What better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing summer dessert? For those enjoying summer in Chattanooga, the city offers a wide selection of cool culinary options, from ice cream and smoothies to shaved ice and more. So, cool off with one of the sweet treats below and get back to exploring all the Scenic City has to offer!
Ice Cream Show
A popular stop for tourists and locals alike, the Ice Cream Show has been serving up ice cream in Chattanooga for over 15 years. With more than 17,000 flavor combinations, customers can pick an ice cream, frozen yogurt, sugar-free, or non-dairy base and choose from a wide variety of toppings, including fresh fruit, assorted chocolates, and gourmet nuts. Nestled at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge, this is a great place to grab a sweet treat and then explore the nearby Bluff View Art District.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co
Another Chattanooga favorite, Clumpies Ice Cream Co has been handcrafting delicious ice cream since 1999. With 17 classic flavors that stay on the menu year-round, and an ever-changing menu of featured flavors, there’s sure to be a scoop for everyone to enjoy. This summer, seasonal flavors include cherry limeade sorbet, strawberry cobbler, blackberry mojito, and so much more. Make sure to stop by before these flavors are gone!
La Antigua Fruit & Smoothie Bar
Located on the edge of Coolidge Park, this local juice shop serves fresh smoothies, fruit cups, and juices, all made with the freshest ingredients. The most popular options at La Antigua Fruit & Smoothie Bar include the Bluff View Berry Smoothie, a peanut butter banana smoothie, and an acai bowl with fresh strawberries, granola, and more. Don’t forget to check out their Central American sweet treats as well, including mangonadas, piña frescas, and more.
Mr. T’s Pizza and Ice Cream
Mr. T’s Pizza and Ice Cream is a family-owned and operated eatery that resides in the heart of historic St. Elmo. After a mouthwatering meal of specialty or custom pizzas, customers can check out Mr. T’s expansive ice cream selection, with 18 different flavors to choose from. Options include fan-favorite flavors such as moose tracks, cookies & cream, and praline pecan as well as a few dairy-free selections. Customers can also choose to make their flavor a milkshake or a float.
Signal Swirl
Just recently opened on Signal Mountain, the locally owned and operated Signal Swirl is one of the area’s only self-serve frozen yogurt shops. You can choose from eight different flavors as their base, including cake batter, sea salt caramel pretzel, orange sorbet, and more, and then head to the expansive toppings bar to finish your sweet treat off with fresh fruit, candy, assorted chocolates, and more. Pricing is based on the weight of each serving.
Bill’s Shaved Ice
Established in 2002, Bill’s Shaved Ice serves up a variety of sweet treats from an iconic yellow trailer in Coolidge Park. If you’re looking to beat the heat, order a cup of shaved ice, a scoop of ice cream, a fresh-squeezed lemonade, or a flurry or a sundae. Enjoy your refreshing summer treat as you walk around the park or grab a spot in the shade to cool off.
Milk & Honey
While they may be known for brunch, Milk & Honey also serves up an impressive selection of gelato. In each cup, you can pick up to three flavors, choosing from classic options like birthday cake and mint chocolate chip as well as unique flavors like pineapple habanero and avocado. If you’d rather cool off with a drink, try one of Milk & Honey’s refreshing juices, made with fresh fruit, ginger, and cane sugar.
The Local Juicery + Kitchen
For those looking for a healthier option, The Local Juicery + Kitchen is a family-owned small business serving smoothies, bowls, and cold-pressed juices made with no fillers, no sugars, and no additives. Their smoothies feature ingredients such as fresh fruit, almond butter, chia seeds, cacao powder, and more. Customers can also choose between five different acai bowls, each with their own unique bases and toppings.
Southern Squeeze
For more smoothies and smoothie bowls in Chattanooga, check out Southern Squeeze in Northshore. This vegetarian cafe offers refreshing summer treats that are organic, plant-focused and made with minimal dairy and gluten. Choose from popular smoothies like the Blueberry Superfood and Protein Bomb or opt for a delicious smoothie bowl, topped with add-ins such as cacao nibs, cashew butter, local honey, and more.
Crispy Cones
Made popular across Europe, Crispy Cones has made its way to the Scenic City with a location in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Rather than offering a traditional cake cone, this eatery serves up hand-rolled dough cones—grilled rotisserie style and topped with cinnamon and sugar. Each cone is filled with gourmet soft serve ice cream, and customers can finish their sweet treat with a variety of sauces and toppings
Summer in Chattanooga is no joke. If you’re looking to cool off with a refreshing summer dessert, these local eateries have got you covered, whether you’re looking for ice cream, a smoothie, or another sweet treat.
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in computer science. While at UTC, Ali also earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department, and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. Now, as editor/digital content specialist for CMC Media & Marketing Group, Ali leads the ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia. She also is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media accounts. In her free time, Ali enjoys exploring Chattanooga’s many hiking trails and searching for the best burger in the city.