The 5 Best Frozen Dessert Spots in Orlando
Orlando, Florida, is full of all kinds of fun things to do, as it’s packed with more than a dozen theme parks, from Walt Disney World to Universal Studios and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But on those hot days when you’ve either been running around theme parks or running errands all day, it’s important to know where all the hot spots are to get a nice, cool treat. So if there is an Orlando, Florida, vacation in your not-so-distant future or if you’re from around the area, come with us as we ride into our top five picks for the best frozen dessert shops in Orlando, also known as The City Beautiful!
Twistee Treat of I-Drive
What’s better than ice cream on a humid day? Ice cream on a humid day from inside of an ice cream cone-like structure! At this fun and unique ice cream shop located on International Drive, you can get soft-serve ice cream, handdipped, sundaes, shakes, and malts among their fun ice cream creations; take for instance their “Dirt Cup,” which is made with a waffle cone, chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, Oreo crumbs, and topped off with gummy worms. Another cool creation, their “Superman’s Delight,” is made with Superman ice cream, gummy bears, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and a cherry on top.
Twistee Treat is family owned and has been operating under new management since January of 2017 with a passion for delivering satisfaction with only the best, most exciting ice cream flavors.
Word on The Street
Folks love coming here after a long day of touring or just living every day life. Fan favorite ice creams and creations include their chocolate, strawberry, and their Hot Fudge Sundae.
Ginther’s Swirls Ice Cream
Ginther’s is a laid-back, family owned, counter-serve establishment that churns out soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes. You can choose to sit inside and enjoy your delicious frozen treats, or you can opt for their patio seating just outside; but if you don’t want to do either of those, their drive-thru and walk-up windows are open to get you going quickly! Be sure to try some of their fun Flavorburst ice creams, which include the Blue Goo, Peach Twist, and Pina Colada.
This is a family-owned small business, and the family that owns it happens to also own two Twistee Treats as well! Ginther’s was opened in January of 2014 at its International Drive location. Ginther’s only makes their ice creams with real milk and cream, which are served in waffle cones, sugar cones, and cups. They encourage everyone to look at their menu for their entire list of wonderful ice cream offerings.
Word on The Street
Folks love that Ginther’s has a drive-thru, and some even say that their Dole Whip is better than Disney’s, so watch out! Fan favorite treats include their Twirls (similar to a Sonic Blast, but with more toppings), Dole Whip, and their Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
Kelly’s is a cute little pink and white ice cream parlor that serves up a wide variety of handmade ice creams and sorbets. Along with making their own ice creams and sorbets, they also construct ice cream cakes for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for classics like strawberry or more unique and interesting flavors, such as Kelly’s Maple Bourbon Bacon or Rose Almond Pistachio, it’s not hard to find a delightful frozen treat here, no matter what your tastes.
Kelly, her husband Scott, and their daughters Nora and Veda are who make this ice cream shop what it is; Kelly took on a part-time job of scooping ice cream while she was going through nursing school, and it became not just a job that helped pay her way through school, but also a fun way to relax from studying all the time, plus she enjoyed making people smile. That was the main thing she remembered, and she and her husband worked their way up to her dream of having her own ice cream parlor. That dream came true in 2015 when she opened her first shop in Audubon Park, and she’s just kept going ever since.
Word on The Street
No matter what time of the year it is, folks line up for Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, whether it’s a classic favorite, something unique, or a seasonal flavor. Fan favorites include their Cannoli & Dark Chocolate, Cookie Monster, and Chocolate Brownie ice creams.
The Soda Fountain
Located on Edgewater Drive, The Soda Fountain is the place to go for a fun frozen treat. They provide counter service in a classic-meets-contemporary style parlor, and you can also hire them for catering services for parties and even rent their ice cream cart! From scoops to sundaes and milkshakes to floats and sorbet spritzers, there is a frozen treat here for just about anyone. They even have what they call “The Blacklist,” which is full of nothing but adult milkshakes that are infused with a healthy dose of alcohol. Check out their full menu for all of their fun frozen treat options and be sure to stop in and try them out if you’re in the area!
Word on The Street
Loyal patrons love that The Soda Fountain is open a little later and that they are priced fairly. Fan favorite treats include their Dreamsicle, Root Beer Float, and their Key Lime Slush with Rum.
Popbar
Popbar is located on International Drive and is all about handcrafted gelato on a stick! Yes, you read that right! This one-of-a-kind, scoop-free dessert comes in a variety of over fifty flavors and are all made by hand at the shop location with only the best, all-natural ingredients. You can even have these hand-held delights dipped and topped just how you like them!
Popbar has grown and expanded since its initial opening in the heart of the West Village of NYC in 2010; by 2013, Popbar’s first franchisees brought Popbar out to the West Coast in the Anaheim Packing House. 2018 saw them expand their menu to include their gelatoShakes, and then in 2019, they opened their first shop in Europe in Portugal. As of 2020, their new Midtown Manhattan production facility was born, and is dedicated to delivery, wholesale, and even catering.
Word on The Street
People love Popbar’s interesting approach to gelato! Fan favorites include their mandarin and tangerine gelatos.
So no matter what sort of sweet treat you’re looking for, it’s most assured that Orlando’s got it. We hope that this list of our five picks for the best frozen dessert shops in Orlando helps you along the way, whether you’re going on vacation or if you’re a local just trying to find somewhere to go for great frozen desserts.