This North Carolina Ice Cream Parlor Is A Local Favorite Since It Opened

Durham’s The Parlour is where ice cream becomes unforgettable. Founded in 2011 by Yoni and Vanessa Mazuz, it started as a converted school bus and quickly became a city favorite. The bright pink shop invites you in with playful charm and a lineup of daring, delicious flavors.

Vietnamese coffee, cranberry pear sorbet, and Moroccan rose sit alongside rich classics like chocolate and vanilla. Every scoop bursts with local ingredients and creativity. The staff serves cones with smiles as generous as the hot fudge and toppings.

With inventive flavors, colorful decor, and a community vibe, it’s the kind of place you can’t resist sharing. Each visit promises a new taste adventure and sweet memories.

Whether grabbing a quick treat or making it a centerpiece of your day, this ice cream parlor proves Durham has some of the most exciting desserts in North Carolina. Find it at 117 Market Street, Durham, NC 27701.

1. A Humble Beginning On Wheels

Before the pink storefront became an icon, Yoni and Vanessa Mazuz rolled through Durham neighborhoods in their converted school bus. Picture a bright, cheerful vehicle stopping at parks and events, drawing crowds with handcrafted frozen treats. That mobile beginning taught them everything about connecting with customers face to face.

The bus allowed them to test flavors and gauge reactions in real time. People would line up, taste something new, and share honest feedback immediately. This direct connection shaped their entire philosophy about ice cream making.

When they finally opened their permanent location in April 2013, they brought that same approachable spirit indoors. The transition from wheels to walls happened naturally, driven by overwhelming community demand. Customers had fallen hard for their unique creations and wanted a place to gather.

Even now, that original bus still makes appearances at Durham events during warmer months. Seeing it reminds longtime fans of where everything started. The journey from mobile vendor to beloved institution proves that great ice cream combined with genuine passion creates something truly special.

2. The Flagship Store Experience

Walking into the Market Street location feels like stepping into a dream designed by someone who truly loves ice cream. Clean white walls contrast beautifully with vibrant pink accents throughout the space. Display cases showcase rows of carefully crafted flavors, each one more tempting than the last.

Natural light pours through the windows, illuminating the cheerful interior perfectly. Small tables invite you to sit and savor your selection slowly. The atmosphere balances modern simplicity with warmth that makes everyone feel welcome immediately.

Behind the counter, staff members work with practiced efficiency and genuine smiles. They offer tastes without hesitation, encouraging exploration and discovery. Their knowledge about each flavor runs deep, from ingredient sources to flavor development stories.

During my visits, I noticed how the space handles crowds gracefully. Even when lines extend outside, the flow remains smooth and surprisingly quick. The layout maximizes efficiency without sacrificing the personal touch that defines this place.

Everything about the flagship store reinforces quality and care. From spotless surfaces to thoughtfully arranged seating, details matter here. This attention creates an environment where ice cream becomes an experience worth repeating constantly.

3. Vietnamese Coffee That Changed Everything

My first taste of their Vietnamese coffee flavor literally stopped me mid-conversation. Rich, bold coffee flavors melded with sweet condensed milk undertones in perfect harmony. The complexity hit different notes with each lick, revealing layers I never expected from ice cream.

Traditional Vietnamese coffee uses a distinctive brewing method that creates intense, concentrated flavor. The Parlour captures that essence beautifully while maintaining their signature creamy texture. Customers mention this flavor constantly in reviews, and now I understand why completely.

What impressed me most was the balance they achieved. Coffee ice cream often tastes either too bitter or artificially sweet. This version nails the authentic taste while remaining approachable for everyone.

I watched other customers order it repeatedly, clearly hooked on that unique profile. Some pair it with their affogato option, adding an espresso shot for extra intensity. The combination creates a coffee experience that rivals any specialty café.

According to staff, they adjust the recipe seasonally to maintain peak flavor. Fresh ingredients and careful attention ensure consistency batch after batch. That dedication shows in every single scoop they serve daily.

4. Salted Butter Caramel Perfection

Caramel ice cream exists everywhere, but salted butter caramel at The Parlour transcends ordinary expectations entirely. The first spoonful delivered buttery richness that coated my mouth like velvet. Salt crystals appeared at perfect intervals, cutting through sweetness with savory brilliance.

Many reviewers describe it as tasting like toffee, which captures the deep, cooked sugar notes perfectly. The butter content creates an almost decadent mouthfeel that regular caramel cannot match. Every element works together to create something genuinely extraordinary.

I noticed how the flavor develops as it melts slightly on your tongue. Initial sweetness gives way to complex caramelized notes and finishing salt. This progression keeps your taste buds engaged from start to finish.

Some customers find it intensely rich, which speaks to the quality ingredients used. The Parlour does not hold back on butter or cream content here. They commit fully to delivering authentic flavor even if that means overwhelming delicate palates.

Pairing it with their house-made brownies creates an experience bordering on religious. The combination of warm brownie chunks and cold, salty-sweet ice cream deserves its own celebration. No wonder this flavor appears in countless five-star reviews consistently.

5. Vegan Options That Actually Deliver

Finding truly delicious vegan ice cream feels like searching for unicorns most days. The Parlour breaks that pattern completely with coconut milk-based creations that rival any dairy version. Their commitment to inclusivity means nobody misses out on exceptional frozen treats.

During one visit, I watched a vegan customer sample multiple flavors with genuine excitement. She explained that most places offer one sad vegan option as an afterthought. Here, vegan flavors receive the same attention and creativity as traditional offerings.

The coconut milk base provides natural creaminess without that artificial texture some dairy-free options have. Fruit sorbets offer another path for those avoiding both dairy and coconut. Every dietary preference finds something wonderful on their rotating menu.

Reviews consistently praise how the vegan salted caramel matches the dairy version in richness and depth. That achievement requires serious skill and dedication to ingredient quality. The Parlour refuses to compromise flavor regardless of base ingredients used.

I appreciated seeing vegan and dairy options displayed together without hierarchy or separation. This approach normalizes plant-based choices while celebrating all preferences equally. Everyone deserves amazing ice cream, and this shop delivers on that promise beautifully.

6. House-Made Baked Goods Magic

Beyond incredible ice cream, The Parlour bakes cookies and brownies that could stand alone as destination desserts. Warm, fragrant, and impossibly rich, these treats elevate any scoop to new heights. My first brownie sundae convinced me that heaven exists on Market Street.

One reviewer hilariously noted that ordering brownie topping means getting half a brownie chopped up. They were not exaggerating even slightly about the generous portions. The Parlour approaches toppings with the same abundance they bring to everything else.

Fresh-baked cookies become ice cream sandwiches that redefine childhood memories. Choosing your ice cream flavor between two warm cookies creates customization possibilities that boggle the mind. Every combination I tried worked perfectly together.

The brownie quality impressed me particularly because baking consistent brownies requires real skill. Too dry and they crumble, too wet and they become mushy. These hit that perfect fudgy middle ground every single time.

Staff mentioned they bake throughout the day to maintain freshness and availability. Walking in during a fresh batch creates an aroma that makes resistance completely futile. The combination of baking smells and ice cream sweetness creates sensory overload in the best possible way.

7. Seasonal Local Ingredients Commitment

Summer brings North Carolina strawberries and blueberries directly from nearby farms into The Parlour’s rotating flavors. This commitment to local sourcing means peak freshness and supporting regional agriculture simultaneously. Tasting the difference between local and shipped fruit becomes immediately obvious.

The owners personally visit farms and build relationships with growers throughout the region. These connections ensure they receive the best produce at optimal ripeness. When strawberry season hits, their strawberry ice cream tastes like eating the fruit itself.

I learned that flavor availability changes based on what grows locally each season. This approach keeps the menu dynamic and exciting for regular customers. You might discover a limited edition peach flavor in July that disappears by September.

Supporting local farmers aligns perfectly with Durham’s community-focused values and sustainable practices. Customers appreciate knowing their ice cream purchase helps neighboring agricultural businesses thrive. The circle of local support strengthens everyone involved in the process.

Seasonal rotation also prevents menu fatigue and encourages experimentation with new combinations. The Parlour never stops innovating because fresh ingredients constantly inspire creative directions. This philosophy keeps devoted fans coming back to discover what surprise awaits them next.

8. The Famous Affogato Experience

Ordering an affogato at The Parlour means watching magic happen before your eyes. A perfect scoop of ice cream sits in a cup while a barista pulls a fresh espresso shot. Then comes the pour, hot coffee cascading over cold cream, creating swirls of melting deliciousness.

Choosing Vietnamese coffee ice cream for your affogato base creates a coffee experience that borders on transcendent. The double coffee intensity satisfies even the most devoted caffeine enthusiasts. Each spoonful delivers contrasting temperatures and complementary flavors that dance together beautifully.

I observed a couple sharing one during my visit, taking turns and discussing the flavor evolution. As the espresso melts the ice cream, the texture and taste transform continuously. This interactive dessert engages you beyond simple eating into genuine experience territory.

The espresso quality matters enormously here, and The Parlour uses excellent beans prepared with care. Weak coffee would disappoint, but their shots pack proper punch and complexity. Combined with premium ice cream, the result justifies every penny spent.

Traditional Italian affogatos use vanilla gelato, but The Parlour encourages flavor experimentation freely. Salted butter caramel with espresso creates an unexpected delight worth trying. This willingness to play with classics while respecting traditions defines their entire approach perfectly.

9. Moroccan Rose Adventure

Moroccan Rose represents The Parlour’s willingness to push boundaries into genuinely adventurous territory. Rosewater, cardamom, cinnamon, and pomegranate blend together with figs, apricots, and pistachios for complexity that surprises everyone. My skepticism vanished after one taste of this extraordinary creation.

Cardamom especially shines through, adding warmth and depth that most ice cream never attempts. The spice works beautifully with rose’s floral notes instead of fighting them. Dried fruit pieces provide textural contrast and concentrated sweetness throughout each scoop.

One reviewer called cardamom underrated and versatile, which perfectly captures why this flavor succeeds so brilliantly. Most Americans rarely encounter cardamom outside chai tea or Indian desserts. Experiencing it in ice cream opens entirely new appreciation for the spice’s possibilities.

The pomegranate adds subtle tartness that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying or one-dimensional. Every element serves a purpose in the overall flavor profile. Nothing feels random or included simply for exotic appeal alone.

I recommend this flavor to anyone feeling adventurous or wanting to expand their ice cream horizons. Start with a small taste before committing to a full scoop. The unique combination either captivates you completely or proves too unusual for your preferences.

10. Community Engagement And Local Love

The Parlour exists as more than just a business selling frozen desserts to Durham residents. They actively participate in local events, support community causes, and create gathering spaces for neighbors. This deep integration into the fabric of Durham elevates them beyond typical commercial ventures.

During conversations with staff, their genuine passion for Durham shone through every sentence they spoke. They know regular customers by name and remember favorite flavors without being told. This personal connection transforms transactions into relationships that span years.

The punch card program rewards loyalty while encouraging repeat visits in a fun, engaging way. Customers appreciate feeling valued beyond their immediate purchase. Small touches like complimentary water cups show thoughtfulness about the complete customer experience.

Local recognition includes features in multiple publications and best-of lists throughout their years of operation. Thrillist naming them among America’s best ice cream shops in 2015 validated what Durham already knew. National attention brought new visitors while locals continued their devoted patronage.

Supporting The Parlour means supporting a business that reinvests in the community through employment and partnerships. They source locally, hire locally, and give back locally. This circular economy approach strengthens Durham while delivering exceptional products to grateful customers daily.

11. Service That Shines Through Chaos

Lines extending out the door could easily create stressed, rushed service at many establishments. The Parlour somehow maintains warmth and patience even during peak Saturday night rushes. Staff members genuinely seem to enjoy their work and connecting with every single customer.

One reviewer named Aloe specifically, praising their friendliness, knowledge, and passion for sharing the shop’s history. These personal touches transform a simple ice cream purchase into a memorable interaction. Learning the backstory while sampling flavors creates investment in the business beyond taste alone.

I watched employees handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism that impressed me deeply. When mistakes happen, they address them immediately and generously. The owner’s responses to negative reviews show commitment to improvement and customer satisfaction.

Efficiency matters during busy periods, but The Parlour never sacrifices quality for speed alone. They maintain standards while moving lines along at respectable paces. Achieving this balance requires training, teamwork, and leadership that clearly exists here.

Free water and cups for palate cleansing demonstrate thoughtfulness about the entire experience from start to finish. These small gestures cost little but communicate care and attention to customer comfort. Exceptional service combined with exceptional product creates loyalty that lasts for years.

12. The Cookies And Cream Phenomenon

Sometimes classic flavors done exceptionally well outshine exotic experiments completely. The Parlour’s cookies and cream achieves perfection that makes grown adults close their eyes and smile. Generous cookie chunks are distributed throughout an impossibly creamy vanilla base for textural and flavor heaven.

Multiple reviews specifically mention cookies and cream as their go-to choice every single visit. That consistency speaks volumes about how well they execute this beloved standard. Getting classics right requires attention to ratios, ingredient quality, and mixing technique.

The vanilla base tastes genuinely rich and complex, not like artificial flavoring or shortcuts. Real vanilla combined with high butterfat content creates depth that cheap versions cannot match. Cookie pieces maintain a slight crunch instead of becoming soggy and disappointing.

Ordering it in a waffle cone adds another layer of complementary flavor and satisfying crunch. The cone quality matches the ice cream quality, never stale or bland. Every component receives equal attention and care during preparation.

I appreciate that this place at 117 Market Street, Durham, offers familiar flavors alongside adventurous options without judgment or hierarchy. Some days call for Moroccan Rose exploration, other days demand cookies and cream comfort. Both choices receive the same dedication to excellence and proper execution always.