With summer officially underway, ice cream becomes the go-to treat to beat the heat—and it’s practically a meal packed with protein and calcium. Treathouse, a creative vegan soft-serve shop located inside Treehouse Kid and Craft on Barber Street, recently extended its summer hours to better serve customers. The shop is now open from 12–6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 12–8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 12–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Here are three new ice cream destinations around town offering unique flavors and experiences to satisfy every craving:
TAJ SWEETS (2024 S. Milledge Ave.)
Nestled between Achachi Market and the soon-to-be-renamed Taj India, Taj Sweets operates on a model similar to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, serving two or three scoops (but not single scoops) that you can mix and match. Customers are encouraged to sample as many flavors as they like before choosing. Alongside classics like vanilla and pistachio, Taj Sweets features exotic flavors such as rose, mango, butterscotch, and malai kulfi—with or without chopped nuts and infused with cardamom. The ice cream is rich and dense, with seasonal flavors rotating regularly. While toppings like chocolate syrup and Oreos are available, the ice cream shines on its own.
In addition to ice cream, Taj Sweets offers the same high-quality, rich coffee served at the adjacent restaurant. The shop also boasts a refrigerated case filled with colorful sweets and a freezer stocked with a variety of Vadilal ice cream bars and popsicles. These include meetha paan-flavored ice cream tubs, Shahi Kulfi bars in almond and pistachio, fruity “Dollys” resembling creamsicles, and chocolate-coated “Shots.” With so many options, you could try something new every day for months. Taj Sweets is still fine-tuning its hours but remains open late most days, except Tuesdays.
CAFE RACER (2343 W. Broad St.)
Cafe Racer offers a visually striking soft serve available only during dinner hours (5–10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday). The treat is topped with an optional collar of toasted marshmallow for an additional 50 cents, making it a social media favorite—and for good reason. Available in espresso and vanilla flavors, the swirl of both balances the creamy sweetness of vanilla with the bold bitterness of espresso.
The waffle cone is homemade and perfectly textured, while the marshmallow collar adds a bittersweet twist that complements the ice cream. Though it’s an Instagram-worthy gimmick, it delivers on taste. The best way to enjoy it is quickly, preferably in the parking lot before it melts.
SWIRLEE’S SWEETS AND FROZEN TREATS (1040 Gaines School Road)
Located in the Ansonborough development on the Eastside, Swirlee’s replaced Lil’ Ice Cream Dude’s Cool World, which closed following the death of co-owner Vickie Shell. With another branch in Jefferson, Swirlee’s is poised to attract a loyal following in this community.
One highlight is the free, self-serve toppings included with every ice cream purchase. Though it doesn’t replicate the candy wonderland of Beau Shell’s former shop, it has its own appeal. Swirlee’s serves Hershey’s ice cream in classic flavors like Superman and cookie dough, sure to please kids. Additionally, it offers Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream from Michigan, featuring more adventurous options such as caramel corn (with butter-toffee popcorn bark and dark chocolate) and Milky Way (with chocolate malt flakes).
The shop also sells glass-bottle sodas and a wide range of toppings including Lucky Charms, frosted animal crackers, Reese’s Pieces, gummy bears, caramel syrup, and chocolate. Adding to the fun is a working vintage Pac-Man machine by the door and a small selection of candy available by the piece. Swirlee’s is open 2–9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 12–9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Whether you’re craving vegan soft serve, rich and exotic flavors, or nostalgic ice cream treats with plenty of toppings, these new spots offer refreshing ways to cool down this summer.
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