The Raleigh area's agricultural background and vibrant artistic culture are together helping local chefs create unique spins on everyone's favorite summertime treat. With fresh and local ingredients such as milk from local grass-fed cows to ripe peaches and strawberries from the local farmers, Raleigh's ice cream makers are creating desserts you can't miss to the City of Oaks.

 

Two Roosters Ice Cream

Roaming the streets of the Raleigh area in a turquoise 1965 Ford truck for a decade now, Two Roosters Ice Cream—named the best ice cream in the Tar Heel State by Food & Wine—is hard to miss and easy to love. Founded by North Carolina State University alum Jared Plummer, the locally-sourced ice cream truck was such a hit that they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in summer of 2017 to better serve the masses. The ever-changing menu is a mix of seasonal and permanent flavors—we’re big fans of the blackberry hibiscus and roasted strawberry and honey flavors from the "forever" selections. Rotating flavors are announced on the first of each month on Instagram

Address: 215 E. Franklin St., Raleigh, NC 27604 (plus two other Raleigh locations and one in Wake Forest)

 

Howling Cow Ice Cream

A product of North Carolina State University, Howling Cow ice cream has long been one of Raleigh's favorite hidden gems on the Wolfpack campus (the ice cream actually debuted at the North Carolina State Fair in the 1970s, then was served up at the student library starting in the 1980s), but the new Dairy Education Center and Creamery—opened in 2020—has given customers better access than ever to this dangerously good dessert that uses fresh milk and cream from the cows that live on the 329-acre on-site farm.

As the name states, the Dairy Education Center and Creamery is more than just another location to find this tasty treat—it’s also a destination learning center equipped with interactive video exhibits so visitors can enjoy an ice cream sundae while learning about the plant’s operations and discovering the many facets of the state's dairy industry.

Guided tours of the farm, research facility, Education Center and Randleigh Heritage Dairy Museum are also available.

Address: 100 Dairy Ln., Raleigh, NC 27603

 

Andia's Homemade Ice Cream

A family-owned business led by Andia Xouris, Andia's Homemade Ice Cream—now with three total locations, including a sparkly new shop within the wonderful Raleigh Iron Works district—is proud to serve up its award-winning ice cream made with premium ingredients (and the taste to match). The shop offers a wide variety of rotating decadent flavors, a bunch of classics always on the menu plus at least one vegan flavor and a couple sorbets available for their lactose-intolerant and vegan friends. 

Locally, Andia's is well known for their over-the-top, Monster Shake creations—an experience worth conquering once and possibly only once (with a friend or three to help). Make no mistake, though—this is seriously good ice cream meant to be enjoyed in completely unserious way.

Address: 1008 Ryan Rd., Cary, NC 27511 (plus two locations in Cary)

 

Sunni Sky's Homemade Ice Cream

Up for a sweet treat road trip? For a humble ice cream shop tucked away nearly twenty miles south of downtown Raleigh in Angier, N.C., Sunni Sky's sure has made a name for itself. The shop's Cold Sweat ice cream flavor—made with a variety of chili peppers and hot sauces—has been dubbed the "spiciest sweet on the planet" and earned attention from Food Network, Good Morning America and beyond (you'll need to sign a waiver before chowing down—it's that hot!).

With hours that stretch until 11pm seven days a week during the warmer months, the shop, along with the front porch and signature rocking chairs waiting outside, is nearly always packed (with a line that moves quicker than you'd expect thanks to a hustling staff). More than 130 homemade flavors are crammed onto the menu—Blueberry Cheesecake, Pumpkin Pie, Coconut Fudge, Sour Apple Sherbet and plenty more (ask to taste as many samples as you'd like and they'll happily oblige).

With super low prices (it's just $5 for a triple cup or cone—cash only, by the way), it's no wonder why this ice cream parlor is a favorite for so many. 

Note: The shop closes each year from Dec. 1 until March 1. 

Address: 8617 NC Hwy 55 S., Angier, NC 27501

 

Lumpy's Ice Cream

The brainchild of chef Buck Buchanan, Lumpy’s Ice Cream is based on a simple philosophy: keep it simple and keep it local (and have a blast doing what you love). A chef by training and restaurateur by trade, Buck first made his ice cream as a treat for his kids, then later made the jump to open up a shop in downtown Wake Forest—more than a decade in now, Lumpy's has more than earned its local icon status (as has the mustache that Buck has been rocking the entire time). Stop into the shop for the fresh waffle cone smells and an abundance of always-rotating flavors made with seasonal goodies (some "adults only" options are usually on hand, too!). 

Address: 306 E. Wait Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Goodberry's Frozen Custard

Technically a frozen custard shop (but your tastebuds are happy all the same), Goodberry’s opened in 1988 with a focus on pure, honest ingredients to make their frozen treats. In the beginning, not many Southerners knew what frozen custard was, but the concept of their "concrete" quickly caught on. The term “concrete” comes from the fact that their custard is whipped until there is little to no air left, resulting in a thick, creamy texture. So thick, in fact, that you can flip your cup upside down and the custard will not pour out (as pictured in the header photo up top). Made fresh hourly, locals know to check out the flavor of the day online and customize their concrete with a variety of toppings and sauces.

Address: 2042 Clark Ave., Raleigh, NC 27605 (plus more than a handful of other locations throughout Wake County)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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FRESH. Local Ice Cream

Brett Hillman and his wife began their ice cream journey back in their hometown in N.Y. where they owned a Carvel franchise. A few decades later, the couple brought their love of the frozen treat to Raleigh where they knew they could find local organic farms and a strong community that would love their product as much as they did. They took over Fresh Local Ice Cream on Glenwood Ave. in 2011 and business boomed. Their ice cream base comes from a nearby farm, ensuring that their flavors are made fresh daily. 

Address: 6033 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27612 (plus locations in Apex, Cary and Holly Springs)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Header photo courtesy of Andia's Ice Cream

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