When South Carolina temperatures start climbing, nothing hits the spot quite like a cold, sweet treat. Whether your family is craving handcrafted ice cream, refreshing Italian ice, fluffy shaved ice, frozen custard, or gourmet popsicles, Columbia has plenty of delicious places to cool off. So, grab the kids, hop in the car, and treat yourselves to one (or several!) of these local favorites. 
Sweet Cream Co.
Downtown Columbia’s beloved Sweet Cream Co. is known for its small-batch, handcrafted ice cream made with creative seasonal flavors and fresh ingredients. Their homemade waffle cones are almost as popular as the ice cream itself, and you’ll also find milkshakes, cookie sandwiches, and dairy-free sorbet options.
Location: 1627 Main St, Columbia, 29201
Hours: Sun.-Thur. 1pm-9pm, Fri.-Sat. 1pm-pm
Sweet Izzy’s Ice Cream
Nestled in Chapin, Sweet Izzy’s Ice Cream serves up creative ice cream creations of all kinds. Here you’ll find an array of 32 super premium ice cream flavors, alongside delicious soft serve, ice cream pies, ice cream sandwiches, and even special ice cream treats for the pups! In addition to these amazing, sweet treats, Sweet Izzy’s also serves up flavorful coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, homemade cookies, cakes, chocolate dipped sweets, candy, kid’s jewelry/retail and so much more!
Celebrating a birthday? Be sure to celebrate at Sweet Izzy’s for their fabulous birthday treat!
Location: 504 Lexington Avenue, Chapin, 29036
Hours: Sun.-Thur. 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri.-Sat. 11:30am-10pm
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
A longtime summer favorite, Rita’s serves refreshing Italian ice in rotating fruit flavors alongside rich frozen custard. Can’t decide? Order a Gelati—a delicious layer of both! Rita’s is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy as you stroll through the Vista.
Location: 800 Lady St, Columbia, 29201
Hours: 12pm-10pm, daily
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice offers more than 40 flavors of Italian ice, creamy soft serve, and their signature Gelati. With plenty of dairy-free options and colorful combinations, it’s a favorite for kids and adults alike.
Location: 4508 Hardscrabble Rd., Columbia 29229
Hours: 12pm-11pm, daily
Pelican’s SnoBalls
Nothing says summer like a giant shaved ice! Pelican’s SnoBalls offers over 100 flavors of shaved ice, including sugar-free options, cream toppings, and stuffed SnoBalls. Kids love creating their own flavor combinations!
You’ll find several convenient Midlands locations including:
- Rosewood
- Northeast Columbia
- Irmo
- Lexington
- Elgin
Hours: Varied by location but generally 12pm-9pm
Manny’s Shaved Ice N’ Snacks
Just across the river in West Columbia, Manny’s Shaved Ice has become a local favorite for huge, shaved ice creations loaded with fruit flavors, chamoy, and candy toppings. Manny’s offers over 60 types of shaved ice, frappes, shakes, ice cream, smoothies, fruit bowls, aguas frescas, a variety of drinks with popping boba, and multiple traditional Mexican snack foods. If you’re looking for something beyond the traditional snow cone, this is worth the short drive!
Location: 1228 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, 29169
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 12p-9pm, Sat.-Sun. 11am-9pm
The Baked Bear
Can’t choose between cookies and ice cream? You don’t have to! The Baked Bear lets you build your own custom ice cream sandwich using freshly baked cookies, brownies, donuts, or waffles with your favorite ice cream flavors. It’s a treat for your tastebuds!
Location: 631 Harden St., Columbia 29205 (in Five Points)
Hours: 12pm-10pm, daily
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Known nationwide for generous portions and 48 different flavors made fresh daily, Handel’s is a great stop when you’re in the mood for some creamy ice cream. Popular flavors include Graham Central Station, Black Cherry, Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie, and other seasonal favorites.
Location: 4701 Forest Drive, Columbia, 29206 and 252 Harbison Boulevard, Columbia, 29212
Hours: 11am-10pm, daily
Rosewood Dairy Bar
This Columbia classic has been serving burgers, fries, and soft-serve ice cream for generations. Don’t leave without ordering one of their famous chocolate-dipped cones. They also offer ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, banana splits, hot fudge cake, and strawberry shortcake. It’s a nostalgic stop the whole family will love.
Location: 3003 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, 29205
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-9pm, closed Sundays
Whether you’re cooling off after a trip to Riverbanks Zoo, celebrating the end of baseball practice, or simply looking for a sweet way to beat the South Carolina heat, Columbia has a frozen treat for every taste. From handcrafted ice cream and Italian ice to shaved ice and gourmet desserts, there’s no shortage of delicious places to make summer memories with your family!
