The Parlour

Category:	Ice Cream Shop
Address:	117 Market St, Durham, NC 27701, USA
Phone:	+1 919-564-7999
Site:	theparlour.co
Rating:	4.6
Working:	12–10PM 12–10PM 12–10PM 12–10PM 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Timothy Wang

The ice-cream here is really good. My palate isnt sensitive enough to discriminate between ice creams that are extremely creamy/delicious. Its a small place with tables. They have milkshakes and brownies and also have ice cream pints that you can take home. You get to try any of the flavors before you buy them so you wont be shocked with what you got. Its a little bit expensive for me (I dont believe in buying a scoop of ice cream when I can buy a quart of premium ice cream for the same price), but Durhamites (hipsters and normal people, alike) seem to rave about this place. Maybe they are seeing something that I am not. I wouldnt go here on my own, but thats just my personality and sense of personal budgeting. Ive come here often with friends, however, and have never been dissatisfied. Parking is VERY limited on the street that immediately borders the shop. During peak season, you might as well get dropped off or find some street parking a couple blocks down the road. Line can get ridiculously long, too. Sundays are the absolute worst. Once I waited 20 minutes for a scoop of ice cream. It was good, but seriously? 20 min seems like a really long time to wait for ice cream...

jackie flores

The ice cream is good but the service is CRAP on the phone and in person very short and rude. I much rather go else where, where people are respectful and have a set of simple manners. The woman I spoke to was so disrespectful. I only wanted to know how much time in advance I needed to have to place a cake order and she said "48hours place the order online" and then hung up the phone. I called back thinking it was a lose of service but she answered the phone with a "what?" I asked if I could speak to someone else and she said no need anything else because I dont have time to answer your questions, I said no and she hung up again. I rather go else where and not deal with disrespectful people.

Tara McNair

We were informed by our co-worker that the Ice Cream Bus was parked off Erwin Rd. and Crest St. today, so me and a co-worker walked (in the 90 degree heat) to go check them out and get some ice cream. We walked up to the bus, the man on the bus shut the window and they proceeded to pull off. I tapped on the window and asked if they were done for the day. He said "yes" and the driver proceeded to pull off. I feel like that since they watched us walk all the way up the hill and approach the bus that the least they could have done was let us get a scoop of ice cream or something for as far as we had walked. Thoroughly annoyed at their customer service or lack there of.

Jim J

Located at the edge of a courtyard simultaneously overlooking one of Durhams best examples of architecture (the Hill Building) and one of the ugliest (the former Jack Tar Hotel), The Parlour is by far my go-to for ice cream when Im anywhere in the area. The flavors do rotate, so that amazing butter pecan scoop you got last week may not be on the menu when you return, but they usually have enough of a variety that youll find something you like. If there was any downside, itd be parking. Market St is at best one-way access, and the amount of construction nearby doesnt help. Park on one of the adjoining streets and walk.

Delia D.

I cant praise this incredibly delicious ice cream highly enough. Its small-batch fresh and carefully made, is offered in a wide array of both traditional and unusual flavors INCLUDING VEGAN OPTIONS, and is crafted from seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. As for the store, the servers are friendly and courteous; the place is kid-friendly; and the hours are very convenient (except for Mondays, when the shop is closed). Seriously--Parlour ice cream is the BEST and were very lucky they built a brick-and-mortar in addition to their very popular mobile site.

TriangleLocalista Kim A

The Parlours ice creams have spoiled me for all others with its rich creamy texture (and doesnt hurt that they source a lot of their ingredients locally). I was smitten at the first taste of Vietnamese Coffee and each Summer I have to get a fix of Blackberry Buttermilk. The menu rotates frequently and often includes a vegan option (so bring your vegan friends out for a scoop). In an interesting move, the ice cream shop has been serving a brunch menu every other Sunday as of late October. Might that be a sign of more delicious things to come? Gosh, I hope so.

Beth Mandel

I am so happy The Parlour finally got their bricks and mortar location, because hopefully it means they will be around for a long while. The best ice cream in Durham, no doubt, and unquestionably the most interesting and unique flavors. Love their salted butter caramel but my favorite is the honey hazelnut crunch. Holy moly. Sweet, but not too sweet, and so texturally interesting. The honey is not only responsible for a beautiful subtle sweetness, but it also adds a crystalline texture to the mellow but rich hazelnut clusters. These guys know ice cream.

Tyler McCraw

THE BEST ICE CREAM EVER. No, seriously. The Parlour prides itself in making the traditional locally-sourced ice cream. Kind of like how your grandparents used to make with some really great heavy cream, but way better. You wont find frozen yogurt pre-mixed plastic bags here. Theyll always have your traditional flavors, but The Parlour truly shows off its expertise with their rotating flavors, like Rum Cake ice cream or Curry ice cream. Also, if youre into root beer floats, try one here. Theyre the hella good.

Alejandro Flores-Burgess

As a local of Durham, I can say that the Parlour has some of the best ice cream in the city. The Parlour has several unique flavors and also offers gluten free flavors for people with dietary restrictions. The Parlour is also located conveniently within the heart of Durham and is easily within walking distance of just about everything else the city has to offer. If youre in the area, make sure to stop by and try some delicious ice cream while seeing everything else Durham has to offer.

Larry Engleman

There are novelty ice cream flavors, and then there are novel ice cream flavors This place has the latter. While they always carry an assortment of the regular tastes (chocolate, vanilla, etc), I highly recommend trying one of their more exotic ones. The last time I was there I tried the lavender-honey, which was delicious. Their vegan chocolate was good too, though it tasted a bit like coconut. I imagine thats down to the ingredients that make it vegan.

Matthew Clobridge

Just get the Salted Butter Caramel and thank me later. This is one my favorite flavors of ice cream ever. I hate to not get that when I go to The Parlour, but recently tried the Apple Pie ice cream and its amazing as well. All of the ice cream is handmade, and thats one of the reasons why its so great. The Parlour is located in a small shop on the CCB plaza in downtown Durham -- a perfect location within walking distance of most everything downtown.

Abby Clobridge

The Parlour is a lovely ice cream cafe in the heart of downtown Durham -- just what we needed! Flavors are usually on the unusual side, but the staff are great about offering flavors so you can find the right one for your tastes. Flavors seem to be fairly seasonal. The mocha peppermint was delicious, and the apple pie ice cream was even better. They offer hot chocolate, coffee, and other hot beverage options as well. Parking can be a bit tricky.