2026 Ice Cream Guide

Aqua Restaurant and Spa in Duck, like the ocean its name represents, aims to provide a place of healing and rejuvenation. Aqua offers not only nourishment for the body, but the for soul and the environment as well.Along with providing the best...

First opened in 2010, Booty Treats --- playing off Nags Head’s pirate history ---offers a unique hot weather sweet that has become a word-of-mouth phenomenon.  A combination of shaved ice and flash-frozen “mini-melts,” the...

Enjoy a little island inspiration with every meal at this Corolla eatery that features a range of familiar Outer Banks dishes with a little bit of a Caribbean twist. The Broken Plate Kitchen is a popular northern Outer Banks eatery that features...

Coastal Creamery OBX sells a wide variety of frozen treats: hard scooped ice cream, soft serve frozen yogurts, sorbet, and custard, and our dairy free selection of Italian Ices. They serve in cones or cups with all of the toppings available and...

A natural grass mini golf course.

A tasty stop for a variety of barbeque choices!

Dairy Queen, endearlingly called “DQ” by fans, is a soft serve ice cream and restaurant chain serving tasty eats, treats and beverages. 

Opened since the 1950s at the same Whalebone Junction location,  although no one seems to know exactly when, Dune Burger is one of the oldest drive-up burger joints on the Outer Banks. It’s just a cinder block square, painted red and...

What’s great about Fatboyz is you can stroll over to it from the beach in your bathing suit, get some tasty food and ice cream, and sit right down on their outside porch and enjoy it. No worries about your wet bathing suit or sandy bare feet...

Whether you’re in the mood for a convenient breakfast or lunch, or just want to skip right to the sweet stuff, the Fig Tree Bakery and the Sweet Tooth candy shop has you covered. This popular Ocracoke destination that has been delighting...

Bakery, breakfast and pizza dinners at a Hateras Island mainstay. 

  Enjoy cool sweets and treats at Happy Belly!

Huanchaco Lounge in Kill Devil Hills brings a fresh and flavorful twist to the Outer Banks dining scene, blending vibrant Peruvian flavors with a laid-back coastal vibe. Named after the famed surf town of Huanchaco, Peru, this cozy lounge is a...

Just like it sounds, a snowball is shaved ice, covered with flavored syrup. Originated in Baltimore, they provide a great way to cool down on a summer night, and Island Snowball has brought the refreshing treat to the Outer Banks with affordable...

Why scream for ice cream when you can enjoy old-fashioned frozen custard? This wonderfully beachy outdoor take out stand is the perfect stop on a beautiful summer day for delicious frozen custard as well as beach fries, sandwiches, hotdogs and...

Here’s a comfortable place to stop for some ice cream. Located in what looks like a cedar shake house with a porch,  Owned by the same folks who run the Beach Road ice cream stand Snow Bird,  Logans offers Hershey ice cream in all...

Unimaginable sweet treats!

A delicious stop filled with sweets, snacks and sandwiches. 

One of the newer restaurants to take the northern Outer Banks by storm, Pete’s Pour house serves burgers, fries, fresh seafood, salads and many of the comfort foods that are easily washed down by an ice cold beer. The wings at Pete’s...

Located in the heart of Buxton on Hatteras Island, Reel Swirly is a sweet little spot that’s big on flavor and fun. This locally loved frozen yogurt and dessert shop is the perfect place to cool off and treat yourself after a sunny day at the...

Browse from store to store under covered porches and a grove of shady live oaks! Along the meandering Duck Road that runs through the village of Duck, NC, you’ll find the Scarborough Lane Shoppes, a collection of cool clothing boutiques and...

A combination mini-lunch counter and ice cream shop, Scoops offers a break from shopping with homemade ice cream, cold drinks and sandwiches. The ice cream, with 34 flavors, really is homemade, and is available ---of course --- by the scoop in...

Painted in bright primary color stripes, this little ice cream & food stand on the Beach Road has a long history in Nags Head. Until 1954, it was located near the spot where a kid-sized castle still stands at Jockey’s Ridge. Depending on...

When you’re too tired to get out of your car, or you just are too sandy and wet, Sonic is the answer. Famous for it’s car-side service,  drivers can just pull up to the menu at one of the stalls, review the choices and then order...

Located directly across the street from Jockey’s Ridge on one side, and the ocean on the other, Sooey’s is a good casual place to stop for a bite and take in the view. It offers hickory smoke BBQ pork, beef, chicken, ribs and seafood...

Fudge, ice cream and fun, creative activities!

Owned by Outer Banks former professional surfer Kelly Hines and his wife Whitney, Surfin’ Spoon,on the Beach Road right across from the ocean,is a great place to take a break from the beach, or after a long day of surfing.  Featuring big...

Satisfy a sweet craving at this Nags Head destination that is a perfect spot to visit in between beach trips. Sweet Retreat Ice Cream Bar features a lengthy list of ice-cold treats that range from Italian ice to classic sundaes, ensuring that...

An island-style setting with a mix of fried, grilled and healthy choices. 

Visitors can cool off after a long walk through the village with a stop at The Slushy Stand, which is one of Ocracoke Island’s favorite destinations for frozen treats and refreshing drinks of all varieties. Featuring a wide array of ice...

With a mission to provide a meal made with fresh, natural and premium ingredients, the eatery offers a range of interesting and delicious gourmet salads, bistro sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and toasted wraps, all made with a flair for...

Pastries, cakes, and pies, oh my! At Tullio's Bakery located in Loblolly Pines Shopping Center in Duck, NC, "tasty" is their business! The award-winning bakery has an abundance of baked goods, each lovingly made from scratch for even the most...

Food, creativity and coffee at this delicious stop.

Watermen’s Bar & Grill boasts a “unique indoor/outdoor design” with spectacular waterfront views and a friendly staff - and “the best coffee, beers and mixed drinks on the Outer Banks.” This includes an exclusive...