Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream
10120 Green Level Church Road, #208, Cary, andisicecream.com
Andia Xouris’s award-winning scoops include classics such as vanilla and double dark chocolate, but don’t miss unique flavors such as rose pistachio and baklava. There are also lovely sorbets (try the lemon basil) and vegan ice cream, too, including mint chip. Order a flight of mini scoops if you can’t make up your mind.
FRESH. Local Ice Cream
6033 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh; 138 East Chatham Street, Cary; freshlocalicecream.com
This Raleigh-based shop (which also has a truck and, soon, an Apex location) is revered for its fresh-churned ice cream crafted with local dairy. Favorites include Carolina Crunch, in which salted caramel scoops are strewn with Heath and Butterfinger pieces, and seasonal flavors such as blueberry and peach.
Goodberry’s Frozen Custard
Everywhere, goodberrys.com
This Raleigh-based chainlet is beloved for its creamy, all-natural frozen custard, made fresh every hour from the original 1988 recipe. Chocolate, vanilla, and sugar-free vanilla are available daily, along with a rotating flavor of the day, but you can create your own concoction with a Carolina Concrete.
Locopops
2618 Hillsborough Road, Durham, ilovelocopops.com
Locopops is beloved for its paletas—Mexican-inspired popsicles that come in creamy and fruity flavors alike. Flavors change seasonally, but look for standbys like Mexican chocolate and lemon curd. Though the paletas are distributed throughout the Triangle, Locopops’ brick-and-mortar location is the perfect bookend to a sunny day.
Paleteria La Monarca Michoacana
3901 Capital Blvd, #115, Raleigh
This unpretentious paleta shop sells fresh, affordable ice cream and popsicles that are packed with flavor—and sometimes actual fruit. Try the strawberries and cream, guava, pistachio, or, if you’re looking for a little kick, mango with chile.
The Parlour
117 Market Street, Durham, theparlour.co
Stop into The Parlour for supremely craveable scoops (or to-go pints) like the always popular salted caramel or seasonal favorites such as Vietnamese iced coffee and blackberry peach. Vegans swear by the vegan chocolate, too.
Treat
305 South Blount Street, Raleigh, treatraleigh.com
Hit up Treat after a trip to City Market or the Marbles Kids Museum and try the Devil’s Delight, a chocolate base folded with Kat, Twix, and chocolate chips, or opt for seasonal flavors such as blueberries and cream.
Two Roosters
7713 Lead Mine Road, #49, 217 East Franklin Street, Raleigh, tworoosters.com
We love the creative flavors here, particularly “the regulars,” such as blackberry hibiscus bourbon coffee, made with Slingshot Coffee’s cold brew and Mystic bourbon. Rotating monthly flavors, called “the guests,” center on a theme or flavor, such as bakeries or cake. (The East Franklin location, in Person Street Plaza, has been closed for renovations but should reopen in spring 2019.)
Vida Dulce
836 East Chatham Street, #104, Cary, facebook.com/vidadulcenc
At this Mexican-style ice cream shop, you’ll find more than sixty flavors (try the pine nut or strawberry butter) and as many paletas, which come in fruit-forward flavors such as coconut and whimsical creations such as Oreo or fruity pebbles. Also worth a try: the churro split, starring three scoops nestled between two fresh, crispy churros and finished with a flurry of toppings.
Yogurt Pump
106 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, yogurtpump.com
YoPo has been serving sweet treats since 1982. Eight rotating flavors can be mixed, matched, swirled, and topped with anything from fresh fruit to crushed Oreos. Choose from such flavors as like sea salt caramel, brownie batter, or birthday cake, tart flavors such as raspberry, or fruit sorbets.
2018 Best of the Triangle Readers’ Pick, Best Frozen Treats: The Parlour.
Finalists: Locopops, Fresh. Local Ice Cream, Treat Ice Cream & Coffee.