Beat the heat this summer with local tasty treats

Details: Tuesday, 23 June 2026; Written by Sheila D. Barker

When the summer sun is blazing and temperatures start to climb, few things offer relief quite like a cold, refreshing treat. Whether you're craving a hand-scooped ice cream cone, a thick milkshake, a fruit-packed smoothie, or an icy specialty drink, local businesses are serving up plenty of ways to cool down. From longtime neighborhood favorites to newer spots worth discovering, these destinations provide a delicious escape from the heat while supporting the local community.

ICE CREAM

• Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop

1405 Hope Mills Rd.

252-574-6623; https://www.themadhattersicecream.com/flavors

Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop is a beloved local gem, renowned for its delectable dessert offerings and inviting, family-friendly atmosphere. With a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme, the shop provides a charming and cozy backdrop that leaves a lasting impression on families and children alike.

The menu boasts an extensive and imaginative selection of premium ice cream flavors, far surpassing the usual offerings. Best of all, their budget-friendly prices make it easy to indulge a large group or the entire family without straining your wallet.

• Sweet Tooth Shop

4011 Sycamore Dairy Rd, #102

910-868-1366

Sweet Tooth Shop boasts an outstanding selection of ice cream, perfectly complemented by its delectable baked goods. They offer a diverse range of premium ice cream flavors, including unique options such as chocolate-covered honeycomb and raspberry-filled dark chocolate. These delightful flavors are expertly crafted into custom milkshakes, like the irresistible blueberry cheesecake.

• Gillis Hill Farm

2701 Gillis Hill Rd

910-867-2350; https://www.gillishillfarm.com/

Gillis Hill Farm is a historic, family-owned destination that has become a cherished seasonal retreat, renowned for its exceptional fresh treats. Visitors rave about the charming, old-fashioned farm experience, which beautifully blends rich, delicious desserts with engaging family activities.

The farm is particularly famous for its outstanding homemade ice cream, served in generous portions featuring large scoops of rich, creamy goodness. While the daily flavor menu is intentionally limited to ensure maximum freshness, it includes popular rotating options such as banana, pumpkin, and mint chocolate chip. Customers are encouraged to mix and match flavors, and many highly recommend pairing them with the farm's fresh, crispy waffle cones.

LOTS OF WONDERFUL OPTIONS

• KISSOUL

419 Cross Creek Mall

910-229-6321; https://www.kissoul.com/

KISSOUL is a locally owned dessert and beverage shop nestled in the food court of Cross Creek Mall. Renowned for its creative and visually stunning treats, KISSOUL offers an interactive, photo-worthy experience that combines fresh ingredients with the latest dessert trends.

The shop is particularly famous for its specialty fruit teas, boba milk teas, and refreshing fruit beverages, all served in whimsical, collectible character bottles featuring designs like Hello Kitty, teddy bears, lucky cats, and donuts. Additionally, KISSOUL delights customers with dramatic "smoky" dry-ice drinks topped with real fruit.

The menu also showcases customizable, freshly baked Hong Kong-style egg waffles, which can be paired with ice cream and playful toppings such as cookies and marshmallows. Unique novelty items, including steak- or drumstick-shaped ice cream and snow mountain shaved ice, further enhance KISSOUL's delightful offerings.

• Dangs Ice Cream

9130 Fayetteville Rd., Raeford

910-510-8524

Dangs Ice Cream is a highly-rated local ice cream parlor celebrated for its extensive dessert menu and remarkably late operating hours. It serves as a fantastic neighborhood destination for satisfying sweet cravings, whether for a quick treat or a late-night indulgence.

In addition to their classic hand-dipped scoops—such as Butter Pecan, Cookies N' Cream, Black Walnut, and Raspberry Cheesecake—Dangs offers a selection of unique signature sundaes. Popular options include the Biscoff Sundae, Pistachio Sundae, and the specialty "Dubia Sundae," which is topped with green tea sauce, chocolate drizzle, strawberries, and crispy noodles.

For those seeking something extra special, Dangs features an impressive array of customized thick milkshakes and blended flurries. Gourmet flavors like Cookie Dough, Birthday Cake, Fruity Pop (with mango boba), and Brownie Points are sure to delight any dessert lover.

• Big T's

3609 N Main St. & 3414 Bullard St., Hope Mills

910-568-7722

https://www.bigtssnoballs.com/

Big T's is a beloved family-friendly destination that perfectly captures the essence of warm summer days. Nestled by the picturesque lakeside and now featuring a new location at The Hive, Big T's offers an array of seasonal favorites. The standout item on their menu is undoubtedly the New Orleans-style shaved ice snowballs, especially the "stuffed" varieties, which delightfully incorporate premium soft-serve vanilla ice cream right in the center of the flavored shaved ice. Alongside their extensive selection of snowball flavors, Big T's also serves classic soft-serve ice cream, indulgent milkshakes, and mouthwatering frappuccinos.

• Culvers

3320 S. Peake Dr., Hope Mills

910-317-3414

https://www.culvers.com/

Culver's is a bustling fast-casual restaurant renowned for its Midwestern hospitality and high-quality ingredients. Unlike traditional ice cream, Culver's is celebrated for its rich, velvety Fresh Frozen Custard, crafted from real Wisconsin dairy, cold-pressed vanilla, and Dutch-blend cocoa. This custard is churned fresh on-site multiple times a day and served at a slightly warmer temperature to enhance its smooth texture and flavor.

For those looking to customize their dessert, the Concrete Mixer is a popular choice. This treat blends vanilla or chocolate frozen custard with your selection of candies, fruits, hot fudge, peanut butter, or nuts, mixed thick enough to be enjoyed with a spoon. The menu also includes classic hand-scooped waffle cones, dish portions, and elaborate premium sundaes, featuring delights like the Caramel Cashew Sundae and the Banana Split.

• Snowy Town

1828 Owen Dr., Suite A

472-248-2659

https://www.instagram.com/snowy_town_official/

Snowy Town is a highly acclaimed local dessert destination, celebrated for its innovative sweets and welcoming atmosphere. It distinguishes itself in the dessert scene by offering specialty Asian-inspired frozen treats. The shop specializes in Korean-style shaved ice, known as Bingsu, which boasts a light, fluffy, snow-like texture created from shaved frozen milk instead of traditional water ice.

Each serving is generously layered and artfully topped with a variety of options, including fresh fruit, sweetened condensed milk, and complementary toppings. In addition to their signature snow bowls, Snowy Town features a diverse selection of trending desserts, specialty boba milk teas, and refreshing fruit beverages, all designed to highlight both stunning presentation and vibrant flavors.

ICE CREAM