Florida and ice cream go together like spotty bananas on a chocolate sundae, and it’s been this way for a long, long time. The Tampa Bay area has a ton of classic ice cream spots that have stood the test of time, and so what follows is a few of the oldest and most iconic ice cream joints around. 

Bo’s Ice Cream   7101 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 813-302-9644 Bo’s Ice Cream opened its doors in 1954 thanks to World War II veteran, Kenneth “Mr. Bo” Miller Bosanko, and says it’s oldest ice cream shop in Tampa. Enjoyed by generations of Tampeños, this Seminole Heights spot offers both drive-thru and walk-up service, and features ice cream classics like Bo’s bestseller, the banana split in a cup. Photo via Colin Wolf Credit: Colin Wolf
Dairy Joy 3813 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-839-5485 While scooping ice cream since 1958, Dairy Joy fell under new management in 2018 and received a revamped, ’50s-inspired pastel makeover. Located in the true heart of South Tampa, Dairy Joy, complete with an Elvis outside, offers outdoor seating and serves a vast selection of soft serve, dipped cones, and old-fashioned sundaes and shakes. Photo by Molly Ryan
Old Farmer’s Creamery 2531 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2827 Living up to its title, you can’t miss the Old Farmer’s Creamery red barn facade and cow-printed entryway. Boasting a selection of 48 different flavors from peanut butter punch out to chocolate kraken’s revenge, the spot makes and manufactures its own ice cream almost daily. Photo via Old Farmer’s Creamery/Google
Parkesdale Farm Market 3702 W Baker St., Plant City, 813-754-2704 At Parkesdale Farm Market, “Strawberries are King”—but the ice cream’s pretty good, too. Part of the Parkesdale Farm, which began operating in 1956, the Parke family opened the market in 1969 where they offer famous strawberry shortcakes during strawberry season and ice cream, milkshakes, popsicles and parfaits all-year-round. Photo via Parkesdale Market/Google
Campbell’s Dairyland 200 S Parsons Ave., Brandon, 813-685-1189 A place for people of all ages to enjoy, Brandon’s hallmark Campbell’s Dairyland looks like its own mini carnival. Alongside ice cream, shakes, loaded sundaes and other frozen treats, Campbell’s pretty much has any classic craving you can think of from chili dogs to crab cakes. Photo via Campbell’s Dairyland/Google
Papa Clyde’s/Google
Shake Pit 3801 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, 941-748-4016 Need a real-deal blast from the past? Next time you’re in Bradenton, stop by Shake Pit. Serving shakes, sundaes, cones, burgers, fries and more, its safe to bet this place has undergone few dramatic changes since it first opened in 1959. Photo via
Hudson Beach Ice Cream Parlor 6930 Clark St., Hudson, 727-378-4496 With over 40 homemade flavors of ice cream, sherbert, Italian ice, with sugar-free and low-fat options, you can’t miss out on Hudson Beach Ice Cream Parlor when in Pasco County. Adorned with neon signs, memorabilia and a checkerboard floor, the nostalgic spot is walking distance from the beach and offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Photo via
Twistee Treat Multiple locations While Twistee Treat is a chain, it’s earned its spot on this list because it’s Florida-based and truly iconic. Hard-to-miss with its ice cream cone-shaped window service, their menu and old-school attitude has hardly changed since it opened in the ’80s with cones, floats, sundaes and boats. With around 10 locations in and around Tampa Bay, Twistee Treat is a must. Photo via Twistee Treat USA/Facebook
Candy Kitchen 13711 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-392-6803 A mile north of John’s Pass, Madeira Beach’s Candy Kitchen has stood its ground as a Florida favorite since 1950. Priding itself on its homemade ice cream and “ever growing pez collection,” both the original Candy Kitchen and its sister location in Redington Shores has a sweet for anyone. Even if you don’t stay for the ice cream, check out the OG spot’s bathroom—which has been covered floor-to-ceiling in candy wrappers and boxes for decades. Photo via Candy Kitchen/website
Dairy Inn 1201 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. St N, St. Petersburg, 727-822-6971 Dairy Inn declares itself as “Almost famous since 1947” due to its origins as a Dairy-Queen-turned-family business status. After undergoing many rounds of renovations and menu changes, Dairy Inn remains one of St. Pete’s most beloved ice cream spots. According to its website, its already extensive menu is being updated—but will surely include its current offering of over 150 milkshake flavors. Photo via Dairy Inn/Google Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Dairy Kurl 1555 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, 727-303-0848 As the oldest ice cream shop in Clearwater, Dairy Kurl has been enjoyed by patrons near and far for over 60 years. In sizes small to “monster,” the spot offers soft serve, milkshakes, soda floats, shaved ice and more. Although ice cream is its specialty, Dairy Kurl also serves hot dogs. Photo via Dairy Kurl/website
Tanya & Matt’s Ice Creamiest 15742 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-533-3314 Owned and operated by four Tampa native sisters, Tanya & Matt’s Ice Creamiest has been serving up sweet treats in Carrollwood for over 30 years. Offering over 40 housemade flavors of ice cream, Tanya & Matt’s serves a selection of classics, kid favorites and specialties like Mississippi Mud Pie, Oreo Red Velvet and Kahlua. They also offer vegan options. Photo via Matt & Tanya’s Ice Creamiest/Facebook
TJ’s Deli and Ice Cream 37752 Meridian Ave., Dade City, 352-668-9671 True to its name, TJ’s Deli and Ice Cream is known for its expansive and diverse menu. From subs to wraps and cookies to root beer floats, TJ’s guarantees to offer savory and sweet flavors for all sorts of cravings Photo via TJ’s Deli and Ice Cream/website
Dairy Rich Creamery 3109 Alt. US-19, Palm Harbor, 727-771-8154 Adorned with pastel colors and vibrant signage, Dairy Rich Creamery in Palm Harbor offers an old school outdoor ice cream parlor experience. With an abundance of outdoor seating, Dairy rich offers an abundance of flavors, toppings and sizes alongside “community inspired” burgers, dogs, sandwiches and more. Photo via dairyrichicecream/Instagram
Sweetie’s Ice Cream Parlor 842 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, (727) 935-1054 As the “Sweetest Spot on the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks”, Sweeties has been serving ice cream, coffee, various desserts and an assortment of blended drinks like shakes and smoothies since 1993. Now offering vegan, gluten-free and boozy options, Sweeties has over 40 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and sherbet. Photo via
Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts Multiple locations Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts has maintained big mom-and-pop energy since opening opening its first location in Palm Harbor in 1999. With additional locations in Dunedin and Countryside, Strachan’s serves ice cream made from scratch and an award-winning carrot cake. Photo via
Larry’s Ice Cream and Gelato 6965 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-4259 Since 1984, Larry’s Ice Cream has been a St. Pete Beach hit with its homemade waffle cones and myriad of flavors. On top of rows upon rows of ice cream and gelato tubs with dairy-free and gluten-free options, Larry’s also serves donuts, malts, brick-oven flatbread pizzas, hotdogs, burgers, local beer and wine. Photo via Larry’s Ice Cream and Gelato/Google
Dice’s Dairy’n Dogs 4930 Allen Rd, Zephyrhills, 813-782-4303 With its wide range of options listed on hanging wooden menus, this place has a vibe that is stuck in the ’70s. With its specialties being precisely in the name, ice cream and hotdogs, Dice’s also serves sandwiches, sides, pizzas and more. Photo via Dice’s Dairy’n Dogs
The Citrus Place 7200 US-19, Terra Ceia, 941-722-6745 With a vintage road sign you truly can’t miss, it can’t really get anymore “Old Florida” than The Citrus Place. Right across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, near Palmetto, the citrus place carries just about any locally sourced item you could hope for while serving soft serve and housemade key lime pies. Photo via