One Tennessee parlor makes its waffle cones right in front of you, so dessert gets built from batter up. It turns a simple cone into dinner theater, minus the dinner.
That love for a good cone shows up across the state, including a shop that presses its own in-house. If you’re more of a soda fountain fan, a riverside parlor pours old-school sodas right next to banana splits.
And for anyone who believes bigger is better, a few scoops here are large enough to need a game plan. Some sundaes even arrive buried under brownies, fudge, and cookie dough, like the toppings are competing for attention.
With that much sugar on the menu, consider brain freeze part of the admission price.
1. Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
Watching a waffle cone get made from scratch is basically dinner theater for dessert lovers. At this Southside shop in Chattanooga, the cones are pressed in-house, right where you can see them.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co. leans into handmade flavors, both classic and unexpected. You’ll find old favorites like pralines and cream next to playful picks that change with the seasons.
Flavor names on the board have included chocolate chocolate chunk and mint chocolate chunk. Fans of something different can look for options like carrot cake, butterscotch blondie, and lemon ice box when they rotate in.
Strawberry basil has shown up on the menu too. It sounds fancy, but it’s really just summer in a scoop.
Size matters here, in a good way. One scoop is a solid serving, and the waffle cone is big enough to make you hold it with both hands.
Craving something sit-down sweet instead? The Brownie Sundae brings the classic combo of warm brownie and cold ice cream into one dish.
The mood is casual, with a nostalgic feel and free Wi-Fi if you need an excuse to linger. Coffee is on hand as well, which helps if a parent needs a boost.
Plan around the hours, since weekdays start in the afternoon. Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so a weeknight trip can mean a shorter line.
Address: 1401 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
2. Mike’s Ice Cream
Opening at 8 in the morning is a bold move for an ice cream shop. Nobody here is judging if your breakfast comes in a waffle cone.
Mike’s Ice Cream sits on 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville, steps from the busy Broadway area. The bright parlor serves cones, sundaes, and old-school sodas, plus espresso drinks for the coffee crowd.
Waffle cones are a big part of the appeal. They’re made in-house, and they come out thin and crispy instead of thick and chewy.
Scoops are large, so think before you go double. Red velvet cake ice cream and pralines and cream are two flavors worth a look.
Butter pecan is another standout on the case. It’s a Southern classic, and it pairs nicely with that crunchy cone.
Sundae fans have options too. The menu includes a Banana Split, and banana fudge sundaes have earned plenty of love.
Milkshakes round out the lineup for anyone who prefers a straw. Strawberry and chocolate ice cream give you simple picks if decisions feel hard.
Got a pup tagging along? Dogs are allowed inside, which is a sweet bonus on a long downtown stroll.
Late hours help too, with weekend doors open until midnight. That means a post-concert cone is totally doable in Music City.
Address: 129 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
3. Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House
Holy moly is a fair reaction to the scoops here. They’re huge, and that’s before you add a homemade waffle cone.
Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House sits on West Broad Street in downtown Cookeville. The shop has a nostalgic feel and a wide spread of handmade flavors.
Pistachio is one of the more interesting choices on the menu. It’s nutty, a little different, and great for anyone tired of plain vanilla.
The waffle cones are made fresh and stay crispy. Pair one with hand-scooped ice cream, and you’ve got the full experience.
Sundaes deserve your attention too. Versions with Tennessee fudge, caramel, and hot fudge give you that classic, drippy, spoon-required treat.
Need a pick-me-up with your sugar rush? Coffee is part of the name, so a cup can join your cone on the tray.
Families will like the setup, with seating inside and a relaxed vibe. Free Wi-Fi helps if you plan to hang out for a bit.
Getting there is simple, since free lot and street parking are available. That’s one less thing to worry about while you choose a flavor.
Saturday afternoons and evenings tend to be the busiest. A weekday visit could give you more time to stare at the flavor case.
Address: 119 W Broad St, Cookeville, TN 38501
4. Golly G’s Ice Cream
Golly is right. A single scoop here can look like somebody misread the order.
This family-owned shop on Madison Street in Clarksville makes artisanal ice cream in-house. It also bakes goods from scratch, so the dessert case doesn’t stop at frozen treats.
Waffle cones are crunchy and served warm, which makes that first bite extra good. Load one up with a huge scoop, and you’ll need a few napkins.
The cheesecake is a surprise winner. It’s fluffy and buttery, with a hint of birthday cake flavor in the mix.
Classic sundae lovers should look at the Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae. It’s simple, rich, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Cinnamon rolls appear on the menu too. That’s handy for anyone who wants a bakery treat instead of something cold.
Coffee drinkers have choices as well, including a coffee date option. Keto options are available for folks watching their sugar.
Here’s a fun perk: there’s a drive-through. You can grab a cone without leaving your car, which feels a little like magic.
Inside, the space is clean and quiet, with seating for families. A private dining room is listed for group plans.
Dogs are welcome outside if your pet wants to tag along. Just don’t expect them to share their cone.
Address: 2622 Madison St, Clarksville, TN 37043
5. Margie’s 901 Homemade Ice Cream And Cakes
A chocolate-dipped waffle bowl is the kind of upgrade that makes plain cones jealous. In downtown Memphis, that treat is right on the menu.
Margie’s 901 Homemade Ice Cream and Cakes sits on South Main Street. The shop serves homemade ice cream with lots of mix-ins, plus cupcakes and other baked sweets.
Waffle bowls are made fresh, and they hold a lot. Combos with fudge, cookie dough, and Oreo pieces come out in large portions.
Flavors range from raspberry cheesecake to coconut. Mango sorbet is there too, if you want something fruity and light.
Butter pecan on a sugar waffle cone is a popular pick. Ask for extra pecans if you want more crunch.
Regular sundaes are part of the lineup. A strawberry cheesecake sundae in a waffle bowl is a fun way to go big.
The baked side of the menu is pretty playful. Look for ice cream cupcakes, cupcake bouquets, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Delivery is available, which is great news on a hot Memphis afternoon. You can enjoy dessert without leaving the couch.
Weekends stay open until 10 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday afternoons and evenings tend to draw the most people.
Address: 125 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
6. Mimi’s Ice Cream & Coffee Shoppe
Drippy cones are the enemy of clean shirts everywhere. Mimi’s fights back by folding the bottom of its handmade waffle cones.
That clever trick helps keep melted ice cream from leaking out the tip. It’s a small detail, but your hands will thank you.
You’ll find this shop on Music Valley Drive, right near Opry Mills in Nashville. That makes it an easy stop after shopping or a show at the Opry area.
Toppings are a big deal here. Pile on M&Ms, cookie dough, or peanut butter cups, and your cone turns into a project.
Portions are generous, so a single might be plenty. Rocky road is one classic flavor that shows up on the menu.
Banana splits keep the sundae spirit alive. It’s the old-fashioned choice for anyone who wants bananas, ice cream, and toppings in one bowl.
The shop also serves coffee, which fits its name. Grab a cup if you need energy for more Nashville sightseeing.
Free parking in a lot and on the street makes stopping easy. That’s helpful in a busy tourist area.
Watch the hours before you go. Monday through Thursday, the shop opens at 4 PM, while Friday through Sunday it opens at 11 AM.
Address: 2400 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
7. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Three big scoops in a small waffle cone sounds like a math mistake. At this Franklin parlor, it’s more like a happy surprise.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is a long-standing brand with a big flavor list. The Franklin shop on Meridian Boulevard offers ice cream and sorbet, plus sundaes and shakes.
Scoops here run large, so plan your order with care. Even a small can feel like more than you bargained for.
Raspberry chocolate chunk in a waffle cone is a flavor worth chasing. Tart berry and chocolate together is a combo that just works.
Love variety? The menu features lots of flavors, so you can try something new each visit.
Sundaes and shakes keep the classic parlor feel going. They’re great for sharing, or not, if you’re feeling selfish.
Service is set up for quick visits and takeout. There’s no table service, so you order, grab, and go.
Know before you go that restrooms aren’t available here. A quick stop before you arrive is a smart move.
Hours run until 10 at night each day. Weekend doors open at 11:30 in the morning, so lunch dessert is possible.
Franklin has plenty to explore nearby. A cone in hand makes any stroll around town better.
Address: 990 Meridian Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
8. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Fresh waffle cones have a smell that could pull you across a parking lot. At this Knoxville shop, the scent of homemade cones fills the air.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream makes its ice cream fresh on-site every day. The Knoxville location sits on Old Cedar Bluff Road in West Knoxville.
Flavor choices swing from simple to wild. You can stick with vanilla and chocolate, or jump to bananas Foster and coconut chip.
Butter pecan holds down the classic side. Cookies and cream is a big favorite, and it even comes in a non-dairy option.
Need a sugar-free pick? Some flavors are made without sugar, which helps more people join the fun.
Waffle bowls come out slightly warm, holding generous servings. It’s a cozy contrast with the cold ice cream inside.
Sundaes are on the menu, and the lineup changes regularly. That keeps return trips from feeling like reruns.
Seating is available for those who want to stay. Dogs can join you outside, which makes it an easy family outing.
Plan ahead on one detail. There’s no restroom at this location, so stop elsewhere first.
Evenings on weekends get the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings after the 11 opening are much calmer.
Address: 1043 Old Cedar Bluff Rd #2284, Knoxville, TN 37923
9. Scoops Ice Cream Parlor
Pigeon Forge is packed with go-karts and big attractions. This little parlor wins attention with something simpler: cones made fresh to order.
Scoops Ice Cream Parlor is family-owned and sits on Teaster Lane. The ice cream and the waffle cones are both made in-house.
Watching your cone come together is part of the fun. It’s warm, crisp, and ready for a big scoop.
Flavors lean homemade and comforting. Look for coconut, cake batter, maple walnut, lemon, salted caramel, and strawberry.
Banana pudding ice cream is a Southern favorite on the menu. It tastes like a family reunion dessert, in the best way.
Want more than a cone? Toppings can include fresh-baked brownies, and the Brownie Bomb sounds as fun as it looks.
The Banana Split brings classic sundae energy. A Heath Bar ice cream cone is another tasty pick.
Seating is available, and coffee is on hand too. Dogs are welcome outside if your furry friend came on vacation.
The shop’s hours change seasonally, so check its current schedule before visiting.
Free parking helps in a busy tourist town like this one. After a day in the Smokies area, it’s a sweet reward.
Address: 3060 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
10. Treats And Sweets, Ice Cream & Coffee (Chattanooga, TN)
Orange creamsicle waffle cones exist, and that alone earns a detour. This Chattanooga shop serves flavored cones that make plain ones feel a bit shy.
Treats and Sweets sits on Perimeter Drive, near the Hamilton Place shopping area. The menu is huge, packed with ice cream, milkshakes, and more.
Hand-spun milkshakes are a highlight. They’re thick, fun, and great for a hot Tennessee day.
The Sky High Banana Split lives up to its name. It’s a tall, classic sundae for anyone who likes to go big.
Prefer brownies? The Brownie Sundae is a simple, chocolatey choice that never goes out of style.
Ice cream tacos are on the menu too. They’re a playful twist that kids will probably love.
Dippin’ Dots fans get a treat here, with plenty of flavors on hand. Rainbow shaved ice adds another way to cool down.
Butter pecan in a waffle cone is a great pick for a double scoop. It’s rich and nutty without being too much.
The shop opens at noon daily, but check the current schedule before visiting. Dogs are allowed, and delivery is available.
The space is clean and welcoming for families and groups. Free parking makes a quick stop easy.
Address: 6231 Perimeter Dr #177, Chattanooga, TN 37421