The lemon custard ice cream at this Georgia parlor follows a recipe that hasn’t changed since 1919. That’s over a century of the same tangy scoop, and the family has zero plans to mess with it.
Secret family recipes get handcrafted in-house, then scooped from a black marble soda fountain that dates back to the 1930s. It’s old-school in the best way.
Vintage movie posters stare down from the walls while you wait. The owner spent decades producing Hollywood films. Then he came home to scoop ice cream, which is quite the plot twist.
Lemon custard takes the lead role, with butter pecan in a strong supporting part.
Lights, camera, cone!
A Century-Old Sweet Shop With A Hollywood Comeback Story
Three Greek immigrant brothers named George, Peter, and Basil Leopold opened a sweet shop in Savannah in 1919. They learned candy and dessert making from an uncle, and Leopold’s Ice Cream was born.
The first parlor sat at the corner of East Gwinnett and Habersham Streets. For fifty years, it served scoops and sodas to generations of Savannah families.
Then came 1969, and the original shop closed its doors. Peter’s youngest son, Stratton Leopold, had left town to chase a career in Hollywood.
He did pretty well out there, too. Stratton worked as a film producer, director, and even an actor before heading back home to Georgia.
In the summer of 2004, he reopened the family business at its current home on Broughton Street. He brought many of the original fixtures from the first store along with him.
Today, Stratton and Mary Leopold own and run the shop together. The recipes still come from the family’s secret formulas, passed down through the generations.
That’s a rare thing in any town. Plenty of businesses fade away, but very few get a second act this sweet.
That Black Marble Fountain Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Black marble, polished wood, and a whole lot of history make up the heart of this parlor. The soda fountain dates back to the 1930s and came from the original shop.
Behind it stands a wooden back bar that looks straight out of an old movie. Fitting, considering who owns the place.
Look around and you’ll also spot a vintage telephone booth. Nobody’s making calls from it anymore, but it sure makes a great conversation starter.
The staff wear old-school parlor uniforms, which adds to the time-travel feeling. Chandeliers and elegant wall lights finish the look without feeling stuffy.
Here’s a fun detail for history fans. These aren’t reproductions built to look old, since many pieces were saved from the family’s first location.
That means the counter where you order has its own long story. It survived decades of closure before getting a second shot on Broughton Street.
Take a minute to soak it all in before you order. With a line behind you, the counter goes by fast, so enjoy the view while you wait.
Tutti Frutti Has A Famous Fan From Savannah
Johnny Mercer, the famed songwriter behind classics like Moon River, grew up near the original Leopold’s shop. As a boy, he even worked there.
He stayed a devoted customer for life. His favorite flavor was the Tutti Frutti, which still holds a special spot in the shop’s story.
That flavor has become a true Savannah favorite. It’s the signature scoop at Leopold’s Ice Cream, and it carries over a hundred years of local pride.
Mercer isn’t the only big name tied to the menu. Former President Jimmy Carter, a Georgia native, counted butter pecan as his favorite.
So you’ve got a songwriting legend and a president vouching for two classics. That’s a pretty solid recommendation list for a first visit.
Not sure which way to lean? Try a little of each, since sampling flavors before choosing is part of the fun here.
There’s something charming about ordering the same scoop a music icon loved as a kid. It turns dessert into a tiny history lesson, and nobody complains about that kind of homework.
Your Flavor Shortlist Is About To Get Very Long
Choosing just one flavor here feels a little unfair. The case holds classics, seasonal picks, and a few recipes that go all the way back to 1919.
Lemon Custard is one of those originals, and it hasn’t changed in over a century. Butter Pecan is another old favorite with a big following.
Honey Almond and Cream brings a softer, nutty sweetness to the lineup. Rum Bisque is another vintage-style flavor on the list, made as ice cream for all ages.
Then there’s Savannah Socialite, which is a real crowd-pleaser. It mixes dark chocolate with Georgia pecans and a caramel swirl.
Pistachio, coffee, and chocolate flavors round things out nicely. Seasonal options rotate through too, so the case can look different on your next trip.
Every batch is handcrafted locally using the family’s original super-premium recipes. The shop aims for a balanced sweetness rather than a sugar overload.
Got a dairy-free friend? Vegan ice cream made with coconut cream and fruity water-based sorbets mean nobody gets left out of the scoop party.
Order A Cherry Smash And Feel Very 1930s About It
Cherry Smash might be the most delightfully old-timey drink name ever. It’s one of the handcrafted fountain sodas served at Leopold’s Ice Cream.
The fountain menu also pours Cream Soda, Cherry Coke, and Vanilla Coke. Each one feels like a throwback to the days when soda fountains were the hangout spot.
Want something thicker? Malts and milkshakes are right there, made with that same homemade ice cream.
Old-fashioned ice cream sodas are worth a look if you’ve never tried one. They blend fizzy soda with a scoop for a drink that’s half dessert, half refreshment.
Floats are on the menu, too, along with fresh fruit drinks. Those are great picks for a hot Savannah day when you need something cool.
Here’s a tip for groups. Have one person grab a cone while another orders a fountain drink, then trade sips and bites.
That way, you get the full soda fountain experience without needing three stomachs. Sharing is caring, especially when the menu is this tempting.
Sundaes, Banana Splits, And Cookie Sandwiches Steal The Spotlight
Hot fudge made in-house is the kind of detail that changes a dessert plan fast. It tops the Hot Fudge Sundae, one of several sundaes on the fountain menu.
The Brownie Sundae pairs ice cream with a brownie for double the treat. The Chocolate Nut Sundae adds a crunchy twist for nut lovers.
Banana splits are also on the lineup, the classic soda fountain showstopper. They’re built for sharing, though nobody will judge if you don’t.
Ice cream sandwiches are another standout choice. The cookies get baked from scratch, then stuffed with the shop’s homemade ice cream.
Gluten-free items are clearly labeled, which makes ordering easier for anyone avoiding gluten. There’s even a vegan, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie on offer.
Brownies and cookies can also be ordered on their own. They make handy take-along snacks for a long afternoon of walking around downtown.
Planning a celebration? A sundae feels a little more festive than a plain cone, and these come with a century of tradition on the side.
Movie Buffs Will Spend Half The Visit Staring At The Walls
Film posters, movie props, and signed photographs cover the walls here. They come from owner Stratton Leopold’s long career as a Hollywood film producer.
It’s a pretty unusual combo for an ice cream shop. One minute you’re deciding between flavors, and the next you’re studying a poster from a big-screen release.
Vintage camera equipment adds to the cinema vibe, too. Old movie fans can easily lose track of time just reading the walls.
Kids who don’t care about old films will still love the colors and props. Grown-ups get the fun of spotting titles they recognize.
The decor pairs perfectly with the 1930s fixtures. Together, they create a space that feels part classic parlor and part movie studio museum.
Here’s a tip while you wait. Use the time in line to look around, since the memorabilia gives everyone something to talk about.
It’s a cool reminder of how the shop came back to life. A Savannah kid went to Hollywood, then came home and brought a little movie magic with him.
Downtown Savannah Makes A Perfect Side Order
Broughton Street is one of the busiest shopping streets in historic downtown Savannah. You’ll find the parlor at 212 E Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401.
That central spot makes it easy to fit into a day of exploring. Grab a scoop, then wander toward the city’s famous squares and old streets.
Craving something besides dessert? The shop also serves deli sandwiches, soup, coffee, and tea, so it works as a lunch stop too.
That’s handy for families who want one easy meal before the sweet part. Nobody has to argue about where to eat next.
Leopold’s Ice Cream also has spots at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and on Whitemarsh Island. There’s another location in the Starland District as well.
Still, the Broughton Street parlor is the flagship with the marble fountain and movie memorabilia. It’s the one that delivers the full classic experience.
Plenty of Georgia towns have sweet shops, but few carry this much story in every scoop. One cone here, and Savannah suddenly tastes a whole lot like 1919.