When craving something sweet, it is oh-so-easy for us New Orleanians to turn to our beloved beignets or sweet treats from authentic French bakeries for some comfort. However, it's no secret that Louisiana brings the heat over the summer, and we need to cool down.
On July 16, this year's National Ice Cream Day—cool off and satisfy your sweet tooth all at once at one of these fantastic ice cream spots. Perhaps your Sunday will feature a Sundae!
10 spots for National Ice Cream Day July 16, 2023
1. Creole Creamery
https://creolecreamery.com, Multiple Locations
You know you're in for a treat once you see the line out the door at Creole Creamery. With classic flavors like cookies and cream and mint chocolate chip, and seasonal flavors such as blueberry pie and key lime pie—you can trust that there is something for all ice cream lovers at Creole Creamery. Not to mention their glorious sundaes, with options like ice cream sodas, floats, banana splits and their over the top "skyscraper' sundae.
With new specials created and announced often, you can try a different flavor every visit. In addition, with their fun atmosphere and amicable service—their birthday parties and catering lists are also sweet options.
2. Kilwin's
https://www.kilwins.com, Multiple Locations
When walking into festive ice cream parlor, the sweet aroma hits you as you enter the door. Their fresh, homemade ice cream is unbelievable fluffy, flavorful, and delicious.
What's so special about Kilwin's is that while it's ice cream is to die for—Kilwin's is so much more than just ice cream. With options like homemade chocolate covered everything, caramel apples, and rich fudge, its hard to choose just one. Their best selling sea-salt caramel fudge is off-the-charts good. Check out Kilwin's for ice cream galore and their creative desserts.
3. Angelo Brocato's
https://www.angelobrocatoicecream.com, 214 N Carrollton Ave
Angelo Brocato brings 100 years of tradition to the table, as well as perfected gelato, ice cream, and pastries. Their specialty cannolis and biscotti's are unlike any other, as they deliver the best of Italian baking and ice cream right here in New Orleans.
They offer colorful and flavorful specialty gelato served on plates. One of their options includes their Spumoni, a sliced wedge of tutti frutti, lemon and pistachio almond gelato, topped with sweet almond whipped cream. Or try their traditional Baked Alaska, vanilla gelato encased in white cake topped with meringue.
4. Ice Cream 504
https://icecream504.com, 2511 Jena St.
Ice Cream 504 ensures the best quality ice cream as they make their ice cream in small batches with only the freshest ingredients. They make their ice cream in an old fashioned churn with real milk and sugar, and no preservatives. Michael Southall, creates his ice cream this way in reminiscence of his childhood in Napoleonville, Louisiana, when he and the neighborhood kids would all gather on this Aunt Ruby's porch and watch her churn their favorite ice cream.
5. Parish Parlor
https://www.parishparlor.com, 1912 Magazine St.
Parish Parlor is a locally owned and locally sourced ice cream parlor located in the heart of New Orlean's Lower Garden District. They create small batch ice cream from scratch. This allows them to offer fun holiday or seasonal flavors, such as King Cake. While their traditional style is French-style, they also offer a variety of sorbet and vegan options.
Some of their delicious classic options include espresso brownie and roasted strawberry with white chocolate ganache. They update their seasonal menu on their website, but this Summer we can't wait to try their brown butter cookie dough and lemon ricotta honey.
6. Lucy Boone Ice Cream
https://lucybooneicecream.com, 3918 Baronne St
Lucy Boone Ice Cream specializes in small batch ice cream utilizing as many fresh local ingredients as possible. The shop is local and family owned, having just opened in February 2023. The owners Abby and Aaron have a love for ice cream and the New Orleans community, and named the shop after their daughter Lucy. Abby has over 10 years experience as a pastry chef yet has a passion for making ice cream. You can contact the shop to make a handmade delicious ice cream cake or pie for you as well! Current flavors include blueberry crisp, fluffer-nutter, and salted butter caramel.
7. Gail's Fine Ice Cream
https://gailsfineicecream.com, Multiple Locations
Gail's Fine Ice Cream offers small batches with lots of flavor. Their mission is to serve the perfect comfort dessert—and we believe they do. Their shop also prioritizes cleanliness, quality, and hospitality. While the menu at Gail's always changes, you can always find their 12 delicious, traditional flavors at any of their stores or their truck. Their seasonal flavors work to highlight seasonal elements, such as freshly harvested strawberries or home grown coffee beans.
8. Piccola Gelateria
https://piccolagelateria.com, 4500 Magazine St.
Piccola Gelateria makes fresh small batch gelato in house every day. Their gelato flavors change everyday due to availability and seasonal ingredients. While they mainly serve classic gelato, they also have vegan and dairy free options with their sorbets. The gelato is 100% authentic as they use all fresh fruits, and never any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
For your next special occasion, try out one of Piccola's delicious handmade gelato cakes covered in ganache, or pop in to taste their sweet and savory crepes as well.
9. Drip Affogatto
https://www.dripaffogato.com, 703 Carondelet St #101
Drip Affogatto is not your typical ice cream parlor by any means. Drip is a restaurant, dessert parlor, and bar lounge, located in the CBD. The lounge is comfortable yet eye catching, with abstract art, vintage furniture, and bright flowers bringing the space to life. With friendly service and beautiful yet funky cocktails to try, Drip serves up not just delicious gelato but a great time.
Drip is perfect for a casual date night—why grab dessert or a drink when you could do both?
10. Laozi Ice Cream
https://www.facebook.com/Laoziicecream/, Pop-Up
Laozi Ice Cream—pronounced "Lousy"—is a French style ice cream pop up that has its followers going wild. With hand churned ice cream and fantastic flavors like "you 'gon eat your cornbread?, Kung Fu Crunch, and Oatmeal Ice Cream Pie," Laozi Ice Cream is a fan favorite for sure. You can follow Laozi Ice Cream's Facebook and Instagram to wait for the menu releases as well as pop up locations. Stay tuned so you can grab your pint—or pints!
More Sweet Stuff in NOLA
These 10 New Orleans Ice Cream Parlor's can't be beat. However, with all that ice cream you may want to switch it up and go for a cool treat on a hot day, and we all know that New Orleans snoballs are never a bad option. Wherever your sweet tooth guides you, we hope you enjoy!
