Make some sweet summer memories with these delicious dessert spots in Raleigh.
By Margaret Devitt
As the summer temperatures begin to hit their peak, it can feel like you’re spending all your free time trying to cool down — which maybe isn’t so bad if you’re chilling with a sweet frozen treat. Fortunately, Raleigh has plenty of spots to grab a popsicle, milkshake or ice cream. Here are 10 places we’ve found to satisfy your sweet tooth and beat the heat.
Amorino Raleigh
Cool off with some traditional Italian gelato at Amorino. Originally founded in Paris by two childhood friends, this downtown sorbet shop has dozens of flavors on display in its glass-front cabinet, from traditional ones like strawberry, mango and banana to exotic ones like lime & basil, amarena and stracciatella. The signature order: gelato scooped into a cone petal-by-petal into the shape of a rose. All of Amorino’s sorbets and gelati are gluten free and there are vegan options. In addition to gelato, they offer macaroons, waffles and milkshakes. 137 E. Davie Street | amorino.com
Andia’s Ice Cream
Branching out from its Cary locations into a new-ish space in Raleigh Iron Works, Andia’s Ice Cream started with desserts inspired by owner Andia Xouris’ Greek roots. Now, Andia’s offers a full range of flavors, including cake batter, rose pistachio and baklava, as well as rotating specials like pineapple upside down cake (pineapple ice cream with chunks of vanilla cake) and cookie explosion (a vanilla base with various types of cookies and m&ms). If you can’t choose just one dessert, try one of their Instagram-worthy monster shakes, which are mason jars of ice cream with baked goods stacked on top. 2201 Iron Works Drive, Suite 129 | andiasicecream.com
Captain Cookie and the Milk Man
Head over to Transfer Co Food Hall for a delicious combination of cookies and ice cream made into one giant dessert. With recipes made by the founder from over three decades of tinkering and testing, these cookies are packed full of flavor and melt in your mouth. It only takes two simple steps: first choose your cookie (chocolate, peanut butter and confetti are just a few options) and then add your ice cream (vanilla, chocolate or strawberry) for a fun twist on an ice cream sandwich. Inside Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E Davie Street | captaincookienc.com
Goodberry’s Frozen Custard
Started right here in Raleigh in 1988, Goodberry’s sets out to maintain the timeless taste of custard made with only natural ingredients. With nine locations in the Triangle, including one in The Village District, they offer a countless number of combinations for cups, cones, milkshakes, floats and sundaes. Try their famous Carolina Concrete and mix your own custard and toppings to get exactly what you’re looking for and check out their calendar to see what they’re offering as the flavor of the day. Various locations | goodberrys.com
Howling Cow
North Carolina State University’s Howling Cow Dairy Products are a hit with students and visitors alike. This premium ice cream is made right on campus at the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Science’s Feldmeier Dairy Processing Lab in Schaub Hall. Pick up your favorite flavors (like Chancellor’s Wolf Tracks, Lemon Wafer or Cherry Vanilla) from the Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery. To learn how the milk gets from the farm to the table — and to eat the ice cream — check out the recently-built Randleigh Dairy Heritage Museum on NC State’s farm grounds. 100 Dairy Lane | howlingcow.ncsu.edu
MILKLAB
Stop by MILKLAB in Smoky Hollow for a Taiwanese-inspired treat of icy bubble tea. You’ll have the option to try tea flavors (like Rose Oolong, Ceylon and Matcha) or fruit teas (like Mango, Strawberry or Lychee). If you’re more in the mood for ice cream, they offer signature rolled ice cream with toppings of your choice. Order from the pre-designed menu and get fun creations like Kimochi (vanilla, strawberry and graham cracker) and Cup O’ Joe (espresso ice cream and Oreos). 526 N. West Street | milklabcafe.com
Morelia’s Gourmet Paletas
Packed with more flavor than your typical popsicle, Morelia’s Gourmet Paletas were inspired by trips to Brazil, Argentina and Peru. With over 1 million different flavor combinations, you can choose your favorite flavor paleta (with flavors like Pineapple, Chocolate Fudgy Brownie and Dulche De Leche), dip it in chocolate, hazelnut or cookie butter, and then top it all off for a crunch (with m&m’s, rainbow sprinkles or peanuts). There are plenty of vegan options as well at this Smoky Hollow spot, so you won’t be missing out! 500 N. West Street | paletasmorelia.com
Raleigh Popsicle Co.
Join owners Cristhian and Nikki on a delicious journey into the world of popsicles! With over 18 flavors, (like cookies & cream, cotton candy, watermelon and mango), you’re sure to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you want to take them a step further, you can dip, drizzle and top your treat to create one of their signature ESKiMO pops. Located half a block away from Marbles Kids Museum, it’s the perfect place to take the family after a full day of fun.
119 E. Hargett St. | raleighpopsicleco.com
Raleigh Rolls
Pop on down to Morgan Street Food Hall to enjoy hand-rolled ice cream that’s (almost) too pretty to eat. After traveling throughout Southeast Asia, Raleigh Rolls’ founders took inspiration from street vendors in Thailand and Vietnam to create their signature rolled cups of ice cream. Savor classics like the Chocolate Overload (mixed in Oreo cookies, topped with sprinkles, whipped cream, m&m’s and more) and the Waffle Taco (your choice of flavor inside a homemade waffle taco cone). Ask an ice cream artist at the kiosk for their daily and seasonal specials! Inside Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan Street | raleighrolls.com
Two Roosters
What started as a Sunday tradition on Grandma’s porch has now become a staple for ice cream lovers with three locations around Raleigh. Try their made-with-love flavors like Coffee Bourbon, Blackberry Hibiscus and Sola Cinnamon Donut, available in cups, cones, pints and quarts. They also have rotating specials every month, including Frosted Animal Cracker (a pink vanilla base with frosted animal crackers and sprinkles) and Non Dairy Chocolate Mango (coconut mango ice cream and dark chocolate shavings). 7713 Lead Mine Road, 215 E Franklin Street & 4025 Lake Boone Trail | tworoosters.com
The Yard Milkshake Bar
The milkshakes created by husband-and-wife team Chelsea and Logan bring everybody to The Yard. With pre-designed and customizable “extreme shakes” such as Cookie Monster (blue monster ice cream topped with a cookie dough sandwich and Cookie Crisp) and the Raleigh exclusive Cheerwine Float (a classic float with Cheerwine, whipped cream and brown sugar), these mason jar treats are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. They also offer specialty ice cream bowls and edible cookie dough. 704 Seaboard Station Drive | theyardmilkshakebar.com
This article was originally published on waltermagazine.com on July 11, 2024.
