Looking to satisfy a sweet tooth? Atlanta makes it easy. The city’s dessert scene is equal parts classics like Morelli’s and newcomers with global flair. Today, you can find just about every style of frozen treat imaginable—from taiyaki cones and matcha soft serve to chewy Palestinian ice cream. We’ve rounded up all the best spots to try a new flavor or fulfill your nostalgic cravings.
Whether you’re rewarding yourself after a BeltLine stroll or going straight for that perfect scoop after dinner, these TKT spots are certainly worth the visit.
Aiskrimu Ice Cream Bar
Aiskrimu (which means ice cream in Swahili) is a Black-owned shop that brings something fresh and modern to the Cascade Heights neighborhood. This community-rooted location serves handcrafted scoops, standout vegan flavors, and an all-around welcoming vibe. From classic vanilla to creative plant-based blends, everything is made with care and local ingredients. Order a soft-serve swirl or a scoop of pistachio in the chocolate coco cone. The oat milk vegan vanilla is creamy, and proof you won’t miss the dairy. 2291 Cascade Rd., Atlanta, aiskrimuicecreambar.com
Big Softie
The first Big Softie opened in 2019 and quickly became an Atlanta favorite for its organic dairy and inventive toppings (Cheez-It brittle or cornflake streusel, anyone?) But the shop has expanded beyond Summerhill’s de facto foodie corridor of Georgia Avenue, and now has outposts in Poncey Highland and Old Fourth Ward. It’s easier than ever for customers all over to get the signature soft-serve inspired by owner Sarah O’Brien’s youth in Ohio. If in Summerhill, though, don’t forget to stop by Little Tart Bakeshop, Big Softie’s sister business. 66 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta, bigsoftieatl.com
Butter & Cream
Butter & Cream’s small-batch, handcrafted flavors are unique, ultra-creamy, and consistently on point; think the blue-hued Cookie Monster made with vanilla ice cream naturally colored with butterfly pea flower, loaded with chocolate chip cookie pieces and a cookie butter swirl. Then there’s the OG Goodness, with brown sugar ice cream studded with chewy, gooey butter cake. With four locations around Atlanta, the flagship Decatur shop stays buzzing thanks to its prime spot near the Decatur MARTA station. It’s super cute, super local, and packed with families cooling off after a day of running around. Lines get long but they move fast, so stick it out. 416 Church St., Decatur, butterandcream.com
Caffe Antico
Anyone who’s spent time in Atlanta’s “Little Italy” knows exactly where Caffé Antico is—directly across the street from award-winning Antico Pizza by celebrated chef Giovanni Di Palma. This café and gelato shop delivers an authentic Italian experience, pairing rich espresso, classic pastries, and bona fide Italian gelato boasting classic flavors like limoncello and hazelnut. 1147 Hemphill Ave., NW, Atlanta, littleitalia.com/caffe-antico
Fujiissa
Fujiissa serves up premium matcha ice cream that’s earthy, smooth, and just a little bitter. Blend the matcha flavor with strawberry or chocolate, then top with goldleaf or red bean mochi. The stall is tucked away inside a JusGo Supermarket, and it’s worth the hike out to Duluth whether you’re going for the matcha alone or stocking up on Asian groceries. Inside JusGo Supermarket, 3875 Venture Dr., Ste. A10, Duluth, fujiissa.com
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Like Jeni’s, Handel’s is another Ohio-founded ice cream chain that’s found a foothold in the Southeast; though there’s another location in Buckhead, the Midtown Handel’s is always busy with visitors from the nearby movie theater seeking post-screening sweet treats. The only-slightly-overwhelming menu includes sugar-bomb flavors like confetti brownie batter and caramel pretzel crunch, as well as taro or strawberry for milder tastes. 931 Monroe Dr. NE, Ste. 300, Atlanta, handelsicecream.com
Honeysuckle Gelato
This always bustling southern-inspired gelato shop brings rich, nostalgic flavors with a modern ATL twist with flavors like their butter pecan praline, salted caramel brownie, and seasonal flavors like bananas foster. A cup of Honeysuckle gelato—or better yet a gelato sandwich—is the perfect accessory for a post-PCM stroll. Honeysuckle Gelato now has seven locations throughout Georgia and North Carolina, but its Ponce City Market outpost is the original. 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, honeysucklegelato.com
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
It wouldn’t be an Atlanta ice cream list without Jeni’s, which seems to have a presence in all of the city’s trendiest spots at this point. Although Jeni’s has mega-chain status, the ice cream is none the worse for it; staple flavors like Gooey Butter Cake alongside a rotating menu of limited-edition seasonals make every visit exciting. Multiple locations, jenis.com
King of Pops
You can’t talk about frozen treats in Atlanta without mentioning King of Pops and its iconic rainbow umbrella carts posted up around the city. While the pops are legendary, you can also get soft serve, slushtails, beer and wine at the brick-and-mortar in Colony Square. Of course, you’ll still find classic pops like chocolate sea salt, cookies and cream, and raspberry lime, plus seasonal flavors such as white chocolate peppermint and mango chili lime while they last. Grab two and thank yourself later. 1197 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, kingofpops.com
Morelli’s Ice Cream
In 2008, Donald and Clarissa Morelli opened their eponymous ice cream shop in East Atlanta’s Ormewood Plaza, and 2021 saw two new locations open in Virginia Highland and the Chattahoochee Food Works. Throughout the years, Morelli’s has remained a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike; Conan O’Brien is a fan of the salted caramel himself. Pro tip: For special occasions, this is the place to get a custom ice cream cake. 749 Moreland Ave. SE, Ste. 102B, Atlanta, morellisicecream.com
Paolo’s Gelato Italiano
The slogan on this shop’s website reads, Would you trust some guy named Bob to make your gelato? If you answered no, come see Paolo Dalla Zorza. Hailing from Treviso, Italy, Zorza opened his eponymous gelateria—Atlanta’s first authentic one—in 1999 and has proudly crafted old-fashioned dessert with the freshest ingredients since. Paolo’s closes for the winter and reopens at the end of February, but opens year-round inside Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort in the Bahamas. 1025 Virginia Ave. NE, Atlanta, paolosgelato.com
Sweet-Stack Creamery
If you like your treats extra sweet, this is the place. Not for the faint of heart, the self-proclaimed “odd but fun” menu at Sweet-Stack includes quirkily-named flavors like a Basic Bish Vanilla all the way from Madagascar or a vegan Let The Man Go mango. Every scoop can be sandwiched between cookies or doughnuts for an extra punch of sugar rush. 25 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, sweet-stack.com
Tea Leaf & Creamery
True to its name, Tea Leaf offers an extensive menu of boba tea, but the main attraction is its ice cream topped with a fish-shaped taiyaki cake. The options are endless: choose your flavor, fill the taiyaki with either custard or Nutella, and top it off with Pocky sticks, boba, or even fresh strawberries. There are five locations across metro Atlanta, but the Tech Square and Decatur locations are mainstay hangouts for Georgia Tech and Emory students, respectively. Multiple locations, tealeafandcreamery.com
The Spun Cow Creamery
With two other locations in Birmingham, Alabama and Dallas, Texas, Georgia’s only Spun Cow sits inside East Atlanta Village’s Southern Feed Store. But don’t let the size of this food hall stall turn you off—Spun Cow offers a wide-ranging menu complete with scooped and soft-serve ice cream, plus old-timey favorites like soda floats and fresh-spun cotton candy. 1245 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, thespuncow.com
The Frosty Caboose
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to take the kids than the aptly-named Frosty Caboose. Atlanta’s train-watching capitol boasts 36 flavors and a location right on Peachtree Road’s Norfolk Southern rail line, so everyone is welcome to grab a seat and take in the show. Kids are especially encouraged to climb on board the decks for photos. 5435 Peachtree Rd., Chamblee, frostycaboose.com
Three Peaches Coffee & Gelato
Three Peaches brings a health-forward twist to gelato with all dairy-free, small-batch, low-glycemic options packed with superfoods. Based near Piedmont Park at the end of the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, Three Peaches is the perfect cool oasis for health-conscious customers. Flavors rotate with seasonal fruits, herbs, and antioxidant-rich add-ins, such as lemon basil, coffee, and strawberry rose. Plus, their superfood lattes (mushrooms, marine collagen, butterfly pea) are a great little treat. 985 Monroe Dr. NE Ste. B, Atlanta, 3peachesgelato.com
Tutti Gelati
If you’ve ever strolled around Midtown and spotted the iconic rainbow crosswalk, you’ve walked right past this gelato gem. Tutti Gelati is an easy pop-in when you’re out and about, serving small-batch, handmade gelato. Flavors range from classics like vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, and cookies and cream, to house signatures like Peachtree Street (peach, toasted almonds, and dulce de leche), tiramisu, and Dubai chocolate. They also serve sorbet, desserts, and premium espresso. 1001 Piedmont Ave., NE, Ste. 101, tuttigelatiatl.com
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
The NYC-based Van Leeuwen chain has finally made its way to Atlanta, serving dairy and vegan ice cream that feels very gourmet and a little luxurious. The small scoop shop at Ponce City Market offers more than 30 flavors of decadent, French-style ice cream, with flavors like honeycomb, mango sticky rice, Sicilian pistachio, Earl Grey tea, and the award-winning vanilla bean. You know you’re in the right place when the line moves slow and nobody’s mad about it. 619 Ponce De Leon Ave., NE, Ste. B109, Atlanta, vanleeuwenicecream.com
VOGA Gelato
Good gelato is in Antonello Bove’s blood. Born in Rome, the gelato capital of the world, Bove opened VOGA in 2017 with a mission to bring the dessert of his upbringing to the States. Everything is made fresh in store daily, produced in small quantities for the freshest flavor possible. Across 24 rotating gelato flavors, there are no chemical additives, artificial flavorings, or preservatives. 299 N. Highland Ave. NE, Ste. G, Atlanta, vogagelato.com
WowBooza
Owner Loqman Salem has brought the elastic ice cream he remembers from childhood trips to Palestine all the way to metro Atlanta. Made with mastic, a plant resin also used in chewing gum, booza is stretchy in the hands and chewy in the mouth. Take it in a cone or a cup, and pair with baklawa or bars of ever-trendy Dubai chocolate. 1630 Pleasant Hill Rd., Ste. 170, Duluth, wowbooza.com
