Best Ice Cream Shops

Orange Cycle Creamery in Tarpon Springs serves at least 24 artisan ice cream flavors, all made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Signature flavors include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough and other exotic flavors like Lavender Honey and the shop’s namesake Orange Cycle, a kicked-up version of an orange creamsicle.

Located in downtown Palm Harbor, Coolside Gelato Bar is the perfect place for true artisan gelato made on site as well as a selection of refreshing Italian ices. Insider Tip: Order a "Beerlato" for a cold treat that will also take the edge off. Pair your favorite beer with your favorite gelato flavor such as a Left Hand Milk Stout/Biscoff or a Peroni/Lemon Granita.

Strachan’s Homeade Ice Cream and Desserts has been serving old-fashioned, homemade ice cream since 1999, and its multiple locations include Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, and Safety Harbor. A sweet range of ice cream flavors include some unique choices such as Carrot Cake, Cookie Monster, Cherry Wow-Za and Almond Joy.

The unique Kooky Coconut Cafe on Indian Rocks Beach lives up to its name with a kooky vibe. The bamboo-covered café features tropical décor and more than 30 ever-changing flavors of homemade ice cream along with soft serve, sugar-free and dairy-free options.

Candy Kitchen has been serving happy customers since 1950. Stop by the original, nostalgic little red-and-white building in Madeira Beach for a refreshing ice cream cone... and while you're there, browse for candies you haven't seen since your childhood.

So much ice cream, so little time! Tropical Ice Cream & Coffee offers a choice of more than 100 flavors, so no matter what taste you’re in the mood for, there’s a good chance it’s on the menu – in several variations. Plus, it’s just a short distance from the beach, making it a perfect spot for a cool break from the sun.

Haze Ice Cream scoops out some of the best homemade ice cream in the area, but what really sets it apart is the welcoming atmosphere of this family-owned-and-operated ice cream shop. Expect friendly faces serving a menu of more than 40 flavors including dairy-free, gluten-free and seasonal options. Kick up your cone with one of the alcoholic-infused flavors such as Rum Raisin or Kahlua Almond (ID required!).

Whether you’re staying at the Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach or visiting this historic landmark, be sure to stop by Uncle Andy’s Market for a taste of nostalgia. This 50s-style ice cream parlor offers delicious Lickity Split ice cream, shakes, pastries and more.

More than 100 flavors of ice cream, 35 flavors of gelato, 35 flavors of frozen yogurt and 35 flavors of soft-serve frozen custard mean there’s something for everyone at Larry's Ice Cream & Gelato. If that's not enough, choose from more than 20 toppings, sundaes, parfaits, donuts, cakes or Italian ices for a sweet experience.

It’s not only ice cream that attracts your taste buds’ attention. For something different, skip the scoop and head to The Hyppo on Central Ave. in St. Pete for a delightful all-natural ice pop. Choose from an ever-changing list of flavors ranging from chocolatey to fruity to boozy (Champagne Mango, anyone?).

Bright Ice specializes in small batch ice cream with bold, intense flavors such as Caramelized Bananas with Peanut Butter & Honey, Roasted Strawberries with Brown Sugar & Balsamic, Lemon with Crystallized Ginger and more. All flavors use premium natural ingredients that are often locally sourced.

Choose from more than 30 tempting made-from-scratch ice cream flavors at Small Batch Creamery. Made with all natural ingredients, menu staples include Brown Sugar Caramel, Triple Peanut Butter and Grannies Banana Pudding, but keep an eye out for shakes, floats and additional pop-up and seasonal flavors as well. Bonus: Bring your well-behaved pooch to share your sweet experience.