Over The Top Tampa Ice Cream Shops

You know we still have months of hot weather ahead of us, and there is truly no better treat to help cool you down than ice cream. Luckily, we have an abundance of Tampa Bay ice cream shop options, including some totally over-the-top! Our picks include shops with an Insta-friendly aesthetic alongside seriously delicious concoctions to enjoy with someone special.

The Revolution Ice Cream Co.

Revolution takes intense flavor combos to the next level, and they’re not all for the faint of heart. I recommend The One That Started it All—goat cheese habanero ice cream with a raspberry ribbon. The heat is no joke so I like to pair it with Grandma’s Oreo Ice Cream. Other unexpected combos include vanilla ice cream with bacon and bacon brittle (Porky’s Delight) and mint ice cream with Andes Candies, chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough (Mint Want Cookies). There are three locations in the area, the original in Brandon, one in Seminole Heights and the newest location in South Tampa.

Can't pick just one? This ice cream shop also offers Insta-worthy ice cream flights to share…or not.

Urban Creamery Cafe

Name a better combo than waffles and ice cream—I’ll wait. Urban Creamery in Odessa makes the dream duo come alive! First they make one of five flavors of Belgian waffles for you, then you choose from a rotation of homemade ice cream flavors, top it off with the toppings of your choice, and add any of the six sauce options (including Nutella and marshmallows, yum).

Looking for more sweets? Check out our Ultimate List of Tampa Bay Dessert Spots for Date Night

Bake‘n Babes

Bake'n Babes' real over-the-topness comes from their delicious Freak Shakes, and somehow, each month’s offering is more over the top than the last! Every month brings a new shake with a new theme and delicious goodies on top! I mean, c'mon, who doesn't want a shake with a light up wand and some cotton candy?! Bake‘n Babes also has a super tasty Sleazy Sundae with brownie pieces, vanilla soft serve and salted caramel. Talk about yum!

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Tampa has been lucky enough to see two new Jeni’s locations open up recently. One in Tampa Heights, just outside Armature Works, and one in Sparkman Wharf. I love the unexpected combos and overall vibe. Many of the wilder flavors are strictly limited edition, but you'll love the classics too, like Brambleberry Crisp or a dairy free cold brew with coconut cream. You can also get pints of Jeni’s delivered, along with extras like cones and sprinkles.

The Yard Milkshake Bar

By now you've probably seen the extravagant creations from The Yard, and if you haven't, well, you're missing out. From cotton candy, to cookies, fruit, WHOLE slices of cheesecake, donuts, and more, this dreamy dairy madness is definitely instagram worthy. Nothing is off limits here, create your own bow, cone, milkshake or float the way YOU like it, or pick from their monthly specials!

CREAM DE LA CREAM

Alright, now, take ice cream, and roll it up! Cream de La Cream is offering iconic ice cream flavors, in rolls, with delicious toppings! Choose from Super Oreo, Matcha Lovers, Ube, Monkey Business and more. Toppings include fresh fruit, cookies, boba, cereal, and much more.

Oddfellows

The hype is very real. Oddfellows is originally from Brooklyn and this is their first Scoop Shop location in Florida—the perfect state for an ice cream shop if you ask us. With flavors like Matcha Strawberry and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake, to the classic Cookies and Cream, Oddfellows is a tasty spot to cool down on a hot day.

TWISTED ROLLS CHIMNEY CAKE

Team waffles or team pancakes? What about crepes? Or a Chimney Cake? You can add ice cream to all of that! Don't miss the deliciousness at Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake in Tampa with the famous Chimney Cake with ice cream! Flavors include Oreo, hazlenut, almond, pistachio, and more! They also have locations in Wesley Chapel and Temple Terrace.

Astro Craft Ice Cream

If you’re more of a by-the-scoop person, Astro Craft Ice Cream in Heights Public Market and Lutz/Wesley Chapel has you covered. Ybor Spiced Rum Toasted Coconut Meringue Pie (that’s all one kind of ice cream), Tampa Guava Cream Cheese, Creme Brulee Cafe con Leche—this menu oozes with Tampa flavor.

But the signature creations are what takes Astro into over the top territory. My favorite is the Patience Grasshopper—chocolate brownie cake ice cream topped with chocolate mint cookie crumbles, brownie bites, mint and a syringe of chocolate syrup nestled in the bowl. I also love the Cuban ice cream sandwich—two generous scoops of ice cream expertly squished between two pieces of pressed Cuban bread. Did we mention you can put your scoop onto a warm chocolate chip cookie, chocolate brownie or apple crisp pie?!

Looking for something a little more traditional?

Try these classic gelato and ice cream shops around Tampa Bay:

• Kilwins, St. Pete
• Paciugo Gelato and Caffe, St. Pete (a perfect option for an Italian-inspired date!)
• Chill Bros, South Tampa
• Bianco Gelato Tampa
• Ice Dreammm Shop, Lutz
• Amish Creamery, Madeira Beach
• Haze Ice Cream Maderia Beach (we wrote about this spot in our guide to Three Perfect Days in Indian Shores)
• Strachan’s, multiple locations
• Gelato-Go Channelside