It's hard to beat a frosty cup or cone of ice cream—and there's no shortage of spots around town to sample the very best scoops. Here are four of our favorite creameries around town, along with a best bet for vegan ice cream or sorbet, in case lactose isn't really your thing.
Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream
Ormewood Park/Dunwoody
"Atlanta's favorite ice cream" has been going strong since 2008, and it might hold the title of largest flavor library in the city, with over 200 in its rotation. Some of the only-in-Georgia favorites include chocolate sea turtle (inspired by caramel-pecan turtle candy), Krispy Kreamier (with chunks of original glazed), and blueberry corncake. Though the original in Ormewood has the biggest selection, you can also find Morelli's inside Farm Burger in Dunwoody and at a kiosk at the airport.
Vintage Frozen Custard
West Side/Home Park
The Midwest's favorite frozen treat has come to Atlanta in the form of Vintage, which started as a food truck before opening its Westside brick-and-mortar. The flavor selection is small (vanilla, chocolate, and a daily rotating flavor), but the combinations are many: try the custard atop a crispy Liege waffle with hot fudge, or in an "everydae" sundae like the Monkey Business, with caramelized banana sauce and dark chocolate sprinkles.
Queen of Cream
Old Fourth Ward
The only Atlanta shop that makes its own ice cream base, Queen of Cream is committed to from-scratch goodness—which can be tasted in its super-seasonal flavor selection, which might include brown sugar rhubarb crisp in the spring and peach cobbler in the summer. Year-round, you'll be able to sample lavender honeycomb, cold brew coffee with cocoa nibs, and brown butter pecan. Be sure to drop by for the special homemade Choco Tacos on Tuesdays.
Honeysuckle Gelato
Old Fourth Ward
Also founded as a food truck, this gelateria became so popular that it eventually scored its own space within Ponce City Market. There, it scoops up indulgent flavors like bourbon, toasted marshmallow, and Irish cream, in cups, cones, or cookie (or brownie, or pie crust) sandwiches. It's also a treat that gives back: Honeysuckle donates 5% of all its profits to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Dairy-free option: Jake's Ice Cream
Old Fourth Ward/East Point
While Jake's has plenty of indulgent flavors for the dairy-lovers out there, vegans and diabetics scream for its Joyscream, a line of dairy-free ice creams made with alternative sweeteners. Options include toasted coconut, kiwi, dark chocolate, and mint chocolate chip, and there's also a cafe menu with savory options like salads, croissant French toast, and baked goods. In addition to their two locations, be sure to keep an eye out for Reno, Jake's ice cream truck.
