Kim Cripps
Ice Cream at Near Me
Custom-blended ice cream and frozen treats from Near Me, a New Zealand-style ice cream shop in Knox Square.
When the Alabama heat cranks up, you need a way to cool down—fast. In our house, ice cream is always the answer. Whether we’re setting up DIY topping bars for special occasions, celebrating good report cards with waffle cones, or churning up Mawmaw’s secret homemade vanilla recipe, summer isn’t complete without a cold treat.
If you are looking for the best ice cream in Hoover, AL, you don't have to look far. From classic American sundaes to exotic global treats, the local dessert scene has something for everyone.
Here is my definitive guide to three fantastic ice cream shops in Hoover that are officially kid-tested and mom-approved.
1. Near Me Ice Cream (Knox Square)
Best For: New Zealand-Style Real Fruit Ice Cream
📍 Location: Knox Square, Hoover, AL 🍦 Vibe: Custom, fresh, and trendy
If you are searching for "unique ice cream near me" in Hoover, this Knox Square newcomer is a must-visit. Open since February, Near Me specializes in authentic New Zealand-style ice cream. If you aren't familiar with the concept, it's a delicious process where fresh ingredients are blended seamlessly into a smooth, custom creation.
How it works:
Choose your mix-ins: Select from fresh fruits (like peaches, strawberries, and blackberries), cookies, cookie dough, sprinkles, or nuts.
Add a flavor powder: Boost it with options like Ghirardelli white chocolate powder.
Pick your base: Choose between classic vanilla or rich chocolate.
Everything is blended right in front of you for a perfectly smooth, personalized flavor. On our visit, we also grabbed a tub of their famous Peach Pops—the viral Korean fruit-shaped ice cream treats—from the stocked freezer.
💡 Pro-Tip: Head to the right side of the shop for custom-blended, New Zealand-style real fruit ice cream, and stick to the left side if you want to grab fun, specialty treats from the freezer.
Kim Cripps
Gelato from Vecchia
Butter pecan gelato from Vecchia Gelato and Cafe offers an authentic taste of Europe without leaving home.
2. Vecchia Gelato and Café (The Preserve)
Best For: Authentic Italian Gelato & European Vibes
📍 Location: The Preserve, Hoover, AL 🍦 Vibe: Sophisticated, aesthetic, and relaxing
Gelato is like ice cream’s sophisticated, well-traveled cousin. It uses similar ingredients but yields a much denser, richer texture. After tasting authentic gelato from a walk-up window in Italy years ago, I’ve been on a mission to find a local copycat.
Vecchia Gelato and Café absolutely delivers "a little taste of Italy" right here in Hoover.
I ordered a scoop of their Italian butter pecan gelato, and it was spectacular—creamy, perfectly sweet, and loaded with fresh, crunchy pecans. If you prefer fruit flavors, their vibrant pink blood orange and yellow lemon sorbets are refreshing options that double as the perfect accessory for your summer social media feed.
💡 Pro-Tip: Come hungry for more than just dessert. Vecchia Gelato and Café is a full-service stop offering craft coffee, fresh pastries, Italian sodas, flatbreads, salads, wine, beer, and seasonal spritzes.
Kim Cripps
Banana Split from The Whole Scoop
A classic banana split from The Whole Scoop in Brock's Gap is perfect for sharing.
3. The Whole Scoop (The Village at Brock’s Gap)
Best For: Classic Old-School Sundaes & Family Traditions
📍 Location: The Village at Brock’s Gap, Hoover, AL 🍦 Vibe: Nostalgic, community-focused, and timeless
As a staple of the community for over 15 years, The Whole Scoop is a legendary Hoover ice cream shop. While I usually stick to my usual order of dairy-free cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip, I decided to switch things up and try their classic banana split.
It did not disappoint. This massive dessert features a fresh banana split down the middle, three generous scoops of ice cream (I went with the timeless trio of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), sliced strawberries, crunch pecans, a mountain of whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
💡 Pro-Tip: The banana split is massive! Bring a friend or family member to share this colossal treat, or be prepared to eat quickly before the Alabama heat melts it away.
Don't Miss: The Annual Hoover Ice Cream Eating Contest
If you love a good food challenge, mark your calendar! National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19, and The Whole Scoop at Brock’s Gap celebrates in style.
Every year, they host an epic ice cream-eating challenge benefiting Hoover Helps, a local non-profit.
The Main Event: Competitors ages 15 and up go scoop-to-scoop to see who can finish a massive Six-Scoop Sundae the fastest.
First Responders Battle: Watch Hoover’s local police and fire departments face off in the annual Red, White, and Blue Competition.
The Prize: Winners take home a trophy and FREE ice cream for a year!
Registration opens inside The Whole Scoop the entire week leading up to the event, with a $25 entry fee that goes directly to charity.
For the latest updates on event times and registration, follow The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop on Facebook.