Check out Atlanta’s ice cream scene and find special treats for you and your kids.
Nothing makes my kids happier after a day in the Atlanta summertime heat than a trip to the ice cream shop. This diverse city has so many local shops full of rich and unique flavors, you’re bound to earn a “Mom of the Year” award just for stopping by.
Don’t settle for the run-of-the-mill chain ice cream shop when there are so many fantastic places to choose from. Read on for our list of the best ice cream shops where Atlanta parents, babysitters, and nannies can take the kids for their next sugar rush.
Address: 477 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. | Saturday, noon. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 404-491-9520
I’m a firm believer that when indulging in dessert, you should never cut corners on flavor in the name of healthy eating. I’ll gladly take my extra calories in the form of rich dark chocolate any day. Revolution Gelato in East Atlanta Village will make you question whether you’ve been doing dessert wrong all this time.
This gelato shop is a real game-changer for any family, especially those with dietary restrictions. The owners of Revolution Gelato have created an all-natural, organic, kosher, gluten-free, and vegan gelato that makes even the most skeptical reviewer ask for more. The seating can be limited during the lunchtime rush, so plan on taking the kids for a late-afternoon snack instead.
Roll It Up
Address: 5150 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30340
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m
Phone: 470-545-0357
If your 2-year-old is anything like mine was, predictability is a must. The world would end if his banana wasn’t cut in just the right way. If that is the case, you may want to play it safe and take your toddler to a Dairy Queen for some plain vanilla ice cream. However, if your kids love trying new things, then this Thai-style ice cream shop is a unique dessert experience they will love. Instead of being scooped into a cone, your ice cream is spread thinly on a frozen metal plate, sprinkled with toppings of your choice, and rolled up right before your eyes. Prices here are higher than at the average ice cream shop (starting at $5.99), but you’re paying for food and the experience.
Funky wall decor and a view of the kitchen will have your child begging to come back to this unique ice cream shop. Ice cream is rolled before your eyes or frozen in liquid nitrogen for a creamier texture. Since all items are made to order, the lines can be long, but your child will be so enthralled by the preparation of their dessert, they won’t notice the wait. Seating is limited and the shop is noisy, but quiet conversations aren’t common in our household, so this is a great place for my kids to blend into the scene.
Honeysuckle Gelato
Address: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 8 p.m
Phone: 404-228-7825
Located inside the Ponce City Market, this ice cream shop is great for families, but it may be challenging at times for those of you with strollers. Honeysuckle Gelato has a diverse selection of flavors. My 5-year-old is particularly fond of the Nutella and doughnut options.
Grab your ice cream and sneak upstairs, where you’ll find plenty of AC and additional room to move without bumping into strangers. Once the kids are all sugared up, you can let them try a round of mini-golf on the course on the roof (admission fee required). Their happiness is worth leaving the crowded restaurants and giving them a place to burn off that newfound energy.
Butter & Cream
Address: 416 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030
Hours: Open daily, noon – 11 p.m.
Phone: 404-378-7272
Ask any Atlanta local about their favorite ice cream shop and Butter & Cream is sure to be at the top of the list. This is my favorite spot to go midday, when the lines aren’t as long. We love spending the afternoon wandering through downtown Decatur, shopping for books at Little Shop of Stories, and then settling into a big bowl of Butter & Cream’s ice cream. The weekends can get pretty crowded, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, especially on weekend evenings.
Enjoy your treat at one of the (few) tables inside, or head outside to one of the many public benches where you and the family can sit, eat, and watch passersby. Be sure to try a homemade waffle cone with hot fudge, and also ask about their loyalty program. I can promise you’ll be back for more.
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Dessert
Address: 749 Moreland Ave. SE, Ste. B-102, Atlanta, GA 30316
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m. | Friday – Saturday, noon – 11 p.m.
Phone: 404-622-0210
My kids love nothing better than to grab a sweet treat from Morelli’s after a hot day at the Atlanta Zoo. The lack of indoor seating means no AC to cool off in. However, the ice cream is enough to help the kids chill while relaxing at one of the many outdoor tables. They have a number of unique flavors that rotate daily, often with no consistency. Smooth Monkey is my favorite combination of banana, chocolate swirl, and pecans. With the variety of flavors available, you’re sure to find something you like. Just don’t get your heart set on one particular flavor before you arrive, because it might not be there anymore!
If they’re available, grab a scoop of Krispy Kreamier (made with real Krispy Kreme doughnuts) or Cookie Dough (bursting with chunks of Famous Amos cookies and fresh cookie dough).
Ice cream fans, join Atlanta’s finest on July 22, 2017, at Piedmont Park for the seventh annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival.
Did we list all your favorite Atlanta ice cream shops? Let us know in the comments below!
Care.com City Guides:
Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Los Angeles, CA | Miami, FL | Minneapolis, MN | New Haven, CT | New York, NY | Orlando, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA | Tampa, FL | Toledo, OH | Washington, DC
