Tennessee has plenty of places to grab a cone, but only a few still come with jukeboxes, neon signs, soda fountain counters, and banana splits built the old-fashioned way. This list covers seven ice cream parlors across the state, from a Nashville soda shop that opened in 1939 to a Beale Street general store that has been in business since 1876.
Some are classic stops that generations of families keep returning to, while others are newer shops in small towns and busy neighborhoods that are already turning heads with creative cones and generous sundaes. Whether you are planning a weekend road trip, hunting for the best banana split between Memphis and Chattanooga, or just need a good excuse to eat dessert first, these seven spots are worth saving.
1. Elliston Place Soda Shop, Nashville, TN
Few Nashville restaurants can say they were serving customers before World War II, but Elliston Place Soda Shop has been open since 1939. It sits on Elliston Place near the Vanderbilt and West End area, and it still looks the part with tiled walls and jukeboxes.
The shop has been beautifully redone and expanded over the years, so it now seats far more people than it once did. The nostalgic setting stayed, which is exactly the point.
Dessert is the main reason it lands on this list. The menu includes a classic Banana Split, a Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae, and a lineup of sodas, floats, and shakes made at an old-school fountain.
Here is the twist. It is also a full diner, so you can start with Tennessee country ham for breakfast, a Signature Soda Shop Burger, fried green tomatoes, or squash casserole, then finish with ice cream.
Timing matters, since the shop keeps daytime hours. It opens at 7:30 a.m.
Monday through Saturday and closes at 4 p.m., while Sunday runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Families will find a kids menu and high chairs, and there is a parking lot plus a to-go window for anyone in a hurry. On weekends, live music adds even more of that oldies charm.
2. Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, Nashville, TN
Neon, picnic tables, and a walk-up window set the scene at Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, a circa-1951 ice cream stand on Charlotte Avenue in west Nashville. It is the kind of place that makes a quick dessert run seem like a trip back in time.
Soft serve is the backbone of the menu. From there, things get bigger, with the Banana Boat and Hot Fudge Cake ranking as the showpieces.
My advice is simple. Bring a friend for either of those, because both are generous enough to share.
Bobbie’s is also a burger stand at heart, so savory options like a Chili Cheese Dog and a Kosher Hot Dog are on the board too. That makes it an easy one-stop lunch and dessert plan.
There is no table service here. You order, grab your treat, and settle in at one of the outdoor tables, and dogs are welcome outside.
Hours run from noon to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Friday evenings tend to be the busiest, so plan accordingly.
A free parking lot helps, and the stand sits within walking distance of the Hattie B’s on Charlotte Avenue. Hot chicken first, soft serve second is a pretty solid Nashville afternoon.
3. Tic Toc Ice Cream, Loudon, TN
Blackberry cobbler in a waffle cone is a flavor combination that tells you a lot about Tic Toc Ice Cream. This small parlor on Grove Street in Loudon leans into homemade ice cream with a Southern twist.
Loudon is a quiet river town between Knoxville and Chattanooga, and Tic Toc fits right in with its old-fashioned, quaint setting. It is a relaxed stop rather than a flashy one.
The ice cream is made in house, and the menu keeps things classic. Expect malts, shakes, sundaes, and the Old Fashioned Banana Split, all served in portions that lean generous.
Prices are reasonable, which makes it easy to bring the whole family without doing math at the counter. Kids are a common sight here.
One of the nicest perks sits just outside. There is a pleasant outdoor space by a fountain, so on a warm evening you can take your cone out and enjoy the view.
Tic Toc is open every day from noon to 8:30 p.m., and free street parking is available nearby. Saturday and Sunday evenings draw the biggest crowds, while weekday afternoons are usually calm.
4. Rock Island Trolley Stop, Rock Island, TN
Road trip planners, take note. Rock Island Trolley Stop is the type of shop people happily drive hours to reach, all for a banana split.
This casual, family-run spot on Rock Island Road has been serving ice cream since 2018. It sits in the small community of Rock Island in Middle Tennessee, an area better known for waterfalls and river scenery than dessert.
The menu covers cones, sundaes, and banana splits, with the Normal Banana Split as the star. It is a full-on, loaded version of the classic, and it is the order most people come for.
Milkshakes are another strong reason to stop. The lineup also includes a few less expected items, like apple fritters, soft pretzels, and cream Italian sodas with two flavors.
Orders can take a few minutes, since treats are made to order. A little patience pays off here.
Check the calendar before you go, because the shop is closed Monday through Wednesday. It opens at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday through Sunday, closing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Seating is available, there is a parking lot, and dogs are allowed outside. Curbside pickup is also an option for anyone heading back to the highway.
5. Scoop Around Ice Cream Bar, Chattanooga, TN
Ice cream nachos. That menu item alone explains why Scoop Around Ice Cream Bar stands apart from the other stops on this list.
Located at 831 E. Main Street in Chattanooga, this specialty shop focuses on unique flavors and custom creations.
It is playful, a little over the top, and clearly having fun with dessert.
The signature cones are where the creativity shows. The Dough-Licious Cone and the Strawberry Shortie Cone are two standouts, and the Cup-Cake-A-Nator Shake takes the milkshake idea in a very sweet direction.
Flavors like cookie monster ice cream in a waffle cone keep kids interested. Adults tend to find something to like too.
Purists are not left out. The traditional cones are done well, and the banana split comes fully loaded with walnuts and all the classic fixings, carefully assembled.
Hours are built around afternoons and evenings. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens at 3 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, and runs noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Friday and Saturday nights stay open until 10 p.m., which makes it a handy after-dinner stop in town. Saturday evenings are the busiest, and both lot and street parking are available in the area.
6. The Glade Scoops & Sweets, Mt. Juliet, TN
A banana split in milkshake form is the kind of idea that makes you wonder why every shop does not offer one. The Glade Scoops and Sweets in Mt.
Juliet does.
This ice cream and sweets shop sits on Stewarts Ferry Pike, a convenient stop for folks in Mt. Juliet and the eastern edge of the Nashville area.
It keeps things casual and relaxed.
The classic banana split is one of the most popular orders, and the staff are patient with anyone who needs a minute at the counter. Toppings like crumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups add a satisfying finish to a scoop.
Milkshakes deserve attention here too. Along with the banana split shake, a pumpkin pie milkshake has shown up on the menu, which is a treat for fall fans.
Plan around the schedule. The Glade is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 8:30 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday.
Takeout is easy, and it works well as a quick after-school or after-dinner stop for families.
7. A. Schwab, Memphis, TN
Back in 1876, Ulysses S. Grant was president and A.
Schwab was already open for business. This family-owned general store on Beale Street in Memphis has been around longer than any other stop on this list.
Walking into A. Schwab is part shopping trip, part history lesson.
The store sells a huge candy selection, Memphis souvenirs, soaps, and even hoodoo items.
The reason it earns a spot here is the soda fountain. It serves retro sodas, milkshakes, and ice cream from a classic soda shop setup, which makes it a smart break while exploring downtown.
I would save this stop for a Beale Street afternoon, when a cold milkshake sounds better than anything else. Grab one, then browse the shelves.
There is more upstairs. A small museum area displays pieces of the store’s past, and it is worth a look before you leave.
Food souvenirs are available too, including a sweet potato butter that has earned a loyal following. It makes a fun take-home gift.
Hours run 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Sunday.
The store stays open until 7 p.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on Saturday.
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