Three scoops, a split banana, and a cherry wobbling on top was all it took to turn a quick roadside stop in Florida into the best part of the whole trip. The sign out front looked tired and the parking lot was half empty, but the sundae that hit the counter could have fed a small team.
Across the state, a handful of retro parlors still build banana splits the generous way, with every sauce, nut, and swirl of whipped cream piled high. Grab a spoon and some napkins, because this sweet road trip is worth planning for this weekend.
1. Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, Dania Beach, FL
License plates cover the walls like a road trip that never ended, and that sets the tone before a single scoop arrives. Jaxson’s has been a South Florida landmark for decades, and its old-fashioned dining room still buzzes with noise, laughter, and the clink of long spoons.
Dessert here is less of a snack and more of a show. Scoops come in huge portions of homemade ice cream, and the banana splits tower with classic syrups, sauces, whipped cream, and cherries.
Bring friends, because finishing one solo is a serious challenge.
Hungry for something salty first? The menu covers burgers, hot dogs, and a hot pastrami on marble rye, and there is even a nostalgic candy shop to browse on the way out.
Table service keeps things relaxed, with prices running roughly $10 to $20 per person.
Plan around the crowds, since evenings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday usually mean a wait and reservations are not accepted. Doors open at 11:30 AM daily and stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which makes it a great late-night sugar stop.
2. Dairy Joy- Tampa Ice Cream, Tampa, FL
Soft serve tastes a little sweeter when it comes from a building that looks straight out of 1958. Dairy Joy in South Tampa keeps that vintage drive-in feel alive, and it has been doing exactly that for generations of local families.
The banana split is a core part of the menu, not an afterthought. You can build yours with soft serve or premium hand-dipped ice cream, then load it with classic toppings until the boat overflows.
Milkshakes are thick enough to test your straw, and the peanut butter shake has a loyal following.
Kids get a cute playground to burn off the sugar, and grownups appreciate the friendly prices. Hot dogs and dairy-free choices round things out for mixed groups.
Visits tend to be quick and casual, with no table service and a handy drive-thru when you are on the move. Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM most days and until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Larry’s Ice Cream & Gelatos, St Pete Beach, FL
Sandy flip-flops and a line out the door are basically the dress code at Larry’s. Sitting right on Gulf Boulevard, this old-timey parlor has become an annual beach vacation tradition for plenty of families.
Scoops here are famously huge, and toppings get piled on with a generous hand. Dozens of creamy ice cream and gelato flavors fill the case, so your banana split can go classic or wildly creative.
Dipped waffle cones are another reason people happily wait in line.
Beyond the splits, the menu wanders into a donut sundae, apple pie a la mode, giant cookies, and even burgers and hot dogs for a full beach-day meal. Seating stays clean and simple, with counter-style ordering keeping things moving.
Open daily from 10 AM to 10:30 PM, it works as a morning treat or an after-sunset finale. Weekday mornings are the calmest window if lines make you twitchy.
4. Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts – Palm Harbor, Palm Harbor, FL
Fresh fudge is the secret weapon at Strachan’s, and it shows up in the best possible places. This Palm Harbor favorite makes its ice cream in-house, giving every sundae a rich, homemade base.
The Strachans Banana Split is a signature on the menu, a loaded classic that shows off just how good homemade ice cream can be. Curious eaters should also try the carrot cake sundae or the carrot cake shake, two quirky treats that have won over plenty of locals.
A simple Coke float is there for traditionalists.
Service is fast and friendly, and the shop stays spotless. Outdoor seating makes it a lovely stop on a mild winter evening along the Pinellas coast.
Hours start at noon daily, closing at 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday evenings get busiest, so weekday afternoons offer a calmer scoop.
5. Dairy Kurl, Clearwater, FL
Back in 1953, a little family-owned stand started swirling soft serve in Clearwater, and it has been at it ever since. Dairy Kurl is often called the oldest ice cream shop in town, a true local relic where grandparents may have shared a sundae on a first date.
Vanilla soft serve is the star, smooth and simple. What makes it shine is the huge menu of toppings, from Nutella sundaes to crunchy M&M Kandy Kurls.
Banana splits come at prices that feel almost old-fashioned, too.
Floats, dipped cones, and shaved ice keep summer afternoons cool. Just know the setup is walk-up style with no restroom, so plan accordingly.
Open every day from noon to 10 PM, it makes an easy stop on the way to Clearwater Beach.
6. Cold Cow, St. Augustine, FL
Ask for a small and prepare to laugh, because the small here is huge. Cold Cow, a family-owned shop on Santa Maria Boulevard, treats portion sizes like a friendly dare, and the banana splits are a big reason people keep coming back.
Full traditional splits have gotten rare, so finding one built properly feels like a small win. The flavor list makes it even more fun, with Key Lime Pie, Cherries N Cream, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Dough all ready to share a dish.
Cups, cones, sundaes, shakes, and floats fill out the lineup.
Prices stay friendly, and the staff keeps lines moving even with big groups. After a day exploring the old streets of St. Augustine, it is a sweet way to cool down.
Hours run noon to 10 PM daily, with Friday and Saturday evenings drawing the biggest crowds.
7. Aj’s Market & Ice Cream at Southtowne, Pensacola, FL
Banana pudding ice cream inside a banana split sounds like a happy accident, but at Aj’s it is a smart order. This charming downtown Pensacola parlor lets you build a custom three-scoop split with your favorite flavors and toppings.
The classic version delivers a big, generous serving that feels like a trip back to the 1950s. Vegan ice cream options, including a much-loved vegan vanilla, mean nearly everyone can join in.
Half market and half parlor, the shop also serves deli-style sandwiches and coffee, with fun indoor seating and tables outside. It pairs well with a stroll through historic downtown.
Hours vary by day, opening at 10 AM most mornings and staying open until 11 PM Thursday through Saturday.