Aside from these free splash pads, there’s no better way to cool off this summer than with the delicious taste of ice cream. Or, make that a snow cone. No, wait, a banana split! Whatever it is you’re craving at the moment, you and the kids can find it at one of these favorite ice cream spots in and around Dallas—all of them known for their wild and crazy flavors, amazing add-ons, or outside-the-pint thinking.
RELATED: The Best Ice Cream Shops in Fort Worth
Ice Cream Shops in Dallas
Cauldron Ice Cream
What’s a puffle cone, you might ask? It’s a trendy dessert we’ve still not tired of. Puffle cones are made with sweet, egg-based batter that’s cooked in a special waffle maker, rolled into a cone, then slipped inside an easy-to-hold paper holder. Then it’s filled with a scoop yummy ice cream of any flavor and made from liquid nitrogen. Want an even fancier option? Ask for your ice cream to be shaped into a dainty rose. We’re sold.
4070 State Hwy 121, Suite 432, Carrollton, Texas; 469/892-6775
3001 Knox Street, Suite 103, Dallas, Texas; 469/862-4100
9144 Prestmont Place, Suite 230, Frisco, Texas; 469/200-5331
cauldronicecream.com
Creamistry
The pros at Creamistry use liquid nitrogen to rapidly freeze liquid into ice cream right in front of you. To get this science experiment going, choose your base (dairy, nut or fruit for sorbets), your flavor (there’s no skipping the matcha green tea) and toppings, and watch as the fog cloud billows from the mixing bowl to reveal your dessert. Ice cream cakes, sandwiches, pints and NitroShakes are also available.
Fort Worth: 628 Harrold Street, Suite 128, Fort Worth, Texas; 817/782-9670
Las Colinas: 5250 N O’Connor Blvd., Suite D1-140, Irving, Texas; 972/629-9474
Addison: 5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 610, Dallas, Texas; 214/643-6473
creamistry.com
Cow Tipping Creamery
Clients love Cow Tipping Creamery as much for its elevated soft serve as for its amazing toppings piled sky high.Ask for the Stacker of the Week to discover new signature treats, like The Warhol with roasted banana pudding cake crumbles and Nilla Wafer dust. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find their cookie butter hard shell dipped cone anywhere else.
The Star, 3685 The Star Blvd., Suite 201, Frisco, Texas; 214/430-5227
cowtippingcreamery.com
Picolé Pop
This is no ordinary popsicle stand. We love the variety of house-made treats: banana pops dipped head to toe in Nutella sauce, mango with spicy Chamoy—check out their Instagram or Facebook to drool at the many more flavor combinations—plus smoothies. They’ve even got popsicles infused with tequila for adults who want an extra kick.
Bishop Arts: 415 W. Davis Street, Dallas, Texas; 972/803-3595
Deep Ellum: 2656 Main Street, Suite 110, Dallas, Texas; 469/372-1404
picolepop.com
The Dolly Llama
The traditional flat and crispy waffle cone takes a big step up at The Dolly Llama, a brand new ice cream shop in Uptown Dallas and the LA-based company’s first foray into Texas. The brand specializing in Belgian waffle and—even more daring—the Hong Kong Bubble Waffle wrapped around a scoop of ice cream. Mini ice cream sandwiches, waffles and milkshakes are also available for kids.
2817 Howell Street, Suite 210, Dallas, Texas; 972/480-7661
5100 Stacy Rd Suite 800, McKinney, Texas; 214/548-4245
thedollyllamala.com
Howdy Homemade
Howdy Homemade has found the right formula with their signature flavor Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip, and prized in the community for their policy of employing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism. Visit the North Dallas store and find their pints for sale at H-E-B stores.
12300 Inwood Road, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas; 214/484-1552
howdyhomemade.com
RELATED: Spotlight on Howdy Homemade
Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream
Henry’s is a familiar face at this Plano staple, where for decades he’s been serving up premium scoops stacked high, as well as classics like hot fudge sundaes and banana splits, ice cream cakes (ready to go and custom-made). Keep your eyes peeled on their Facebook and Instagram for their annual Pajama Party, when everyone who dresses up (or rather, dresses down) gets a free quart of the good stuff.
3100 Independence Pkwy, Plano, Texas; 972/943-3639
henryshomemadeicecream.com
Jeni’s Ice Creams
Its founder and namesake is a James Beard award winner, so you already know it’s good. But then you taste it. (Parents, the boozy eggnog is fab.) Jeni’s prides itself on its ingredients: fair trade chocolate, vanilla and coffee, and the freshest milk sourced from family-run farms. Need to steer clear of dairy? Try one of the several dairy-free vegan flavors like Texas sheet cake or banana cream pudding. With three locations in Addison and Dallas. If you can’t wait, look for a pint in the freezer aisle at your local Whole Foods, Albertsons or Tom Thumb grocery stores.
5290 Belt Line Road, Suite 112 B, Addison, Texas, 469/838-5059
Victory Park, 2422 Victory Park Lane, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas; 972/597-8098
Lower Greenville, 2012 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas; 214/612-6388
jenis.com
Van Leeuwen Ice Creams
Founded by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen (the American pronunciation is “Lou-Inn”) and their business partner Laura O’Neill, their namesake ice cream company specializes in French ice cream, which they say is made with twice as many egg yolks. You can try it yourself at one of three scoop shops now open in North Texas.
They’re a great spot too for those who need a dairy-free option. All of its vegan flavors, like vegan churros and fudge, are made with oat milk but without additives diglycerides and guar gum. Curious what else is or isn’t in their flavors? Their recipes are no secret. You can find the exact ingredients and how they make them in their cookbook.
Dallas, West Village: 3699 McKinney Avenue, Suite 101, Dallas, Texas; 972/982-0232
Dallas, Inwood Village: 5450 W Lovers Lane, Suite 130, Dallas, Texas; 214/242-9502
Fort Worth, WestBend: 1653 River Run, Suite 141, Fort Worth, Texas; 817/334-0556
vanleeuwenicecream.com
MELT Ice Creams
For melt-in-your-mouth scoops, Melt serves up everyday favorites like the dark chocolate and peanut butter explosion (both dairy-free and vegan!) and many more flavors on a rotating menu. Spice up your Taco Tuesdays with Melt’s two scoops nestled inside a taco-shaped waffle cone. (Note that the cones have dairy, though.)
Bishop Arts: 405 North Bishop Avenue, Dallas, Texas; 214/432-0183
Magnolia: 1201 W. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 115, Fort Worth, Texas; 817/886-8365
Sundance Square: 308 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas; 817/900-9355
Mule Alley at the Stockyards: 122 East Exchange Avenue, Suite 624, Fort Worth, Texas; 817/886-6004
melticecreams.com
Joy Macarons
The only way to improve upon Joy Macarons’ soft and chewy French cookie (as if perfect needs improvement) is by adding ice cream. Cue their ice cream sandwiches and waffle cones scoops. Stop by one of three locations to experience the ever-changing flavors. The Cereal Milk sandwich, made with Fruity Pebbles and a white chocolate shell, is always a hit with the kids.
Oak Cliff: 839 W. Davis St., Dallas, Texas; 214/434-1922
Lower Greenville: 1927 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas; 469/372-0415
Watters Creek: 908 Watters Creek Blvd, Allen, Texas; 469/393-1115
The Shops at Clearfork: 5254 Marathon Ave, Fort Worth, Texas; 682/707-3604
joymacarons.com
Paciugo Gelato & Caffè
Paciugo (pronounced “pah-CHOO-go”), owned by Jeff and Courtney Sinelli, excels in its authentic Italian gelato and at its newer, more imaginative creations like the sprinkles-covered “Paciunicorn” cones. Their summer menu includes the refreshing cantaloupe sorbet, and you’ll have to see their “gelato spaghetti and meatballs” to believe it.
Multiple locations
paciugo.com
The Spun Cow
There’s a new addition inside The Exchange, a food hall open daily at AT&T Discovery District in Downtown Dallas. Instead of the former Saturday Morning Ice Cream (R.I.P. Apple Jacks and soft serve), you’ll find The Spun Cow. Its own spin on ice cream is a blend of cotton candy with ice cream, milkshakes and floats. It’s one of only two spots in the country. (The other is in Alabama.) The treats pair best with watching movies on the District’s 104-foot-tall media wall.
211 S. Akard Street, Dallas, Texas; 972/268-7605
thespuncow.com
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Is old-fashioned custard making a comeback? It certainly feels like it at Andy’s, a business in operation for 35 years and now with more than 15 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth alone. The frozen custard is always made fresh every hour, and if you like, topped with seasonal fruits, freshly roasted pecans, and baked goodies like brownies (available year-round), pumpkin pie, shortcake and cookies that are baked fresh at the store.
Multiple locations; eatandys.com
Soda Fountains in Dallas
Beth Marie’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream & Soda Fountain
At its original location on the Denton Square, Beth Marie’s churns ice cream from a machine designed in 1927. Climb onto a stool at the antique wooden bar and choose from well over 100 flavors of ice cream, plus sundaes, banana splits, shakes and malts, ice cream sodas—and really old-fashioned options like egg creams and phosphate sodas. Two additional locations offer much the same menu.
Carrollton: 1020 W. Main Street, Carrollton, Texas; 469/892-6677
Downtown Grapevine, 419 S. Main Street, Grapevine, Texas; 682/477-2010
Denton Square, 117 W. Hickory Street, Denton, Texas; 940/384-1818
Unicorn Lake: 2900 Wind River Lane, Suite 148, Denton, Texas; 940/591-1010
bethmaries.com
Dougherty’s Pharmacy
Did you know that 100 years ago nearly every drugstore had a soda fountain? That’s why Dougherty’s Pharmacy, one of the oldest independent pharmacies in Texas, when it moved to its new location on Preston Valley in 2021, they also opened up a soda fountain inside. (They’ve got a gift shop, too.) Stop by to check out the place and sip on a fizzy soda, milkshake, float, malt or sundae while waiting for your grilled cheese or grilled PB&J. Soda fountain hours are 10am–6pm Monday–Friday and 11am–4pm Saturday.
12835 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas; 214/373-5300
doughertys.com
Farm Luck Soda Fountain & Dry Goods
Say howdy to Farm Luck (or “The Farmacy,” as the owners originally wanted to call it). This treasure is housed in the late 1800s-era Waxahachie Bank & Trust building, with the bank’s safe door on view. Order up a banana split or banana pudding, brownie fudge sundae, ice cream soda or, for small appetites, the World’s Smallest Sundae. Not craving sweets? The menu also features more hearty foods like sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads.
109 W. Franklin Street, Suite 119, Waxahachie, Texas; 214/903-8021
farmlucksodafountain.com
Snow Cones Stands in Dallas
Scallywags
Sadly, Scallywags isn’t open for summer 2024, but fingers crossed they’ll come back next year. It’s worth a trip for its unique snowcone stand: a pirate ship. It’s a pirate’s life for the owners of Scallywags, two 22-foot-tall, custom-built pirate ships, offering 16 flavors of shaved ice from a stand hidden below deck. Typically you can upgrade to a cone with ice cream on the bottom, and for the best deal, get a snow cones with the purchase of a $25 reusable glass mug. The marooned ships usually open for the summer season at two locations, with daily hours from 11:30am–9pm until mid-August. Check the Facebook page for updates.
2771 FM 544, Wylie, Texas
3850 W. Eldorado Parkway, McKinney, Texas
214/733-2296; facebook.com/scallywagsdfw
Sno Gourmet Shaved Ice
Craving a snow cone? (Or sno cone?) Sno Gourmet Shaved Ice will take care of you while you browse the summer veggie options near Dallas Farmers Market. Stop by Sno’s storefront for the sweet, sour and spicy flavors (like tamarind), add candy or fruit toppings to your cup or stuff with frozen yogurt, and have a seat at the retro diner-style booths.
10455 N Central Expy. Suite 102, Dallas, Texas; 214/265-5550
facebook.com/pages/Sno-Gourmet-Shaved-Ice
HipPop
Nod your head to ‘90s hip hop at HipPop (get it?) on Main Street in Historic Downtown Grapevine. Choose from slushies, popsicles (fruit and milk-based), or shave ice served in those brightly colored flower cups that you remember from your last Hawaiian vacay and with condensed cream or coconut cream poured over. Their must-try popsicles? Cap’n Crunch Cereal pops and toasted marshmallow. Wow.
520 S. Main Street, Grapevine, Texas; 817/527-4383
hippoptx.com
Have a favorite ice cream or treat shop that’s not on our list? Let us know at editorial@dfwchild.com.
Top photo courtesy of The Dolly Llama
