Skip to Content

The Best Ice Cream in Dallas – Inside Scoop from a Local

The Best Ice Cream in Dallas – Inside Scoop from a Local

Looking for the best ice cream in Dallas? Then you have come to the perfect place! I will be your local guide to find the very best ice cream in the entire Dallas/Ft. Worth area. As a local and former pastry chef, I have searched far and wide to create this elite list of ice cream shops. Whether you are looking for soft serve, custard, gelato, rolled, artisan, old-fashioned, liquid nitrogen or unique flavors – I have it all in my list of the best ice cream in Dallas!

Since the Dallas/Ft. Worth area is the 7th largest metro area in the United States, it is safe to presume that these ice cream shops are spread out throughout the metroplex. So rest assured, there will be at least one ice cream shop in a city near you! From Ft. Worth to Denton, Frisco, Carrollton, Plano and more – my list of the best ice cream in Dallas covers the entire metroplex.

Please note this list of the best ice cream in Dallas is not ranked in order. It is only listed alphabeticlly in order by category.




Best Gelato in Dallas

As an Italian, I am slightly biased because I will be starting my best ice cream in Dallas with gelato! Gelato goes much further than being Italian-style ice cream. It has a different mouthfeel than regular ice cream because it uses less cream and eggs (or none at all) which results in 70% less fat. So yes, gelato is a healthier dessert! Furthermore, gelato is churned at a very slow speed to incorporate less air, which also helps create the soft, velvety texture.



Amorino

Locations: Plano and Fort Worth

A gelato rose bouquet with a red macaron and a lipstick chocolate piece on top from Amorino.

This gelato shop in Dallas is special to me because I remember seeing them all over Italy in 2016 thinking wow, this need to be in Dallas! Three years later and it is here. Yes, this gelato is truly authentic because Amorino was created in Italy back in 2002 between two childhood friends. Now it is a giant empire with countless locations around the world.

Amorino was founded on the philosophy “to create the highest quality of authentic traditional Italian gelato by using only organic and natural ingredients with no artificial colors or flavorings.” Over 28 different flavors later, they continue to achieve success based on their philosophy. Furthermore, they have taken traditional Italian gelato and created a masterpiece or as some people would say, “Instagram-worthy” gelato. With precise concentration and detail, Amorino takes your gelato and creates a rose bouquet! Some of the unique Italian flavors to incorporate into your gelato rose bouquet include Mascarpone Figs, Amerena Cream & Black Cherries, Chocolate & Hazelnut, and of course, Tiramisu.

Must order: a rose bouquet with Tiramisu, Amerena Cream & Black Cherries, and Dulce de Leche.



Botolino

Location: Dallas

Two scoops of gelato (mascarpone with figs on the left and gianduja on the right) inside a cup from Botolino.

When I stepped inside Botolino, I felt like I was in Italy all over again. The authenticity begins with the owner Carlo “Botolo” Gattini. His family moved from Tuscany to Dallas 30 years ago when he was fifteen. Making gelato is like second nature to Carlo because his grandmother served gelato in her shop. She also resurrected the epicurean magazine La Cucina Italiana, which I had a subscription to growing up – what a small world! Moreover, as I briefly stated, Botolino has an authentic Italian feel from the steel containers they store gelato in, the pure ingredients, to the owner, and the traditional way of making gelato.

What makes Botolino one of the best ice creams in Dallas is the flavor and consistency. Every ingredient is pure, not processed and is locally sourced when possible such as pecans and honey. They even grind all the nuts and make everything in-house i.e. peanut butter, mint infusions, jelly, and more. Another special element Botolino brings to Dallas is their “Italo Texano” style. Carlo takes his Italian recipes and traditions of using pure ingredients and combines it with local influences. In addition to Italian flavors, you can find also find American flavors such as Apple Pie, Dallas Honey, Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, N.Y. Cheesecake, Red Velvet, and more. With at least 60 flavors on rotation (including dairy-free sorbetto), you are bound to find your perfect flavor. If not, you can also request any flavor in their suggestion box! To top it off, Botolino also sells Italian gelato cakes. Carlo takes the classic American ice cream cake and turns it into an Italian masterpiece.

Must order: you cannot go wrong with any flavor, but I highly recommend several scoops of Gianduia, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, and Mascaropone and Figs.



Paciugo

Several locations in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Arlington, Ft. Worth, Grapevine, McKinney, and Mesquite

Four giant scoops of gelato (pistachio, amaretto chocolate chip, sea salt caramel, and cheesecake) on a cone from Paciugo.

To say Paciugo is one of the best ice creams in Dallas would be an understatement because most locals can tell you that it is like the godfather of gelato in Dallas, Texas. No one was talking about gelato in Dallas before Paciugo arrived. I remember growing up that having a scoop of gelato from Paciugo was a luxury. So when I learned my aunt and uncle were opening a Paciugo at Shops at Legacy, I was ecstatic!

Paciugo started in 2000 when founders Ugo and Cristiana Ginatta moved from Turin, Italy to Dallas, Texas. Since then, Paciugo has become a gelato empire in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and has expanded to more locations throughout the United States. What makes Paciugo special is their consistency throughout every shop, its silky smooth texture, and 300 delicious flavors using locally sourced and all natural fresh ingredients. Their flavors rotate seasonally, but you will always find fan-favorites such as Amaretto Chocolate Chip, Pistachio, Panna Cotta (Wedding Cake), and Texas Pecan Sea Salt Caramel. In fact, the Texas Pecan Sea Salt Caramel won one of two spots at the US gelato festival and advanced to the 2020 world finals! Furthermore, Paciugo is one of the first ice cream shops to serve plant-based options. You can also find dairy-free sorbets, gelato shakes, and Gelatte – rich steamed milk poured over espresso with your choice of gelato. Needless to say, there is a delicious option for everyone at Paciugo!

Must order: a waffle cone with three giant scoops of Pistachio, Amaretto Chocolate Chip, and the award-winning Texas Pecan Sea Salt Caramel.



Popbar

Locations: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Richardson

A pink (strawberry yogurt) gelato popsicle dipped in white chocolate and covered in Fruity Pebbles from Popbar, the newest ice cream craze in Dallas.

What do you get when you combine gelato and popsicles? Popbar! Popbar creates all natural, handcrafted gelato on a stick. This phenomenon started back in 2010 in New York City and now has over 25 shops spanned across four countries. Of course, everything is bigger in Texas, so there are 8 shops in the state (tied with California) with three in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex.

What makes Popbar unique and one of the best ice cream shops in Dallas is not only the creation of gelato on a stick but also their nutritional value and customization. All of the pops are gluten-free and made with all natural ingredients – no added sugar, artificial flavorings, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup. There are over 40 different flavors with three types of pops – gelato, sorbetto, and yogurt. Once you choose your flavor and type of pop, you can customize it by dipping it in chocolate and covering it with delicious toppings. The flavor combinations are almost endless which makes it pretty intimidating, so they also include a menu to help you decide your flavor and topping combination. In addition, they keep the most popular flavors and rotate the rest.

Must order: My masterpiece creation of Strawberry Yogurtpop dipped in white chocolate and covered in Fruity Pebbles.




Best Shaved and Rolled Ice Cream in Dallas

For the last few years rolled ice cream has been a hot trend in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with shaved ice cream becoming a rising star.

Rolled ice cream, also known as Thai rolled ice cream, is a sweetened frozen dessert from Southeast Asia that has taken over the hearts of Americans. It is made with milk, cream, sugar, and any additional ingredients to incorporate flavors. Then the liquid mixture is poured and stirred together onto an advanced cold plate around -20°F. This technique eliminates the need to add in additional fat to the ice cream, so it is slightly healthier. Once the mixture is mixed together thoroughly, it gets spread thinly across the cold plate in a square and then scrapped into rolls. The final step is placing each rolled ice cream vertically into a cup and covered in toppings. The result is not only unique and special but also velvety smooth and delicious!

Shaved ice cream, also known as milk snow or snow cream, is a popular Taiwanese frozen dessert. It is made with milk or cream and a flavoring of choice. Then the mixture is frozen in a cylinder and a special machine slices it into paper-thin sheets inside a bowl per order. It is typically finished with fresh fruit and drizzled with condensed milk. The texture is almost hard to believe it is so light, creamy, and refreshing.



Chills360

Locations: Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Rockwall

A bowl filled with Thai rolled ice cream with teddy graham bears and an Oreo on top from Chills360 - Dallas' first rolled ice cream shop.

Since opening in 2016, Chills360 has been one of the most popular ice cream shops in Dallas. It is also the first rolled ice cream shop in Dallas and thus, has expanded quickly to open in other locations in both the metroplex and the entire state of Texas.

What makes Chills360 one of the best ice creams in Dallas, is not only their unique Thai rolled ice cream but their ability to engage with their guests. You not only watch the artists make your rolled ice cream in front of you, but they also will write your name on your ice cream! Furthermore, they only use the freshest ingredients – no preservatives or stabilizers are added. Some of their fun flavors include Monkey Business (banana and Nutella), Cookie Monster (Oreos), Pinky Promise (strawberry and graham cracker), and Ice Ice Baby (taro and lychee). Once you pick your choice of flavor, you can also add additional toppings and sauce if you want your name written!

Must order: Cookie Monster with chocolate sauce!



Snowbaby

Location: Dallas

A clear bowl filled with fresh pineapple on the left and shaved coconut ice ream topped with coconut shavings on the right from Snowbaby.

If you are looking for a healthier frozen dessert, Snowbaby has it! The best way to describe this local “ice cream” shop in Dallas is if a snow cone and ice cream have a baby, you would get Snowbaby! Snowbaby is inspired by Tawainese shaved ice cream and uses only the freshest certified organic and locally sourced ingredients. They also only use pure cane sugar and condensed milk as a sweetener. You will not find any artificial flavors, colorings or preservatives in this ice cream shop. In fact, even the sprinkles are colored with turmeric, vegetable and fruit juices! Snowbaby’s shaved ice cream is the perfect healthy dessert option to satisfy your sweet tooth. Depending on what you order, there are no more than 200 calories and the portions are not small by any means.

Snowbaby is founded by Chrissy Kuo and opened in March 2018. She created Snowbaby to offer her community a fresh and healthy dessert option. Snowbaby is not only one of the best “ice creams” in Dallas, but also one of the best supporters of local businesses and the community. Chrissy supports local communities such as White Rock Coffee and gluten-free Unrefined Bakery by using their products in her shaved ice creations. Speaking of creations, some of the signature items include Pina Colada, Birthday Cake, and Choco-Cappuccino. Furthermore, one of their most popular seasonal offerings is shaved ice from Buda Juice’s Blue Lemonade. If the signature creations do not delight you – create your own by choosing any flavor and additional toppings. The options are almost endless, but they are all healthy!

Must order: Pinda Colada Snowbaby creation



Wonders Ice Cream

Location: Dallas

Caramel rolled ice cream sitting on a warm honey bun topped with whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate covered pretzels from Wonders Ice Cream in Dallas.

The newest rolled ice cream addition to Dallas just opened up this year and is already a Big D hit! Wonders Ice Cream hails from Minnesota’s Twin Cities and offers guests a creative menu of 20 different flavors. Suprinsgly, that is only one of the reasons why Wonders Ice Cream is special. In addition to ordering your rolled ice cream in a cup, you can also enjoy it in a waffle cone, taco cone or on top of a warm honey bun. Is your mouth drooling yet?

Every rolled ice cream is made-to-order using only all-natural ingredients with no added preservatives. Furthermore, they also have gluten-free and vegan options using coconut and Italian ice bases. Isn’t that wonderful! Some of the popular flavors offered include Strawberry Cheesecake, Cereal Killah, Matcha Berry, Taro Berry, Mangonada, Brownie Smashed, and more.

Must order: Caramel Caramel over a warm honey bun!




Best Artisan Ice Cream in Dallas

You might think artisan ice cream is just a fancy way of saying ice cream. However, that is not the case at all. Artisan ice cream is simply ice cream made in small batches and uses higher quality ingredients. So instead of mass-produced or commercially-prepared ice cream in factories such as the Texas favorite Blue Bell or Ben & Jerry’s, artisan ice cream is made in-house. However, some artisan ice cream companies have become so popular that they distribute across the United States. In addition, artisan ice cream purveyors will also incorporate new techniques to get a better mouthfeel and unique flavors.



Coolhaus

Location: Dallas

An ice cream sandwich of red velvet ice cream between two confetti cookies with colored sprinkles from Coolhaus at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Coolhaus is a certified woman-owned business co-founded by Natasha Case and Freya Estreller. They started it back in 2008 in Los Angeles by baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into “cool houses”. While Coolhaus is artisan ice cream, they are one of the very few who distribute their delicious ice cream all across the U.S. via personal shipping, in 6,000+ grocery stores, mobile food trucks, and at three Scoop Shops. Two shops are located at their Southern California-based storefronts and the third is located at the Dallas Farmers Market.

What makes Coolhaus special and one of the best ice creams, is their ability to push the boundaries of flavors and the use of ingredients. You will find unique flavors that combine sweet and savory such as Brown Butter with Candied Bacon, Whiskey Lucky Charms, Fried Chicken & Waffles, Milkshake & Fries, and more. Furthermore, Coolhaus is dedicated to quality and uses hormone-free California milk, cage-free eggs, fair trade chocolates, and fresh ingredients. The result of the above creates an unbelievable flavor combination with a perfectly smooth texture. In addition, they also serve dairy-free ice cream. That’s not all… Coolhaus is famously known for its ice cream sandwiches known as Sammies. A giant scoop of ice cream sandwiched between freshly baked cookies. I have never tasted such an amazing ice cream sandwich in my life until I had one at Coolhaus.

Must order: a Sammie of Red Velvet ice cream and Confetti cookies



Howdy Homemade

Location: Dallas

Dr. Pepper ice cream with chocolate chips on top inside a yellow and white striped cup is front and center. Then HOWDY is in the background from Howdy Homemade.

Howdy Homemade not only has one of the best ice creams in Dallas but also the best mission. They put people first before ice cream by one simple vision – to see and realize the potential of everyone. Owner and founder, Tom Landis, trains and employs people with down syndrome and autism. With a simple vision and a brand ice cream flavor, Tom has been able to take his Dallas store and branch out to Salt Lake City. Speaking of the brand ice cream flavor, Howdy Homemade is known for its famous Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip ice cream, which is absolutely amazing!

In addition to the beautiful Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip ice cream, Howdy Homemade has over 40 ice cream flavors on rotation. A few unique flavors are the 2018 Big Tex® Choice Awards Finalist Fun-L Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Hot Tamales, Avocado, Sour Patch Kids, Huckleberry Lemonade Sorbet, Carrot Cake, and more. If that was not enough to make you walk into Howdy Homemade, you can even order delicious ice cream cakes! With that said, though there are plenty of unique flavors and ice cream cakes to enjoy, as Tom says, “You’ll come for the ice cream and stay for the people!”

Must order: you guessed it, a big scoop of Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip ice cream.



Melt

Locations: Dallas and Fort Worth

Two giant scoops of ice cream with a bright yellow background from MELT in Ft. Worth.

Melt has been a Fort Worth favorite since 2014 that has won the hearts of Dallas with their second location in the Bishop Arts District. They use only the freshest ingredients and products from local business partners such as Dude Sweet Chocolate, Swiss Pastry Shop, Avoca Coffee, Martin House Brewery, and more. Moreover, supporting others does not stop with locals, they also support great causes by partnering with non-profit organizations around the world!

To stay amazing, Melt is always pushing the limits with unique flavors. They always have their 7 signature flavors including Chocolate Chocolate, Cookie Crack, Salt Lick, and Velvet Vegan. In addition, they will rotate seasonal flavors such as Birthday Cake Batter and Rhubarb Swirl. All these flavors go perfectly with their housemade waffle cones, which also changes flavors! If all these flavor combinations were not intriguing enough, Melt also has Taco Tuesdays (ice cream in a waffle taco) and Spring Sundae (seasonal ice cream sundae).

Must order: one scoop of Salt Lick with one scoop of something seasonal on their homemade waffle cone.



Milky Treats

Location: Plano

A donut filled with ice cream and covered in Fruity Pebbles from one of the best ice cream shops in Dallas - Milky Treats in Plano.

Going to get ice cream is always fun, but Milky Treats takes ice cream to a whole new level of fun! When you walk into their shop you instantly feel cool (no pun intended). It all starts with the name of their flavors – Cake by the Ocean, Basic B Vanilla, Nutella Coachella, and Strawberry Shorty to name a few. What makes them even more unique is their cereal obsession. They have signature cereal infused ice cream swirls where they blend vanilla ice cream and cereal together and finish it with toppings. Or you can customize your own cereal infused “Milky Treat”. Why stop there? You can also get your ice cream stuffed in a glazed donut!

Milky Treats ice cream tastes delicious for a reason – they are the first and only ice cream shop in Dallas that uses a custom aeronautic-grade steel blender. What does that mean? This special machine is what helps make the ice cream have a great texture and rich flavor. Speaking of flavor, Milky Treats has one of the best ice creams in Dallas because they use quality ingredients and locally sourced 14% premium milk fat. Local ice cream shop supporting local producers equals AMAZING!

Must order: Cereal Killer ice cream sandwiched between a hot glazed donut with Fruity Pebbles!




Best Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Dallas

Liquid nitrogen ice cream is the hottest trend in the dessert world right now. Though it’s been around for several years, it has recently really taken off. In fact, we first had liquid nitrogen in St. Louis at Ices Plain & Fancy and immediately fell in love with it. So, what is liquid nitrogen ice cream and how is this ice cream so creamy?

It is the combination of mixing nitrogen gas (which has an extremely low boiling point of -320°F) with your basic ice cream ingredients (cream, milk, sugar, and additional flavor ingredients). At liquid nitrogen ice cream shops, you will see a huge tank filled with liquid nitrogen connected to pipes that are over many Kitchen Aid mixing bowls. Then the liquid nitrogen pours into the bowl with the desired ice cream base and when it starts mixing together it turns into ice cream within seconds. The liquid nitrogen method prevents large ice crystals from forming because it freezes at a rapid rate. Thus, creating a very creamy consistency and a fun, engaging experience.


Cauldron Ice Cream

Location: Dallas

A light pink rose bouquet made with liquid nitrogen ice cream and inside a duffle cone from Cauldron.

Another California based ice cream shop has made its way to the Big D! Cauldron Ice Cream is known for its made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream and the OG Puffle Cone. What is an OG Puffle Cone? A little twist on the Hong Kong egg cake. It’s an egg-based cake made on a special bubble waffle mold, then removed and folded it into a cone. The OG Puffle Cones are light and airy inside with a slight crisp on the outside. The OG Puffle Cones come in three different flavors – original, red velvet, and churro (tossed in cinnamon sugar).

Now let’s talk about Cauldron’s liquid nitrogen ice cream made with natural ingredients. What makes Cauldron have some of the best ice cream in Dallas is their molecular gastronomy take on ice cream and their unique flavors. Some flavors include Earl Grey Lavender, S’mores, H2O Rose, and their signature Cauldron (Vanilla cinnamon ice cream with Oreo cookies). Every month they rotate new flavors into their menu while keeping their staple ones.

Must order: H20 Rose on an OG Puffle Cone or their signature Cauldron ice cream on an OG Churro Puffle Cone.



Creamistry

Locations: Dallas, Ft. Worth, The Colony, Irving, and Southlake

Two liquid nitrogen ice cream sundaes from Creamistry. The left is called Unicorn and is bright pink with light blue drizzle and whipped cream. The one on the right is Peanut Butter and Jelly with peanut butter ice cream and red jelly drizzled.

Creamistry specializes in made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream using all-natural, organic ingredients with four different bases including water-based and plant-based. It was founded in 2013 by Jay Yim in Southern California and now has locations around the United States including six in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Creamistry is one of the best ice creams in Dallas because of its ability to maintain consistency. Since every ice cream is made-to-order, guests can watch science before their eyes. Each ingredient is measured out precisely before being mixed with liquid nitrogen to ensure consistent perfection. Like its other liquid nitrogen predecessors, guests can “invent” their own creations from more than 60 flavors and toppings, but it’s Creamistry’s Signature Creations that make them stand out.

Creamistry has 15 unique Signature Creations that can be served in a bowl or tall glass. Some of the Instagram-worthy favorites include Party Animal, Unicorn, Captains Breakfast, and Cookie Monster. Furthermore, they also have premium ice cream cakes, freshly baked waffle bowls, brownie bowls, ice cream sandwiches made with brownies and fruity pebbles, and ice cream pints to go.

Must order: the bright pink and blue – Unicorn Signature Creation. It has birthday cake ice cream with mini marshmallows, unicorn dust, and marshmallow cream.



iCream Cafe

Location: Frisco

Bird eyes view of liquid nitrogen ice cream inside a cup from iCream Cafe in Frisco. It's coffee ice cream with toasted almonds and chocolate chips.

iCream Cafe is another customizable liquid nitrogen ice cream shop. It opened in Frisco back in 2013 and has been delighting its guests every year since. Guests have the opportunity to be the scientist they always dreamed of being by creating their very own liquid nitrogen ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, hot pudding, or shake! Yes, iCream Cafe does more than just ice cream.

One reason why iCream Cafe has one of the best ice creams in Dallas is that they cater to everyone! How? You can choose regular, light, lactose-free, soy, almond or coconut milk. They also have sugar-free, dairy-free and Keto carb options. All of the ice cream flavors are also gluten-free! Once you choose your milk, you add your flavor, fresh fruit or candy toppings of choice and viola – the team will start creating your customized ice cream right in front of your eyes. If you are not feeling creative, you can also choose some of their signature items that already have the perfect flavor combinations!  

Must order: one of their signature combinations, PBOMG because it really is OMG!




Best Frozen Custard and Soft Serve Ice Cream in Dallas

The main difference between regular ice cream and frozen custard and soft serve ice cream is machinery.

Soft serve ice cream contains the exact same ingredients as regular ice cream but is served from a machine. This machine incorporates more air which results in a smoother texture, whereas regular ice cream hardens after being churned and is scooped to order.

Frozen custard contains the same ingredients as regular ice cream plus an additional 1.4% egg yolks. With that said, it comes down to the machine again. A frozen custard machine churns with as little air as possible. So with the addition of more egg yolks and less air incorporated, frozen custard is more smooth and dense than regular ice cream.



Cow Tipping Creamery

Locations: Frisco and Carrollton

Three different soft serve ice cream sundaes with a sign in the background that says

Cow Tipping Creamery is an Austin-based soft serve ice cream shop that now serves in Dallas! It was founded in 2012 by Timothy and Corey Sorenson and has recently been acquired by Dallas’ beloved Jay Jerrier’s PILF Restaurant group. Cow Tipping Creamery takes ordinary soft serve ice cream and churns it into unique creations called Stackers. Stackers are their version of a sundae constructed by alternating layers of soft serve ice cream with homemade toppings, baked goods, and sauce throughout your dessert.

There are three different soft serve flavors made with a high-quality dairy base – Vanilla, Chocolate, and a weekly flavor. Then you choose your unique Stacker creation and enjoy! Some of the most popular Stacker creations include Southern Charm, Lemon Drop, It’s Your birthday, and more. If none of the Stacker creations indulge you, then you can always create your own by choosing any topping and sauce. Speaking of toppings and sauces – Cow Tipping Creamery is one of the best ice creams in Dallas because everything is homemade! Toppings such as Triple Fudge Brownie Chunks, Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Molasses Graham Crumb, and more are all made in-house. Even the sauces like Lemon Curd, Brown Sugar Hot Fudge and Rummy Caramel are made in-house. Having every topping and sauce made in-house is truly what sets Cow Tipping Creamery apart and you can taste the difference!

Must order: the Southern Charm Stacker with Vanilla soft serve ice cream. It includes Rummy Caramel Sauce, Honey Dusted Pecans, Southern Cracker Candy and Blue Sugar Crystals.



Sugar Pine Creamery

Location: Plano

A swirl of chocolate and coconut soft serve ice cream inside a red waffle cone from Sugar Pine Creamery in Plano.

Sugar Pine Creamery is the newest scoop in Plano serving both traditional and unique ice cream flavors as well as bubble tea. The owners are from Indonesia and want to take their common Eastern flavors and showcase them in Dallas – and boy do they do a great job! Sugar Pine Creamery uses premium ingredients to create their six daily flavors. The six soft serve flavors rotate every other week, so there is always a new and exciting flavor to try. Some of the flavors in the past have been Pandan Chocolate, Coconut, Matcha, Mango, Black Sesame, Avocado, Pink Guava, and more. If you are like me and can’t decide, you can also get a soft serve swirl of two flavors!

In addition to their Eastern flavors and swirled ice cream, Sugar Pine Creamery also features unique toppings such as Fairy Floss Caviar (fancy sprinkles), Pocky Sticks, Quinoa Puffs, Potato Chips, Cheese Crisps, and more. Then for the final touch, you can choose a drizzle flavor from Chocolate, Sweet Milk, Caramel or Mocha. The uniqueness and flavors don’t stop – you can also choose both flavored and colored waffle cones made by the famous Brooklyn shop, The Konery.

Must order: since their flavors always rotate and they are all delicious, you can never go wrong.



Wild About Harry’s

Location: Dallas

A chocolate custard with chocolate cookie crumbs, whipped cream and a cherry on the left and a hot dog covered in cheese on the right from Wild About Harrys - one of the best ice creams in Dallas.

Wild About Harry’s has been an ice cream icon in Dallas since 1996. Harry Coley (may he rest in peace) left us with his legacy – a fun atmosphere to gather with friends and family to enjoy the best frozen custard and award-winning hot dogs in Dallas. The famous frozen custard comes from Harry’s mom’s secret recipe and its been winning hearts with over 50 different flavors.

Though there are over 50 flavors, they only serve 12 flavors at a time. Staple flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, and Latte stay on the menu year-round while unique flavors such as Dreamiscle and Death by Chocolate will rotate. Furthermore, you can also add toppings to any custard flavor to create concrete ice cream or order a classic sundae. Frozen custard is not the only hit at Wild About Harry’s – you also have to order one of the specialty hot dogs to complete your experience. Trust me, you do not want to miss out. Afterall, they are award-winning.

Must order: if Death by Chocolate is on the menu, I highly recommend it. It is chocolate custard with magic shell chocolate and dark and white chocolate chips.




Best Old-Fashioned Ice Cream in Dallas

Old-fashioned ice cream not only goes back to the basics of creating ice cream but the shops also have the nostalgic feel of the old ice cream parlors.



Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Locations: storefronts in Denton, Carrollton, and Sherman

Three scoops of ice cream inside a chocolate waffle cone from Beth Marie's Old Fashioned Ice Cream.

Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream started in 1998 in Denton, Texas from owners Beth Marie & Dr. Randy Cox. Since then, it has changed owners, become a local landmark in Denton, has four storefronts, and sells its ice cream to Central Market, hotels, and restaurants like Hypnotic Emporium. In fact, you can find Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned ice cream in over 40 different locations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Needless to say, Beth Marie’s is one of the best ice creams in Dallas. Moreover, there is something special about walking into Beth Marie’s storefront because you get that nostalgic ambiance. So though you can find it in other locations, I recommend you visit a storefront.

Beth Marie’s is always churning up new flavors, therefore they now have over 120 flavors of ice cream. At each Beth Marie’s location, the flavors are continually rotating and will have between 48 and 64 flavors to choose from. Sticking with the old-fashioned theme, the flavors are also nostalgic replicating classic desserts or containing beloved ingredients you enjoyed as a kid. From Bubbas Bubble Gum to Banana Cream Pie, German Chocolate Cake, Cotton Candy, Butterfinger, and more. With that said, every flavor is classified as “premium quality” because it contains 14% butterfat. Lastly, Beth Marie’s premium ice cream is made special in an ice cream machine designed in the late 1920s – talk about old-fashioned. It is the final touch of what makes Beth Marie’s truly special.

Must order: two scoops of Salty Dog (dulce de leche ice cream with sea salt and caramel swirl) and Turtle Torture (butternut ice cream with chocolate covered pecans, caramel cups, and caramel swirl).



Braum’s

Several locations in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Plano, Carrollton, Frisco, Allen, Richardson, The Colony, Garland, Lewisville, Irving, Denton, McKinney, Murphy, and more.

A classic ice cream sundae of three different scoops of ice cream covered in whipped cream and toasted almonds from Braum's.

I could not have a list of the best ice cream in Dallas and not include Braum’s because its the ice cream I grew up on. I’m sure that I am not alone when I say going to Braum’s was always a special treat growing up. Braum’s is a family business that started back in 1968 in Oklahoma. Today, it has over 300 locations across Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

What makes Braum’s ice cream special is their rich and fresh milk. They are the only major ice cream maker in the country to milk their own cows at their dairy farm. Their cows enjoy a 100% vegetarian diet so no growth hormones or antibiotics are added. In addition to the highest quality of milk, Braum’s has over 100 classic flavors to choose from – Mint Chocolate Chip, Pecans, Praline & Cream, Chocolate Marshmallow, Rocky Road, and more. For lighter fare, you can also choose their Light Ice Cream flavors made with their low-fat milk, Frozen Yogurt, No Sugar Added Frozen Yogurt or Sherbet.

Must order: a classic ice cream sundae of Rocky Road, Pecans, Praline & Cream, and Cookie Monster




Best “Out of this World” Ice Cream in Dallas

Okay, so maybe these two ice cream shops are not actually out of this world, but their flavors and techniques are influenced from outside the United States.



Azucar Ice Cream Company

Locations: Dallas

Two scoops of Cuban ice cream inside a bright pink cup from Azucar Ice Cream.

You don’t have to travel far to get the perfect taste of Cuba. Azucar Ice Cream Company is an artisanal ice cream and sorbet boutique specializing in authentic Cuban flavors. Founded in 2011 by Suzy Battle, Azucar opened in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and won the hearts of the entire city. Now they have opened a second location to also win the hearts of Dallas in the Bishop Arts District. The Cuban flavors are inspired by Suzy’s grandmother using the highest quality and all natural ingredients into each scoop.

Azucar has over 120 different flavors on a daily rotation with Cuban, classic, tropical fruit, and seasonal ice cream flavors, in addition to sugar-free and sorbet flavors. Some of the most popular Cuban flavors are Flan and Rum Raisin made with Havana Club rum, Cuban Coffee, Mantecado (Cuban Vanilla), Platano Maduro (Sweet Plantain), and their trademarked Abuela Maria®. The Abuela Maria® is inspired by a classic Cuban dessert – vanilla ice cream mixed with luscious red guava jelly, rich cream cheese, and crispy, sweet galletas Maria cookies. The combination is amazing!

Must order: a scoop of the classic Abuela Maria®, Café con Leche (Cuban Coffee & Oreo), and Caramel Flan.



BigDash Ice Cream and Pastry

Locations: Richardson and Frisco (opening soon)

Two slices of Arabic ice cream with pistachios swirled inside from BigDash.

One of the most unique and best ice creams in Dallas is BigDash Ice Cream and Pastry. Owned and operated by the Alrefaii family, they are the only ones serving traditional Arabic ice cream and pastries to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. If you are unfamiliar with Arabic ice cream, it is stretchy ice cream made by a pounding technique created centuries ago. The consistency of the ice cream is thicker and more elastic than usual because the pounding technique helps take out the air. Though it may sound out of the ordinary, the texture is amazing! What also makes it different are the ingredients. Unlike American ice cream and Italian gelato, there are no eggs in Arabic ice creams. Instead, it contains milk, cream, very little sugar, flavorings, and natural thickening agents salep and mastic gum. Furthermore, BigDash uses pure ingredients in their ice cream so every flavor tastes delicious!

The most popular flavor is the traditional Arabic ice cream which contains rose water as one of the primary ingredients and covered with toasted pistachios. The result is absolutely divine and refreshing! With that said, you can also order this ice cream shaped into a log and sliced into a beautiful swirl. Other flavors include Pistachio, Coconut, Tiramisu, Salted Butter Caramel, Nutella, Mango, Raspberry, and more. Lastly, BigDash also has mouth-watering pastries that you cannot miss. Their most popular pastry is the kunafa. Kunafa is a thin noodle-like pastry soaked in a sugar-based syrup, layered with sweet cheese and brûléed on top. It pairs perfectly with the Arabic ice cream. The combination of these hot and cold desserts are a match made in heaven.

Must order: a log of traditional Arabic ice cream sliced with a warm kunafa.




I hope you have enjoyed my list of the best ice creams in Dallas. It was hard work tasting every ice cream, but hey, someone has to do it. Now I am off to get a gym membership while you enjoy the fruits of my labor.



Anna

Sunday 5th of May 2019

Oh my! Guilty pleasures and calories! Your post is awesome and I love the pictures!

oursweetadventures

Monday 6th of May 2019

Aww thank you so much! Iā€™m so delighted to hear you enjoyed my post. I hope you are able to visit Dallas and taste some of these ice creams!

Amy Alton

Friday 3rd of May 2019

Wow, these all look amazing. Thanks for mentioning some dairy-free options. I'll be checking them out next time I visit family in Dallas.

oursweetadventures

Sunday 5th of May 2019

My pleasure! I am delighted to hear you enjoyed the post and will visit some on your next trip!

Elizabeth

Friday 3rd of May 2019

We do ice cream tours with our boys where ever we travel. Apparently we need to visit Dallas PRONTO!!!

oursweetadventures

Sunday 5th of May 2019

That is awesome! You definitely need to visit Dallas for ice cream :)

Elisa Miller

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

My partner loves ice cream, except that he can't eat dairy! Can you supplement this with a list of the best dairy free ice creams? He'd be grateful and so would I!

oursweetadventures

Friday 3rd of May 2019

I do mention in each segment which ones have dairy-free, but I know that will be difficult to find amongst all the paragraphs. I will do my best to find a way to make it easy to find the dairy-free ice creams. Thank you for the great idea!

Popi grasso

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

will you pay for my ice cream as I am retired and have no income?

oursweetadventures

Friday 3rd of May 2019

Haha yes Papi, of course ?