Vacation time is here, and that probably means you are spending a lot of time at the beach and in the sun! My favorite thing to do after a long day at the beach is to get ice cream on the way home, and if you are anything like me, you usually want to try something local. As always, menu items and prices are subject to change. That being said, Florida definitely has the best ice cream that I have tried, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
The Best Soft Serve Ice Cream in Clearwater
The first place I would suggest is Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard. This ice cream shop is located on Court Street and the closest to the Avalon. There is no indoor seating, just a walk up window to order, but plenty of picnic benches outside, and a convenient drive thru. My personal favorite to get from there is the Gelati, which is Italian ice with custard. There are seasonal options for the Italian ice, and staff are always more than happy to provide samples if you can’t decide on a flavor! They do also have milkshakes, frozen custard and Italian ice combinations. There is definitely something for everybody!
The second place I would suggest would be Strachan’s Homemade Ice Cream. They have a large array of ice cream flavors to choose from that you can get in a cone or dish. They also have sorbets and a wide variety of tropical flavors to enjoy, including dairy free options! In addition to their signature flavors and sorbets, there are also some limited custards and sherbets. Another thing that I love about this place is that they have cakes and pies you can get for later!
The third place I would suggest would be Dairy Kurl. It’s a cute, hole in the wall type of place but definitely worth a visit! Something that I think is nice about this place is that they have kids sizes all the way up to their “extra-large monster” sizes, they cater to all hunger levels! I also love their different ice cream combinations! Everything from milkshakes, malts, sundaes, banana splits, and ice cream that can come in a bowl, waffle cone or waffle cup. Also, if you like shaved ice and are feeling adventurous, they do have some wacky flavors, from dill pickle to tigers blood, in addition to their traditional flavors. If you want a meal before dessert, they do have cheap combos that include a hotdog, a drink, and ice cream of your choice!
I encourage you all to support small businesses when possible and I hope you enjoy your cool treat while visiting our beautiful state!
Written by Haley G.