With summer temps heating up, what better way to cool off than with a frozen treat? We’ve rounded up 15+ spots offering delectable sweets to help you chill out.
🍦 Sweet scoops
Annie B’s Homemade Ice Cream | 64 Long Shoals Rd., Arden
If you’re like us and always want a little bit of everything, this ice cream spot’s flights are the perfect option. The shop rebranded in 2023 as Annie B’s with a focus on employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Appalachcream | 1 Page Ave., Ste. 113
This cozy spot opened up in the Grove Arcade this past winter. The recipes, which have been passed down through generations, showcase the family-run business’s Mexican and Italian roots.
Asheville Chocolate | 25 Broadway St.
Try out one of the fresh flavors of housemade gelato or sorbet.
The Freeze | 1091 Patton Ave.
The classic shop serves up soft serve cones, shakes, sundaes, and more. For City Editor Grace, nothing beats a swirl soft serve cone covered in rainbow sprinkles.
The Hop Ice Cream | Various locations
Enjoy classic dairy and vegan options at any of the shop’s five locations — plus, grab a cup for your pup. The shop is always releasing limited-edition, inventive flavors — follow along on Instagram to see what they’re scooping next.
Hilltop Ice Cream Shop | 520 Old U.S. 74 Hwy., Fairview + 235 Weaverville Rd., Woodfin
The homemade ice cream has been a staple of Fairview for more than 15 years, but more recently, it’s brought its 30+ flavors (vegan and no sugar options included) to a new Woodfin shop. We’ll take a scoop of Apple Brown Bettie, please.
French Broad Chocolate | 10 S. Pack Square + 821 Riverside Dr.
The chocolatiers have a selection of ice cream made with farm-fresh milk at their downtown and factory locations. Pro tip: The affogato always hits.
The Mad Dipper | 1070 Tunnel Rd.
Formerly Ultimate Ice Cream, the shop’s new owners are still serving up classic, hand-dipped ice cream with fresh ingredients.
Sugar and Snow Gelato | Various locations
While the crew works to find another space for a scoop shop after Helene, you can still indulge in the velvety smooth, sweet sorbet + gelato. Find it in freezers at local businesses like Second Gear and Beradu, or order pints for pickup from Sugar & Snow’s kitchen.
Out of the box options
The Dolly Llama | 2 Town Square Blvd., #130
This waffle and ice cream shop pulls out all the stops with decadent specialty creations like the Party Animal, featuring an OG Liege Waffle topped with salted caramel ice cream, a Kinder chocolate bar, circus animal cookies, and chocolate sauce.
Found Ice Cream | Various locations
Think mushrooms don’t belong in ice cream? Think again. The farmers market staple creates fresh flavors with foraged ingredients, churning up treats made with chanterelles, pawpaw, pine, and fresh spices.
Potential New Boyfriend | 647 Haywood Rd.
One of the hottest new spots in town, the combination wine and dessert bar and listening lounge has an abundance of decadent desserts. Our favorite from the early summer menu is the Cosmic Chocolate sundae, inspired by everyone’s favorite sprinkle-speckled brownie of childhood. But trust us, it’s way better — and surprisingly vegan.
Sunshine Sammies | 99 S. Lexington Ave.
Feed your inner child with ice cream treats made with locally sourced ingredients. Bonus: You might even catch the Sunshine Sammies truck making its rounds.
Sweet Cub Soft Serve | Various locations
This isn’t your average ice cream truck. The soft serve spot hit the road in April, dishing out decadent sundaes like the Blue Ridge Bear (topped with honey, sea salt, and Teddy Grahams) or, get this, ice cream nachos with your choice of topping and sauce served on waffle cone chips.
❄️ Ice, ice, baby
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 705 Merrimon Ave.
Get the best of both worlds with a Gelati — your choice of Italian ice layered with ice cream.
Sam’s Pop Shop | Various market pop-ups
The “Starry Night” pop is a shining star on the menu, complete with edible glitter.
Sweets & Seats, 81 Patton Ave.
After you’re finished marveling at the picturesque pastries in the case, you’ll see that the menu boasts options for refreshing shaved ice, topped with whipped cream.
