Best Ice Cream in Savannah GA: Where Locals Actually Go

What's the best ice cream in Savannah? Leopold's Ice Cream on Broughton Street is the undisputed king — a Savannah institution since 1919 with nearly 9,000 Google reviews and a USA Today 10Best award to prove it. But the Hostess City has more to offer than just Leopold's. From Australian-inspired coffee shops scooping their own flavors to European bakeries with house-made gelato, we've tracked down every worth-your-time ice cream spot in Savannah's Historic District and beyond.

TL;DR — Best Ice Cream in Savannah

Best overall: Leopold's Ice Cream — Historic, legendary, unmissable
Best coffee + ice cream combo: The Collins Quarter — Lavender lattes and house-made scoops
Best bakery treats + ice cream: Goose Feathers Cafe — Pastries and frozen treats on Ellis Square
Best food tour with dessert: Southern Flavors Savannah — Their dessert tour hits every sweet spot
Best neighborhood walk: Stroll from Leopold's through the best restaurants in Savannah to discover even more

Why Savannah Is an Ice Cream Town

Savannah's love affair with ice cream predates air conditioning — and that's saying something in a city where summer heat indices regularly top 100°F. The city's walkable Historic District, its open container laws (yes, you can walk around with your ice cream cone and a cocktail simultaneously), and its tradition of family-owned sweet shops make it a genuinely great ice cream city.

The combination of warm weather, tourist foot traffic on Broughton Street, and a culture that celebrates slow, social dining means ice cream shops in Savannah aren't just dessert destinations — they're gathering places. Locals debate flavors the way other cities debate sports teams. And with Leopold's anchoring the scene since 1919, Savannah has legitimate ice cream history that most cities can't claim.

Local tip: Hit Leopold's during weekday afternoons for the shortest lines. Weekends and summer evenings can mean a 30+ minute wait. The line moves fast though, and honestly, it's part of the experience.

Leopold's Ice Cream — The Savannah Pilgrimage

What Makes Leopold's Special

Leopold's Ice Cream isn't just the best ice cream in Savannah — it's one of the best ice cream shops in the entire South. Founded in 1919 by Peter Leopold and his three brothers, this Broughton Street institution has been serving homemade ice cream using original family recipes for over a century. The shop itself is a step back in time: vintage soda fountain, restored wooden counter, and a wall of photographs documenting Savannah history.

Their Tutti Frutti flavor is the star — a rum-based ice cream with candied fruit that's been on the menu since day one. The Honey Almond Cream is equally legendary, and the Bananarama (banana ice cream with dark chocolate and walnuts) is a perennial favorite. But part of the fun is discovering seasonal specials that rotate throughout the year.

Leopold's earned a spot on USA Today's 10Best Ice Cream Shops list for 2025, confirming what Savannah locals have known for generations. With a 4.6/5 rating across nearly 9,000 Google reviews, it's not just tourist hype — the ice cream is genuinely exceptional.

Location: 212 E Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Price: $ (very affordable)

Beyond Leopold's: Other Sweet Spots in Savannah

Leopold's dominates the conversation, but it's not the only game in town. Here's where else to satisfy your sweet tooth in the Hostess City:

The Collins Quarter — Coffee + Ice Cream

The Collins Quarter on Bull Street brings Melbourne coffee culture to Savannah, but their dessert case deserves just as much attention as their famous lavender lattes. This Australian-inspired café makes creative ice cream treats and specialty desserts that pair perfectly with their expertly pulled espresso. The atmosphere — part coffeehouse, part brunch destination, part dessert bar — makes it easy to spend an entire afternoon here.

It's also one of the best breakfast spots in Savannah, so you can legitimize starting your day with something sweet and then come back for ice cream in the afternoon. No judgment.

Goose Feathers Cafe — Pastries + Frozen Treats

Goose Fethers Cafe sits right on Ellis Square, making it the perfect ice cream and pastry stop between exploring the squares. Their European-style bakery produces fresh croissants, danishes, and breakfast sandwiches daily, and they offer frozen treats that are a welcome respite during summer walking tours of the Historic District.

The location across from Ellis Square means you can grab your treat and sit on a bench watching the world go by — which is about as Savannah as it gets.

Southern Flavors Dessert Tour — The Ultimate Sweet Crawl

If you can't choose (and honestly, why should you?), Southern Flavors Savannah offers a dedicated dessert tour that hits multiple sweet spots in one walking excursion. You'll sample ice cream, pastries, and other desserts from several locations while learning about Savannah's culinary history. It's the most efficient way to taste your way through the city's dessert scene — and you'll walk enough to feel virtuous about it.

Best Ice Cream Near Tybee Island

If you're taking a dolphin tour or spending the day at the beach near Tybee Island, you'll want frozen treats to match the coastal vibe. While Tybee has its own ice cream spots along the main drag, the smart move is to grab your ice cream in Savannah before heading out — Leopold's is just 20 minutes from the island.

For a full day trip itinerary, check out our Tybee Island day trip guide which covers everything from the best seafood to beach access points.

Ice Cream Season in Savannah: When to Go

Savannah's ice cream season runs roughly from March through November — basically whenever the temperature is above 70°F, which is most of the year. But each season has its own vibe:

Spring (March-May): Perfect ice cream weather. The azaleas are blooming, the squares are gorgeous, and the lines at Leopold's are manageable. Our Savannah in April guide covers all the best spring activities.
Summer (June-August): Peak ice cream season. Lines are longest, but you'll need that cold treat more than ever. Evening walks with ice cream through the Historic District are a Savannah tradition.
Fall (September-November): Still warm enough for ice cream, with shorter lines and beautiful Spanish moss framing every cone.
Winter (December-February): Yes, even in winter. Savannah winters are mild (50s-60s), and locals still hit Leopold's. No lines, full flavor selection. The power move.

Pro tip: If you're visiting during St. Patrick's Day season (March), Savannah goes absolutely wild — and Leopold's green ice cream specials are part of the celebration. The whole city turns green, and the ice cream follows suit.

How to Build the Perfect Savannah Dessert Crawl

Why settle for one ice cream shop when you can hit several? Here's our recommended dessert crawl route through the Historic District:

Start at Goose Feathers Cafe on Ellis Square for a morning pastry and coffee
Walk south on Bull Street to The Collins Quarter for a mid-morning lavender latte and sweet treat
Continue to Leopold's Ice Cream on Broughton Street for the main event
Book the Southern Flavors dessert tour for an evening of guided sweet discoveries

This route covers roughly 0.5 miles of the most walkable part of the Historic District — you'll pass through several of Savannah's famous squares and see the best architecture along the way. For more walking route ideas, see our guide on how walkable Savannah really is.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Cream in Savannah

Is Leopold's Ice Cream worth the wait?

Yes. The line at Leopold's can stretch 30+ minutes during peak summer evenings and weekends, but it moves steadily and the ice cream is genuinely exceptional. Go during weekday afternoons for shorter waits, or embrace the line as part of the Savannah experience — you'll be surrounded by friendly locals and tourists swapping restaurant recommendations.

Does Savannah have good ice cream besides Leopold's?

Absolutely. While Leopold's is the must-visit, The Collins Quarter offers creative ice cream treats alongside their Australian-inspired coffee, and Goose Feathers Cafe has frozen treats in a charming European bakery setting. The Southern Flavors dessert tour is the best way to sample multiple sweet spots in one outing.

Can you walk around Savannah with ice cream?

Yes! Savannah's Historic District is extremely walkable, and you can absolutely stroll between squares with your ice cream cone. In fact, that's one of the quintessential Savannah experiences — walking from Leopold's on Broughton Street down toward the river, ice cream in hand, taking in the architecture and squares. See our guide on walkability in Savannah for more tips.

Love Savannah? Check out our collection of the best restaurants in Savannah — from Southern comfort food to fine dining, we've got every craving covered. Because some of us never outgrew our dessert-first phase — and we're proud of it.