Updated June 2022 by Fraley Williams
A frozen dessert renaissance has swept the Magic City over the past several years. Local makers have elevated simple summer treats by giving ice cream the farm-to-table treatment, infusing sorbets and ices with haute cuisine creativity, and invigorating popsicles with exciting international flavors. Let’s check out Birmingham’s favorite ice cream parlors and popsicle stands!
HOMEMADE ICE CREAMS, SORBETS & ICES
Big Spoon Creamery
4000 3rd Ave S #104, Birmingham, AL 35222 • (205) 703-4712
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.
927 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 • (205) 637-0823
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.
Big Spoon Creamery is an artisanal ice cream company that makes small-batch, handcrafted ice cream and ice cream sandwiches that started selling from their charming old-school “ice-cream trike,” which can be spotted at farmers markets, festivals, and sidewalks throughout Birmingham. They now have a cool brick-and-mortar spot in Avondale, as well as in Homewood. The brilliant minds behind Big Spoon use the highest quality ingredients, highlighting local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible. Case in point: Big Spoon Creamery’s all-time most popular flavor is honeysuckle blackberry, which is only available for a brief burst in the spring when fresh honeysuckle blooms.
Big Spoon Creamery’s seasonal flavor almond peach cardamom features Chilton County peaches cooked into a jam, then swirled into almond ice cream and candied almonds. Image: Instagram
Doodle’s Homemade Sorbets and Ices
3236 Cahaba Heights Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 • (205) 527-1022
Hours: Monday through Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
Owner Paul Champion was looking for a way to put his three children through college when his son Scott suggested that his dad introduce his beloved Italian ices to Alabamians in the hot summer months. And Doodle’s Homemade Sorbets and Ices was born! Doodle’s makes more than 150 flavors of homemade sorbets, Italian water ices, and sugar-free ices, all recipes created by Paul’s wife, Sandy. The shop keeps 60 to 70 flavors available at its Cahaba Heights location, but it also has an old-fashioned trolley car for catering parties and other events.
Green apple, lemon, and blue raspberry at Doodle’s Homemade Sorbets and Ices in Vestavia’s Cahaba Heights neighborhood
Doodle’s Peanut butter chocolate, birthday cake, and cookies’ n’ cream sorbet flavors boast a minimal amount of dairy — a healthier option than your average ice cream.
Bendy’s Cookies and Cream Store and Food Truck
3029 Pump House Rd Ste. 109, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
Hours: Sunday + Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 9:30 p.m.; closed Monday
Find Bendy’s food trunk schedule on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
Husband and wife, Ben and Wendy, have always loved making sweet treats for their friends and family. They even served their homemade cookies at their wedding in 2014. Ben and Wendy started their ice cream food truck business in 2016, serving throughout the city of Birmingham. Their friends decided that the company should combine their names, so “Bendy’s” was. Bendy’s offers made-from-scratch cookies and ice cream, and many customers choose to make an ice cream sandwich out of their favorite ice cream paired with a delicious made-from-scratch cookie. You can find Bendy’s food truck by checking their website or social handles for their schedule! Bendy’s is one-of-a-kind; you do not want to miss their famous ice cream sandwiches.
Ono Ice
(706) 832-8576
For pop-up locations, follow Ono Ice on Instagram or Facebook.
Ono Ice is a Hawaiian “shave ice” pop-up stand. Owner Rebecca Davis loved shave ice as a girl and wanted to see if it would be just as delicious using all-natural ingredients. So, she created syrups from scratch using all-natural ingredients like fresh fruit, dairy products, herbs, and spices. She also uses a hand-crank block ice shaver that produces finely textured ice, absorbing and holding the syrup for maximum flavor in every bite.
Ono Ice can be found at local businesses such as Lucy’s Coffee & Tea, Saturn and Rojo, and at the Sidewalk Film Festival, Birmingham Art Crawl, and Art on the Rocks. Image: Ono Ice
Rebecca also makes specialty desserts, such as the Chamango, which is made with a sweet-and-spicy plum syrup topped with a mango-lime purée and chunks of fresh mango. Image: Ono Ice
Jeni’s Ice Cream
219 29th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 868-3416
Hours: Sunday through Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is an artisan ice cream chain with over 60 ‘scoop shops’ around the United States and is sold in retail distributors nationally. Jeni’s is a certified B Corp, meaning they are committed to reducing their environmental impact and creating a positive impact on communities. 95% of what you buy in their shops is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and they are dedicated to moving toward zero waste. Jeni’s uses direct trade ingredients with milk from family-run farms and fresh fruit from farms around Ohio. This environmental and community-friendly ice cream shop is now open in Pepper Place. Head over to enjoy their delicious limited-edition flavors. Jeni’s also ships nationwide, so head to their website to have your order delivered to your door.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is now scooping at Pepper Place! Image: Instagram/@downintheham
NOLA Ice Food Truck
Located inside The Residences at The Pizitz: 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 502-7502
Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m.; to 8 p.m.; closed Saturday
Find the NOLA Ice Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram.
If you’re on the go and craving a sno-ball, your answer is the NOLA Ice food truck. Kelli Caulfield, the founder of the NOLA Ice food truck, knew she had to bring the New Orleans-style sno-ball to Birmingham. This sno-ball’s shaved ice is so delicate and soft that it feels like snow. With 44 different flavors, choosing just one to satisfy your sweet tooth can be challenging. Kelli wants everyone to treat her food truck like the classic ice cream truck children run to in the summertime. The NOLA Ice food truck runs throughout October, so you have plenty of time to track one down! You can also stop by Pizitz Food Hall to find NOLA Ice connected to Broad Street Peaux Boys for an authentic New Orleans combo.
Is there any more beautiful way to cool down on a hot Alabama day?! Image: NOLA Ice
The Spun Cow
Inside The Residences at The Pizitz, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 502-7401
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday
Founded in Nashville, TN, The Spun Cow opened at Pizitz Food Hall this past Spring. This ice cream shop has a cotton candy bar, artisan ice cream, floats, old-fashioned milkshakes, and 50 rotating flavors that will keep you drooling. They also offer delivery, so you can have your fix and relax from home.
Cinnamon roll ice cream from The Spun Cow is a must-try! Image: Instagram
THE ARTISANAL POPSICLE
Steel City Pops
329 Summit Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35243 • (833) 588-7677
Hours: Monday through Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
For pop-up locations, follow Steel City Pops on Instagram or Facebook.
Steel City Pops took BHAM by storm in May 2012 with their gourmet popsicles, featuring only organic and locally sourced ingredients when possible. The smooth buttermilk popsicle’s complex notes of vanilla and cheesecake are so delicious that you’ll have a hard time trying another Steel City Pops flavor. Whether you prefer their dairy-based, nondairy, or vegan-friendly fruit pops, Steel City mixes good old-fashioned ingredients with culinary creativity for some unforgettable treats.
A decadent cookie popsicle made with fresh, organic ingredients from Steel City Pops in Homewood. Image: Steel City Pops
Urban Pops
2760 John Hawkins Pkwy #100, Hoover, AL 35244 • (205) 518-0270
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday
For pop-up locations, follow Urban Pops on Instagram or Facebook.
Hoover-based Urban Pops is the only popsicle joint in Birmingham that features the unique flavors of India and South Asia. In addition to traditional American flavors, such as their popular watermelon or cookies’ n’ cream, the adventurous foodie can enjoy Kulfi, dense and creamy ice cream from South Asia with notes of mango, cardamom, or saffron. Another exotic flavor, Rooh Afza, is a syrup from Pakistan and India made of fruits and herbs, such as rose, that have cooling properties. Enjoy an old favorite, or branch out and discover the exciting culinary culture at Urban Pops!
Pink lemonade pop at Urban Pops. Image: Urban Pops
Frios Gourmet Pops
For pop-up locations, follow Frios Gourmet Pops on Instagram or Facebook.
What began with an Alabamian entrepreneur and a single cart on Broad Street in Gadsden has grown into a booming popsicle business across Alabama … and in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, too! The popsicle chef, a.k.a. “Fruit Ninja Kitchen Master,” crafts innovative recipes made with locally grown, all-natural ingredients. Frios carts can be found around Birmingham and are available for festivals and other events.
This adorable little girl bears her popsicle and American pride with equal zeal! Image: Frios Gourmet Pops
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES
La Sabrosita Ice Cream Shop
3702 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35244 • (205) 637-7002
Hours: Monday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
La Sabrosita loosely translates to “delicious little one,” and this sweet spot in the heart of Hoover is definitely delicious. Their homemade paletas, or popsicles, include spicy mango, pignoli (pine nut), tamarind, avocado, cucumber, and more traditional flavors. They also have ice cream, creative sundaes, and dessert specialties such as one intimidating dessert called El Diabalito or “the little devil.” They also offer savory snacks like the Crazy Doritos, which involve a bag of spicy Doritos cut open like a pouch and treated like nachos. If you can’t make it to Cabo this summer but are still craving the unique flavors of Mexico, stop by this one-of-a-kind eatery!
Try this coffee popsicle with a creative spin at La Sabrosita. Image: Facebook
Filled with pistachios, the pistachio popsicle is for nut lovers! Image: Facebook
Mountain Brook Creamery
Now owned by the same people as Edgewood Creamery, this old-fashioned ice cream shop has been a favorite for decades. Legions of locals have childhood memories of peering into the ice cream cases as youngsters. The shop has 300 flavors, and 44 are on hand on any given day. The ice cream cakes are also very popular. Grab a cone with your favorite flavor, and stroll around picturesque Mountain Brook Village for a tasty window-shopping excursion!
The familiar storefront of Mountain Brook Creamery has greeted decades of eager children and adults.
Chocolate fudge brownie ice cream with M&M sprinkles and Kahlua almond fudge make a pretty pair on a hot summer day at Mountain Brook Creamery.
The Whole Scoop
1021 Brocks Gap Pkwy, Hoover, AL 35244 • (205) 444-8000
Summer hours: Monday through Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
The Whole Scoop is a mom-and-pop shop with an inviting, local, family-friendly vibe. There are even pictures of Hoover teams and families covering the walls, along with customer-decorated wooden ice cream spoons. Footstools allow little ones to peer into the cases and pick their favorite flavor. The shop scoops up ice cream cones and sundaes, mixes milkshakes and malts, and makes ice cream cakes as well as espresso and cappuccino beverages made with freshly ground espresso beans. There is a pick-me-up for everyone at The Whole Scoop!
The walls at The Whole Scoop are adorned with photos of locals and customer-decorated wooden ice cream spoons.
Chocolate Fetish ice cream and Sea Turtle salted caramel ice cream at The Whole Scoop in Hoover.
Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe
815 Shades Crest Rd, Birmingham, AL 35226 • (205) 423-5055
Hours: Monday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
The Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe owner was nearing retirement when the idea of creating a business with his daughter came to mind. Alex Hare and her father have had the business since 2016, but it was only three months in when they were voted the #1 Best Ice Cream Place in Birmingham. The gourmet, super-premium ice cream is shipped from The Chocolate Shoppe in Madison, WI. The Chocolate Shoppe delivers less air and more cream, which creates the perfect balance for an uber-rich ice cream treat! They offer unique flavors at the end of every season.
This sweet spot is a Bluff Park staple — perfect for an afternoon visit! Image: Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe
Edgewood Creamery
936 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209 • (205) 874-1999
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Edgewood Creamery is Homewood’s go-to spot for sweet scoops! Its modern-industrial interiors are sleek yet inviting, and it’s the perfect place to hang out over a milkshake, sundae, frozen yogurt, or simple scoop. They also make ice cream cakes and cater for special events. Whether it’s sundaes for the office or scoops for a big school kick-off, Edgewood Creamery can deliver the goods — pre-scooped or dished up on-site!
The ultra-hip interior at Edgewood Creamery in Homewood.
These little hands are enjoying some big-time flavor with this cuppa rainbow sherbet!
When you’re feeling hot and drained, treat your inner kid — or your actual kids — to a sweet treat at your favorite local ice cream or popsicle spot in town!
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