As National Ice Cream Day approaches on Sunday, July 21, it’s time to treat yourself to the city’s best frozen delights. Tampa boasts a vibrant ice cream scene, with everything from mermaid-themed creameries to retro parlors. So beat the heat and explore Tampa’s top spots for a sweet and chilly indulgence. Whether you’re craving a classic scoop or an adventurous flavor twist, we know just the spots for savoring the coolest treats in town!
Hampton Chocolate Factory
615 Channelside Dr Ste. 118
The two brothers Austin and Grant opened up the Hampton Chocolate Factory’s flagship in the heart of Tampa in Sparkman Wharf on January 13, 2022. In the beginning they lived in the store, working over 100 hours a week, focusing on one goal: delight every customer. Now they spend countless hours working towards their vision of building the Hampton Chocolate Factory to be a brand that lasts over 100 years and becomes the #1 gift of choice in America. Visitors need to try Hampton’s wild 5 pound ice cream cone challenge (reservations required).
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Revolution Ice Cream
6701 N Florida Ave
Are you ready to join the revolution? The ice cream revolution, that is. With locations in Brandon, Seminole Heights, and South Tampa, Revolution Ice Cream is taking taste buds by storm. Their homemade flavors rotate every few weeks, with their current lineup including Callie’s Hotcakes, Caramel Vanilla Pralines, Drunken Brownies, and Beauregard’s Blueberry Muffin Tops. You can check their flavor board before your visit so you know what to expect in stores.
Sea Maids Creamery
4230 N Florida Ave
This creamery in the heart of Seminole Heights is an oasis for sweet treats, magical munchies, and, of course, a little glitter. Sea Maids Creamery is a Latina-owned ice cream shop selling extravagant cones, milkshakes, and more. With a nautical theme like no other, choose from flavors like A Pirate’s Life For Me, Hurricane Season, Sea Salt Kisses, and more. At no other shop can you top your order with a glittery mermaid tail, a tiki umbrella, and a mini pirate flag.
Bright Ice
505 Water St
This rising Tampa Bay favorite boasts locations in Tampa, Pinellas Park, and St. Pete. Natural, locally sourced ingredients add sunshine to every spoonful. Their latest flavor, Orange-Kissed Coconut Cake, is Florida summer in a cup. Other unique combos include Espresso with Kahlua, Caramelized Bananas with Peanut Butter and Honey, and Blueberries with Cinnamon. With these tempting flavors, it’s hard to just order one. That’s why Bright Ice also sells party packs of 25 pre-scooped flavors so you can share the fun.
Dairy Joy
3813 S Manhattan Ave
Delighting taste buds across South Tampa and beyond for over six decades, Dairy Joy is the place to be for old-fashioned ice cream. Opening its doors in 1958, there’s no better spot for a retro walk-up neighborhood ice cream parlor, complete with a drive-thru next door. Their soft serve comes in chocolate, vanilla, and swirl, which you can order in a cup or a cone. We recommend upping your soft serve with one of their dipped cones, offered in chocolate, butterscotch, cherry, and blue raspberry. But don’t stop with soft serve–they also have premium ice cream, milkshakes, snow cones, smoothies, floats, and more!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
615 Channelside Dr
Ever seen a pint of Jeni’s legendary ice cream in the grocery store and thought, Wow, where can I get that fresh? Look no further. Jeni’s main Tampa scoop shop serves up flavors daily at Sparkman Wharf. Order by cup or cone to try one (or many) of Jeni’s imaginative flavors, from Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam to High Five Candy Bar and Dark Chocolate Truffle. No matter what you order, Jeni promises that you’ll enjoy her bright, buttercream flavors.
Mayday Ice Cream
1600 E 8th Ave
A Sunshine State go-to for ice cream, this scoop shop serves imaginative flavors made from the highest quality ingredients at their Ybor City location. During the summer months, their Passionfruit Golden Milk and Matcha Berry Marble are refreshing top choices, but you also can’t go wrong with their original Coffee + Donuts, Queen Salted Caramel, or Parent Trap flavors, which combines peanut butter swirled ice cream with chunks of Oreos.
Chill Bros Scoop Shop
Multiple Tampa locations
When one of the Chillura brothers headed off to Italy to learn the art of ice cream, there was no better way to put that knowledge to use than with a family-owned ice cream shop. Their all-natural custard base is made with local milk and cream, egg yolks, pure cane sugar, and a pinch of salt to give it a rich flavor and smooth texture. Using the finest ingredients (even some coming from Italy, like their Sicilian pistachios) and homemade mix-ins, toppings, sauces, and more, Chill Bros delivers some of the tastiest ice cream around across their five locations. Creativity shines through even their ‘classic’ flavors, from Guava Pastelito to The Malty Millionaire.
Bo’s Ice Cream
7101 N Florida Ave
A Seminole Heights staple, this family owned and operated ice cream parlor goes back to 1954. When you roll up to this drive-thru, expect creamy goodness with a no-frills presentation. From soft serve and hard ice cream to sherbet, floats, and ice cream sandwiches, Bo’s Ice Cream serves everything under the Florida sun. You can even try their Freezes and Juleps, which come in fruit-tastic flavors like orange, pineapple, cherry, and grape.
OddFellows Ice Cream
718 S Village Cir
With roots in Brooklyn going back to 2013, this small-batch ice cream company is bringing a taste of NYC to Florida. Lucky for us, their singular Florida location is in Hyde Park Village. Since its inception, OddFellows has created more than 500 flavors alongside reinvented classics. Currently, you’ll find enticing options like Sweet Cream & Sprinkles, Miso Peanut Butter Brownie, Passionfruit Apricot Pistachio, and more. Next time you’re wandering Hyde Park Village after a day of good eats, shopping, or people-watching, stop by OddFellows.
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