Summer is here, and with it comes sweltering city temps. Cool off with a sweet frozen treat from one of the 9 best ice cream shops in Atlanta.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Okay yes, this may be an Ohio-based brand, but Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has recently taken Atlanta by storm with local outposts in Decatur, Krog Street Market and Westside Provisions District. Jeni’s spearheaded the artisan ice cream movement more than a decade before it became a trend, utilizing whole ingredients, dairy from grass-pastured cows and nixing synthetic flavorings, dyes and off-the-shelf mixes. The result? Delicious, creamy offerings in flavors like frosé sorbet, sweet cream biscuits with peach jam and fluffernutter pie that are guaranteed to hit the spot. Multiple locations, jenis.com
High Road Craft Ice Cream
This ice cream manufacturer may not have a shoppable storefront, but you’ll find its frozen treats sold in restaurants and specialty stores across the state, as well as on delivery services like DoorDash and Postmates. Founded by a friendly team of food industry insiders and veteran chefs, all flavors are crafted in-house in the brand’s Marietta lab. With a range of classic favorites from vanilla and fresh mint chip to specialty concoctions like bourbon burnt sugar and mango rum cake, you’re sure to find a flavor you fancy. Highroadcraft.com
Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Boasting the original flash-frozen ice cream recipe, the use of liquid nitrogen creates a smoother, creamier and denser finish than traditional freezing methods. Stop by one of the many Atlanta locations to customize your own treat from a wide variety of cream bases and tasty mix-ins. Already-crafted creations include Magnetic Mint with mint and fudge ice cream, Oreo and Andes mints as well as the Key Lime Voltage featuring limes and cheesecake ice cream topped with graham cracker and cheesecake bites. Multiple locations, subzeroicecream.com
Paolo’s Gelato
Indulge in an incredibly authentic Italian gelateria experience courtesy of Paolo Dalla Zorza, founder and native of Treviso, Italy. For over 20 years, Paolo has dedicated himself to providing bona fide gelato to Atlanta’s finest, with over 62 different creamy and fruity flavors. Drop by the Virginia Highlands staple for a cup, cone or take-home quart, or sample one of the many imported Italian coffees, candies, cookies and cannolis. Ask about his Gelato Art, such as the signature “spaghetti” made from vanilla gelato shaped like pasta topped with strawberry sauce and grated coconut. 1025 Virginia Ave. NE, Paolo's Gelato on Instagram
Butter & Cream
Locally crafted in small batches with real cream and fresh ingredients, the brilliant minds at Butter & Cream take classic flavors and reinvent them with unique, modern twists. Offering up to 20 different flavors at any given time, you can expect seasonal rotations of quirky concoctions, including milkshakes, slushies and ice cream floats. Every inclusion, from brownies and cookies to toffee and sauces, are made in-house and guaranteed fresh. Be sure to stop by the Beltline location with your pooch and treat them to a pup cup. Multiple locations, butterandcream.com
Honeysuckle Gelato
What started as a simple passion project between friends has grown into a popular brick-and-mortar outpost in Ponce City Market selling handcrafted, Southern-inspired gelato scoops, pints, sandwiches and even milkshakes. Scrumptious flavors include brown butter crunch, lemon raspberry crumble and bourbon pecan praline. Honeysuckle Gelato donates 5% of profits to various Feeding America food banks, so these are calories you can surely feel good about. It’s famous too, having been featured in such magazines as Vogue, Southern Living and Bon Appétit. What else are you waiting for? 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, honeysucklegelato.com
Jake’s Ice Cream
If it’s variety you’re looking for, then this is the place for you. Jake’s has an overwhelming amount of ice creams, sorbets, gelatos, sherbets and frozen yogurts on offer, including five variations of vanilla and nearly 12 different flavors of chocolate. Founded in 1999, this Inman Park creamery boasts a content of 18% butterfat, the highest you’ll find in any ice cream, making it the smoothest, creamiest treat in town. Searching for something a little lighter? Try the Joyscream with a new, healthy sweetener designed by the store's in-house team. And yes, Jake is real, and you’ll probably see him around. 660 Irwin St. NE, jakesicecream.com
Sweet-Stack Creamery
Located on the edge of downtown Atlanta, this delightful dessert bar is best known for its trademark sweet stacks—aka the ultimate ice cream sandwich. This winning combination of refreshing ice cream between heat-pressed doughnuts or crumbly cookies is sure to satisfy any and every sweet tooth. Try inventive and cheekily-named flavors like the Amber Rose, a pink cotton candy ice cream filled with red and blue Pop Rocks, or the Falcons-themed Dirty Bird made with vanilla-based ice cream and pecans. 25 Piedmont Ave. NE, sweet-stack.com
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream
Founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Donald and Clarissa Morelli, this is a sweet spot that’s not to be missed. They claim to have Atlanta’s best salted caramel ice cream, and for good reason. Conan O’Brien has visited and endorsed the treat, and even helped serve some scoops to other customers. And that’s not all: Morelli’s was dubbed the fourth best ice cream shop in America by none other than Bon Appétit magazine. Suffice it to say, you’re in good hands here. Multiple locations, morellisicecream.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Erwan Hesry/Unsplash; Courtesy of Alana Harris/Unsplash; Courtesy of Flavio Shibata/Unsplash
