Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Nashville Ice Cream
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip
Dipped cones, stacked milkshakes, and 1950s charm in shades of lime green and pink. Since 1951, this Charlotte Avenue dairy bar has been Nashville’s favorite summertime treat, and it’s our pick for the best ice cream in town.
The Verdict
Best Nashville Ice Cream: Why Bobbie’s Earns the Title
Nashville has plenty of trendy scoop shops, but none capture pure, joyful nostalgia like Bobbie’s Dairy Dip. Order at the walk-up window, grab a picnic table, and dig into silky soft serve dipped in chocolate or cherry before it melts down your wrist. The Infatuation says no Nashville ice cream guide is complete without it, and we agree.
The experience is half the fun. The little 1950s building pops in lime green and bright pink, oldies play over the speakers, and the picnic tables fill with Little League teams, families, dog walkers, and out-of-towners. Add hand-patted burgers, fresh-cut fries, and over-the-top milkshakes, and Bobbie’s is the definition of a Nashville summer tradition.
1951
Serving Nashville Since
75
Years on Charlotte Avenue
Mar–Oct
Soft Serve Season
0
Indoor Seats (Picnic Tables Only)
What to Order
Straight from the Window
Get in line at the walk-up window and grab a stack of napkins. You’ll need them.
The Dipped Cone
Silky soft serve dipped in a crackly shell, with rotating flavors like chocolate and cherry. Add sprinkles for the full experience. The large is famously taller than your head.
The Memphis Mafia Shake
A shake fit for the King, loaded with banana chunks, peanut butter, and bacon. Sweet, salty, and completely over the top in the best way.
Burger & Fries First
Make it a meal with a hand-patted Angus burger and fresh-cut fries or sweet potato fries. Then save plenty of room for dessert.
The Story
A Blast from the Past on Charlotte
The little dairy bar on Charlotte Avenue opened in 1951 as Harper’s Dairy Dip. In the mid-1980s it was purchased by the late Bobbie McWright, who gave it the name Nashville knows and loves today while keeping its 1950s look and feel.
Charlotte Avenue has changed dramatically over the decades, but Bobbie’s has stayed wonderfully the same. There’s still no drive-thru and no indoor seating, just a walk-up window, colorful picnic tables, and generations of families who have been coming since they were kids.
“Bobbie’s is fairly similar to what it used to be.”
David Paik, Manager
Plan Your Visit
Summertime on Charlotte Avenue
Bobbie’s is a seasonal treat, open during the warm months from March through October. Everything is outdoors, so pick a nice day and enjoy.
Location
5301 Charlotte Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
Look for the lime green and pink shack near Sylvan Park and The Nations.
Seasonal Hours
Season: March – October
Mon–Thu: Noon – 9 pm
Fri–Sat: Noon – 10 pm
Sun: Noon – 5 pm
The kitchen closes one hour before ice cream service ends.
Good to Know
There’s no drive-thru or indoor seating, just picnic tables. Bringing the dog? Ask about pup cups. Early and late in the season, check Facebook for updates before you go.
Your Cone Is Calling
Swing by Charlotte Avenue during the season, grab a picnic table, and eat fast before it melts.
More of the Best of Nashville: Best Nashville Candy & Chocolate · Best Nashville Brewery · Best Nashville Distillery