A sundae once showed up at my table in an actual kitchen sink, and that is when I knew Florida was hiding something sweet. Across the state, small parlors with checkered floors, spinning stools, and old signs are still scooping like it is 1958.
Many of them look plain from the road, but one bite of hot fudge can turn a quick stop into a memory you keep for years. Grab a spoon, because these nine spots are worth a weekend drive.
1. Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant
Sirens and sparklers are not what most people expect with dessert. At this South Florida landmark, though, that is exactly how the famous Kitchen Sink sundae arrives, piled into a real sink and meant for a crowd of four or more.
Jaxson’s has been scooping since 1956, and the walls prove it. Vintage license plates, antique signs, and Tiffany lampshades fill every corner, so you could spend an hour just looking around.
There is even a candy shop inside stocked with old-fashioned sweets and novelty treats.
The ice cream is made in-house, and the portions are big enough to make you laugh. A full food menu covers half-pound burgers, gourmet hot dogs, and hot pastrami on marble rye, plus free popcorn to nibble while you wait.
Plan for a line on weekend evenings, since reservations are not taken. Weekday afternoons are calmer, and late hours on Friday and Saturday make it a fun after-dinner stop.
2. Cherry Smash
Every inch of wall space seems to tell a story here. Collages, collectibles, and antiques cover this Coral Springs parlor, giving it an offbeat, attic-treasure personality that feels nothing like a chain shop.
Sundaes are the main event, and they lean toward over-the-top. The turtle sundae and the classic fudge brownie sundae are local favorites, and mint chocolate chip under a blanket of hot fudge is a combo worth trying at least once.
Flavors run from traditional to creative, so indecisive eaters might need a minute. Milkshakes and floats round out the menu, and a small candy corner adds to the nostalgia.
Doors open in the afternoon, which makes it a perfect after-school or post-errand treat. Saturday nights get lively, so go earlier if you want room to browse the decor.
3. The Soda Fountain
Along Edgewater Drive in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood, a cheerful sign invites you to slow down. Inside, a marble-style counter and spinning stools set a 1950s mood before you even see the menu.
The ice cream is homemade and hand-dipped, served in portions that feel generous for the price. Two scoops go a long way, and kid-sized cones and cups keep little ones happy.
Fountain creations are the real draw. Classic floats, fizzy phosphates, and a towering banana split fill the menu, along with hot dogs if you need something salty first.
Friendly staff and a warm, welcoming room make this an easy family stop. Pair it with a stroll through the neighborhood shops on a mild winter afternoon.
4. West Orange Creamery and Soda Fountain
Real sodas, mixed by hand with syrup and carbonated water, set this Ocoee shop apart. It is the old way of doing things, and it pairs nicely with a scoop of Hershey’s ice cream.
The family-owned parlor serves cups, cones, and pints, plus shakes that border on epic. The Black and White Classic Milkshake is a timeless pick, while the Classic Hot Fudge Sundae keeps things simple and satisfying.
Nana’s Love specialty sundaes bring a homemade touch to the menu. Ice cream sandwiches built with fresh-baked cookies are another reason to linger.
Hours are limited early in the week, since the shop is closed Monday and Tuesday. Weekend afternoons are the sweet spot, especially after exploring west Orange County.
5. Old Time Soda Fountain
Built in 1905, the building alone is worth the drive to Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Step inside and you find an interior that has barely changed in decades, with a fountain counter and fixtures dating to the early 1960s.
Blue Bell ice cream fills the freezer case. From the classic fountain setup come ice cream sodas, floats, malts, and a proper banana split.
Half the shop doubles as a souvenir store, so you can grab a keepsake with your shake. Prices on gifts are fair, and service moves quickly.
Open Monday through Saturday until 5 PM, it fits neatly into a day of wandering downtown Apalachicola. An autumn coastal road trip here feels just right.
6. Larry’s Ice Cream & Gelatos
Sandy feet and sticky fingers are practically a dress code on Gulf Boulevard. Larry’s sits right on the main drag of St. Pete Beach, making it an easy stroll after a day in the Gulf.
Dozens of flavors of ice cream and gelato line the case, with favorites like Samoas and mint chip. Scoops are massive, toppings are generous, and waffle cones come dipped.
Fresh donuts, a donut sundae, Belgian crepes, and apple pie a la mode push the menu into carnival territory. Chili cheese dogs and Chicago dogs cover the savory side.
Open daily until 10:30 PM, it is a natural sunset stop. Outdoor seating lets you enjoy the salty breeze with every bite.
7. Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts – Palm Harbor
First, the name: it is pronounced straw-hanns. Once you have that down, the rest is easy, because the homemade ice cream speaks for itself.
Carrot cake ice cream is the flavor that gets people talking, and the Carrot Cake Sundae takes it even further. Peppermint and cookies is another standout, alongside classics like strawberry and vanilla.
Pies and chocolates share the spotlight, so dessert here can go well beyond a cone. A Coke float or the Strachans Banana Split covers the soda fountain side.
Outdoor seating and quick service make it great on a spring evening. Expect a bustle on weekends and sweet, bakery-style smells the moment you walk in.
8. Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream
Southwest Florida vacationers have been known to plan whole trips around a stop here. Royal Scoop has become a Bonita Springs fixture, supplying local events and businesses with its homespun flavors.
The flavor list feels endless, from vanilla and blueberry cheesecake to spumoni and passion fruit sorbet. Non-dairy options mean everyone at the table gets a treat, and free samples help you choose.
A lunch menu with wraps and egg salad sandwiches makes it more than a dessert run. The Scoopaccino ice cream drink is a fun afternoon pick-me-up.
Retro decor, a roomy seating area, and plenty of parking keep things relaxed. Hours run daily until 10 PM.
9. Dairy Joy- Tampa Ice Cream
Since 1958, this South Tampa drive-in has been dipping cones in chocolate. It still looks the part, with retro charm that fits right in with doo-wop tunes and classic cars.
Soft-serve is the heart of the menu, but hand-dipped premium ice cream and dairy-free options are here too. The chocolate dipped vanilla cone is a must, and a Butterfinger shake makes a fine sidekick.
Huge sundaes, hot dogs, and friendly prices keep families coming back. A small playground, a patio, and cornhole give kids room to burn off the sugar.
Summer evenings are prime time, so arrive a little early on weekends. It is a sweet way to end a day in the Tampa Bay area.