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If you’re looking to scoop out the best ice cream in St. Petersburg, FL, here’s a mouthwatering roundup of the top 10 ice cream spots locals and visitors rave about:
1. Paciugo Gelato & Caffè
Voted Best Gelato in Tampa Bay multiple times, Paciugo serves over 40 rich, creamy flavors that regularly earn top reviews. ilovetheburg.com+4Paciugo Gelato & Caffe+4Yelp+4
2. Small Batch Creamery
Known for scratch-made ice cream onsite with inventive flavors like peanut butter and coconut. Offers shakes, floats, affogato, and ice cream sandwiches. Small Batch Creamery
3. La Diperie
This creative spot lets you dip soft serve or ice cream sandwiches into chocolate and toppings—with over 30 dipping varieties. A sugar-rush experience! Yelp
4. Bright Ice Scoop Shop
A newer artisan shop adding bold flavors and local buzz, recognized as runner-up in local polls. reddit.com+1reddit.com+1
5. Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (Uptown St. Pete)
Locally owned, community-focused, offering carefully churned ice cream with friendly service in a vibrant part of the city. kellyshomemadeicecream.comkellyshomemadeicecream.com
6. Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop (St. Pete Beach)
Family-run with thick, Amish-style ice cream, unique sundaes, and options like edible cookie dough—set by the beach with 14% butterfat joy. ilovetheburg.com+1larrysicecream.com+1
7. Larry’s Ice Cream & Gelatos
A long-standing favorite on St. Pete Beach offering 100+ flavors, mini donuts, shakes, sundaes, and hot dogs. Nostalgic and delicious. visitstpeteclearwater.com
8. Twistee Treat (St. Pete Beach)
Iconic giant cone-shaped building serving soft-serve, banana splits, brownie sundaes, and more—fun and photogenic. wanderlog.com
9. Let It Be Ice Cream (Gulfport)
Quaint and nostalgic with checkerboard floors and daily small-batch flavors like Butter Pecan and Pistachio—plus shakes, malts, and floats. lovingstpete.com
10. Wildflower Ice Cream
Soft serve specialty with dairy-free options and an impressively large selection of flavor combos covering every craving. ilovetheburg.com
Suggested Ice Cream Crawl Itinerary
Downtown Dive
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Start at Small Batch Creamery on 4th Street for artisanal favorites.
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Then head over to Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Uptown for community charm.
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Wrap up at La Diperie for a dipped dessert overload.
Beachside Sweets
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Visit Paciugo on Beach Drive for authentic Italian gelato.
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Walk or drive to Sprinkles or Larry’s on St. Pete Beach for old-school fun.
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Snap a photo at Twistee Treat’s giant cone building.
Beyond the City
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Make the short trip to Gulfport for Let It Be Ice Cream, perfect for a retro stop.
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Don’t miss Wildflower for creative soft serve mixes on Dr. MLK Jr St.
💬 Insider Opinions from Locals
On Reddit, locals said:
“Lulu’s on Gulf Blvd is the best … they make their own in small batches…”
“We are quite fond of haze ice cream” and “Plant+Love is delicious.” Small Batch Creamery+2Yelp+2Yelp+2Yelp+2Yelp+2Yelp+2tripadvisor.ca+6ilovetheburg.com+6Yelp+6Tripadvisor+2wanderlog.com+2stpetebeachicecream.com+2lovingstpete.com+1ilovetheburg.com+1facebook.com+1ilovetheburg.com+1ilovetheburg.com+5reddit.com+5tripadvisor.ca+5
And Tampa Magazine’s Best of St. Pete 2025 round-up placed Bright Ice Scoop Shop as a beloved runner-up. Yelp+3tampamagazines.com+3Tripadvisor+3
Why These Spots Made the Cut
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Flavor variety & creativity: Paciugo, Wildflower, Small Batch
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Instagram-worthy fun: La Diperie dipping, giant-cone Twistee Treat
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Vintage charm: Let It Be, Kelly’s, Larry’s
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Local favorites & awards: Paciugo, Bright Ice, Kelly’s, Sprinkles
💡 Tips for Ice Cream Lovers
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit early evenings or weekday afternoons to avoid lines |
| Photo ops | Don’t forget your camera at Twistee Treat and Larry’s outdoor seating |
| Pairing treats | Enjoy mini donuts at Larry’s or waffle cones at Bright Ice |
| Dietary options | Wildflower and Small Batch offer vegan/gluten-free scoops |
🍧 Final Scoop
St. Petersburg truly serves up some of Florida’s most exciting and accessible ice cream—from artisanal neighborhood shops to retro beachside classics. Whether you’re craving creamy gelato, inventive flavors, or nostalgic sundaes, this city has something sweet for everyone.
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