When on a hot date, Orlandoans have plenty of options to cool off with ice cream! We’ve got the scoop on the best ice cream shops in Orlando… ideal for unique, beat-the-heat ice cream treats.
And for even more ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, jump over to view the best desserts in Orlando.
Best Ice Cream Shops in Orlando
1. Sampaguita
1233 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando
Already an epicenter for foodies, Sampaguita Ice Cream makes the Mills 50 District even sweeter. And this creamery is really the cream of the crop for lovers. The shop owners, Marie & Mo, say their company's name pays homage to a Philippine folklore about lovers from different tribes who pledged their love with the words “Sumpa kita,” meaning “I promise you.”
Well, we promise you that you'll love this place. The namesake flavor, Sampaguita, is almond vanilla bean ice cream with hints of jasmine and lychee. Those craving sweet and salty may prefer the Jackfruit Chili Nut, a jackfruit cream with roasted chili cashew nuts. Or, be tickled pink over the Ube Latte, a sweet purple yam ice cream swirled with French roast ice cream.
2. Bacio Ice Cream Shop
Two locations — Lee Vista & Lake Nona
If ice cream making isn't considered an art form… it should be. Because the melt-in-your-mouth masterpieces at Bacio are picture-perfect. Aside from being visually-appealing, expect your taste buds to be equally as impressive.
We suggest Bacio's Honey Roasted Peanut Butter Ice Cream. However, the decadent macaron ice cream sandwiches are hard to pass up.
3. The Greenery Creamery
Two locations — Downtown Orlando & Downtown Sanford
When The Greenery Creamery opened its doors on Church Street a while back, didn't we all feel like our foodie prayers had been answered?! This ice cream shop in Orlando serves both traditional dairy as well as vegan ice cream varieties using (mostly) local ingredients.
The Greenery Creamery is all about artisan creations. Favorites include the Black Ash Coconut, boasting a dark hue and rich coconut flavor; and Blueberry Lavender, a blend of lavender tea with fruity notes.
4. Crispý Cone
2415 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando
Nestled in the Hourglass District, Crispý Cone claims its revolutionizing soft-serve ice cream. Already popular in Europe, this ice cream shop in Orlando showcases a fresh dough cone, first grilled rotisserie-style and then covered in either cinnamon and sugar or crushed Oreo cookies.
The cone is stuffed with soft-serve ice cream and top-notch toppings. Stick to classics, like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, or branch out a bit with huckleberry. Delish!
Check out Orlando-Parenting.com's review of Crispý Cone.
5. Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
Multiple Orlando area locations
Fun fact… Kelly, owner of Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, used to treat people with medicine as a nurse; now she serves up sweet treats. Yes, ice cream can make one feel better! Kelly's began selling small-batch flavors at farmer's markets and, then, opened its first shop in Audubon Park, specializing in craft ice cream and sorbet.
Since Orlando Date Night Guide first introduced couples to Kelly's a few years back, the company has greatly expanded to numerous ice cream shops in Orlando and beyond. The sweet experience at Kelly's just never gets old though since there's always something new to try. Featured flavors are rotated monthly.
The current seasonal menu, as of press time for this article, includes PB&J and Potato Chip, Mounds and Toasted S'mores. Kelly's menu always includes a plethora of signature flavors–like Key Lime Pie and Mint Chocolate Chip–plus Kelly's Original's–like Ore-Dough and Banana Pudding.
For those who can't decide on just one flavor, opt for the ice cream flight featuring six scoops. Plus, Fido can snag a treat too via a Dog Pop.
6. Charlie's Bakery & Creamery
3213 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando
Longtime Orlando residents are likely familiar with Charlie's baked goods, like assorted cookies, pies, pastries, etc. Many local couples have even ordered their wedding cakes from Charlie's! Well, in recent years, Charlie's added premium ice cream.
It's no surprise that Charlie's ice cream menu features bakery-themed flavors, like Cake Batter and Caramel Cookie Dough, plus many other kinds. However, some may be pleasantly buzzed about the boozy offerings, like Bailey's Irish Cream and Butterscotch Bourbon, both of which are alcohol-infused ice cream flavors.
7. Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory
520 N. Main St., Kissimmee
What could possibly make ice cream even more magical? Liquid nitrogen, according to ice cream wizards concocting customized scoops in Kissimmee. The process starts with a vanilla liquid which can be transformed with syrups and fruit bases to create any flavor.
Then, an array of toppings ─ candy, coconut, nuts, chopped fruit, etc. ─ mix in and the words are spoken: “Abracadabra, alakazam, make that ice cream as best as you can.” With temperatures reaching 328 degrees below 0, “magic clouds” of liquid nitrogen flash-freeze the ice cream. Hokey? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely!
Create your own recipe or choose one of Abracadabra's “ice cream suggestions,” like the Godfather (cheesecake, chocolate chips and graham cracker) or Party Time (birthday cake, marshmallow and rainbow sprinkles).
8. Frozen Cow
1201 Vineland Rd., Winter Garden
Orlando Date Night Guide has plenty of date night itineraries for Plant Street but, when time allows, venture just five minutes beyond the historic district to find this old-fashioned ice cream shop. Frozen Cow uses grade “A” cream, pure cane sugar and premium mix-ins in batch freezers without any growth hormones or high-fructose corn syrup. Somehow this “utterly” delicious ice cream is kind of good for you (wink wink)!
The menu is loaded with chunky classics, like Butter Pecan ice cream with Georgia pecans that have been roasted, buttered and salted.
Plus, there are tons of other classic and original flavor options. But you may be more intrigued by Frozen Cow's other goodies, like the Donutella Slider or Waffle Nacho Sundae.
9. Rolled Ice Cream
688 N. Alafaya Trl., Ste 104, Orlando
Nestled in Waterford Lakes, Rolled Ice Cream serves Asian-inspired ice cream. This includes taiyaki, a hot and fluffy, fish-shaped waffle filled with fruit, chocolate or savory fillings. Skip the standard waffle cone to pair your ice cream with taiyaki.
If you forgot to pick up date night flowers, note that a bowl of rolled ice cream basically looks like an ice cream bouquet. Pretty and pretty tasty indeed. Rolled Ice Cream offers sugar-free and dairy-free options too.
10. Lucciano's
8001 S. Orange Blossom Trl., Suite #426, Orlando
The next time you're shopping at the Florida Mall, snack at Lucciano's. This gourmet gelato shop features luxurious flavors and plush cafe seating. To transport your taste buds to Italy, opt for a scoop of White Chocolate Pistachio Crunch, Hazelnut Cream Chocolate or Lemon Pie.
For a pop of fun, order one of Lucciano's whimsically-designed ice cream pops. Some of these treats-on-a-stick are adorably shaped like iconic cartoon characters and other fun formations.
11. Crazy Mason Milk Shake Bar & Ice Cream Shop
5741 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, Florida 34747
If your honey loves ice cream, a date night at Crazy Mason may be the grand gesture you desire. That's because their milkshakes are uber grand. Picture a huge frosty mug filled with your favorite ice cream and embellished with toppings galore. Like totally and completely topped with toppings… donuts, cookies, candy, cupcakes and all the things.
I cannot lie… I Like Big Buns is my order of choice. It's a creamy concoction of cinnamon sugar ice cream served in a marshmallow-swirled jar. The rim is coated with vanilla buttercream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The jar is finished with a cinnamon bun, vanilla icing and whipped cream.
And if you happen to be in Seminole County, local favorite Nan & Pop's Ice Cream Shop serves a variety of “Freak Shakes” with frosted rims, drizzles, and toppings.
More Ice Cream Shops in Orlando
- The Soda Fountain — two locations (Edgewater Dr. & East Michigan Dr.)
- Wafflehead Ice Cream in Winter Park
- Kilwins in Winter Park
- Jeremiah's Italian Ice, Gelato & Soft-Serve Ice Cream — multiple locations
- Ginther's Swirls Ice Cream on I-Drive
- Abbott's Frozen Custard in Winter Garden
- Jeni's Ice Creams in Winter Park
- Gelato LaCarraia off Restaurant Row
Originally published 7/19/2017 | Updated 7/29/2024
