The Scoop on OBX Ice Cream

By Ann Wood

No Outer Banks beach vacation is complete without a stop (or two) at a local ice cream shop. There’s something nostalgic about walking up to the counter and choosing from a rainbow of flavors. And while the ice cream is always a treat, seeing kids’ faces light up makes the experience even sweeter.

Just like ice cream itself, ice cream shops come in all flavors, each with its own unique offerings. Whether you’re a fan of classic cones, towering sundaes, or over-the-top
concoctions, there’s something for everyone. When the summer heat is on, there’s no better way to cool off than with a cup (or cone) of something delicious!

Here’s the scoop on a few of the Outer Banks’ finest cold treat establishments.

Featured Ice Cream Spots

Donutz On-A-Stick
Wee Winks Square, Duck
DonutzOnAStick.net

If you’re in Duck and smell cinnamon sugar in the air, follow your nose straight to Donutz On a Stick. This colorful, family-run spot is in its 11th season of serving up made-to-order mini donuts and pairing them with scooped or soft-serve ice cream in tasty combinations.

Each donut is served hot from the fryer, with a selection of flavors baked right into the dough. The donuts are stacked two or four to a skewer, then dipped, drizzled, and topped to perfection for a mouth watering treat. But the real magic happens when hot, fresh donuts meet cold, creamy ice cream.

A menu favorite is the ultimate Donut Sundae. Customers choose their donut flavor, ice cream flavor, and selection of toppings. The most popular Sundae flavor combination is the Cinnamon Roll donuts paired with Salty Caramel Truffle ice cream.

Looking for something a little extra? Try a donut ice cream sandwich, with two warm donuts and a generous scoop of ice cream sandwiched in between. And for a truly unique indulgence, order a donut milkshake—a blend of two fresh donuts blended with homemade vanilla soft serve and topped with a surprise (spoiler: it’s another donut).

If you’re not in the mood for donuts, Donutz On a Stick has you covered with 42 flavors of homemade hand-scooped ice cream—using just the right amount of butterfat to make the ice cream simply delicious. Their menu includes mix-ins, milkshakes, sundaes and homemade soft serve, with vegan and gluten-free menu items, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a taste of the fun.

With playful presentation and flavors to match, Donutz On a Stick delivers exactly what you want at the beach: something fun, over-the-top, and worth standing in line for. Just don’t forget to snap a photo before diving in. These desserts are as Instagram-worthy as they are indulgent.

Fun note: There are 5 kids in the family who have grown up at the shop, and each has a menu item named after them—except the 3-year-old. He hasn’t invented his yet.

Noosa Scoops
MP 9.75, 2005 S Croatan Hwy, Bypass in Kill Devil Hills
NoosaScoops.com

Offering a wide variety of treats for the whole family, Noosa Scoops serves up 24 flavors of ice cream—perfect for scooping into a bowl, cone or blending into a thick, creamy shake. For those seeking a lighter option, the menu also features acai bowls and fresh fruit smoothies, catering to the health-conscious crowd.

But the indulgence doesn’t stop there! Noosa Scoops also boasts a full espresso bar, serving up lattes and specialty coffee drinks—hot or iced—well into the evening, making it the perfect stop for an after-dinner caffeine fix.

Unlike many Outer Banks ice cream shops, Noosa Scoops keeps the fun going in the off-season. Locals enjoy family-friendly events, from cookie decorating to crafting hot cocoa bombs—perfect activities for weekend afternoons.

So, what’s new at Noosa? Their latest offering includes freshly baked takeaway cookies and brownies, now available in their bakery case, along with custom specialty cakes and cookies, all made in-house.

And if you’re wondering about the name, there’s a story behind it. Nestled next to Noosa Beach Grill, Noosa Scoops was opened by the grill’s ownership and management team to offer post-meal indulgences to their customers. The owners of Noosa Beach Grill hail from Australia, home to the stunning Noosa Beach—a place known for its laid-back charm and coastal beauty, much like the Outer Banks.

With its mix of handcrafted sweets, refreshing smoothies and bold espresso drinks, Noosa Scoops has quickly become a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike—whether it’s summer or the quiet off-season.

Members of our taste-testing team, Dylan & Harper contributed to this article by sampling a handful of Outer Banks ice cream spots. They were happy to oblige!

Taste-Testings

Local Flavor: Kid-Tested, Mom Approved

To get the inside scoop, I enlisted some expert taste-testers —my kids—to sample a handful of the many Outer Banks ice cream spots. This isn’t a definitive guide, but a sweet snapshot of some favorites from the mouths (and sticky fingers) of OBX kids.

Booty Treats Ice Cream & Shave Ice
2 Nags Head Locations

With two locations along the Beach Road in Nags Head, Booty Treats is an OBX staple. We prefer the northern location for its walk-up window charm. The small building has limited parking that often spills into the beach access across the Beach Road. There are a few picnic tables out front for watching the cars drive by, but we always head to the backyard, where globe lights, extra seating, and space for the kids to play give it a relaxed beachy vibe.

Pro Tip: Our taste-testers love that Booty Treats offers both shaved ice and ice cream — a major win when one kid’s craving shaved ice and the other wants ice cream.

Kids Picks: Tiger’s Blood shaved ice, Superman ice cream, Raspberry Sorbet, and Mom’s favorite: a shake blended with Graham Central Station.

KEYZ New Zealand Style Ice Cream
Bypass Nags Head

KEYZ is a fresh addition to the Outer Banks ice cream scene, bringing New Zealand-style ice cream to Nags Head in the summer of 2024. They make their waffle cones in-house, filling the shop with the heavenly smell of freshly baked cones. The process is simple: choose a base of vanilla or chocolate, select your favorite fresh fruit to blend in, and finish it off with your choice of toppings.

Kids Pick: Vanilla base with raspberry fruit blend-in and Oreo topping — served in a homemade waffle cone, of course.

Kill Devil’s Custard and Beach Fries
Bypass, Kill Devil Hills

This roadside custard shop was built to resemble an old Outer Banks lifesaving station. Painted red and white, it’s difficult to miss while cruising down the Bypass in Kill Devil Hills. The menu offers a boardwalk-style beach grub (hello beach fries), but we’re all about the custard. The custard comes in vanilla, chocolate and a surprise flavor of the day. Their floats feature classic favorites like Dreamsicle and Cheerwine, but it’s the sundaes that win with our crew.

Kids Picks: The Cookie Monster Sundae with vanilla custard. The cookies are warm, y’all! Mom’s go-to is a thick chocolate custard shake.

Big Bucks Homemade Ice Cream
5 locations in Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk and Manteo

Big Buck’s is known for its rich, homemade flavors, but there is so much more to a Big Buck’s experience than just the ice cream. Walk into a Big Buck’s location and, adjacent to the freezers full of unique ice cream flavors, you’ll find a case of homemade chocolates and fudge. Kids and adults alike have trouble passing these delicacies without selecting a few to take home.

But that’s not all—the shops also feature a curated selection of vintage and popular candies, thoughtfully presented in colorful displays that feel like a walk down memory lane. Whether you’re after a sweet blast from the past or just something fun and unexpected, there’s something for you.

With its commitment to quality, handcrafted treats, and the simple joy of a perfect scoop, Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream has become a beloved Outer Banks tradition—one that continues to grow, one delicious bite at a time.

Kids Pick: Cherry Vanilla Chocolate Chip ice cream in a chocolate and sprinkle dipped waffle cone.

Surfin’ Spoon
Beach Rd, Nags Head
SurfinSpoon.com

Technically frozen yogurt isn’t ice cream, but this article wouldn’t be complete without the frozen yogurt shop with the biggest heart on the beach. On any given day, you’ll find a dozen rotating flavors and tubs of irresistible toppings. But what you’ll notice first? The money—literally hanging around the place—stuffed into nooks, crannies, and even the ceiling. At the end of the season, all of it is donated to Surfing for Autism.

Pro Tip: Go early. Parking can get tight during peak hours. Wait your turn at the machines to keep the toppings station from getting crowded. Your cup is weighed and charged by the ounce, so keep that in mind when your kids start piling on the goods. But trust us—it’s worth every penny.

Kids Pick: Raspberry Pomegranate Sorbet, Cake Batter and Chocolate Fudge. Then they load on the toppings. Mom’s favorite combo? Coconut and sea salt pretzel with pie crust pieces and crushed Oreos.

Author: Ann Wood