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The Best Shaved Ice, Cookies, and Ice Cream in Lakeland + Polk County

Ice Cream Sweet Treats

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! And cookies! And frozen yogurt! And gelato! And cupcakes! And Italian ice!

No matter how you like to satisfy your sweet tooth, with your help we’ve put together a list of the best places to find sweet eats, frozen treats, and ice cream in Lakeland FL, Bartow, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Lake Wales and beyond. We asked, you answered and gave us your favorites, and told us some of these treats are definitely worth the drive.

Use the handy map at the bottom to find ice cream near you, frozen yogurt near you, cookies near you, or even create your own ice cream sampling tour.

After you get your fill of ice cream, be sure to check out our guide to the best local donut shops and best local coffee shops.

Ice Cream Near You: Lakeland

Andy’s Frozen Custard

Andy’s Frozen Custard has a wide variety of treats from simple vanilla or chocolate cones, to sundaes, concretes and more. Limited time seasonal favorites include Pumpkin Pie Concretes, Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes, Key Lime Pie Concretes and more. You can drive-through or visit the walk up window.
4046 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33813

Mayday Ice Cream

Located inside The Joinery on Lake Mirror, Mayday Ice Cream is ah-mazing! Handcrafted artisan ice cream with flavors like key lime pie, mint monster, bourbon pecan and so many more. TIP – try a homemade waffle cone.
640 E Main St Lakeland, FL 33801

Bruster’s Ice Cream

We rarely drive by Bruster’s on any given day when there isn’t a line of people waiting to get a cone, bowl, or banana split of Bruster’s freshly made ice cream.  They carry a huge variety of flavors, and also serve frozen yogurt, sorbet, milkshakes, cakes, pies, and more. As an added bonus, they give free baby cones to children under 40″ and free ‘doggie sundaes’ to your furry friend, so bring the entire family for some Bruster’s fun! Bruster’s Ice Cream is located on 540A down the road from Christina Park.
955 East CR540A, Lakeland, Florida 33813

Ice Cream Near Me Lakeland FL

Lakeland Ice Cream Company

This locally owned ice cream shop has over 60 flavors of hand-dipped premium ice cream, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and frozen yogurt! Try Lakeland Ice Cream Company shakes, malts, ice cream nachos, seasonal sundaes (that change monthly) AND the FAMOUS Cotton Candy Burrito!
2973 Duff Road, Lakeland, Florida 33810

Cake Makers Studio

Cake Makers Studio offers custom cakes beyond your imagination! They specialize in unique, out of the box and different cakes, you won’t believe it’s just a cake! Also offering working cow ice cream, shakes, cupcakes and more at their downtown Lakeland location.
117 South Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801

Cold Stone Creamery

If you’ve never had a “Coldstone Creation,” do yourself a favor and get one soon! You’ll be overwhelmed by the choices at Coldstone – freshly made ice cream flavors, mix-ins, sundaes, bowls, cones – but have no fear, Coldstone has plenty of Signature Creations for you to pick one and then watch the magic happen. Ice cream makers take the ice cream, mix-ins, and then chop and fold it all together using two spades on a frozen granite stone. Deliciousness. Located next to Cobb Theatres at Lakeside Village.
1615 Town Center Dr, Lakeland, Florida 33803

Milkster Nitrogen Creamery

Not just an average trip to the ice cream shop, a visit to Milkster Nitrogen Creamery is an experience. Pick your toppings and mix ins, then watch as liquid nitrogen magically freezes your creamy base into ice cream. Create your own masterpiece or pick from select recipes and then watch the process from start to finish.

Milkster started in Michigan but all franchises are locally owned, they also offer coffee and milkshakes.
5178 County Line Road, Lakeland, FL 33811

Frozen Yogurt Near You: Lakeland

Yogurt Mountain

What’s more fun than making your own frozen yogurt creation?? At Yogurt Mountain, you dispense your own frozen yogurt, add toppings, and voila – a masterpiece! Fun for kids, fun for adults, and pure deliciousness all around. Can’t pick just one flavor? Get a pre-mixed swirl, OR use a divider to make two different creations in one bowl. Located inside Books-A-Million at Lakeside Village.
1479 Town Center Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803

Cookies Near You: Lakeland

Twisted Sugar

Brand new in Lakeland just in time for Summer 2022, Twisted Sugar is an artisan cookie and craft soda shoppe. Their menu includes unique cookie flavors like salted caramel, key lime pie, nutella and more. With 14+ different cookies, ice cream twisters, and over 50 sodas to choose from, everyone can find something sweet to satisfy your craving.  
3958 S Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33813 – Next to HTeaO Lakeland and Mission BBQ

Shaved Ice Near You

Pelican’s Snoballs

The “Original New Orleans” SnoBall! With fluffy snow, over 100 fantastic flavors, a great family atmosphere and Pelican’s is the hot spot to cool you down. Pelican’s Snoballs has 3 locations for shaved ice in Polk County – Lakeland, Auburndale, and Winter Haven.
3056 Cypress Gardens Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884
1020 U.S. 92, Auburndale, Florida 33823
2510 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida 33803

Shaved Ice Near Me

Cain’s Snowballs

Imagine powdered snow covered in flavored syrup and toppings – that is Cain’s Snowballs! They offer Hawaiian and New Orleans style shaved ice. Pick your favorite flavor and add toppings to create your own snowball perfection. 
590 Avenue C SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Italian Ice Near You

Rita’s Italian Ice

Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard is one of my family’s favorite places for a treat. Enjoy Italian ice, custard, or mix them up for a gelati. Rita’s opened in Lakeland in late 2021 and we are excited to have this option for gelato / Italian ice.
Market Square Shopping Center3115 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33805

Mimi’s Italian Ice and Ice Cream

Mimi’s Italian Ice is a new homemade Italian Ice Shop in Lakeland Fl that serves Italian Ice and homemade Dairy Free,Gluten Free,Vegan Ice Cream.
3120 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL, 33803

Sweet Treats + Ice Cream in Winter Haven

Andy’s Igloo Winter Haven

Andy’s Igloo will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, in the most perfect way. From their diner stools to the interior decor, the burgers and shakes will have you coming back for more. Andy’s Igloo has an extensive shake list, and they are all SO GOOD. In a hurry? Hit up the drive up/walk up window for a to-go order. {No connection to Andy’s in Lakeland}
703 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven, Florida 33880

Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop

This is a Gourmet Cupcake & Bake Shop located in Winter Haven, custom orders are welcome but they also stock a variety of flavors for walk in purchase at the Bake Shop, including cupcakes, brownies, cookies, cake pops, cheesecakes, pies and more. Gourmet Goodies is located in Downtown Winter Haven at Central Park near the Library.
68 Fourth St. NW, Winter Haven, Florida 33881

Desserts Near Me

Sugar & Slice

Stop in at Sugar & Slice to grab a cupcake, cookie, or place an order for your next event! Custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, and more. Located on Central Ave in downtown Winter Haven.
222 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven, Florida 33880

Favorite Ice Cream Spots in Polk County

IKE’S Eats and Treats

Serving Working Cow Ice Cream, sodas, floats, milkshakes, sandwiches, hot dogs and more. Kids can play arcade games, or walk across the street to the AWESOME playground in Downtown Auburndale. Ike’s Eats and Treats is located at the corner of Park and Main Street.
103 Main St, Auburndale, Florida 33823

Cookie Jar Bakeshop

The Cookie Jar Bakeshop is a neighborhood bakery, serving its customers an assortment of fresh baked cookies, cakes, pies and treats. In addition to sweet treats, they also serve delicious options for breakfast, lunch, or just a cup of coffee. We speak from experience when we say that visiting for lunch is a good excuse to also sneak in a cookie or other too-good-to-resist dessert! The Cookie Jar also makes custom cookies, cakes, and other specialty items. Located on Main Street in Bartow.
305 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830

Two Crazy Nuts

Two Crazy Nuts in Downtown Bartow has something to make everyone happy! Ice cream, whoopie pies, fudge, boiled peanuts, and more. Check it out during an event in Bartow or anytime your sweet tooth strikes!
125 South Central Ave. Bartow, FL 33830

Polk City Ice Cream Company

Proudly serving Award Winning Ice Cream Club Ice Cream. Polk City Ice Cream Company has over 40 flavors of hand served ice cream and other sweet treats.
213 Commonwealth Avenue North, Polk City, Florida 33868

Mulberry Ice Cream Company

Mulberry Ice Cream Company has over 70 flavors of hand dipped ice cream, plus homemade waffle cones, banana splits, floats, malts, sundaes, and more. Don’t miss the ice cream rolled inside a burrito of cotton candy!
112 NW 1st Ave, Mulberry, FL 33860

Topper’s Creamery

When a friend and I took the kids adventuring in Lake Wales, we ended our day with a stop at Topper’s for old fashioned soft serve ice cream. It was the perfect treat on a fall afternoon, and we all loved their variety of options for flavors and toppings. Seating is available outside in the shade. They do have a drive-thru if you’re getting your cold treat to-go. Topper’s Creamery is located on Hwy 60 at the intersection with Buckmoore Rd, look for the giant ice cream cone!
2043 Florida State Road 60, Lake Wales, Florida 33853

Culver’s Near You

Culver’s

Burgers + Frozen Custard = YUM. Culver’s is a national burger chain with locally owned and operated locations. Culver’s is known for their fresh frozen custard that is made throughout the day. Enjoy a concrete, sundae, shake, malt, float – all made with a base of vanilla or chocolate custard, OR try their Flavor of the Day that changes each day.
Wherever you live in Polk County, there is a Culver’s Near You.
Culver’s Lakeland: 5246 US Hwy 98 North, Lakeland, FL 33809
Culver’s Bartow / Lakeland: 4255 Clubhouse Rd, Highland City , FL 33812
COMING SOON – Culver’s Lakeland: 6400 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33813
Culver’s Winter Haven: 888 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Culver’s Plant City: 2103 N Park Rd, Plant City, FL 33563 (just outside of Polk County)
Culver’s Haines City: 37061 N US Hwy 27, Haines City, FL 33844

More Ice Cream Places

Dairy Queen

Store Locator
4114 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813
5239 US Highway 98 S, Lakeland, FL 33812
4710 US Highway 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809-3605
1795 N Broadway, Bartow, FL 33830
1702 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
511 Cypress Garden Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
24171 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859
36172 Hwy 27, Haines City, FL 33844

Baskin Robbins

Store Locator
2106 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803
5614 US Highway 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809
501 Magnolia Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823
1578 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Twistee Treat Lakeland

4945 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809

Map – Ice Cream Near You

Food + Restaurant Guide

Check out our Food + Restaurant Guide for more places to eat in Lakeland + Polk County including ice cream shops, coffee shops, donut shops, food banks, outdoor dining, Kids Eat Free deals, and more.