smokey Hollow and N West Street
This is Smokey Hollow and North Street north of Peace Street.
MILKLAB – This all-organic spot offers brewed teas, boba tea, and rolled custard-based ice cream.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas – This spot offers gourmet ice cream paletas, a Mexican frozen treat made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. They have a denser texture and more intense flavors than typical popsicles.
Hillsborough Street
This includes a couple blocks on either side of Hillsborough Street from Park Drive on the east to I-440 on the west. Because it runs alongside NC State campus and Meredith College campus, the businesses in this area are very popular with students.
Ben & Jerry’s – The ice cream treats at this Vermont-based chain are renowned for their playful titles and inventive concoctions.
Insomnia Cookies – This bakery chain delivers warm treats and ice cream to satisfy your late-night sweet tooth.
Morgan West
This is a small area that connects east of the Hillsborough Street District, south of Glenwood South, and west of the Warehouse District. It is home to a few restaurants and bars with more coming.
Coffee woRx & Maple View Farm Ice Cream – This coffee counter and ice cream shop with Maple View Farms Ice Cream can be found inside Raleigh Pharmacy.
Person Street and Seaboard Station
This small district is bounded by train tracks / Capital Blvd to the west and Peace Street to the south. It includes businesses along Person Street and Blount Street, Seaboard Station, and William Peace University.
The Yard Milkshake Bar – Brace yourselves for milkshakes of such magnificence, they would send lesser mortals into a diabetic coma. Choose from over 32 flavor choices.
Two Roosters – Local ice cream chain with creative new flavours every month. Try an ice cream flight!
Village District
This area includes the Village District development as well as the businesses directly to the west and south.
Goodberries – At this frozen custard chain, let your imagination run wild and craft a confection that’s uniquely yours. Start with chocolate, vanilla, or a delightful flavor-of-the-day, then choose from a cornucopia of captivative candies and whimsical toppings to mix in.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Jeni’s ice cream is ultra-creamy, smooth, and truly decadent. Expect high-quality ingredients and unique flavors. They even carry equally delicious gluten free and dairy free options.
Iron District
This small but dense previously industrial district includes Iron Works, Dock 1053, and Salvage Yard.
Andia’s Ice Cream – Local ice cream chain offering exceptional ice cream in various forms and flavors as well as vegan and gluten-free ice cream options. Look for over the top milkshakes or get an ice cream flight!
Midtown Far East
This is the area directly north of Oakwood. It is defined by Raleigh Blvd to the east, Glascock St to the south, Capital Blvd to the west. It includes Gateway Plaza, the businesses on Automotive Way, several residential neighborhoods, and Lions Park.
Escazu – Escazu is a bean to bar chocolatier offering great chocolate bars, individually wrapped chocolates, ice cream, hot chocolate, and a basic espresso menu. Enjoy your ice cream treat out front in the sun.
East Raleigh
This is anything east of the I-440.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – At this venerable chain, one could find not only mountains of golden, crispy fries and an assortment of burgers, but also a selection of soft-serve ice cream treats.
North Hills
I’m including the North Hills development and surrounding businesses as well as the area between St Albans Dr and I-440 to Wake Forest Rd.
Ben & Jerry’s – The ice cream treats at this Vermont-based chain are renowned for their playful titles and inventive concoctions.
Kilwins Raleigh – If you find yourself wandering down the street, nose twitching with anticipation, and eyes wide with wonder, you’re probably close to a Kilwins. This sweets chain sells chocolates, confections, fudge, and original recipe ice cream.
Crabtree Valley Mall
Considering this is a mall, there is a bounty of ice cream shops if you need to cool off.
Creamed – This spot sells cereal infused ice cream that will whisk you back to your childhood.
Dippin’ Dots – Whimsical dessert chain serving flavored ice cream and frozen yogurt in the shape of petite orbs of joy.
Häagen-Dazs – This ice cream chain has been making premium ice cream since the 1960s.
Raleigh Popsicle Co – Handcrafted gourmet popsicles made from local fruit and fruit puree. Also look for popsicles filled with cookies, cereals, and other fun things. You can also have your popsicle dipped or drizzled with additional toppings. And they have Philly Water Ice, too!
West Raleigh
This is west of I-440, north of US-1, south of Wade Avenue / I-40. I also includes the area north of Wade Avenue south, east of Edwards Mill Road, south of Glenwood Avenue, and west of I-440.
Two Roosters – Local ice cream chain with creative new flavours every month. Try an ice cream flight!
North Raleigh
This is pretty much everything north of I-440, aside from North Hills and Crabtree Valley Mall.
Baskin-Robbins – This delightful ice cream emporium boasts a riot of flavors that would make a rainbow blush. Not only do they have a ton of ice cream flavors, they have sorbet and frozen yogurt too!
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – Counter-serve chain where each flavor is made fresh, on-site, every day.
Champloo Desserts Boba & Rolled Ice Cream – This place offers boba teas, smoothies, and rolled ice cream with tons of mix-ins and toppings to choose from.
Cold Stone Creamery – There is not one but two locations of this ice cream chain in North Raleigh. At Cold Stone, you get to craft your own ice-cream creation and see it brought to life on a chilled granite slab.
Dairy Queen (Treat) – At this venerable chain, one could find not only mountains of golden, crispy fries and an assortment of burgers, but also a selection of soft-serve ice cream treats.
FRESH. Local Ice Cream – This local ice cream chain makes fresh handmade ice cream every week. Look for a ton of great flavors that can be ordered as scoops or in a sundae, shake, or float!
Paleteria La Michoacana Premium – Mexican spot selling paletas, aguas frescas, ice cream, and other sweet and savory treats.
Paleteria La Monarca Michoacana – Look for homemade paletas, scoops and over the top sundaes at this Mexican spot.
Two Roosters – Local ice cream chain with creative new flavours every month. Try an ice cream flight!
South Raleigh
This is the area south/west of I-40 and east of US-1.
Flavors Ice cream – Choose from 24 flavors of super premiun ice cream from Wisconsin at this independant ice cream parlor. They offer scoops, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and Oreo ice cream sandwiches in addition to cakes and cupcakes.
Goodberries – This frozen custard chain has two locations in South Raleigh, so let your imagination run wild and craft a confection that’s uniquely yours. Start with chocolate, vanilla, or a delightful flavor-of-the-day, then choose from a cornucopia of captivative candies and whimsical toppings to mix in.
Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery – Ice cream shop located on a real dairy farm. Enjoy a scooped ice cream, banana split, sundae, specialty coffee, non-dairy smoothie, or milkshake while surrounded by adorable cows.
La Deliciosa – This Mexican spot offers ice cream, paletas, and a variety of savory Mexican snacks.
Have you been to many of these ice cream shops in Raleigh? Is there one that you want to try?
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