It’s heating up and ice cream is on our mind. We polled Charlotte on the Cheap readers on Facebook about their favorite ice cream shops in the Charlotte area and boy did they have opinions!
Read on for a list of all the ice cream shops recommended by readers, followed by a Google map so that you can plan your route! This list was updated in June of 2025. If you’re seeing it later, it’s possible that a shop might have closed (and that a fantastic new shop might have opened.)
Please note that this list certainly doesn’t include all the ice cream shops in the area, just the ones recommended by readers. If you have one that you think should be on the list, please email info@charlotteonthecheap.com and make your case! We’ll add more, as time permits.
The ice cream shops are listed in alphabetical order. Or you can jump right to the map.
Favorite Ice Cream Shops in Charlotte Area
Abbott’s Frozen Custard
Famous for their black raspberry.
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10070 Edison Square Drive NW, Concord, NC
1157 Stonecrest Blvd, Tega Cay, SC
Artisen Vegelato
Vegan and allergen-safe gelato. Dairy free, gluten free, nut free.
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301 W John Street, Matthews, NC
Ben & Jerry’s Davidson
Explore Davidson’s Main Street too!
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202 S Main Street, Davidson, NC
The Bridge Creamery & Soda Shop
An extension of The Bridge Restaurant. Specialty desserts, ice cream and milkshakes.
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5902 Indian Trail Fairview Road, Indian Trail, NC
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Serves premium, small batch ice cream, customized sundaes, thick milkshakes and more.
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Locations in Matthews, Indian Trail, Tega Cay/Fort Mill, SC, Cornelius, Monroe and Mooresville
Cabarrus Creamery
Excellent ice cream shop in the heart of Downtown Concord. Enjoy the new streetscape. If you want to really indulge your sweet tooth, also stop in Chocolatier Barrucand, just a few steps away, and bring something home.
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21 Union St S, Concord, NC
Carolina Cones
Play area and kiddie rides, plus a garden center behind the ice cream shop.
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20801 N Main Street, Cornelius, NC
Carolina Creamery
This is a walk-up spot. Several readers recommend the ginger ice cream.
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11300 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC
Carolina Scoops
In Downtown Pineville. Close to the splash pad and greenway. Recommended flavors include Stellar Coffee, Carolina Crunch and Banana Pudding.
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105 Dover Street, Pineville, NC
Creamy Scoop’s Ice Cream
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10005 Charlotte Hwy #101, Fort Mill, SC
Dollar Cone
Soft serve ice cream and baked goods. The ice cream is lactose and free and gluten free.
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5910 Waxhaw Hwy Suite D, Mineral Springs, NC
Downstairs Ice Cream
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167 W Main Avenue, Gastonia, NC
Frozen Kups
Frozen Yogurt
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4481 School House Commons, Harrisburg, NC
Golden Cow Creamery
A reader recommends the Salted Oreo. The Uptown Charlotte location is a convenient to museums and entertainment.
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Locations in Uptown Charlotte, South End and SouthPark
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Originating in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has many franchise locations.
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Locations in Steele Creek, Gastonia, Indian Land and Cornelius.
High Octane
Serves coffee, ice cream and sandwiches and more.
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114 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC
Huntersville Ice Cream Shop
Serves 40 flavors of Hershey’s Premium Ice Cream in Downtown Huntersville.
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100 Maxwell Avenue, Huntersville, NC
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Known for inventive flavors, especially limited edition seasonal ones
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Locations in South End, Park Road, NoDa and Rea Road
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Serves Italian Ice and soft serve.
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3501 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC
Kilwins
Top notch ice cream. Readers recommend anything with chocolate in it. Also, shop for chocolates and fudge.
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16926 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville, NC
Legends Ice Cream and Snacks
Mexican style popsicles made with real fruit or sweet cream.
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5708 N Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC
The Local Scoop
Follow The Local Scoop’s social media. They post the “name of the day” every Wednesday, and if it’s your name, you get a free scoop.
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Locations in Parktowne Village, Promenade on Providence, Downtown Matthews, and Rock Hill, SC
Morgan’s Dairy Bar & Calf-A
Facebook page for Stanley location
Locations in Stanley and Locust
Morgan’s Ice Cream Parlor & More
Serving 48 flavors.
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1619 E Main Street, Lincolnton, NC
Neveria El Chavo
A reader raves about the queso and the guava and mentions that you can watch them mix the fruit in the ice cream in the back.
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616-A W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC
Ninety’s Dessert Bar
Known for their inventive, over-the-top creations. At the Shoppes at University Place location in Charlotte, combine one of these treats with a walk around the pond or a paddle boat ride.
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9009-4 J.M. Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC
502 Cherry Road, Suite 105, Rock Hill, SC
Papa Robb’s Paradise Ice
Serves up many varieties of ice cream, Italian Ice, milkshakes and other cool treats.
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3700 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
PW’s Ice Cream
Long time favorite in Rock Hill
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491 S Herlong Avenue, Rock Hill, SC
Rocky River Coffee Co.
Serves up coffee, ice cream and more
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4350 Main Street #109, Harrisburg, NC
Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream
Everything is dairy, egg and gluten free.
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701 Keswick Avenue, #102, Charlotte, NC (Camp North End)
1308 The Plaza, Suite A, Charlotte, NC
224 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC
S & I Ice Cream
Popular walk-up window. Readers recommended the brownie sundae.
No website found
587 Church Street North, Concord, NC
The Social Cow
The popular ice cream truck now has a permanent home in the Market at 7th Street.
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224 E 7th Street (Market at 7th Street), Charlotte, NC
The Sundae Shop
Soft-serve ice cream, plus burgers and more.
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4400 NC-24, Midland, NC
Sweet Wheels NC
Fun, nostalgic flavors, as well as new ones.
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1901 NC-16 Business, Denver, NC
Tony’s Ice Cream
Family owned business serving ice cream since 1915. The ice cream (28 flavors) is made next door in the plant, and milkshakes are available in all the flavors.
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604 E Franklin Blvd #7111, Gastonia, NC
Trails Dynasty Miniature Golf and Creamery
Serves Hershey’s Ice Cream.
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2228 Younts Road, Indian Trail, NC
Two Scoops Creamery
A reader recommends the Oreo ice cream with salted caramel swirled in it.
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Locations in Plaza Midwood, South End, Mooresville, Rock Hill, SC, McAdenville and Spartanburg, SC
Waxhaw Creamery
Homemade ice cream and Italian Ice, made daily.
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109 E North Main Street, Waxhaw, NC
Whit’s Frozen Custard
Frozen custard made fresh on site. A reader recommends Buckeye Madness.
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Locations in Mooresville, Davidson and Huntersville
X-tra Ball
Ice cream and pinball parlor inside of Spandex City Comics
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8420 Bellhaven Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Dorinda Malloy says
You omitted Riverbend Creamery in Lincolnton NC. ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!