20 essential old-school ice cream shops in Tampa Bay

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

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

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

Papa Clyde’s Ice Cream

1217 Kass Cir., Spring Hill, 352-688-4464
From pumpkin to peanut butter overload, Papa Clyde’s offers a diverse selection of ice cream, sundaes and banana splits in an atmosphere that has changed little since its opening. With reminiscent decor and prices that be beat, this place is a Hernando County classic.
Photo via 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 Shake Pit/google

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 Hudson Ice Cream Parlor/website

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

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 Sweetie’s/Google

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 Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts Palm Harbor/Facebook

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 The Citrus Place/Facebook