Southern summers don’t mess around.
The air’s thick enough to chew, your hair’s doing things it shouldn’t, and you’re approximately one mosquito bite away from losing it.
You don’t need a cold drink—you need something frozen, something sugary, and preferably something that comes with sprinkles or a tiny umbrella.
Let’s talk about the best ice cream in Chattanooga—plus snow cones, frozen custard, and the kind of frozen magic that turns sticky afternoons into summer memories.
Ice Cream Shops & Gelato
Clumpies Ice Cream Co. – Small-Batch Legend
Clumpies has been Chattanooga’s favorite scoop shop since 1999. Their small-batch, handmade ice cream flavors are bold, creative, and always worth the brain freeze. You’ll find everything from Brown Butter Almond Brittle to Firecracker (with popping candy) and hometown favorites like MoonPie.
- Where: NorthShore, Southside, and St. Elmo
- Get this: Anything seasonal—they go big.
- Vibe: Hip, kid-friendly, and just the right amount of sticky.
Visit Clumpies Ice Cream Co. →
The Ice Cream Show – Custom Creations & Frozen Joy
At The Ice Cream Show, you’re not picking ice cream—you’re building it. Their downtown shop lets you choose from 40+ mix-ins to blend with premium ice cream or frozen yogurt. It’s a playground for flavor lovers and frozen treat enjoyers alike.
- Where: 105 Walnut Street, right at the base of the Walnut Street Bridge
- Get this: A custom-blended bowl or milkshake packed with fruit, candy, or cookie mix-ins
- Vibe: Touristy, playful, and kid-approved—complete with a bustling sidewalk vibe
Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream – Affordable Soft Serve Classic
Mr. T’s is Chattanooga’s answer to that nostalgic, no-frills ice cream shop you grew up with. Located at the base of Lookout Mountain, it serves perfect swirls of soft serve and hand-dipped scoops without fancy toppings or fancy prices. In a city where everything’s getting trendier, Mr. T’s stays the same—in the best way.
And let’s talk about the price: you can feed the whole crew without blowing your budget. A dipped cone and a smile for under five bucks? That’s rare air.
- Where: 3924 Tennessee Ave, St. Elmo
- Get this: Vanilla-chocolate twist, dipped cone, and a nap after
- Vibe: Friendly, low-key, and proudly unfussy
Milk & Honey – Gelato Royalty
This isn’t just a quick stop—it’s a pilgrimage. Milk & Honey is the place for gelato in Chattanooga, and yes, the line out the door is a feature, not a bug.
They make their gelato in-house daily, with rotating seasonal flavors that somehow taste like someone whispered poetry into a churn. Think: Tennessee Peach, Honey Vanilla, Blackberry Lavender. They also serve soft serve, fresh fruit pops, and the kind of affogato that makes you rethink every life decision you’ve ever made.
- Where: 135 N Market St, NorthShore
- Don’t miss: Pistachio gelato. Trust us.
- Vibe: Busy but worth it. Feels like summer in Italy… if Italy had ceiling fans and way more strollers.
Shaved Ice & Frozen Alternatives
Tikis Shaved Ice – Mobile Joy Machine
It’s not technically ice cream, but it absolutely deserves a spot on this list. Tikis Shaved Ice is a food truck that brings soft, snow-like shaved ice to the people—usually with vibrant syrups, cream drizzle, and a sugar high to follow. Expect long lines and satisfied kids.
- Where: Check their social media for latest location (often in Coolidge Park or downtown events)
- Get this: Rainbow + cream drizzle
- Vibe: Bright colors, sticky hands, pure joy.
Frost Bites Shaved Ice – Hawaiian-Style in the ‘Noog
For true Hawaiian-style shave ice without the plane ticket, head to Frost Bites in East Brainerd. This place is all about fluffy ice, wild flavors, and that signature sweetened condensed milk drizzle they call a “snow cap.” It’s a neighborhood favorite for a reason—and a hit with families.
- Where: 7800 E Brainerd Rd
- Get this: Tiger’s Blood with snow cap
- Vibe: Laid-back, local, and always cool
The Local Juicery + Kitchen – Frozen With a Side of Wellness
Okay, okay—it’s not technically ice cream in Chattanooga. But if you’re craving something cold and colorful that doesn’t leave you in a sugar coma, The Local Juicery delivers. Their smoothie bowls, frozen drinks, and fruit-forward creations are Instagram gold and summer-sun approved.
- Where: 1404 Jenkins Rd
- Get this: The Sunshine Bowl
- Vibe: Bright, fresh, and smoothie-obsessed
Looking for Frozen Yogurt? Here’s What to Know
While Chattanooga doesn’t currently have a dedicated frozen yogurt shop, don’t let that stop you from getting your swirl fix. National favorites like Sweet Frog and Orange Leaf used to serve the area, and while those locations have since closed, you’ll still find plenty of cold, creamy alternatives around town.
If you’re craving that tangy, frozen yogurt texture, head to The Ice Cream Show, where you can choose a yogurt base and blend it with dozens of mix-ins—fruit, candy, cookies, you name it. It’s not self-serve, but it hits all the right notes.
And if you’re open to something a little richer? Try Clumpies or Milk & Honey for handmade gelato and small-batch scoops that make up for the froyo gap with flavor and flair.
Staying with Timberroot?
All of these frozen wonders are just a short drive from our Chattanooga properties. Whether you’re soaking in the forest vibes at Wauhatchie Woodlands, gazing out over the river at Riverview Inn, enjoying a cozy stay at Lookout Mountain Inn, or reliving childhood magic at Treetop Hideaways, you’re never far from dessert.
Grab a scoop (or a pint), head to your porch, and treat yourself.
Final Drips
The best ice cream in Chattanooga isn’t just dessert—it’s how we survive the heat, the humidity, and the chaos of summer in the South. So go ahead. Get sticky. Get melty. Get happy.
One scoop at a time.
Tags: Food & Drink, Kid-Friendly
