Best Ice Cream in Miami: 10 Spots You Can't Miss
AI-generated (Nano Banana Pro)Miami's heat is relentless, which means the city has gotten very good at one thing: frozen treats. Whether you want a Cuban-inspired scoop dripping with guava on Calle Ocho or a Portland-transplant flavor with rotating seasonal ingredients in Wynwood, you'll find a shop worth the line. Here are the best ice cream spots in Miami, organized by neighborhood so you can plan your sweet detour no matter where your day takes you.
Little Havana: Where Ice Cream Meets Cuban Flavor
Azucar Ice Cream Company is the crown jewel of Miami's ice cream scene and the shop you've probably already seen on social media. Located at 1503 SW 8th Street — right in the middle of Little Havana's food corridor — Azucar turns tropical and Cuban flavors into scoops you won't find anywhere else. The signature "Abuela Maria" combines guava, cream cheese, and Maria cookies into something that tastes like a hug from your grandmother. Other standouts include café con leche, mango, and a rotating seasonal menu.
Hours are Monday–Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM, Thursday–Saturday 11 AM–11 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–10 PM. Expect a single scoop around $8 and pints around $10. The line moves fast, but it's worth the wait — and you can walk it off with a stroll through Domino Park and Calle Ocho afterward.
Aubi & Ramsa takes ice cream in a completely different direction. This Little Havana parlor infuses its gelato with premium spirits — think Casamigos tequila lime, Moet champagne sorbet, and Jack Daniel's chocolate. It's not a gimmick; the flavors are balanced and the quality is real. A scoop runs about $10–12, and yes, they check IDs. It's a perfect stop after a Little Havana night out.
Wynwood: Artisan Scoops Among the Murals
Wynwood's creative energy extends to its ice cream scene. After exploring the street art and galleries, you have three excellent options within walking distance.
Dasher & Crank at 2211 NW 2nd Avenue is many locals' pick for the best scoop in the city. Every flavor is made in-house from scratch using local ingredients, and they rotate the menu constantly so there's always something new. Past hits include guava cheesecake, black sesame, and brown butter cookie dough. Open daily from 11 AM — Sunday until 10 PM, Monday–Saturday until midnight.
Salt & Straw brought its Portland pedigree to Wynwood (246 NW 25th Street) and quickly became a fixture. They're known for adventurous monthly flavors — think strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper or sea salt with caramel ribbons — alongside reliable year-round classics. They also have locations on Lincoln Road in South Beach and at CocoWalk in Coconut Grove. Hours run noon–midnight on weekdays and 11 AM–midnight on weekends.
V Gelato at 317 NW 25th Street is the move if you're vegan or dairy-free. Gelato maestro Eric Dorval crafts plant-based gelato that genuinely rivals dairy versions in creaminess and depth. Flavors like pistachio, dark chocolate, and passion fruit rotate regularly.
South Beach & Miami Beach
You're going to want ice cream after a day on South Beach — it's practically mandatory. While Ocean Drive is full of tourist-trap gelato shops with inflated prices, a few spots stand out.
Salt & Straw on Lincoln Road (749 Lincoln Rd) is the most reliable option in the area. Same quality as the Wynwood location, same rotating menu, and the Lincoln Road setting means you can people-watch while you eat. It pairs perfectly with an afternoon of shopping and strolling Lincoln Road.
Gelato-go South Beach on Ocean Drive offers a more traditional Italian gelato experience with friendly staff who'll walk you through the flavors. It's a solid choice when you want something classic without overthinking it.
If you're staying in North Beach or Mid-Beach, the options thin out — your best bet is to make the short trip down to Lincoln Road or order delivery from one of the Wynwood shops.
South Miami & Coral Gables: The Old-School Favorite
Whip 'n Dip has been scooping ice cream at 1407 Sunset Drive since 1985, making it the oldest homemade ice cream shop in Miami. Everything is made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients, and the vibe is exactly what you picture when you think "neighborhood ice cream shop" — no frills, just consistently excellent scoops. Classic vanilla and chocolate are outstanding, but the rotating specials (chocolate Oreo, banana nut muffin, key lime pie) are where regulars get excited.
Open Monday–Thursday 11 AM–10:30 PM, Friday–Saturday 11 AM–11:30 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–10:30 PM. It's a short drive from Coral Gables and a perfect stop if you're exploring the area with kids — the Venetian Pool is only ten minutes away.
Little Haiti: A Hidden Gem
Lakay in Little Haiti serves Haitian-style homemade ice cream that most tourists never discover. Made with evaporated milk in the traditional Haitian method, the texture is denser and richer than American-style ice cream. The soursop (corossol) flavor is the one to try — tangy, tropical, and unlike anything you'll find elsewhere in Miami. Prices are very reasonable, usually under $6 a scoop.
Price Comparison at a Glance
| Shop | Neighborhood | Single Scoop | Pint | Vegan Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azucar Ice Cream | Little Havana | ~$8 | ~$10 | Sorbets |
| Aubi & Ramsa | Little Havana | ~$10–12 | N/A | Limited |
| Dasher & Crank | Wynwood | ~$7–9 | ~$12 | Some flavors |
| Salt & Straw | Wynwood / Lincoln Rd / CocoWalk | ~$7–9 | ~$13 | Full vegan line |
| V Gelato | Wynwood | ~$7–9 | N/A | All vegan |
| Whip 'n Dip | South Miami | ~$6–8 | ~$10 | Limited |
| Lakay | Little Haiti | ~$5–6 | N/A | Some flavors |
Tips for the Best Ice Cream Experience
Beat the lines. Azucar and Salt & Straw get packed on weekends, especially Saturday afternoons. Go on a weekday evening or right when they open for a shorter wait.
Sample first. Most Miami ice cream shops will let you taste before you buy. Take advantage — some of these flavors are adventurous, and you want to make sure mango-habanero is actually your thing before committing.
Combine with a food tour. Ice cream pairs perfectly with a broader neighborhood food crawl. Hit Azucar at the end of a Little Havana food tour, or grab Dasher & Crank after tacos and brunch in Wynwood.
Getting around. Most of these shops are accessible via the free Miami trolley or a short rideshare. The Wynwood cluster (Dasher & Crank, Salt & Straw, V Gelato) are all walkable from each other within five minutes.
Watch the heat. Miami ice cream melts fast. If you're walking around outside, get a cup instead of a cone unless you're prepared to eat quickly. This is especially true during summer months — check our guide on the best time to visit Miami for what to expect weather-wise.