6 Perfect Places for Ice Cream in Johnson City, TN
Who knew that there would be so many great places to get ice cream in this Tennessee town? If you are looking for ice cream in Johnson City, TN there is definitely no shortage.
Plus with all the outdoor adventure at your fingertips near Johnson City, you’ll need some ice cream to replenish those spent calories. So don’t feel bad about getting a cone. Or two.
Ice cream is the perfect dessert on a hot summer night and these places will help you get your fix. This list doesn’t even take into account the franchise places like Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt or the Dairy Queen!
Whether it’s ice cream, frozen yogurt, or a unique creation each of these spots has something interesting to offer.
Need some ideas for your actual meal? Check out these top restaurants in Johnson City.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! I was hosted by Visit Johnson City for a portion of my trip. All opinions are my own.
6 Best Places for Ice Cream in Johnson City, TN
Here are the perfect spots to get ice cream in Johnson City, TN. Don’t miss out on these this summer!
1. Mona Lisa’s Gelato & Cafe
Here you’ll find flavors that you can’t find anywhere else. Ones like Blood Orange, Lemon Oreo, Grapefruit, or Forest Berries.
I have a soft spot for gelato as I ate it daily when I was in Italy and sometimes more than once per day.
In addition to gelato, Mona Lisa’s serves sandwiches, paninis, and salads. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch and grab a cup of gelato on your way out.
Address: 305 W Oakland Ave
2. Scott’s Farm Market

Just south of Johnson City in Unicoi you’ll find Scott’s Farm Market. It was a quick 20 minute drive from our hotel and the ice cream was some of the best I’ve ever had. So, well worth it if you ask me.
My favorite flavor is Cookies & Cream so of course I got their Oreo. It was incredibly creamy and the Oreos had softened so I wasn’t crunching on them the whole time.
Let me just reiterate – Cookies & Cream is my absolute favorite and this is some of the best.
You’ll also find lots of fresh produce at Scott’s plus jams, coffee, and a few other items. Do some shopping, grab a cone of ice cream, and sit out at one of their picnic tables.
We stopped by this spot on the way back from rafting the Nolichucky River.
Address: 600 TN-107, Unicoi, TN
3. La Michoacana
If you love Latino treats, then make sure you try La Michoacana! This is a popular stop for ice cream creations and popsicles in Johnson City.
Not only do they have a brick and mortar store, but they also pop up at multiple events throughout town!
All their ice creams and popsicles are homemade! Their menu is large but the friendly staff here is wonderful at explaining everything and very helpful when making your choice.
Address: 525 W Oakland Avenue #4
4. Cakebuds Bakery & Ice Cream Shop

While Cakebuds is known for their larger-than-life cake creations, they also serve ice cream and milkshakes!
They get their ice cream from The Hop Creamery in Asheville, NC where you can get ice cream by the scoop or in a cakeshake.
The specialty cakeshakes are those towering milkshakes with toppings like whole cookies or cupcakes. You can order one of their specialties or create your own.
One special thing about Cakebuds is they offer different classes centered around their baked goods. While I was in town I was able to take a cookie decorating class. I was a little skeptical at first but it turned out to be so much fun!
If you are looking for something unique to do in Johnson City then I highly recommend taking a class with Cakebuds.
It’s also near some of the best breweries in Johnson City that you may want to try while in town!
Address: 410 S Roan St
5. Sam’s Snoball Paradise
At Sam’s Snoball Paradise, you’ll find New Orleans style shaved ice creations – some of the most unique I’ve ever seen!
They have tons of flavors to choose from for their snoballs but they also serve ice cream and a cool treat called snoshakes.
With all kinds of flavors plus countless choices for toppings to make your own creation, your options really are endless here.
You’ll want to check out their Facebook page to see some examples of these masterpieces!
Address: 809 S Roan St
6. Pal’s Sudden Service
In a hurry? Grab a milkshake at this fast-food drive through. They only have three flavors – except at the original Pal’s – but when you do something right it doesn’t need to be fancy.
You can get vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry at any Pal’s and then Peanut Butter at the original Pal’s.
You can’t beat a good milkshake on a hot summer day. While it may seem odd that I’m suggesting a fast food place, Pal’s was founded in nearby Kingsport and the only place you can find them is Northeast Tennessee.
So I typically don’t recommend franchise locations, but this one is unique to the area. If you’re hungry, grab a burger and fry combo while you’re here!
Address: Multiple Locations
Wrap Up: Best Ice Cream in Johnson City, TN
When I visited town, Mimi’s Cookies & Creamery was a food truck serving ice cream and cookies and it was one of my favorite spots for ice cream in Johnson City. I was sad to see that they’ve closed.
Nevertheless, these 6 places in JC will satisfy your ice cream cravings! Make a stop at one of these spots after a day full of adventures hiking near Johnson City, biking, or out on the water.
Ice cream is a must on your Johnson City itinerary.
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