This Hidden Ice Cream Shop Might Have The Best Soft Serve In Southern Maryland

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SHADY SIDE, Md. — Tucked behind a car wash and connected to a laundromat, this unassuming roadside ice cream stand has been quietly serving some of the best soft serve in Southern Maryland for decades. If you’re willing to make the drive, Shady Side Soft Serve delivers a classic ice cream experience that keeps customers coming back year after year.

Shady Side Soft Serve has been around for decades and was taken over by new, still-local owners in 2024.

This ice cream shop does one thing, and they do it well. Shady Side Soft Serve is special because it serves just the three traditional ice cream flavors: chocolate, vanilla and twist. Visitors have countless toppings to choose from and can also mix and match ice creams to get floats and soda. It’s a perfectly executed traditional ice cream experience that honors the soft serve tradition.

We definitely recommend checking it out for yourself. There must be a reason it’s been around 30 years, after all.

Shady Side Soft Serve Location

True to its name, Shady Side Soft Serve is located at 6171 Shady Side Road, Shady Side. Getting to Shady Side takes a little time, and since the shop is located on the northern end of the peninsula, prepare to make a little trip out of this if you’re not already in Shady Side.

You’ll see the car wash from the road, and the ice cream shop and laundromat are toward the back of the property. It’s not hard to find, and there are plenty of signs to direct you to the ice cream. And hey, you can even bring along some laundry.

The parking lot is large, so you’ll be able to go with a group if you want.

Ordering And Eating At Shady Side Soft Serve

The shop is small, and there are no tables. There are three nice, long wooden benches outside where guests can sit and eat, but otherwise there’s not much room in the store even to stand and wait to order or to get your ice cream; there was a short line out the door when The BayNet first arrived. The parking lot is large, and some guests were walking around as they enjoyed their ice cream, while others sat on the benches or stood nearby.

While you order, enjoy the cute mural and ice cream sundae statue. You can view the topping list on the wall or check them out behind the counter.

Ice Cream At Shady Side Soft Serve

Shady Side Soft Serve serves chocolate, vanilla and twist soft serve. Guests can choose specialty sundaes, soda floats or create their own dish from all the toppings. The specialty sundaes are a popular choice, especially peanut butter cup.

The serving sizes were perfect and refreshing, and the sundaes weren’t so overloaded with toppings that we made a huge mess. Plus, as far as soft serve goes, this ice cream was incredible. It was fresh and refreshing on a hot day, super creamy and delicious. And at reasonable prices!

Shady Side Soft Serve is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. We definitely recommend trying this longstanding local favorite and adding it to your regular rotation for ice cream this summer.

Maryland’s ice cream fans have some great options in the area, with more seeming to pop up every year.

Ice cream is a fantastic summer tradition and a year-round treat for people everywhere. Like many others, we’re dedicated to finding the best ice cream in the area and supporting local businesses that deliver our favorites.