We Found the Best Ice Cream Places in Key West

Key West’s beautiful beaches, fun activities, and exciting annual events keep visitors coming back year after year to experience more lasting vacation memories.  We’re biased, of course, but we truly believe that Key West is the best place to spend a beach vacation.

Hold up though…what’s the ultimate beach vacation without the perfect sweet treat to top it off? There’s no better way to beat the Key West heat than with a scoop of ice cream, a refreshing shaved ice, or a slice of decadent Key lime pie. Whether you’ve just wrapped up a beach day, finished exploring Duval Street, or are simply wandering around Old Town, a refreshing ice cream cone is never a bad idea!

From homemade waffle cones and Cuban-inspired flavors to donut ice cream sandwiches and over-the-top sundaes, Key West truly delivers dessert in all its tropical glory. You won't be dissapointed!

Below are our top picks for the best ice cream and dessert spots in Key West. Save room after dinner so you can indulge! (Or hey, just skip straight to dessert—we’re not judging!)

Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant

This unique Key West stop was voted one of the best date night restaurants in the nation by TripAdvisor! Suffice it to say, Better Than Sex isn’t your average dessert stop. This adults-only dessert restaurant turns sweet treats into a romantic experience with dim lighting, cheeky menu names, and unique flavors. If you’re traveling to Key West with your partner, we highly recommend checking it out!

• Location: 926 Simonton St
• Top Picks: "Between My Red Velvet Sheets" cheesecake, chocolate-dipped wines, The Fever chocolate cake
• Hours: Tues–Sun: 6 PM – 11 PM | Closed Monday

Mattheessen’s Candy Kitchen

Mattheessen’s will bring you back to the candy shops you visited as a child with its vintage, nostalgic feel. Everything is deliciously made in-house, so the tempting smell of waffle cones baking wafts through the store. It’s impossible to leave without trying one! Your kids will be stunned by the massive portions (seriously, the cookies are the size of your face)!

• Location: 419 & 106 Duval St
• Top Picks: Giant cookies, Key lime pie on a stick, house-made fudge
• Hours: Daily: 9 AM – 11 PM

Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream

Yum! Flamingo Crossing is a classic ice cream shop here in Key West. They make their small-batch tropical flavors from scratch, with ingredients like guava, coconut, and, of course, key lime. They’re constantly coming up with new creations, so you never know what they might have next time you go!

• Location: 1105 Duval St
• Top Picks: Guava sorbet, mango ice cream, Cuban coffee flavor
• Hours: Daily: 11 AM – 10 PM

Glazed Donuts

Have you ever wanted to try a gourmet donut? Now’s your opportunity! Glazed Donuts truly takes your standard donut shop to the next level. They experiment with bold flavors like candied jalapeño, hibiscus, and bourbon caramel. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of their famous donut-ice cream sandwiches on the menu. You can also grab a coffee at Red Buoy Coffee while you’re here if you need a caffeine boost. Glazed Donuts is small, trendy, and typically sells out by noon, so plan ahead!

• Location: 420 Eaton St
• Top Picks: Maple bourbon glazed, key lime pie donut, donut ice cream sandwich
• Hours: Mon–Sun: 7 AM – 1 PM (go early!)

Tip Top Ice Cream Shop

Tip Top is certainly at the top of our list for great ice cream spots in Key West. They pride themselves on their fast, friendly customer service and top-notch products! Order a milkshake, cyclone, specialty sundae, or just a standard ice cream cone here, and you’re sure to be satisfied. You can also grab food like hot dogs and hamburgers! Tip Top is located right on Duval Street, conveniently close to our boutique suites!

• Location: 616 Duval St
• Top Picks: Pistachio gelato, banana split, milkshakes
• Hours: Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM

Key West Polar Bear Ice Cream

Polar Bear is another solid ice cream option on Duval Street! They always serve their generous portions with a smile—you’ll feel like part of the family when you stop in! You’ll find all the traditional flavors here, plus some local faves like Key lime and rum raisin.

• Location: 600 Duval St
• Top Picks: Waffle cones, sundaes, Key lime ice cream
• Hours: Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM

Duetto Pizza & Gelato

Authentic Italian pizza and decadent gelato in the same place? Sign us up! You really can’t go wrong when you grab some gelato from Duetto. Their homemade flavors will make you feel like you’re on the streets of Italy—unless you opt for the iconic Key Lime Pie flavor, of course.

• Location: 540 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040
• Top Picks: Mango, Pistachio, and Key Lime Pie Gelato
• Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 12 PM – 11 PM; Friday–Saturday: 11 AM – 12 AM

Book Your Key West Vacation Directly with Dwell Key West!

After exploring the best ice cream and dessert spots in Key West, you’ll want a cool, comfortable place to relax (and maybe even stash a few pints in the freezer for later). Our Key West boutique suites are ideally located near Duval Street, so you’ll always have something to get into.

Whether you’re traveling as a couple, a group of friends, or with the whole family, you’ll find rentals with fully equipped kitchens, pools, and more. Browse our available Key West Vacation rentals now and book your next trip directly with Dwell Key West!