A single scoop in Southport comes with a choice: take a sunset cruise past real dolphins, or fight a seagull for a drippy cone on the pier. The fishing folks will even show you a shark if you time it right.

This list skips the tourist-trap fudge and covers everything from a warm brownie sundae that arrives like a small, glorious accident to a tiny scoop shop with a vegan chocolate chip that converts skeptics. We factored in the quality of the waffle cone, the patience of the staff, and how well the ice cream survives the walk to the Riverwalk swings.

You have your work cut out for you. Go taste.

Flava's Ice Cream Shop

Highlights
Warm brownie sundae delight
Helpful, friendly young staff
Great shakes, cappuccino chip
Relaxing spot, handsome merch

Flava's had me at the warm brownie sundae. It arrived gooey, rich, and just the right amount of ridiculous. The young staff were genuinely helpful, steering me toward the cappuccino chip shake. That shake? Creamy, deep, and not too sweet. I lingered longer than planned. The spot feels relaxed, unhurried. Their merch is handsome too. A nice touch. I almost bought a hat. Maybe next time. Flava's knows what it's doing, and it made me feel clever for finding it. A solid stop for any ice cream mission.

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Gelarto

Highlights
Generous, fairly priced portions
Friendly staff, plentiful samples
Creamy, fresh, flavorful gelato
Ideal Riverwalk sweet stop

Gelarto sits right by the Riverwalk, which is a dangerous place for my wallet. The portions are serious. Generous and fairly priced, which in a tourist town feels like a small victory. The staff let me sample freely. No side-eye. The gelato itself is creamy, fresh, and full of flavor. I tried a few scoops and left happier than I arrived. It's an ideal sweet stop after a slow stroll along the water. I'd return just for the mango. Simple, kind, and quietly excellent.

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Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge

Highlights
Fresh waffle cones daily
Cheerful, accommodating staff
Sweet treats worth stopping
Downtown Southport convenience

Kilwins is a downtown institution for good reason. The waffle cones are made fresh daily, and you can smell them from the sidewalk. That smell? Irresistible. The staff are cheerful and patient, even when I changed my mind twice. Their chocolate and fudge options are classic, done well. It's a convenient stop in the heart of Southport. I grabbed a scoop and wandered. The cone stayed crisp. The flavors were clean. Sweet treats here are worth the pause. A reliable choice when you want something familiar and done right.

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Southport Cookies

Highlights
Large, delicious cookies served
Friendly and welcoming service
Vegan and gluten-free options

Southport Cookies is technically a cookie shop, but their ice cream sandwiches deserve attention. The cookies are large, soft, and delicious. I got one warm, and it nearly fell apart in my hands. The service is friendly and welcoming. They even had vegan and gluten-free options, which surprised me. I brought a friend with dietary needs and she left thrilled. That's rare. The shop feels bright and unpretentious. It's a quick stop, not a linger place. But for a cookie-and-cream fix, it hits the spot. I'll be back for the vegan chocolate chip.

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Frosty's Ice Cream

Highlights
Family-owned and adorable
Friendly, patient staff
Unique flavor options
Charming local atmosphere

Frosty's is family-owned and utterly adorable. The building is small, but the vibe is warm. I ordered something unusual, a flavor I can't even recall now. It was good. The staff are patient and friendly, even with a long line behind me. They let me sample without rush. The unique flavor options set this place apart. A local charm you can't fake. I sat outside and watched families come and go. It felt like a neighborhood secret. If you want ice cream with personality, start here. It's a quiet little joy.

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Latella at the Beach

Highlights
Generous scoop sizes
Many dairy-free options
Friendly, quick service
Creative rotating flavors
Comfy outdoor seating

Latella at the Beach gives you a lot of ice cream. The scoops are huge, almost comically so. I appreciated the dairy-free options, which often get short shrift. They had several, all creamy and creative. The rotating flavors keep things interesting. Service was friendly and quick, even when busy. The outdoor seating is comfortable. I sat in the sun and watched people pass. The banana flavor had real depth. No fake extract here. It's a happy, unpretentious place. If you're near the beach, don't skip it. Your cone will thank you.

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Celtic Creamery

Highlights
Friendly staff, welcoming vibe
Great ice cream variety
Fun souvenir shopping combo
Cute shop, kid-approved treats

Celtic Creamery pairs ice cream with souvenir shopping, which is a dangerous combo. I walked in for a scoop and left with a fridge magnet. The staff are friendly and the vibe is welcoming. Kids seemed thrilled with their treats. The ice cream variety is solid, nothing wild, but well-executed. I had a salted caramel that was properly salty. The shop itself is cute, small, and easy to navigate. It's a quick stop that feels like a treat. If you're with little ones or just want something simple, this works. I'd return for the charm alone.

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Saltwater Shanty Homemade Ice Cream

Highlights
Kid scoops with mini Oreos
Real fruit raspberry sorbet
Plenty of indoor seating
Quality ingredients, worth price

Saltwater Shanty serves homemade ice cream that tastes like it. My kid got a scoop with mini Oreos mixed in. That made his day. I tried the raspberry sorbet, made with real fruit. Bright, tart, and clean. The indoor seating is plentiful, which is nice on a hot afternoon. We lingered a bit. The ingredients feel quality, and the price reflects that. It's worth it. The staff were patient with my indecision. A good stop for families or anyone who appreciates honest ice cream. I left satisfied, not just full.

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Squigley's Ice Cream & Treats

Highlights
Fast-melting, delicious custom creations
Helpful staff, many options
Convenient free street parking
Worth the crowded wait
Tasty blueberry-banana-peanut combo

Squigley's has a fast-melting problem. My custom creation dripped everywhere. But it was so good I didn't care. The blueberry-banana-peanut combo was weird and wonderful. The staff helped me navigate the many options. They knew their stuff. The wait was long, but the crowd was worth it. Free street parking saved me. I sat on a bench and watched my cone soften. Some things are meant to be messy. This place knows that. It's a fun, chaotic, delicious stop. Bring napkins. Lots of them.

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Southport Water Tours

Highlights
Knowledgeable, friendly captains
Sunset cruises with dolphins
Small groups, personal attention
Great photo opportunities
Perfect price and length

Southport Water Tours isn't ice cream, but it's the best pairing for a cone. The captains are knowledgeable and friendly. We took a sunset cruise and saw dolphins. Real dolphins, swimming right by the boat. Small groups mean personal attention. The photo opportunities were endless. I got a shot of the sun sinking behind the water. Perfect length for the price. We didn't feel rushed. If you want to enjoy your ice cream slowly, do it on this boat. The breeze, the view, the company. A great way to end a day of sugar.

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Moody Bean

Highlights
Owner’s thoughtful kid touches
Cookie butter latte praise
Banana cream pie latte
Warm, inviting atmosphere
Coffee worth the trip

Moody Bean is a coffee shop, but their ice cream-adjacent treats earn a mention. The owner clearly thinks about kids. Little touches everywhere. I ordered the cookie butter latte, and it was a warm, cozy hug in a cup. The banana cream pie latte? Even better. Rich, nostalgic, and not cloying. The atmosphere feels inviting, like a friend's living room. Worth the trip across town. I sat by the window and watched the street wake up. That's the kind of morning you want to repeat.

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Southport Waterfront Park

Highlights
Pier walks with swings
Great parking availability
Fishermen shark catch views
Perfect morning strolls
Benches overlooking waterfront

Southport Waterfront Park isn't a shop, but it's where you take your ice cream. The pier walks are perfect. Swings face the water, and I sat there licking a cone, watching fishing lines. One guy hauled in a shark. A real one. People gathered, phones out. The parking was easy, which is rare. Morning strolls here feel calm. Benches overlook everything. If you want to enjoy your scoop slowly, come here. Just watch for seagulls. They have no manners.

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