Best Local Ice Cream, Gelato, & Frozen Yogurt
One of the best things about the Charlottesville area is the unique and diverse restaurant scene that provides a plethora of options. This extends all the way down to the final course: dessert. And in a Southern climate with average temperatures in the 70s or above from May to September, there are a multitude of concoctions to refresh and cool the palate.
Chaps Ice Cream
Enjoy a retro, 1950s vibe at Chaps on the downtown mall. You can either sit outside on the patio or in the cool indoors, relaxing at a booth upholstered in turquoise vinyl while a classic black and white TV show plays overhead. Chaps ice cream is made in-house based on a family recipe that they have followed for over 75 years. The waffle cones are also made by hand, and the menu includes sundaes, shakes, and hand-dipped frozen yogurt, as well as a full lunch and café menu. Their summer hours keep them open to 9 or 11 pm, depending on the night. If you’re on the university side of town, you can also find a selection of Chaps ice cream in the café of Foods of All Nations.
Unique flavors: Birthday Cake, Chocolate Almond.
Splendora’s Gelato Café
In the heart of Charlottesville’s downtown mall, you can find 24-36 flavors of artisanal Italian gelato made fresh nearly every day! Gelato contains the same ingredients as ice cream, but in different proportions and therefore contains less fat than most American ice cream. It is also blended by hand with less air whipped into it so it remains dense. Splendora’s, which first opened in 2004, buys its hormone-free milk and cream from a Virginia dairy. They also offer sorbettos, which only contain fruit, sugar, and water but are surprisingly smooth and rich as well. Splendora’s encourages combining different flavors as a purchase of even their smallest cup comes with two scoops. A favorite combo of mine is mango and raspberry, perfect on a hot summer’s day.
Unique flavors: Pistachio, Hazelnut, Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint Stick.
La Flor Michoacana
Tucked into a storefront on Cherry Avenue you can find traditional Mexican paletas (whole fruit popsicles) at La Flor Michoacana. Some are made with cream while others are dairy-free, both made with pieces of fresh fruit. They have an extensive menu that also includes fresh fruity drinks, ice cream, flan, rice pudding, and other Mexican treats like piña loca (crazy pineapple), which contains fruit and chile sauce. If you’re lucky, you might also spot their mobile cart around town at community events, such as the Festival of Cultures.
Unique flavors: Cheesecake, Papaya, Avocado.
Timberlake’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain
With over 100 years in business, Timberlake’s is renowned for “the best milkshakes in town.” It’s located on the corner of 4th Street and the pedestrian mall. It may look like a drug store at the front, but head to the back to sit on a chrome bar stool and check out the soda fountain and lunch counter offerings: milkshakes, sundaes, sandwiches, soups, and salads. While you’re back there, you can continue your travel through time by perusing photos of the original iteration of the shop.
Pantheon Ice Pops
If you’re looking for a refreshing vegan treat made with fresh, seasonal fruit and organic coconut milk, you can find Pantheon Ice Pops in a handful of locations around town. On Fridays from April to September they serve their pops at Fridays After 5, an outdoor concert series at the Sprint Pavilion. On Saturdays from April to October, they have a booth at the Charlottesville City Market. You can also find a limited selection at the charming Market Street Market, the only retail space that carries these fresh pops.
Unique flavors: Chocolate Sea Salt, Strawberry Hibiscus, Kombucha.
Wonderment Bakeshop & Creamery
Another mobile shop is the Wonderment Bakeshop & Creamery. Owner Stephanie Connock crafts beautiful gourmet ice cream sandwiches combining homemade French custard style ice cream with fresh baked cookies, all made with local ingredients and offering 65 flavors! On Wednesdays you can find her at Meade’s Park “Farmers in the Park,” and on Saturdays you can find her at the City Market. She also helps keeps folks cool in August at the Lockn Festival in Arrington. If you’re craving sweet but not cold, she also makes tarts inspired by the famous sweet breakfast tart.
Unique flavors: Toasted Marshmallow S’more, Apple Pie, Guinness + Chocolate.
Arch’s Frozen Yogurt
A nostalgic destination for many University of Virginia alumni, Arch’s Frozen Yogurt sits at the hub of student activity on “The Corner,” at 104 14th Street NW. Open since 1994, it is owned and operated by Rob and Sandy Archer, both former track team members at the University of Virginia who went on to attend Darden School of Business. Arch’s is the only frozen yogurt shop on The Corner and it is open until 11 pm to satisfy late night sweet cravings.
Unique flavors: the Gooey Brownie topping.
Frost Bites
Located near Lake Monticello in Fluvanna County, this independently owned and operated shop offers frozen yogurt, Hersheys ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, and iced coffee.
Kirt’s Homemade Ice Cream
Off of Route 29, at the Albemarle Square Shopping Center, you can find Kirt’s Homemade Ice Cream, which uses local ingredients and also offers creamy milkshakes. Their homemade ice cream can also be found in Carpe Donut’s ice cream sandwiches. And get this: you can order a cup, pint, quart, or even ice cream cake for delivery through OrderUp!
Chandler’s Ice Cream
If you’re in the Pantops area and need ice cream on the go or want to enjoy a dessert picnic outdoors, you can find Chandler’s Ice Cream at 921 River Road. Contained within a trailer and offering picnic table seating, Chandler’s is a throwback to summer carnival days with its soft serve ice cream and generous sundae portions.
Wherever you land in the area, and whatever you’re craving, you will easily find some sweet and creamy delectable to delight your taste buds!