From the middle of summer to a random Tuesday when someone just really wants ice cream, Columbia has plenty of ways to make it happen. From classic scoops and soda fountain treats to Italian ice, Mexican style paletas, creamy gelato, and even a food truck, there is something here for every kid and, let’s be honest, every adult who tags along. No matter if you are in North Columbia, Downtown, South Columbia, or somewhere in between, there is a good chance a frozen treat is closer than you think, which makes it pretty easy to say yes when someone asks for ice cream.
If you have been following along for a while, you know I love pulling together lists of places right here in Columbia because we have so much to offer and I am passionate about supporting the local businesses that make this community special. Many of these spots have been part of our community for a while, so if you have lived here long enough, you probably already know about them. But even if you are a longtime local or born and raised here, there have been a few new additions in the last year or so that you might not have heard about yet. And if you are newer to the area or just looking to branch out, this is a great place to start.
Yes, you could Google any of these businesses and find the basics, but I reached out directly to give each shop a chance to share what makes them special in their own words, the kind of details you would not necessarily find in a search result. Check out this list to see what makes each shop special, discover a new place to try, or learn something you did not know about your favorite go-to spot.
Shops are listed alphabetically. No business paid to be featured in this guide.
Casa Real Ice Cream and Tacos
2500 Cayer Ln | Visit Casa Real Ice Cream & Tacos
Tucked into North Columbia, Casa Real Ice Cream and Tacos brings a fun and unexpected combo to town, with authentic street-style tacos alongside hand-scooped ice cream in both classic and creative flavors. The Mexican-inspired ice cream options are what really set them apart from a typical scoop shop, offering a taste of something a little different that you will not find anywhere else in Columbia. It is the kind of place where the kids can get ice cream, the grown-ups can grab a taco, and everyone walks away happy.
Gem’s Gelato (inside Mama Mila’s)
1200 S Garden St | Visit Gem’s Gelato
Gem’s Gelato serves high quality, classic Italian gelato made without artificial dyes, flavors, or preservatives, so you can feel good about what you are serving your kids. Each scoop is topped with a house-made pizzelle cookie, and flavors highlight traditional Italian favorites along with a few fun specials, like the current Raspberry Cheesecake. Beyond the gelato case, you’ll find a full drink lineup with iced and hot affogatos, Italian sodas, iced coffee, moka pots on select evenings, and hot lattes.
What makes Gem’s extra special is the story behind it. The shop is named for owner Mila’s daughters, Gia, Gemma, Giada, and Pearl, and it is actually the teen girls’ shop. Gia and Gemma opened it in August 2025 and are frequently behind the counter. The relaxed space and back lawn shared with Mama Mila’s make it an easy, laid back stop where parents can grab a coffee and gelato while kids run and play. Gem’s Gelato is open Wednesday through Saturday during Mama Mila’s regular hours.
Gimme Lemme
101 N James Campbell Blvd, Suite 10 | Visit Gimme Lemme
Gimme Lemme recently added soft serve to their menu, making this specialty drink shop inside The Factory at Columbia a legitimate stop on any frozen treat run. They are best known for fresh squeezed lemonade, dirty sodas, and energy drinks with endless customizable twists, and now you can turn any dirty soda into a float or just grab a cone. With a build-your-own menu and something for every taste, it is one of those spots where everyone in your group is going to find something they love.
Hattie Jane’s Creamery
16 Public Square | Visit Hattie Jane’s Creamery
Hattie Jane’s Creamery is a women-owned and women-led ice cream shop with deep roots in Tennessee, using only Tennessee dairy, local produce, and ingredients sourced from local farmers. Their specialty is Southern nostalgic recipes with a modern twist, and homemade waffle cones are made fresh daily. They even offer vegan and gluten-free cone options so more guests can enjoy the full experience.
Right now, their fan-favorite strawberry ice cream is back for a limited time through summer, alongside a new berry brownie parfait. Weekly specials rotate daily from Sunday through Thursday, so there’s always a reason to stop back in. The Columbia location also carries something you can only find here: a collab with Yolanda’s Sweets featuring bottled fruit tea, available exclusively at this shop. Beyond the ice cream, Hattie Jane’s regularly hosts spirit nights where a percentage of sales goes to a local school or organization. You can reach out to them directly to set one up.
Joey’s Italian Ices
812 S Main St | Visit Joey’s Italian Ices
Joey’s is known for their Italian ice, but their menu goes well beyond it. They offer 28 flavors of homemade Italian ice, and all 28 are dairy free, dye free, and made without artificial flavors, making it a great option for kids and adults with sensitivities or who simply prefer cleaner ingredients. They can even turn their cream ices into dairy free shakes.
For those who want something more traditional, Joey’s also serves soft serve ice cream, milkshakes, Italian sodas, ice cream sandwiches, and other fun creations. With so many options across the menu, it really is the kind of stop where everyone can find something they love.
Paletas Tocumbo Gourmet
406C S James Campbell Blvd | Visit Paletas Tocumbo
Paletas Tocumbo brings a taste of authentic Mexican frozen treats to Columbia with homemade ice cream, paletas, and unique flavor combinations you do not usually find at a typical ice cream shop. From refreshing fruit flavors like mango, strawberry, coconut, and lime to creamy favorites and dessert-inspired creations, everything is made with traditional Mexican style and lots of flavor.
They love giving people a chance to try something new, whether it is a classic fruity paleta, a creamy scoop of ice cream, or fun combinations with chamoy, tajín, and toppings. It is a fun stop for families, kids, and anyone looking for a sweet treat with a little bit of Mexican tradition.
Rocky’s Ice Cream and Soda Fountain at Baxter’s Mercantile
808 S Garden St | Visit Baxter’s Mercantile
Rocky’s Ice Cream and Soda Fountain is a nostalgic, old-fashioned soda fountain spot tucked inside Baxter’s Mercantile. Their handcrafted ice cream comes in flavors like Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter Cup, Cotton Candy, Whiskey Chocolate Chunk, Brownie Batter, Strawberries n’ Cream, Butter Pecan, and Premium Homemade Vanilla.
You can keep it simple with a scoop in a cup, sugar cone, waffle cone, or bowl, or go all in with a soda float, banana split, or one of their sundaes like the Brownie Delight or Cookie Crunch. Rocky’s also serves fresh sandwiches as part of their Brown Bag Combo, making it a great spot for lunch and dessert all in one stop. Because it’s tucked inside Baxter’s, it pairs well with a little shopping before or after your scoop.
Roll Up Urban Creamery
West 7th St in front of Foodland | Visit Roll Up Urban Creamery
Roll Up Urban Creamery is a local food truck you will usually find parked on West 7th Street in front of Foodland. Their specialty is rolled ice cream, a fun twist on traditional ice cream where fresh cream is poured onto an ultra-cold surface, mixed with your choice of flavors and toppings, then hand-rolled into delicate spirals right in front of you. Flavors include fan favorites like Cookies and Cream, Cookie Butter, Banana Pudding, and Salted Caramel, plus milkshakes in all the same flavors.
They stay open until sellout, so when they are out there it is worth making the stop. Keep an eye on their social media for pop-up dates and hours so you don’t miss them when they’re out and about.
Southern Sugar Saloon
1153 Trotwood Ave | Visit Southern Sugar Saloon
Southern Sugar Saloon is a cozy, saloon-themed candy and ice cream shop tucked along Trotwood Avenue that feels like stepping into a charming old-fashioned sweet shop. They offer more than 20 flavors of ice cream alongside scoopable candy bins, fudge, chocolates, and other treats in a warm and whimsical space that kids absolutely love.
Their specialty milkshakes are a standout with fun western-themed names like the Wyatt Earp, and you can ask for two kid-size scoops to try two flavors at once, which adds up to one adult-size portion.
Culleoka Creamery & Co.
2349B Culleoka Hwy, Culleoka | Visit Culleoka Creamery & Co.
Not technically in Columbia, but just a short drive down Culleoka Highway and absolutely worth adding to your list. This charming seasonal spot opens in the spring and serves up homemade ice cream in waffle cones, sugar cones, and cups, with flavors like Cookie Monster, Blue Moon, Caramel Collision, and Vanilla. Hours can shift throughout the season, so check their Instagram before heading out.
A Few More Columbia Options Worth Mentioning
No list would be complete without mentioning that Columbia also has a Baskin Robbins and a Dairy Queen. Both are national brands, but they are right here locally and sometimes nothing hits quite like a Blizzard or a scoop of your favorite childhood flavor shared with your own kids.
Baskin Robbins
1317 S James Campbell Blvd
Brings their iconic 31 flavors to Columbia, with rotating seasonal scoops and a wide lineup of ice cream cakes perfect for celebrations.
Dairy Queen
1221 Trotwood Ave
Offers their classic Blizzards, Dilly Bars, soft serve cones, and seasonal treats that many of us grew up on.
Keep the List Growing
No matter the season, Columbia has plenty of ways to cool off and treat the family. This list is a great starting place, but it is by no means exhaustive, and menus and specials are always changing. If you have a favorite local spot you think families should know about, I’d love to hear about it and keep this list growing year round.
Columbia TN Kids Guide 