The largest city of South Carolina is steeped in the Southern charm. It also can get hot, so you’ll need to find refreshment somewhere. For ice cream lovers, it’s heading off to find some of the best ice cream in Charleston.
Were you looking for a sweet treat when roaming around the Charleston area? Feast your eyes on these best ice cream spots.
Off Track Ice Cream
You’re guaranteed to find the frozen dessert you crave at this charming ice cream shop just off King Street in the heart of downtown Charleston. What’s impressive is that they use only the freshest, Lowcountry-sourced ingredients and make all their ice cream from scratch without additives, artificial flavorings, or stabilizers. That’s milk, cream, egg yolks, and cane sugar, and for the vegan options, it’s raw cashews, cane sugar, organic coconut cream, and sunflower oil.
With classic and inventive flavors, your tastebuds will be singing with every bite. Popular choices include Chocolate Pretzel, Salted Pretzel Toffee, and Key Lime Pie. Vegan ice cream options include Coconut Cake, Fluffernutter Blondie, and Brown Sugar Oat Milk & Cookies.
And if you can’t decide on any one flavor, you can pick their flight of any four flavors to help you make up your mind.
- Off Track Ice Cream, 6 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe
It may have started as a small neighborhood restaurant selling only hotdogs and ice cream. But today, it stands as a proud local institution spread across seven locations – N Main St, Mount Pleasant, Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Goose Creek, Old Trolley, and North Charleston.
There are over 32 flavors, including seasonal fun and classic flavors. Equally popular are their famous banana splits and massive sundaes. And their portions are huge, I mean REALLY huge – great for indulging solo (if you have a large appetite) or sharing on a date night!
Some exciting flavors include Caramel Turtle Cheesecake, Rainbow Sherbet, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, and Jolted Cow ice cream.
- Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream, 474 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
Marble Slab Creamery
From ice cream cakes, cupcakes, and shakes to ice cream scoops and sundaes, anything you pick here will have you craving more. The Ice Cream Kit is just the perfect at-home ice cream kit for your family – a choice of five ice cream flavors and four mix-ins.
Whether you go for their Chocolate ice cream or Cool Mint, don’t forget the mix-ins; you can select up to six! You’ll most likely take home a pint or quart once you’ve had a scoop of your favorite flavor here; it’s absolutely delish.
- Marble Slab Creamery, 1812 Sam Rittenberg Blvd #20, Charleston, SC 29407
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
For an Ohio-based chain to have become an icon in Charleston says a lot about Jeni’s. The founder, Jeni Britton Bauer, worked for more than 20 years building ice creams completely from scratch using a unique recipe. With a smooth texture and a buttercream body, they’ve set high standards for even the classic flavors.
You’ll be spoilt for choice at Jeni’s; some extraordinary flavors include Jeni’s Homemade Banana Bread, Brambleberry Crisp, Goat Cheese With Red Cherries, and Middle West Whiskey & Pecans.
The list obviously goes on; a personal favorite is the Frosé Sorbet (Sangria-style frozen rosé with strawberry, pear, and watermelon, not surprising since my other blog is the cocktail blog, A Lush Life Manual). It makes the perfect indulgence for the summer months.
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, 501-A King St., Charleston, SC 29403
Beardcat’s Sweet Shop
Beardcat’s Sweet Shop is a charming beachside gem that exudes laid-back coastal vibes. This inviting spot serves up house-made gelato with a rotating selection of flavors, often inspired by local and seasonal ingredients. Guests can enjoy classic favorites like pistachio and stracciatella or venture into more inventive territory with flavors that highlight the region’s culinary flair. The intimate, cozy space is perfect for grabbing a treat after a day at the beach or as a sweet punctuation to a leisurely island stroll.
Beyond its artisanal gelato, Beardcat’s also offers coffee, pastries, and light snacks, making it a versatile stop any time of day. The shop’s charming ambiance, combined with its focus on quality ingredients, creates a nostalgic yet sophisticated experience. It’s the kind of place where locals and visitors alike find themselves returning, drawn back by the friendly service and the simple pleasure of a well-crafted frozen treat.
- Beardcat’s Sweet Shop, 2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
Life Raft Treats
Life Raft Treats takes ice cream to a playful and inventive new level, earning a cult following in Charleston and beyond. Created by Cynthia Wong, a six-time James Beard Award semifinalist, this whimsical brand is known for its over-the-top, nostalgia-packed creations, such as the famous “Not Fried Chicken,” an ice cream bar that looks exactly like a drumstick, complete with a chocolate-covered cookie bone. Wong’s commitment to crafting imaginative, hand-made treats using high-quality ingredients has made Life Raft a standout on the Charleston food scene.
The treats are available at pop-up events, local markets, and select retailers, creating an air of excitement and exclusivity around each new drop. Fans of Life Raft Treats eagerly track where they can get their next fix, knowing that each dessert is not just a sweet indulgence but a work of edible art. It’s a fun and flavorful way to experience ice cream with a whimsical twist.
Republic Ice Cream & Custard
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston on bustling King Street, Republic Ice Cream & Custard offers a nostalgic nod to the classic American ice cream parlor. The shop specializes in small-batch ice creams and creamy custards, crafted with care and featuring a mix of timeless favorites and creative seasonal flavors. From rich, velvety chocolate to bright and tangy fruit sorbets, there’s something here for every kind of sweet tooth.
The attention to detail in both their flavors and presentation reflects a genuine love for the craft of ice cream making. Whether you’re savoring a waffle cone on a leisurely stroll or enjoying a sundae with all the toppings, Republic offers a delicious escape in the middle of the city.
- Republic Ice Cream & Custard, 431 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Park Circle Creamery
Tucked away in North Charleston’s Park Circle neighborhood, Park Circle Creamery is a beloved local ice cream place known for its rich, flavorful ice creams made fresh on-site. The shop focuses on high-quality ingredients and small-batch production, ensuring that each scoop is creamy, dense, and packed with authentic flavor. Classic offerings like vanilla bean and cookies and cream sit alongside inventive creations that often showcase regional ingredients and creative flair.
The shop’s commitment to supporting local farmers and producers adds an extra layer of charm, making each visit feel like a celebration of Charleston’s vibrant food culture. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a simple, satisfying ice cream experience that tastes like home.
- Park Circle Creamery, 1069 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Peace Pie
Peace Pie on Meeting Street offers an irresistible twist: ice cream sandwiches with a layer of pie filling. This inventive concept has captured the hearts of dessert lovers, with a rotating menu that includes flavors like Key Lime Pie, Salted Caramel Brownie, and Chocolate Pecan Pie. Each sandwich is a delightful combination of creamy ice cream, sweet pie filling, and crisp shortbread cookies, creating a multi-textured treat that’s as satisfying as it is playful.
Whether you’re grabbing a sandwich to-go for a stroll through historic Charleston or savoring one slowly while taking in the shop’s cozy ambiance, Peace Pie offers a creative, delicious alternative to traditional ice cream. It’s a must-visit for any ice cream lover looking to experience a sweet slice of innovation in the Holy City.
- Peace Pie, 223 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
The hunt for the best ice cream shop in Charleston will bring forth many contenders, each unique in its own way.
Traveling Elsewhere? Here Are Some Great Ice Cream Shops You Can Try!
