It’s hot out there, Dallasites! And what’s the best cool treat on a sweltering Texas summer day? Ice cream; yes, the cool treat that comes in a cup or a cone, and can be made in dozens of ways. We wanted to find some of the best ice cream shops in the metroplex, and believe us, there is plenty to discover. Our curated list offers some of the best flavors, and the coolest backstories and most are small businesses or locally-owned. So next time you get a craving for a scoop of sweetness, check our top choices for the best ice cream in Dallas before you head out on your mission.
Azucar Ice Cream Company
This Bishop Arts sweet spot features ice cream inspired by owner Suzy Batlle’s Cuban-born Abuela, who loved to make ice cream with tropical fruits. While you’ll find classics like chocolate and strawberry, the unique flavors like the signature Abuela maria™ (guava cream cheese and maria crackers) and the chusmeria (banana, chocolate chunks, and peanuts) are what bring people back again and again.
269 N. Bishop Ave.
Dallas, TX 75208
Online: azucaricecream.com
Baldo’s Ice Cream & Coffee
Go for the ice cream flight (six mini cones) and stay for the affogato—your choice of ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso. Everything is made in small batches, and Baldo’s tries to source locally as often as possible. Kids will love the year-round options like cookies ‘n cream and mint chip as much as they’ll love seasonal flavors like cinnamon toast crunch. Plus, there’s a full coffee bar for parents who need more than a sugar rush.
6401 Hillcrest Ave. Ste. 102
Dallas, TX 75205
Online: baldosdallas.com
Howdy Homemade
While we could go on all day about the flavors you can find at Howdy’s (think Dr. Pepper® Chocolate Chip, Orange Dreamsicle, and Cold Brew & Cookies), it’s the origin story that gives us the warm fuzzies. When owner Tom Landis opened the first spot in Dallas in 2015, he did so with the mission to offer teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a place where they have steady, quality employment. Yes, the ice cream is amazing, but the people serving up your cups and cones are even more so.
12300 Inwood Dr. Ste. 200
Dallas, TX 75244
Online: howdyhomemade.com
Melt
Good news, ice cream aficionados. Melt is now available in both Fort Worth and Dallas! When you visit this sweet shop, you’ll find “always flavors” and “sometimes flavors,” which include seasonal and new flavors that rotate every six weeks. The “always flavors” menu includes Cup of Texas, Salt Lick, Cookie Crush, and the Always Sammie. The Summer 2022 “sometimes flavors” menu offers Key Lime Pie, Watermelon Sorbet, Texas Butter Pecan, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. This is some of the best ice cream in Dallas, so be sure to try it soon!
1201 W Magnolia Ave. Ste. 115
Fort Worth, TX 76104
405 N. Bishop Ave.
Dallas, TX 75208
Online: melticecreams.com
Milky Treats
This ice cream shop offers summer’s favorite dessert in a whole new way. Not only are their flavors hand-crafted in a custom aeronautic-grade steel blender, but they have a cereal-infused ice cream bar. You pick your flavor, pick your toppings and they blend it for you on the spot. They offer signature swirls (like the Puff Daddy: vanilla ice cream, Reese’s puffs, crushed almonds, Reese’s pieces and a chocolate drizzle) or you can make your own. If you want to go all out, get a Milky Donut—a signature swirl stuffed inside a donut.
7000 Independence Pkwy. Ste. 104D
Plano, TX 75025
Online: milkytreats.com
Sweet Firefly
This Richardson institution has been serving some of the best ice cream in Dallas for many years. Not only will you ice cream, but you’ll find ice cream sandwiches and dark chocolate caramel balls, chocolate-covered espresso beans and more.
2701 Custer Parkway, Ste. 810
Richardson, TX 75080
Online: sweetfirefly.com
Cow Tipping Creamery
With three locations in the metroplex, you can totally make a trip to this soft-serve ice cream shop. Serving up ice cream combos called “stackers,” each cup of ice cream comes with layers of delicious extras like red velvet cake balls, Oreos, cereal, marshmallows, honey-dusted pecans, bananas and so much more.
685 The Star Blvd.
Frisco, TX 75034
3501 Hulen St.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
7328 Gaston Ave. #110
Dallas, TX 75214
Online: cowtippingcreamery.com
Cauldron Ice Cream
With locations in Dallas and Carollton (Frisco and Grand Praire spots coming soon!) what began in a California garage has taken the ice cream market by storm. Served up in puffle cones—inspired by a Hong Kong street snack—Cauldron Ice Cream’s creations are totally unique and delicious. Creative combos include S’mores, Sun Moon and Stars, Earl Gray Lavender, Vietnamese Coffee and more.
3001 Knox St.
Dallas, TX 75205
4070 State Hwy 121., Ste. 432
Carrollton, TX 75010
Online: cauldronicecream.com
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