Best Ice Cream in the Triangle 

Are you looking for the best ice cream spots in the Triangle area? Keep reading to discover the most delicious places to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Is the weather getting warmer, and you are craving some delicious ice cream? Knowing the best spots to go is essential to indulge in your favorite ice cream. Throughout the Triangle, there are many locally owned shops that are a must-visit spot, especially once Memorial Day weekend rolls around and the summer season begins. 

The Triangle area is known for its vibrant artist culture and unique backgrounds, which help the locals create many different and unique favorite summer snacks. With many fresh and local ingredients from local farmers, these desserts are top-tier and a must-eat. 

With some spots being nominated for the best ice cream, you must try them out. If you live in the triangle, you know that there is so much to do and so many local businesses that are all highly ranked. So, if you have a sweet tooth and want a nice scoop of ice cream, read this list to find the best stop for you. 

Here are the best ice cream spots in the Triangle.

1. Howling Cow Ice Cream

Location: 100 Dairy Ln, Raleigh, NC

Contact Info: (919) 513-4695

For over half a century, generations of North Carolinians have loved this premium ice cream on NC State's campus and at the State Fair. The ice cream is made right here on campus in the Department of Food Hall. This is a must-try place With top-quality ingredients and fresh milk and cream from the Raleigh farm.

Howling Cow Ice Cream offers a full menu that includes scooped ice cream, banana splits, sundaes, specialty coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, smoothies, and milkshakes. This hidden gem in Raleigh gives customers access to this dangerously good dessert locally from the 329-acre on-site farm. If you are looking for a unique experience as well as helping the research facility, check out Howling Cow Ice Cream.

2. Andia's Homemade Ice Cream

Location: 10120 Green Level Chuch Rd, #208, Cary, NC

Location: 1008 Ryan Road, Cary, NC

Location: 2201 Iron Works Drive, Suite 129, Raleigh, NC

Andia's Homemade Ice Cream is a local, multi-award-winning, family-run ice cream company that offers many shops all over the Triangle. They offer desserts in Raleigh and Cary in various forms and flavors, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. 

With premium ingredients, this shop offers many options of ice cream to fit everyone's preferences and diet. With two locations, this shop is thriving in making their loyal customers happy and wanting more. 

If you are someone who is lactose free or vegan, this is a perfect destination to go to if you still have a sweet tooth. With many flavors to choose from, Andia's also has two new sorbets to choose from. This is a perfect place to indulge, especially since it is an award-winning shop. 

3. Two Roosters Ice Cream

Location: Multiple Locations

7713 Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh, NC

215 E Franklin St., Raleigh, NC

4025 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC

800 Taylor St., Durham, NC

1839 S Main St., Wake Forest, NC

Named the best ice cream in the Tar Heel State by Food and Wine, this place is a hard place not to love. Roaming the streets of Raleigh in a turquoise Ford truck since 1014, this locally sourced ice cream truck was a hit. With their first brick building that opened in 2017, Two Roosters has been a go-to place for residents of the Raleigh area.

The ice cream menu is a rotating menu that is a mix of seasonal as well as permanent flabors. The new flavors are announced on the first of the month on their social media, so do not miss out on the unique and delicious flavors they come up with. 

4. Lumpy's Ice Cream

Location: 306 Wait Ave, Wake Forest, NC

Contact Info: (919) 878-7700

Lumpy's Ice Cream is locally owned by a father who wanted to make sweet treats that are simple but delicious. Since 2001, Lumpy's has been making full-flavored, all-natural ingredients from local producers that use hormone-free milk and cream from various family farms all throughout the area. 

In 2012, Lumpy's became the official Ice Cream of the Carolina RailHawks as well, and they have a place on the shelves at local grocery stores and fresh food markets to help spread the love of this local favorite sweet treat. With many flavors, Lumpy's is a perfect spot to stop by and enjoy a frozen treat.

5. Goodberry's Frozen Custard

Location: Nine locations

Contact Info: Varies

Goodberrys is an all-natural frozen custard place that is made fresh hourly. With nine locations throughout the Triangle area, this is a local favorite destination to eat at. With only natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or chemicals, this custard is a special dessert that many Southerners have learned to live with. 

With the uniqueness of different flavors as well as build-your-own and many customizations, this dessert is a fan favorite. From their own craft dairy plant, all custard is made fresh and with their unique formulation unlike no other. So, if you are looking for a different sweet treat, visit Goodberrys and create your own masterpiece. 

6. FRESH. Local Ice Cream

Location: Multiple

6033 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC

138 East Chatham Street, Cary, NC

109 N Salem Street, Apex, NC

205 S Main Street, Holly Springs, NC

Contact Info: Varies

FRESH. Local Ice Cream is Raleigh's mom-and-pop ice cream shop serving up unique ice cream flavors as well as handmade ice cream cakes from locally sourced farms. The ice cream base comes from a nearby farm, ensuring that their tastes are made fresh daily. 

This ice cream is a multi-award winning spot, made fresh every week with local milk, free-range cows, free of artificial hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. With many everyday flavors in the menu, they are also open to new flavors, so if you want to try something new, let them know. FRESH is a place where you will want to keep going back, so if you are looking for a sweet treat, visit any of their multiple locations. 

7. Sunni Sky's Homemade Ice Cream

Location: 8617 NC-55, Angier, NC

Contact Info: (919) 427-7118

Sunni Sky's Homemade Ice Cream is a beloved local shop that offers more than 130 homemade flavors. This family-owned business is renowned for its affordable prices, fast and friendly service, and its appeal to both human and furry customers. Please note that the shop is temporarily closed every year from December 1st until March 1st.

This shop may be located in the middle of nowhere, but it is a cute little place with plenty of outdoor seating. Please note that the shop accepts cash only, so make sure you have enough on hand when you visit. This small shop can get very busy during the season, but don't worry; they are quick and efficient. You can even sample as many ice cream flavors as you like since there are so many unique options available.

8. Maple View Farm Ice Cream

Location: 6900 Rocky Ridge, Rd, Hillsborough, NC

Contact Info: (919) 960-5535

Maple View Farm Ice Cream is home to the Triangle's highest quality, farm-fresh milk, and ice cream, as well as milk and other dairy products from their country store. Maple View Farm has won awards at the local, regional, and even the national level. 

Maple View has hundreds of delicious flavors and unique ice cream creations. With twelve permanent flavors, many various seasonal flavors offer something for everyone. At any given time, there are over 20 flavors to choose from. There are also No Sugar Added sorbets too for people with dieatry preferences.

The country store also has many events throughout the year, such as live music, activities, informational booths, and so much more. So, if you are searching for some homemade ice cream and an experience, check out Maple View Farm Ice Cream.

9. Raleigh Rolls

Location: 411 W. Morgan St., Morgan Street Food Hall, Raleigh, NC

Contact Info: (919) 559-0451

Raleigh Rolls is a unique and different sweet treat that offers Thai rolled ice cream and various toppings. Even better, you get to watch them from the rolls in front of your eyes. This place has something for everyone, with vegan, Dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free options. 

Inspired by Southeast Asia, be amazed as they roll your ice cream into a beautiful creation that is pretty to look at and delicious to eat. Many of Raleigh Roll's menu options have local ingredients as well as fresh toppings to choose from. This place is a unique experience that is something you must try. 

10. La Vita Dolce Espresso and Gelato Cafe

 Location: 610 Market, St, Chapel Hill, NC

Contact Info: (919) 968,1635

La Vita Dolce Espresso and Gelato Cafe is a cozy cafe that offers coffee, gelato, and wine—serving up gelato and sorbetto that are made on-site using fresh fruit and spices, fine chocolate, and ingredients imported from Italy. Ranked the best in Chapel Hill in the Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt in 2018, 2020, and 2021, this place is a must-visit spot. 

With the staples, Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, and Mint Chip, they also offer new flavors that also bring a refreshing surprise made with love and fresh ingredients like Spicy Mango, Sangria Sobet, White Chocolate Rose, and many others. 

If you haven't already, you must try gelato, the Italian-style sweet treat that is different from ice cream. You can find it at La Vita. They have various options for everyone, including low-fat, naturally lactose-free, and rich and creamy flavors. You can also enjoy wine and coffee here.

FAQS

Which place in the Triangle has the nation's best ice cream?

Andia's Ice Cream holds the standing as the Triangle and nation's best ice cream spot and has been ranked as one of the top 10 best places in the United States for Ice Cream.

Are there many things to do in Raleigh, NC?

There are many things to do in Raleigh, whether it be checking out local museums, parks, or restaurants; Raleigh has so much for everyone. If you are looking for a sweet treat that is not ice cream, check out Videri Chocolate Factory.

Are there many local farms in the Triangle?

There are many local farms and farmers markets all throughout the Triangle. Many local places get their ingredients from these local farms and markets. Some of the most popular local farms are Maple View Farm, LOCAL., and Coon Rock Farm.

What is the best ice cream flavor in the world?

According to much research, America's favorite ice cream flavor is Vanilla, and thankfully, all of these ice cream shops in the triangle all offer this flavor in many ways: dairy-free, gluten-free, and locally fresh.

Best Ice Cream in Triangle - The Bottom Line

Knowing the best places to go for indulging in your favorite ice cream is essential. Some of these spots have even been nominated for the best ice cream, so you must give them a try. If you live in the Triangle, you know that there are many local businesses that are all highly ranked and offer a lot of things to do.

In the Triangle area, numerous locally-owned ice cream shops are a must-visit. The Triangle is famous for its vibrant artistic culture and unique backgrounds that help the locals create various summer snacks. These desserts are made with fresh and local ingredients from local farmers, making them top-tier and a must-eat. 

If you want to move to the Triangle, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.