13 Best Ice Cream Spots in Durham, NC

The Parlour – of course I had to start my list off with the downtown Durham OG spot. I mean, did you really spend your summer in Durham if you didn’t get a scoop from The Parlour and then get a pic of it in front of Major the Bull across the street? Thrillist named them one of the best ice cream spots in the nation. The owners got their start after moving to Durham in 2011 for grad school at Duke and began operating out of an old school bus. (I’m not sure if they still have the bus currently, but it was v cute. My old job brought it to one of our work conferences in 2017). They have a variety of regular and vegan ice cream flavors, sorbets, and baked goods. You can get your choice of ice cream in a cup, several cones, sundaes, or shakes. The line is normally down the block, especially in the summer, but it is worth the wait!

Simons Says Dip This – Sticking to the downtown Durham theme, this just opened up about two months ago and is honestly the trendiest dessert place to try at the moment. It is super ‘instagrammable’ if you know what I mean. You start with your choice of vegan or dairy soft serve vanilla custard, then choose from about 20 or so dip options. You can get your cup, cone, or even cookie sandwich covered in your choice of dip, and toppings. To take it up a notch, you can also choose a core inside the ice cream. My favorite combo is a cone with a fudge core, peanut butter dip, and crushed Oreos on top. I honestly don’t understand the science behind how this works and how the ice cream doesn’t melt or fall in the tubs of dip- not surprising though since Science was my worst subject. One of the owners did graduate from the Culinary Institute of America, so it is no surprise they have the fancy dip perfected. You have your choice of fun ice cream themed movie posters or swings in the front to get a great pic with your fabulous ice cream. This also always has a super long line, but again I promise it is worth it!

Pincho Loco – Earlier this year I was in search of a good chocolate milkshake after being let down by McDonald’s and a new spot in Durham that was known for their shakes (not impressive). I decided to try Pincho Loco next and I’m not sure why I ever wasted my time getting chocolate shakes at any other spot. They are seriously so delicious; I don’t know how they do it. The owners Marta and Luis are two of the nicest people you will ever meet in Durham as well. Another plus is they let me bring my dog, Wally, in with me while I order which he also appreciates. Their specialty is Native Latino flavors such as Tequila, Tiger Tail (Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla, and Chocolate), Guava, Tamarind, to name a few. You can also order custom ice cream cakes from them, or just pick up some pints to go from their freezer. If you go, do yourself a favor and try those chocolate shakes!

Rockwood Dairy Bar – First of all, a round of applause for this place for taking the scary leap of opening up an ice cream shop at the beginning of a global pandemic! I love that the owner decided to follow her dream last year when everything was so unknown. It is located in the Rockwood neighborhood in between Nana’s and Nuvo Taco. Whenever I go I love to order a custom cookie sandwich. I know this is an ice cream shop, but those soft fresh baked cookies are too good to pass up. What makes this place unique is they actually make their ice cream as more of a custard base since it contains eggs, and mix it in a v fancy sorbet machine. I recently saw the machine in person and it is no joke. This summer they launched Ice Cream Camps which were initially intended for children but myself and a few other hardcore ice cream lovers commented on the post asking if she would consider an adult version which she added shortly after. This was so great. If you love ice cream and fun, sign up for the next one! You basically get to sample ice cream, learn about how she makes her flavors, and then mix your own batch and take it in a pint home! Also there is booze to mix in your flavors and drink while you’re there!

Two Roosters – I first tried Two Roosters in 2018 when my old job brought their food truck to the office as an attempt to boost morale. Didn’t quite do the trick, but I did appreciate the free ice cream. Fast forward a few years and they have since expanded into Durham with a brick and mortar located on the Golden Belt Campus. Each month they rotate in fun flavor themes. My favorite rotation has been ‘Breakfast for Dessert.’ That month I had a scoop of Blueberry Donut ice cream which included pieces of blueberry glazed donuts from Baker’s Dozen Donuts, another local gem. But I also could not pass up the Buttery Crumb Cake ice cream which had pieces of, you guessed it, chunks of homemade crumb cake mixed in. :Drools: You can check their Instagram the first of each month to find out what the new featured flavors will be!

Parker and Otis – 2020 was sad for lots of reasons, and one of them being I had to go the entire year without a pimento cheese sandwich from P&O. Don’t fret, they returned in early 2021 in their new location in American Tobacco Campus and I have already had three pimento cheese sandwiches from them this year. With their new location also came the addition of soft serve! I love fancy ice cream, but sometimes you just want some good basic soft serve, ya know? They offer chocolate, vanilla, and twist and a few toppings. It comes in a mini cup which is perfect when you just need a little something sweet. At the end of the building they have a walk-up window for ordering ice cream without having to go inside. Love this convenience for when I am alone with Wally and can’t go inside!

La Monarca Michoacana Ice Cream – Kicking myself as I write this for the fact that I have only been to La Monarca once. It’s one of those places you may miss since it is a little off the beaten path. It’s tucked away in a small shopping plaza and doesn’t face the main road, but it is worth a stop. When I went, I tried a cookies n creme flavor, but it was honestly one of the most unique tasting of that flavor I had ever had. I’m not sure what was mixed in with the ice cream, but it tasted like Christmas in my mouth. Maybe a hint of nutmeg? It had some low-key eggnog vibes and I was here for it. They also have locations in Raleigh and Greensboro!

Sugar Koi – Tucked inside the historic Brightleaf Square in downtown is a one-of-a-kind ‘Asian inspired’ ice cream shop. The owner was born in Bangkok, Thailand and noticed Durham was lacking the kind of homemade ice cream he enjoyed as a child. Sugar Koi is not only home to an abundance of unique flavors, but also home to their specially made Fish Koiyaki Waffle Cones. The cones are absolutely adorable, so I recommend getting those for your first time- I mean, where else are you going to get a cone shaped like a cute little fish?! My go-to is usually chocolate ice cream with sprinkles.

Panderia La Loma – Just a hop, skip and a jump away from my house at the corner of Hillsborough Road and Georgia Avenue, is a stationary ice cream truck parked in front of Panderia La Loma, a small Mexican bakery. They have strawberry shortcake, crepes, and lemonade but I settled on a banana split when I stopped by. Hot tip: take your ice cream on a walk through the Watts and Hillandale neighborhood behind the truck and visit the park since it is one of the cutest Durham neighborhoods in my opinion. 

Goodberry’s – Goodberry’s is a true NC gem. I do wish Durham had more than one location though, because that parking lot can get wild at night and it can be difficult to get a seat outside. If you are like me and hate bars (and sometimes people) I am happy to share this is a late night spot I can get behind. Always down for 11pm custard runs at Goodberry’s but don’t you dare ask me to leave my house and meet you for a drink, I will not do it. They are open until 11pm Sun – Thurs, and midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Concretes (their version of a flurry) are normally my fave. Check out their website before you go for their flavor of the day. If you’re lucky, maybe you will see their custard truck at a food truck rodeo!

Milk Lab – Sometimes after I get my nails done at La Vie, I like to treat myself to fancy rolled ice cream across the street at Milk Lab. Their rolled ice cream is a true work of art. I like to get chocolate everything- chocolate ice cream and all the chocolate toppings: brownies, cookies, Pocky, pirouettes, and whipped cream. I always feel bad asking for a lid when I can’t finish it all because I don’t want to squish its beauty. 

Sweet Charlie’s – Another delicious rolled ice cream spot in South Durham is Sweet Charlie’s. Was I truly living before I had rolled ice cream on a donut?! I think not. If that is too extra they also offer regular rolled ice cream, milkshakes, and an assortment of fresh baked cookies to choose from.

Local Yogurt – Haters will tell me I can’t include Local Yogurt since it isn’t technically ice cream, but I do what I want. It is so good you will forget you aren’t actually eating ice cream. It is tucked in between Grub and DaKine’s Kava which is perfect for visiting all three places for dinner, dessert, and an alcohol free night cap afterwards. They have outdoor tables and a window to order from so it is a great dog friendly location.