Are you looking for a delicious place to enjoy ice cream around Columbia, SC? Calling all ice cream enthusiasts, this one’s for you! We’ve found the best places in town to enjoy not only great ice cream, but milkshakes, frozen yogurt, snow cones, Italian ice, and more!
I Scream, You Scream, Let’s Go Get Ice Cream!
There are so many places in the Columbia area to enjoy a cold sweet treat on a hot summer day…or really, any day! We know it can be fun to load up the kiddos for a special treat, maybe after a long week or as a back-to-school, end-of-summer celebration. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to see those faces light up and get those hands a little sticky, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy!
Interested in finding out about other delicious restaurants? Be sure to check out our HUGE list of favorites. From pizza parlors to mouthwatering BBQ, we’ve got it all!
This article includes:
Best Ice Cream near Columbia, SC
Best Shaved Ice and Snow Cones near Columbia, SC
Where to Get Italian Ice in Columbia, SC
Gelato in Columbia, SC
Best Frozen Yogurt in Columbia, SC
Best Ice Cream, Milkshakes, and Sundaes in Columbia
Baked Bear
Address: 631 Harden St., Suite C, Columbia, SC 29205
Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 12 pm – 10 pm
Friday – Saturday from 12 pm – 11 pm
About: Do you love ice cream sandwiches? If so, you’ve got to try out Baked Bear! Here, you will pick your own cookie and/or brownie sandwich top and bottom and then choose an ice cream flavor and toppings of your liking. YUM!
Baked Bear
Baskin-Robbins
Address: 9920 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC 29223
4711 Forest Dr., Columbia, SC 29206
Hours:
Two Notch Location –
Sunday – Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm
Forest Drive Location –
Monday from 11 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday – Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday from 12 pm – 9 pm
About: With several different ice cream flavors to choose from, sundaes, bakery treats, and more, this classic ice cream shop is sure to be a treat!
Baskin-Robbins
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Address: 130-15 Forum Dr., Columbia, SC
Hours: Monday – Thursday from 11 am – 10 pm
Friday – Sunday from 11 am – 11 pm
About: Sundaes, scoops, shakes, and cakes galore! Bruster’s is a classic ice cream shop with several different flavors.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Dragon’s Breath
Address: 100 Columbiana Circle, Columbia, SC 29212
Hours: Monday – Friday from 12 pm – 7 pm
Saturday from 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday from 12 pm – 6 pm
About: If you’ve never tried dragon breath ice balls, now’s your chance! You know, the kind that you see videos of on Facebook where it looks like smoke is billowing out of your mouth after eating one of the ice balls?! Your kids will love it and you’ll earn some major “cool mom/dad” points! Also served here are ice cream, smoothies, and milkshakes!
Dragon’s Breath
Ice Bachi
Address: 100 Columbiana Circle, Columbia, SC 29212
Hours: Monday – Thursday from 11 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday from 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday from 12 pm – 6 pm
About: At Ice Bachi you can get spectacular rolled ice cream in either a waffle taco or waffle bowl as well as a few other sweet treats!
Ice Bachi
Kremo Ice Cream
Address: 701B Santee Ave., Columbia, SC 29205
Hours: Monday – Friday from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Saturday from 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sunday from 12 pm – 8 pm
About: Kremo serves rolled ice cream made of natural and local cream and that is freshly rolled each day! Fresh fruit is a common topping here.
Kremo Ice Cream
LICK Ice Cream
Address: 110 Clemson Rd., Suite B, Columbia, SC 29229
Hours: Monday – Thursday from 11 am – 8 pm
Friday and Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday from 1 pm – 8 pm
About: You haven’t had a milkshake until you’ve ordered one from LICK! There are several different flavor choices and they all come with added desserts such as brownies, cookies, cheesecake and more. And I don’t just mean small added chunks, no, whole baked goods. It is absolutely delicious!
Pro tip – the milkshakes are huge and perfect for sharing!
LICK Ice Cream
Rolled Ice Cream
Address: 2018 Taylor St., Columbia, SC 29204
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday from 12 pm – 7 pm
About: There’s no confusion in the name, here is where you can get great, freshly rolled ice cream!
Rolled Ice Cream
Rosewood Dairy Bar
Address: 3003 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, SC 29205
Hours: Sunday – Closed
Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 9 pm
About: This is a classic, old-school ice cream shop with amazing milkshakes, ice cream sundaes and dipped cones!
Rosewood Dairy Bar
Snow’s Ice Cream and Coffee
Address: 612 St Andrews Rd. Apt 7, Columbia, SC 29210
Hours: Sunday – Closed
Monday from 7 am – 10 am
Tuesday from 7 am – 8 pm
Wednesday from 7 am – 3 pm
Thursday – Friday from 7 am – 8 pm
Saturday from 11 am – 8 pm
About: Need a pick-me-up while the kids are enjoying a few scoops of ice cream? Look no further than Snow’s! With scoop ice cream, ice cream dessert, and all the coffee you could ever need this place is sure to be the perfect treat!
Snow’s Ice Cream and Coffee
Sweet Cream Co.
Address: 1627 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201
Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 1 pm – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday from 1 pm – 10 pm
About: My family loves this ice cream shop! Not only are the staff and owners some of the nicest and most friendly people, but their ice cream is some of the best I’ve ever had! All of the ice cream here is handmade, very fresh, and made in small batches with local ingredients. There are new flavors to try all the time! Their cones are also freshly made daily with local ingredients.
Sweet Cream Co.
Sweet Pea Ice Cream Parlor
Address: 412 McNulty St., Suite B, Blythewood, SC 29016
Hours: Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday from 2 pm – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday from 2 pm – 8 pm
Sunday from 2 pm – 6 pm
About: This is such a cute and cozy small-town ice cream shop! They’ve got the perfect amount of ice cream flavors and toppings to take your family out for a quick sweet treat. While there is no indoor seating, there are a few outdoor covered benches that are the perfect place to sit and enjoy your ice cream.
Sweet Pea Ice Cream Parlor
Zesto of West Columbia
Address: 504 12th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 10 pm
Closed on Sunday
About: Zesto has been a popular place in Columbia for several years. Along with delicious ice cram and milkshakes you can also enjoy burgers, chicken, fries, and more. You can’t miss the big chocolate covered ice cream cone leading you straight to Zesto!
Zesto of West Columbia
Dairy-Free and More Frozen Treats in Columbia, SC
Ice cream is good, however, it may not be for everyone. Here are some of our favorite places to get cold sweet treats that aren’t ice cream! Some of these are great dairy free options.
Shaved Ice and Snow Cones in Columbia
Manny’s Shaved Ice
Address: 1228 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC 29169
Hours: Monday – Friday from 12 pm – 9 pm
Saturday – Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm
About: Manny’s takes shaved ice to a whole other level! With fresh fruits, bold flavors, and fun dessert colors, you won’t be disappointed when you stop here!
Manny’s Shaved Ice
Pelican’s Snoballs
Address: 1912 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, SC 29205
202 Graces Way, Columbia, SC 29229
2404 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201
2291 US-1, Elgin, SC 29045
6165 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC 29212
517 N Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 29072
Hours: The majority of these locations are open Monday – Saturday from 12 pm – 9 pm and Sunday from 1 pm – 9 pm
Be sure to double-check hours before going!
About: Pelican’s offers over 100 flavors of snow cones and several signature “snowballs” that include more than one flavor and even some with candy gummies! They have several locations all throughout and around the Columbia area. Be sure to double-check which one is closest to you!
Pelican’s SnoBalls
Where to get Italian Ice in Columbia, SC
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Address: 800 Lady St., Columbia, SC 29201
Hours: Saturday – Sunday from 12 pm – 9 pm
About: Italian Ice is such a refreshing and not too heavy cold treat! Rita’s now has “party pack” packages that can serve from 18 up to 67 people. The perfect pack for a birthday party, summer cookout or any large gathering!
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Z’s Cool Me Down Italian Ice
Address: 6729 Two Notch Rd., Suite 10A, Columbia, SC 29223
Hours: Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Sunday from 12 pm – 8 pm
About: Stop by Z’s to get some refreshing Italian Ice and more!
Z’s Cool Me Down Italian Ice
Columbia, SC Gelato Shops
Scoopy Doo
Address: 725 Saluda Ave., Columbia, SC 29205
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 8 pm
Sunday from 9 am – 6 pm
About: If you’ve never had gelato…you’re missing out! At Scoopy Doo there are several delicious flavors to choose from and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
Scoopy Doo
Frozen Yogurt around Columbia, SC
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Address: 5580 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072
Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 12 pm – 10 pm
Friday – Saturday from 12 pm – 11 pm
About: Here you can get FROYO (frozen yogurt), acai bowls and even FROYO cakes!
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Where is your family’s favorite place to enjoy a cold sweet treat in Columbia?
