Whether you’re beating the Southern heat or just in need of a sweet fix, Atlanta serves up some of the most creative and delicious ice cream around. From traditional scoops to global-inspired flavors and vegan delights, the city’s frozen dessert scene has something for everyone. Here’s where to find the best ice cream in Atlanta right now.
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream
With its rich, custard-style base and bold flavors, Morelli’s has earned a cult following since 2008. Expect everything from salted caramel to ginger lavender—and rotating surprises too. This is classic ice cream with serious flavor chops.
📍 749 Moreland Ave SE Suite B-102, Atlanta, GA 30316
Picos Ice Cream @ Plaza Fiesta
Located inside Plaza Fiesta, Picos offers a rainbow of Mexican-style ice cream and paletas bursting with authentic flavor. From tangy tamarind to rich mamey, every bite is a taste of tradition. It’s a must-visit for fans of bold, tropical treats.
📍 4166 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
Cereal and Cream
This downtown shop mashes together cereal nostalgia and creamy soft serve for the ultimate sugar high. Pick your favorite childhood cereal and watch it transform into a towering dessert creation. It’s a playful and Instagram-worthy experience from start to finish.
📍 415 Memorial Dr SE Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30312
Frosty Caboose
Housed in a real train caboose in Chamblee, this shop dishes out old-fashioned scoops with small-town charm. The ice cream is rich, creamy, and perfect for families and kids of all ages. Grab a cone and watch the trains go by for a sweet little moment of nostalgia.
📍 5435 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
eighty7sweets Vegan Ice Cream Company
Atlanta’s first all-vegan ice cream shop proves that plant-based can still mean indulgent. The small batch flavors are creative and creamy, featuring coconut and oat milk bases with zero compromise on taste. It’s a sweet revelation for vegans and dairy lovers alike.
📍 56 Broad St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Honeysuckle Gelato
What started as a food truck is now a gelato empire with locations across the city. Their Southern-inspired flavors like bourbon pecan and banana pudding bring a local twist to Italian technique. Smooth, dense, and dreamy—this gelato is worth the hype.
📍 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
📍 1024 White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Paolo’s Gelato
This colorful Virginia-Highland shop feels like a slice of Italy in Atlanta. With over 60 rotating flavors—some exotic, some classic—Paolo’s takes gelato very seriously. Grab a scoop and stroll through the charming neighborhood for full effect.
📍 1025 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Lupita’s Ice Cream
Lupita’s is a vibrant, family-run spot offering Mexican paletas, sorbets, and creamy scoops. Expect traditional flavors like horchata, mango chamoy, and strawberries & cream. It’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
📍 5627 N Henry Blvd #202, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Cremalosa
Chef Meredith Ford blends Italian gelato craftsmanship with Southern flair in this Decatur gem. Signature flavors like sweet corn gelato and bourbon butterscotch showcase her creativity. Every spoonful is silky, unexpected, and downright addictive.
📍 2657 E College Ave Suite B3, Decatur, GA 30030
Sweet-Stack Creamery
Known for its ice cream sandwich “stacks,” this place takes dessert to new levels—literally. You can choose your cookie, brownie, or donut base and pair it with decadent flavors like banana pudding or red velvet cheesecake. It’s over-the-top in the best possible way.
📍 25 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Big Softie
This small but mighty shop in Summerhill specializes in classic soft serve with modern flavor twists. From Earl Grey to miso caramel, the rotating flavors surprise and delight. Don’t skip the house-made cones and signature chocolate “magic shell.”
📍 66 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
📍 632 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Three Peaches Gelato & Coffee
This woman-owned shop in Summerhill focuses on organic, plant-based gelato and ethically sourced coffee. Their gelato is rich and smooth, crafted without dairy or artificial ingredients. It’s proof that sustainability and flavor go hand in hand.
📍 985 Monroe Dr NE Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30308
Paleteria Janitzio
A hidden gem in the Buford Highway corridor, Paleteria Janitzio offers homemade paletas and ice cream in traditional Mexican flavors. Everything is made in-house, from the creamy avocado to tangy lime paletas. It’s as authentic as it gets in Atlanta.
📍 5680 Old Dixie Hwy #107, Forest Park, GA 30297
From soft serve in a caboose to vegan gelato in Summerhill, Atlanta’s ice cream scene is rich with creativity, culture, and pure joy. Whether you’re a traditionalist or a flavor adventurer, there’s a scoop (or paleta) waiting for you. So grab a spoon—or a cone—and start tasting your way through the city.
Now Try Phoenix’s Best Ice Cream Places
Like Tucson, Phoenix’s sweltering temperatures make ice cream more than just a treat—it’s a necessity. Fortunately, the city is home to a variety of incredible ice cream shops, each offering unique flavors and experiences.