Soda fountain is a term used by North Americans when referring to carbonated drink dispensers found in restaurants, fast food outlets, and convenience stores in the States, and Canada. Earlier soda fountains referred to soda shops and part of a pharmacy or drug store that sold ice creams, sodas, hot beverages, sundaes, iced beverages, light meals, and baked goods which were prepared, and served.

Originally, the term 'soda water' was first coined in 1798. The first US patent was issued in 1810, for the mass manufacture of imitation mineral waters to inventors, Rundell and Simon of South Carolina granting the patent for the first soda fountain to Samuel Fahnestock in 1819. It was originally designed to sell mineral water by the glass; the initial soda fountain looked like a beer keg device. Later in 1858, the first marble soda fountain was invented, and operated by G.D. Dows which was patented in 1863. Years later in 1903, a revolution in soda fountain design was witnessed with the front service fountain patented by Doctor Heisinger. Till the 1960s, it was quite common for both big city, and small town dwellers to enjoy carbonated drinks at ice cream saloons and soda fountains.

Generally housed together with a pharmacy, the counter for soda fountain served as a meeting place for people of all age groups. Soda fountains are back in the reckoning today and are a common sight at street.