Leopold’s Ice Cream is an iconic Savannah location that will almost always come up when questioning locals on places to visit. It’s also one of the easiest places to identify in Savannah with lines usually stretching out the door. This begs the questions, “Is Leopold’s Ice Cream worth the wait?”
The Flavors
During this visit, the family ordered a banana split and a single scoop of Tutti Frutti ice cream, Leopold’s most famous flavor.
I had avoided the Tutti Frutti in the past but the flavor propaganda plastered throughout the parlor eventually led me to break. While I still prefer the Honey Almond Cream, Tutti Frutti was an interesting departure. The flavor is hard to describe, but if old school had an official flavor, this would be it. My favorite thing about the flavor was it’s chewy and crunchy textures.
During this visit, we also tried the banana split. A tried and true ice cream parlor favorite, Leopold’s version tasted about as classic as they come. Rich vanilla ice cream topped with a thick whip cream and drizzled with maraschino cherry juice and chocolate. You can’t go wrong with this choice. As you can see in the picture above, it was enjoyed thoroughly.
Ambience
You can’t deny there’s some magic at work when visiting the parlor, but the source is a little less hard to pinpoint. The outside is wonderfully nostalgic, well kemp and in a great location besides the SCAD Theater. When you finally get through the door, you’ll see some historical photos and lots of older movie posters. Without previous knowledge of the owner’s career, it’s a little confusing. Though after waiting 20 min for ice cream, you just trust that it will all make sense in the end.
The employees are usually good about reciting some basic information on the history to help make sense of it all. We recommend asking the cashier about the restaurant and walking to the restrooms where you’ll see photos of the owner, Stratton Leopold, working with various celebrities throughout his film career.
Bottom Line
The ice cream at Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor is definitely worth the visit and the wait. Not only is the ice cream extremely rich and satisfying, but there’s also a great American story to enjoy as you pass through. Ask around town about Leopold’s and you’ll hear only positive things. They are a main staple of this community because they have a great product, story and reputation.
If you’re looking for some local advice, there are several alternate means of securing the ice cream. One of our favorite alternate methods for getting Leopold’s is at Duck Donuts. The walk-in experience at Leopold’s is great, but we understand that some may want to avoid the lines. This is a Savannah Secret Society favorite.