Baabals has one of the largest selections of ice cream along the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail with 26 flavors, complemented by 40 milkshake flavors.
Sundaes, banana splits, floats and homemade desserts are also specialties at this popular ice cream spot in Fletcher.
Celtic Creamery serves extra creamy Irish inspired ice cream with your choice of yummy toppings. Everything is made fresh in-house, including the waffle cones. The owner’s family fell in love with McCarthy’s Ice Cream in Ballybunion, Ireland, and worked with Joanna McCarthy to duplicate her recipe’s amazing texture and taste in Hendersonville. Celtic Creamery has more than 50 flavors in its rotation, with 14 flavors available each week. Flavors include Irish butter pecan, mint to be and scrumbumptious strawberry. Celtic Creamery also has freshly cooked mini donuts sprinkled with powered or cinnamon sugar. Eight signature sundaes are on the menu. Inside and outside seating available.
Dairi-O is a small, North Carolina chain of popular restaurants serving ice cream and “real food made simple.” At the Flat Rock location near Hendersonville, choose from more than 30 flavors of premium ice cream, including hand-scooped and soft-serve. Indulge in nostalgia by dipping your swirled cone in a hard coating of chocolate or butterscotch.
Dairi-O began in 1947 as a drive-up hamburger stand in King, NC, and the Flat Rock location is its first in the mountains. It features a two-lane drive-thru, dining room and outdoor seating. Popular foods are all-beef hot dogs, hand-pressed burgers, fresh salads and wraps.
El Rio Ice Cream and Paleteria tempts the taste buds with more than 30 flavors of extra-creamy homemade ice cream, along with seasonal varieties of sorbet-like frozen treats. El Rio, a family-owned shop in operation since 2014, also features a delicious selection of paletas (popsicles) in flavors like mango, pineapple, strawberry, vanilla raisin, pistachio, guava, watermelon, cantaloupe, lemon and keylime. Popular ice cream flavors include blackberry cream cheese, peach, pine nut, avocado, queso and passion fruit. The menu also features banana splits, choco fresas, chamoyada, esquites (street corn) and frozen strawberries. Ice cream floats, too.
Piggy’s is the granddaddy of Hendersonville’s ice cream scene. Harry Thompson and wife Sallie (nicknamed “Piggy”) opened it in 1979. It’s now owned by their son Michael Thompson and his wife, Elaine. Piggy’s serves 24-30 flavors on a daily basis. Tried-and-true flavors are supplied by Mayfield and the fancier flavors come from Blue Bell. In addition to tasty cones, Piggy’s is known for thick milkshakes and fantastic banana splits. The business, famous for its Yogi Bear sign and animals on the roof, expanded over the years to include Harry’s Grill. Named for Harry Thompson, it serves hamburgers, hot dogs and barbeque at reasonable prices. Open Wednesdays – Saturdays.
The colorful and pet-friendly Karolina Kremes in Etowah attracts families with a bubble machine, sidewalk chalk and a hopscotch course. There is ample parking, not only for vehicles but areas for bikes and horses. Ice cream lovers choose from 12 flavors, as well as soft-serve vanilla and chocolate. The most popular flavors are Superman (mix of strawberry, banana, and blue fruit) and Cappuccino Crunch. There are 50-plus milkshake options, including the Redheaded Monkey Shake. which combines peanut butter, banana and chocolate ice creams. Food items include hot dogs with homemade chili, angus beef burgers and wraps.
Since 2000, Kilwin’s has been a popular stop on Main Street for lovers of ice cream–and fudge. The shop regularly carries 32 flavors, with certain flavors rotating seasonally. Kilwin’s ice cream is crafted from a proprietary recipe that’s made it famous throughout the country. Popular flavors include cappuccino chocolate chip, cookies’n’cream, toasted coconut and sea salt caramel. Other confections, which are made in-house, include Kilwin’s signature Mackinac Island fudge, “the perfect “caramel apple, chocolate-dipped pretzels, truffles, turtles and many types of candies. You’re almost there when you spot the top-hat-wearing bear holding a giant ice cream cone on Main Street.
La Vida Loca Ice Cream is a family-owned business specializing in sorbet-style delicacies. All frozen treats are homemade using a technique that blends fresh fruit and water, although some varieties include dairy. The shop offers a rotating selection of 14 flavors, as well as popsicles. The most popular item is Chamoyada, a combination of mango ice cream with Chamoy and Tajin. Chamoy is a blend of hibiscus flowers, apricots, plums, chili de arbol and guajillo. Tajin is a Mexican spice blend of chili peppers, lime and salt. Food items include freshly made tamales and two tasty varieties of street corn.
McConnell Farms has made traditional ice cream since 1999, when owners Danny and Kathryn McConnell fired up a 1908 machine known as Miss Gaudy. For two years, they only made strawberry ice cream and it was a hit. Soon after, the McConnells upgraded equipment and attended classes to become certified ice cream makers. Nowadays, they’ve perfected many flavors that include fruits and other items grown on the farm, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, figs, honey, ginger, peaches and apples. Danny is also known for experimenting with unusual combinations like rum raisin, blackberry chocolate chip, lemon blueberry and fig mascarpone. Open Monday – Saturday. Check out the Farm listing for additional information on fruits and veggies available for purchase.
Sunny Sundaes features 14 flavors of Hershey’s ice cream served in waffle cones, chocolate waffle cones and waffle bowls, all made in-house. Guests have the option to order warm cones, as well as warm waffle bowls filled with ice cream or sundaes. Ice cream flavors include mint chocolate chip, banana pudding and strawberry, accented with a variety of toppings.
Hendersonville’s sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt is located on Main Street. Folks choose from 21 flavors daily. There are 14 individual flavors and seven “twists” that combine two flavors such as peanut butter and pomegranate raspberry for a PB&J twist. A half dozen core flavors are available year-round: original tart, strawberry, chocolate, no-sugar-added vanilla, cake batter, and cookies and crème. The latter is a sweetFrog original made in-house with vanilla frozen yogurt and Oreos.
There is always at least one no-sugar-added flavor, gluten-free options, dairy-free sorbets and regular ice cream. Frozen yogurt varies from ice cream by being lower in fat. A topping bar contains 40-plus options.
The Baker’s Box, just north of downtown Hendersonville, delivers high-quality eats and ice creams treats in a casual, laid-back setting. Owners George and Mara Nicholas met in culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. George’s specialty is the savory side, while Mara’s passion is pastry arts and ice cream. She maintains a selection of six homemade ice creams at all times. Chocolate and vanilla are constants, while other flavors rotate. Some creative combos include blueberries and cream, Baileys Original Irish Cream and chocolate swirl, and spicy butter pecan. Enjoy ice cream by the scoop (with toppings available) or in tasty milkshakes. On display is Mara’s collection of more than 150 LEGO sets.
The Baker’s Box also serves tasty lunch and dinner options, including specialty sandwiches, wraps and salads, and has a wide selection of scratch-made, gourmet desserts.
Whit’s Frozen Custard is made fresh every day with four flavors always available: vanilla, chocolate, flavor of the day and flavor of the week. The daily flavor can range from black raspberry chip to chocolate covered strawberry to candy bar explosion. For those unfamiliar, custard is denser and creamier than ice cream and stays cold longer. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and low-sugar options are available, as are sundaes, custard cakes, pies and custard-and-cookie sandwiches. A popular item is the Hendersonville Gem (vanilla custard with hot fudge, hot caramel and pecans). Whit’s has indoor seating, including a sunroom, plus outdoor seating on a three-tier deck.
