As the city of Columbia has grown, so have the options for dinner, drinks, and dessert. And, there’s no shortage of treats to fulfill that sweet tooth. Especially when it comes to ice cream places!
The weather in Columbia is nice year-round, so it’s never a bad time for a cold sweet treat. Plus, there are delicious spots for any occasion! Whether that means taking your kids out or ending a romantic date night.
Let’s look at the top 5 spots for ice cream in Columbia, SC.
The Best Ice Cream in Columbia, SC
Columbia has no shortage of amazing ice cream spots! Check out the list below for the top 5 ice cream spots in the city.
1. Sweet Cream Company
Sweet Cream Company is the best ice cream shop in Columbia for fun and unique flavors. Each flavor is hand-crafted and small-batch made, so it’s always super fresh!
Sweet Cream Co. isn’t afraid to mix it up and play around with different ingredients. They add ingredients like herbs, chili pepper, chai tea, and more to their ice creams.
They offer 16 ice cream flavors at a time and rotate in new flavors as batches sell out.
Since they make their ice cream in small batches, they rotate often. That means there are many chances to try new artisan flavors!
Sweet Cream also handmakes fresh waffle cones from scratch. They even have a new ice cream sandwich flavor each month, featuring ice cream between two homemade cookies.
My Suggestion: I always go for the Earl Grey or lemon poppyseed flavors!
Location: 1627 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Website: Click Here
2. Scoopy Doo Gelato
Scoopy Doo Gelato is a great place for a sweet treat in Columbia’s Five Points District. It’s also one of the only places in Columbia where you can get quality gelato.
Gelato is an Italian dessert that’s like ice cream, but with a silkier texture and more intense flavor. Scoopy Doo makes all their gelato from scratch and always uses high-quality and local ingredients.
The gelato flavors here are more traditional, but they do create unique flavors from time to time!
Here are some of the flavors you might find:
- Pistachio
- Hazlenut
- Vanilla Bean
- Sea Salt Caramel
They offer a 4oz cup, 8 oz cup, pint and quart sizes. You can also choose to get a frappe, which is like a milkshake made with the gelato of your choice.
My Suggestion: I always go for a traditional flavor, like pistachio or dark chocolate.
Location: 725 Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC 29205
3. The Baked Bear
The Baked Bear might be a franchise, but it’s the perfect place to go in Columbia for custom ice cream sandwiches. They specialize in fresh cookies and handcrafted ice cream.
Even the order process at Baked Bear is a good time!
You start by choosing your top and bottom cookie flavors. Then, you choose your ice cream flavor and toppings. Toppings include rainbow sprinkles, candy, sauces, and more! You can even choose to get your sandwich warmed up.
If you aren’t feeling an ice cream sandwich, you can get ice cream or cookies separately, or go for a hot fudge sundae.
Baked Bear is a favorite spot for kids of all ages to make their own frozen treats, but the experience is fun for adults too!
Our Suggestion: I always go for a classic chocolate chip cookie base with birthday cake ice cream.
Location: 631 Harden St Suite C, Columbia, SC 29205
Website: Click Here
4. Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe is a delicious late-night or date-night spot in Downtown Columbia. They offer all kinds of desserts, including some of the best milkshake options in the city.
This isn’t your typical ice cream parlor like some other places on this list. But, they do have adult milkshakes that are sure to delight your taste buds.
Check out some of the fun and boozy flavors:
- Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream, caramel, and cinnamon rum
- Dreamsicle with vanilla ice cream, orange syrup, and orange vodka
- Wake-up call with vanilla ice cream, espresso vodka, and cold brew
They also offer ice cream sundaes, floats, and regular milkshakes. If you want something else with your ice cream, they have cakes, pies, dessert martinis, and more.
Our Suggestion: The Bananas Foster adult milkshake is my go-to!
Location: 930 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Website: Click Here
5. Zesto of West Columbia
For a classic spot with excellent ice cream, you have to visit Zesto of West Columbia. This restaurant has been around for over 70 years and is known for its good food, great service, and delicious ice cream cones.
Zesto is where you go for traditional ice cream.
They offer soft serve in the flavors of chocolate, vanilla or mixed. You can get it as an ice cream cone, dipped cone, sundae, or milkshake. For a little something extra, you can add peanuts or walnuts.
It may not be premium craft ice cream, but the simplicity of what they offer is what makes this a favorite place for many.
Pro tip: Don’t leave Zesto without getting some fried chicken! This is some of the best chicken you’ll have in Columbia or even South Carolina!
Our Suggestion: I enjoy their dipped cones with vanilla ice cream, dipped in chocolate and rolled in peanuts.
Location: 504 12th St, West Columbia, SC 29169
Website: Click Here
Other Sweet Treats in Columbia, SC
In short, there are some great ice cream spots all around Columbia. Still need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Below are a few spots that didn’t make this list, but that are equally as delicious!
If you’d rather make a DIY ice cream bar in your own home, these resources from Amazon will help:
- Make your own custom flavors with the Cuisinart ice cream machine
- Serve up your sundaes with this ice cream bowl and spoon set
- Use our favorite premium ice cream scooper
And if you want more suggestions for general dining in Columbia, check out this quick guide.
