With everything going on in the world right now, the trivial nature of food and made up food related holidays is not lost on me. However, if going out with your family for the simple pleasure of an ice cream cone can give you even the briefest respite, I say go grab an ice cream cone and hug your loved ones tightly.

MATCHA HOUSE TEA AND CREAMERY

The owner of some other Mills 50 favorites like Poke Hana and Chi Kin has blessed us with what I have wanted for years, and Matcha café.
Along with matcha lattes and teas, you can also enjoy Matcha soft-serve and sundaes. Pictured below is the “matcha lover” which has coconut jelly, lychee fruit, and mochi. I am happy to report that I really liked the Matcha soft serve, and will be going back for more.

DaJen Cafe & Creamery

Queen of the vegan chefs, Jenn Ross not only makes amazing vegan dishes with a Jamaican twist, but she also makes her own vegan ice "irie" cream. From her strawberry irie cream to her peanut butter milkshakes, I promise that you will NOT miss dairy one bit. Don’t just go for ice cream, get the full experience.

I.CE.NY

We've seen a surge in rolled ice spots around town, and I.CE.NY is one option located in Baldwin Park. Create your own mixture with toppings of your choice, or go big with a Hong Kong bubble waffle.  Pictured below is a concoction of Thai iced tea ice cream, Pocky sticks, fruit loops and chocolate drizzle. If waffles aren't your thing you can choose a brownie or cookie as your baked good.  Take your treat just a few steps outside to enjoy while overlooking Lake Baldwin.

SE7ENBITES

Ice cream is not a main stay on the Se7enbites menu, but in the summertime Chef Trina treats us to some of her seasonal homemade flavors. This year she’s offerings an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie filled with banana ice cream, fried funnel cake apple pie topped with cinnamon ice cream and chipotle caramel, and blueberry bread pudding topped with lavender ice cream. These won’t be available for long so you’ll have to act quick.

PURPLE OCEANS SUPERFOOD BAR

Technically, this isn’t ice cream, but these frozen açaí scoops are the next best thing, allowing you to feel a little bit better about this indulgence. At any of their Orlando locations you can order frozen açaí in a bowl with toppings, or on top of a buckwheat waffle with fresh fruit. If you want to bypass the waffle, their bowls are amazing served plain or even in half of a pineapple. For optimal aesthetics visit the Florida Mall location where they have an adorable airstream.

JEREMIAH’S ITALIAN ICE

This local chain just keeps growing and I think it could be because cookie butter gelati and chocolate soft serve is one of the greatest combinations known to man.  Pictured below is horchata gelati paired with vanilla soft serve from the newest location in College Park.

POP Bar

It's a good thing that the Pop Bar came to the Prime Outlets, cause it's the perfect way to dull your parking rage. The pops are basically gelato on a stick, however there are fruit sorbet flavors as well.  They will cost you around $5.

Bambu

Boba is plentiful in Orlando, but I can assure none of them have quite the regal swag as Bambu.  Over in the Westside Crossings shopping center you'll find Bambu desserts and drinks with several options for smoothies, Vietnamese coffee, popsicles, boba, and Hong Kong waffles with ice cream, among other items. Go pick a chair, sit proudly on it, and treat yo self. 

PALETTE ICE BUBS + ICE CREAM

Palate Coffee Brewing has been in Sanford for a few years now, but they recently opened a new space across the street from their cafe for a sweeter purpose. Their small shop has ice cream and the popular Bubble Waffles. You can create your own, or choose from their signature creations.

Frozen Cow Ice Cream

If you love ice cream but aren't a fan of bovine growth hormones (shouldn't that be all of us) head to Frozen Cow Ice Cream. Located in Winter Garden off of Vineland Road, Frozen Cow boasts ice cream from Florida free-range cows, no high fructose corn syrup, and the use of only pure sugar cane. It's a bright and clean space perfect for taking a gaggle of kids after they've ran through the splash pad in downtown. The creation below is a doughnut ice cream sundae best split with friends for half the guilt.

TAGLISH

You can buy a pint of Ube ice cream at Trader Joe’s or you can support a local business and go get a halo halo. Over inside Lotte Market, Chef Michael Collantes serves up some of the best Filipino food in town and that includes this traditional dessert of shaved ice, Ube ice cream, sweet milk, jellies, and fruit.

Ice & Bites Cafe

Ice & Bites serves delicious taiyaki with ice cream, as well as fanciful affogato. Pick your choice of ice cream (I got lavender) and get a mug full of it topped with cotton candy and two pocky sticks and your espresso on the side. Additionally they have Sno, boba teas, milk teas, and other ice cream creations. 

Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream

Kelly's Homemade ice cream continues to reign supreme now with three locations! Her banana pudding, Mexican Chocolate, Alligator Tracks, and Rose Almond Pistachio are some of my favorite flavors. She continuously has new seasonal options to keep guests engaged. Pictured below is cinnamon crunch + birthday cake and I barely lived to tell the tale of how good this combo was.

West Orange Creamery

Whether you want a simple scoop of ice cream, an egg cream or an ample sundae, this relatively new spot in Ocoee is a great spot to gather with plenty of indoor and outdoor patio seating.  The owners struck a nice balance of an old-fashioned soda fountain with classic branding and modern fixtures.  On my first visit I ordered a 16 oz milkshake ($5.50) with hazelnut ice cream, whipped cream and of course a cherry on top.

Greenery Creamery

Grab vegan ice cream here along with regular dairy flavors. Popular for their insta worthy ash cones, this small shop offers flavors like ube, matcha, blueberry lavender and orange honey saffron. Get out of your cookies 'n cream comfort zone and try something new here. It's located in the bottom of the 420 building on Church Street and street parking it easiest here. They are also opening their newest location inside Henry’s Depot in Sanford.

Pictured below is the ube and matcha flavors on a ube cone.

Frostville Chamoyadas

If you don't know what Chamoyada is, it's a Mexican dessert that you may or may not love.  It is essentially a combination of chamoy sauce, shaved ice, chili powder, fruit chunks and a tamarind straw. I won't lie, it was weird and I can only imagine it's an acquired taste. However that is just one of the many options you can get at this hole-in-the-wall in Apopka off of O.B.T. The other item I tried was a delicious fruit cup topped with strawberry ice cream. Much more pleasing to my personal palate.

GELATO-GO

Gelato-Go has locations in Florida and New York, and our local shop sits pretty on Park Avenue. I’m happy to report that their gelato is rich and creamy, and not at all icy or bland. The flavors run the spectrum so whether you want something light and fruity or deeply chocolate you’ll be satisfied. You can of course try before you buy. If gelato isn’t calling your name they have coffee and pastries as well.

For the full experience you can ask for extra chocolate topping and record in slow-mo as it rains all over your gelato. This isn’t actually the most instagrammable scoop they serve, but the mix of hazelnut and coffee is quite delicious.

Midnight Sun Ice Cream

If I only had one option for ice cream for the rest of my life Midnight Sun would win easily.  Currently, the only place you can get happily bloated off their goods is at the Deland Farmer's Market on Friday nights from 6PM - 9PM. I promise you, it's worth your gas money. Pro Tip: The market itself is a great Friday night getaway. Check their Instagram for the current market schedule.

Domu

If you are at the East End Market and are looking for a cold treat you can head into Domu and ask the bartender for their current flavor of their rotating soft serve ice cream flavor. They've had matcha, taro, black belgium chocolate with activated charcoal just to name a few flavors. Leave room after you indulge in the KFC wings for a swirl.

BLENDED BISTRO + BOBA

There’s a few spots for ice cream in College Park but Blended Bistro is the only place you can get a Bubble Waffle. Choose between Vanilla and Chocolate and add your desired toppings and drizzles.

LAKE MEADOW NATURALS

This working farm is known for fresh meats, butters, preserves, and other groceries, but they now have ice cream! Kreider Farms in Pennsylvania supplies them with premium ice cream hand-cranked in small batches.

ORANGE BLOSSOM CANDIES + CREAM

This is a brand new, family-owned shop in Montverde that is serving up sweet Florida charm. Check out the specialty milkshakes like Orange Blossom, Frosted Lemonade, and Lavender Vanilla.

Wondermade

Famously known for their marshmallows, Wondermade now uses their space in historic Downtown Sanford as a full dessert cafe.  Walking through the downtown area is supremely better with a  "smores popsicle"  or "Krispwich" in hand.  Even if you don't go for something instaworthy, their flavors are sure to please with unique options like avocado and cornbread ice creams.

SOHO JUICE COMPANY

Another healthier alternative is the soft “swerve” at Soho Juice Company. Made with coconut and plant-based proteins, this is a great non-dairy alternative.

Mr. Cool Ice Cream

This particular spot is on I-Drive (the quieter end) has plenty of rolled ice cream flavors and options. Rolled ice cream is much lighter than traditional ice cream so it's a great alternative for something light when you have a sweet craving. Pro Tip: This particular location is right near some terrible tourist shops littered with Florida memorabilia that you really need to walk through just for fun. 

TWISTEE Treat

I know I'm not blowing anyone's mind by adding Twistee Treat to this list, but I have to because it was the only place I ever got ice cream from growing up. The only item I have ever ordered is the vanilla soft serve dipped in butterscotch coating and it's perfect every time.

IF YOU ARE IN LAKELAND

MAYDAY ICE CREAM

Inside Lakeland’s newest food hall, The Joinery, you’ll find St. Augustine based ice cream from MayDay. They have interesting flavors I chose Blueberry Toast Crunch and Raja Honey. To top that off you can have them scooped in a pretzel cone, which was salty (duh), and brought all the flavors together. Their pints can also be purchased for delivery.

IF YOU ARE IN St. Petersburg

BRIGHT ICE

This is a relatively new shop that offers small-batch ice creams with unique flavor profiles. I got roasted strawberries with sugar and balsamic, along with their deepest darkest chocolate. If ice cream isn’t something you are craving, they also double as a cafe with espresso-based drinks, and fresh pastries.
The decor is bright and beautiful.

PLANT LOVE ICE CREAM

Plant Love ice cream is 100% dairy free and focuses on zero waste. Normally I can tell a difference when eating dairy free ice cream but this is honestly some of the best I’ve ever had. It’s rich, creamy and decadent. If you find yourself in downtown St. Petersburg I would definitely check this place out.

IF YOU ARE IN TAMPA

CHILL BROS SCOOP SHOP

Over in Ybor City, this ice cream shop has huge waffle cones that I would suggest filling with a syrup of your choice and then adding in your dreamy, creamy layers with their homemade ice cream. The space, like many of the newer spots in Tampa, indulge in photo-ready colors and corners making sharing your treats that much sweeter. Oatmeal cookie and pumpkin ice cream flavors hit the spot.

REVOLUTION ICE CREAM CO.

In Seminole Heights (actually right next to King of the Coop) is some seriously good small-batch Artisan ice cream. They had Coquito flavored ice cream on my last visit which absolutely floored me. Go here!

SWEET SOUL

If you are looking to indulge your sweet tooth in a healthier way, I’d suggest Sweet Soul. It’s a small shop but they still take advantage of their space to make it cute and fun, while serving up acai bowls, smoothies, and even Matcha soft serve.

Other notable spots to check out include Goff's, Red Cone ice cream, Freddy's Frozen Custard, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, and the many Boba spots around town.

All photos were taken by me and cannot be used without my permission. All food was paid for by me, this is not a sponsored post and I was not paid to include any business within this round-up.