I have a major sweet tooth, so when we we're in Myrtle Beach, of course we need to scope out all the great places to get yummy ice cream, frozen custard, milkshakes and other sweet treats. Did you know that July is also National Ice Cream Month? Read on below for places in town to celebrate this sweet holiday.
Places we've visited
Sweet Molly's Creamery
We like to hit up the location in Barefoot Landing, which is close to where the bandstand is. It's nice to pick up a cone (or a cup for my messy little one) and listen to some live music too! Molly is actually the owners' pup and they do support local animal rescue groups. There's another location at Broadway at the Beach.
Sugar Life Ice Cream & Candy Bar
Whenever we eat dinner at Dirty Don's on 21st, we head across the street to Sugar Life afterwards for ice cream, and we never seem to leave without a bag of bulk candy to boot. We've also been to the location in North Myrtle, which has better parking.
Kilwin's
A franchise owned by a local couple, Kilwin's is located at Broadway at the Beach, and in addition to tasty ice cream, their candy apples are also a special treat.
Recommended spots
Many thanks to the Myrtle Beach Food Queen (@myrtlebeachfoodqueen on Instagram) for these additional recommendations and allowing us to share her photos that follow below! We can't wait to get back into town to try out these amazing looking concoctions.
Melt
Located on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, Melt opened in 2017 and is a family-owned business. They won Best of the Grand Strand in 2019 for Best Ice Cream.
Whit's Frozen Custard
A family-run outpost of a franchise, this location of Whit's is in North Myrtle Beach on Main Street. Custard is thicker and creamier than ice cream, as it includes eggs, has a higher butterfat content, and is served at a slightly warmer temperature.
Carolina Quench
A staple for over 30 years, this locally-owned company serves up small batches of Italian ice at several locations across the Grand Strand.
Give it a try
I generally like to try and stick with highlighting local business, instead of focusing on large national chains that you can get anywhere (but don't get me wrong, I do love my Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk as much as the next person). But when you come to Myrtle Beach, you have the opportunity to take advantage of the local goodness in town!
These are are other shops that are on our must-try list when we come to town next. Discover a great place that's not on this list? Please share it in the comments below!
Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar
This milkshake bar was started in June 2020 by a local Myrtle Beach couple and have now expanded to a couple locations across the south. The North Myrtle Beach location is just slightly closer to Bella Vista than their original location in Myrtle proper. They were just named as Best Ice Cream in the Food & Drink category of WMBF's annual Best of the Grand Strand list for 2021. Their newest location is in Charlotte, NC and I'm hoping a Raleigh location may pop up soon (fingers crossed)!
Kirk's
There are two locations of this parlor, just a couple miles apart. This shop has been open since the 1970s, and is dubbed the "1890" due to its old-timey décor. We hear the banana splits are a winner here.
TripAdvisor | Yelp | Facebook
Mad Myrtle's
This sit-down family style parlor opened in 2000 and their Chocolate Mad Sammie consisting of chocolate ice cream pressed between two chocolate chip cookies looks scrumptious!
Sweet Ice
This hidden gem is actually located inside an unassuming strip mall in the Asian Mart. Head here for rolled ice cream prepared seasonally, and get your bubble tea fix as well.
Further afield
Here are some ice cream shops that that are further away from Bella Vista, but if you're doing an excursion to these other towns, it would be well worth stopping in while you're in the area.
Painter's
Painter's Homemade Ice Cream has been in Garden City since 1952 and has two locations, one on the beach and one in town.
Meyer's
Located in Surfside, Meyer's also has non-dairy options made with coconut milk. I imagine their pineapple flavor might be close to a Dole Whip!
TripAdvisor | Yelp | Facebook
Calabash Creamery
Open since 2003, this spot is actually over the NC state line, but worth the drive. Owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team, and were featured in an article in the June 2021 issue of Our State magazine.
Hope you've now got some inspiration on where to get a sweet treat during your next trip to Bella Vista! Have a suggestion for other places in Myrtle Beach? Please drop us a note in the comments below, we are always on the lookout for new places to visit!
