A Round-Up of Local Ice Cream Spots for When that Urge for a Cool Treat Strikes
I recently read a New York Times article lamenting the slow disappearance of the classic middle-class chain restaurant — places like Chili’s or The Olive Garden. The writer made an interesting observation: these restaurants, despite their corporate blandness, were among the last places where people from many walks of life might gather under the same roof. You wouldn’t necessarily sit together, but you’d share the same space, the same breadsticks, the same slightly-too-cold air conditioning. There’s something reassuring about brushing up against lives that don’t exactly mirror your own. The world may be pretty fragmented, but common denominators remain — simple pleasures like warm breadsticks or bottomless soup that transcend divides.
When my husband Richard and I first moved to Lighthouse Point in 1997, we found our own version of this communal gathering spot at the old walk-up Dairy Queen at The Shoppes of Beacon Light. On any given evening, you’d see a little slice of humanity — a pair of silver-haired retirees pulling up in a gleaming luxury sedan, a frazzled family spilling out of a minivan, one barefoot toddler inevitably sprinting across the parking lot.
Maybe that’s the quiet magic of ice cream. It’s not just a summer treat — it’s a small, happy excuse to get out of the house, linger under the evening sky, and be part of the messy, delightful mix of people that make up a community. — Susan Rosser
The Scoop
Chill-N uses liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze your custom order on the spot, creating a dense, creamy texture. Guests choose a base, mix-ins, and toppings, then watch as clouds of nitrogen turn it all into ice cream in seconds. Chill-N Ice has multiple South Florida locations. https://www.chillnicecream.com/
Dairy Queen is best known for their Blizzards, choose chocolate or vanilla and go to town with a variety of mix-ins from Snickers to Oreos. Additionally, we can’t forget to mention the chocolate or cherry dip, which adds a delightful crunchy sweetness. Dairy Queen has multiple South Florida locations. https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/
Da-Vinchy Ice Cream is making nitrogen ice cream on the spot all with an ocean view. Da-Vinchy Ice Cream is located at 707 N Broadwalk, #3, Hollywood
Dua Gelato & Coffee is a new spot in the Shoppes of Beacon light offering a ton of different gelato flavors that they make on premises. As an added bonus, there’s coffee! Dua Gelato & Coffee is located at 2484 N Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point, 754-307-2068 https://duagelato.com/
Frosty Point has an old-fashioned ice cream parlor vibe. They have plenty of options, including a Mexican chocolate flavor that has a hint of heat. They also offer sugar free options. Frosty Point is located at 2022 NE 36th St., Lighthouse Point, 954-933-1635
Gelateria serves up gelato right across from the beach. Is there anything better than walking along the beach, cone in hand on a summer night? Gelateria is located at 2096 NE Second St. Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort, 241 N Ocean Drive, Deerfield Beach, 954-428-2850 https://gelateriadeerfield.com/
I Scream Gelato, a chain of gelato shops, was inspired by a trip to Italy by the company’s founder. Gelato makers at each location create flavors from scratch at each location daily. I Scream Gelato has multiple locations in South Florida, https://iscream-gelato.com/
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream started as a side project in founder Kelly’s home kitchen while she was working as a nurse and raising a family. What began with trips to local farmers markets has grown into multiple scoop shops, known for creative flavors and a commitment to quality and community. Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Pompano Beach is located at 1700 NE 23rd St., Suite 105, Pompano Beach, 954-543-4171 https://www.kellyshomemadeicecream.com/
Kilwin’s is known for its rich, old-fashioned ice cream made with premium ingredients and a high butterfat content for extra creaminess. Flavors range from classics like Toasted Coconut and Mackinac Island Fudge to seasonal favorites and rotating specialties. Alongside scoops, they offer hand-dipped waffle cones, sundaes, and an array of house-made chocolates and fudge. Kilwin’s has multiple South Florida locations. https://www.kilwins.com/
Le Rendez-Vous is a small, unassuming shop just steps from Deerfield Beach offering gelato, plus a smattering of other stuff, including crepes and coffee. Le Rendez-Vous is located at 2066 N Ocean Drive, Deerfield Beach, 954-329-8057
Midnight Cookies & Cream has as the name implies a certain midnight-themed interior. Satisfy your sweet tooth with freshly baked cookies, ice cream, and milkshakes. Everything is made with all-natural ingredients, including the shop’s signature dough, mixed in-house daily. Midnight Cookies & Cream has multiple South Florida locations. https://midnightcookiesandcream.com/
Razzleberry’s Homemade Ice Cream crafts all its treats in-house using a rich 14% butterfat base for a truly creamy texture, alongside a rotating lineup of vegan coconut-based flavors and boozy “adult” varieties. With over 30 classic and creative flavors available as cups, cones, sundaes, shakes, banana splits, ice-cream sandwiches, espresso drinks, and affogatos—and a generous selection of toppings—they keep things simple and delicious Razzleberry’s has two locations in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale https://www.razzleberrysicecream.com/
Shishimai Ice Cream is located at 37 NE First St, Pompano Beach
Sprinkles and Scoops ice cream shop is located at 241 N Ocean Drive, Deerfield Beach, 954-573-7221
Surf N Spray is an unassuming, family-owned ice cream shop serving traditional ice cream plus soft serve. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — one of life’s great pleasures is slurping an ice cream cone while taking a walk on the beach. Surf N Spray is located at 1404 N Broadwalk, Hollywood
Whit’s Frozen Custard serves frozen custard made fresh daily. The flavors are — wait for it — vanilla and chocolate. But if you’re a custard purist, this is your spot. Plus you can spiff up your treat with about a zillion toppings. Whit’s Frozen Custard is located at 4850 N Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, 954-531-6950 https://whitscustard.com/
Wilton Creamery offers seasonal and rotating flavors along with some dairy-free options. This place is a bit more upscale than your average ice cream place. Toppings include moscato wine soaked pineapple, basil/balsamic strawberries. Some inventive flavors are pecan-prailine dulce, strong coffee and Snickers adjacent. Wilton Creamery is located at 2301 Wilton Drive, #C4, Wilton Manors, 954-565-1183, https://www.wiltoncreamery.com/
Yo Mama’s Ice Cream claims to be five minutes to anywhere on the beach —because everyone knows one of life’s great pleasures is ice cream on a hot day with an ocean view. Their ice cream is homemade and hormone-free. They specialize in create your own sundaes, so let your imagination run wild. Yo Mama’s Ice Cream is located at 901 Sunrise Lane, Fort Lauderdale, 954-982-2141, http://www.yomamasicecream.com/#/
The G.O.A.T.
(Greatest Of All Time) Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour
No South Florida round up of ice cream shops would be complete without a nod to Jaxson’s. A nostalgic gem, Jaxson’s has been delighting families since 1956 with its homemade ice cream and whimsical décor. Famous for the Kitchen Sink — created by the founder, Monroe Udell. Served up in a kitchen sink of his design, this ultimate ice cream creation features approximately one pound of ice cream per person (you choose your flavors!). The concoction comes topped with bananas, homemade whipped cream, mixed nuts, and lots of cherries. Then, just before it arrives at your table, they add a sparkler or two and sound the Jaxson’s siren! Jaxson’s is located at 128 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach, 954-923-4445, https://www.jaxsonsicecream.com/
Know Your Frozen Treats
Is it ice cream, gelato or custard?
Ice cream is made with cream, milk, sugar, and sometimes eggs, then churned to create a creamy texture. By U.S. standards, it must have at least 10% milk fat, though many premium brands go even richer. French-style ice cream includes eggs.
Gelato, the Italian cousin, uses more milk, less cream, and little to no egg. It’s churned slowly with less air, making it dense, silky, and served slightly warmer.
Frozen custard elevates the experience with even greater richness, utilizing egg yolks to craft a smooth, custardy flavor with a texture akin to gelato, yet boasting a richer taste.