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The Mad Dipper - Handcrafted Artisan Ice Cream! in North Carolina

Discover The Mad Dipper in Asheville, NC for handcrafted artisan ice cream. Check menu, hours, reviews, and location for this top-rated ice cream shop.

4.5 434 reviews Ice cream shop American · Southern

1070 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805, United States

FoodPlacee Passport United States · North Carolina · 68164
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The Mad Dipper - Handcrafted Artisan Ice Cream!

Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Rating★ 4.5 / 5
CategoryIce cream shop
Today 01:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Overview

About This Food Place

The Mad Dipper - Handcrafted Artisan Ice Cream! is a charming ice cream shop located at 1070 Tunnel Rd in Asheville, NC. This popular dessert destination stands out for its creamy, gelato-like texture and a well-curated selection of rich, handcrafted flavors made from fresh, local ingredients. Customers frequently praise the friendly, welcoming staff and the shop’s dedication to quality and tradition.

Visitors can explore specialty flavors such as Salted Caramel, Belgian Dark Chocolate, and innovative options like the Pumpkin Spice ice cream that exceeded expectations. The intimate atmosphere with both indoor and limited outdoor seating enhances the experience, allowing ice cream lovers to enjoy their treats in a relaxed and vibrant setting within Asheville’s thriving food scene.

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Local favorites

Why People Come Here

An Asheville favorite known for its uniquely crafted, fresh ice cream and welcoming vibe.

Handcrafted Artisan Flavors

Locally made ice cream features fresh, high-quality ingredients with creative options like pumpkin spice and chocolate raspberry truffle.

Highly Rated Experience

With a 4.5-star rating from over 430 reviews, visitors praise the perfect texture and outstanding taste.

Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff

Helpful staff provide flavor samples and personalized recommendations, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Custom Shakes and Fresh Waffle Cones

Enjoy handcrafted shakes made from any flavor or savor ice cream served in freshly made waffle cones.

Cozy Indoor and Outdoor Seating

Comfortable seating options include a quaint indoor space and a charming outdoor area to relax and indulge.

Experience

When & How to Enjoy This Place

Delight in expertly crafted ice cream any afternoon or early evening, bringing a perfect pause to any day spent exploring Asheville.

Known for its creamy texture and fresh, bold flavors, this ice cream shop offers an inviting atmosphere ideal for both quick treats and relaxed stops during Asheville outings. — FoodPlacee editorial note

Family-Friendly Treats

Gather the family for a sweet outing with hands-on choices from cones to sundaes, featuring unique and classic flavors everyone will enjoy.

Weekend Dessert Stop

Perfect for weekend afternoons or early evenings when the shop is open late, making it an ideal spot to unwind after exploring Asheville.

Takeout for Ice Cream Fans

Choose hand-packed pints or ready-made shakes for enjoying artisan ice cream back at home or on the go.

Milkshake Moments

Ordering milkshakes made with any flavor allows a refreshing and personalized ice cream experience, perfect for warmer days.

Flavor Exploration

Sampling rotating and specialty flavors like Cranberry Orange sorbet or Oreo 3 Juliet enables adventurous taste buds to enjoy every visit.

Best for

Quality Flavors Family Friendly Takeout Available Milkshakes Weekend Visits Afternoon Treats Friendly Staff

Guest sentiment

What People Feel

A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.

ML
Meleha Levine 2 week ago

"OH MY GOSH YES!!!! I hesitantly ordered the pumpkin spice ice cream because, let's be honest, pumpkin spice ice cream always tastes synthetic and mildly gross. I took one bite of the pumpkin spice ice cream here and was low key freakin out because this is the pumpkin spice ice cream you dream about but had given up beliving existed. It was so so fresh and they were heavy handed on the spice which I lovedddd. The spices tasted fresh as well. Everything about it was perfection. I also ordered the chocolate raspberry truffle. Absolutely delicious. I highly recommend paring the pumpkin with the chocolate raspberry as they were amazing together! I need to also emphasis the texture of this ice cream. They have perfected it. It is this thick and creamy texture which most brands do not even come close to. Ice cream is usually a thinner consistency which is absolutely not as enjoyable to eat. This had more of a gelato consistency to it which was heavenly. Run, don't walk to this place. You will not be disappointed! Note to the owners: Can you PLEASE open up a location in the Raleigh area? We just don't have any places as good as this. I need this pumpkin ice cream every day"

JH
Jeffrey Hamilton 2 week ago

"Wonderful ice cream with interesting flavors. The Belgian Dark Chocolate was rich and not overly sweet. The raspberry sauce is very tasty."

RF
Robin Foust 3 week ago

"Always a delight!! We enjoy this a few times a year!! Their flavors are WONDERFUL!!! It was the Belgium Dark Chocolate and Cup O'Joe for us this time!!! Perfect!!!"

AD
Amy DiCarlo 1 month ago

"While on vacay, we went to both Ultimate locations. They don’t have an overwhelming amount of flavours, but we tried almost all of them and they were delicious. My favourite was the strawberry. Both locations have a small amount of outdoor seating."

TG
Tyrome Grant 1 month ago

"Very friendly staff (even recommended a nice Thai restaurant)…delicious ice cream!! Next time we’re in Asheville we will definitely visit again."

JT
Jacqueline Telljohann 2 month ago

"My husband always wants ice cream so I was looking for a spot we hadn't tried in Asheville yet and stumbled upon this one. We shared a Banana Sundae with: - Brown Sugar Bacon Maple Ice Cream - Peach Ice Cream - Ultimate Chai Ice Cream - Raspberry Sauce - Marshmallow Fluff - Wet Walnuts - Whipped Cream & Cherry I love their unique selection of flavors. I'm not a huge fan of traditional ice cream flavors, so I enjoyed theirs. They rotate flavors and I really wanted to try their goat cheese one, but they didn't have it when we went. They do not skimp on the toppings on the sundae. I loved this. It really added to the ice cream. It's a bonus that they're open on Mondays because most dessert places in Asheville seem to be closed on Mondays. I'd definitely come back to try more flavors!"

SC
Synde Cutshaw 3 month ago

"Absolutely had a wonderful experience here while visiting the area! I love me a strawberry shake and this place had one of the best. What's better is that they will make a shake from any flavor they have. Fresh in store made waffle cones, yum. The staff was very friendly and eager to help us figure out what flavor we wanted with samples. Would recommend and will return when in the area again."

DB
Dave Braveheart 3 month ago

"They'll make a shake out of any flavor. Add malt if you like. This might be obvious, but I would recommend one without nuts. They'll do waffle cones, regular cones, sundaes, you name it. All of it is delicious and priced well. There is some seating inside and a lovely outdoor area with a cool vibe. The people who serve ice cream here are really friendly and nonpretentious, and that's the cherry on top!"

Visit info

When to Visit

Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.

Today Closed
Weekly hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 01:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Thursday 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Friday 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Saturday 01:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Sunday 01:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Hours may change. Please confirm with the business before visiting.

Best time to visit

Plan visits during peak hours when the freshest ice cream is served with attentive service.

Weekdays from Wednesday 1 PM to 8 PM Evenings on Thursday through Saturday, open until 9 PM Weekends offer a lively atmosphere, great for families and groups Located conveniently on Tunnel Rd in Asheville, NC

On the map

Where This Food Place Lives

Find your way to The Mad Dipper - Handcrafted Artisan Ice Cream! in North Carolina .

Address 1070 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805, United States
Phone +1 828-296-1234
Area North Carolina
Call Address copied ✓

Questions answered

Food Place Questions

Find answers to common questions about The Mad Dipper - Handcrafted Artisan Ice Cream! in Asheville, NC.

The Mad Dipper is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Sunday, hours vary: Wednesday 1 PM–8 PM, Thursday 5 PM–8 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 PM–9 PM, and Sunday 1 PM–8 PM. Hours may change seasonally or on holidays.

The menu features handcrafted ice cream flavors like Cookie Dough, Fresh Strawberry, Butter Pecan, Salted Caramel, and Belgian Dark Chocolate. Specialty and sorbet options are available, including Cranberry Orange sorbet and Oreo 3 Juliet.

Yes, gluten-free cones are available to accommodate dietary needs. Additionally, housemade waffle cones and various sundae options complement the menu.

The ice cream shop is at 1070 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805. It’s a popular spot known for its friendly staff and inviting atmosphere.

Outdoor seating is limited but available, offering a comfortable place to enjoy handcrafted ice cream and sorbets on pleasant days.

Questions or orders can be directed to +1 828-296-1234 during business hours for the most accurate information.

The Mad Dipper features affordable pricing represented by ₫, offering quality ice cream without breaking the budget.

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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.