Ice cream isn’t just a dessert—it’s a summer ritual, and in Miami, it’s done with flair. As National Ice Cream Day approaches on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the city’s culinary scene is pulling out all the stops with curated creations, nostalgic throwbacks, and next-level presentations that cater to every palate—from plant-based foodies to traditionalists with a sweet tooth for drama. Below, we’ve rounded up Miami’s most indulgent and unique offerings to help you celebrate in the most delicious way possible.
If you believe dessert should make an entrance, Maple & Ash is your place. Their towering Sundae Tower is an ode to overindulgence—featuring classic scoops like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, topped with peanut butter sauce, chocolate crack, candied hazelnuts, chocolate-covered pretzels, gummy bears, and a jewel-toned Luxardo cherry. True to the brand’s flair for spectacle, it’s a full-on tableside show built for Miami’s late nights.
📍 699 NE 1st Ave 2nd floor, Miami, FL 33132
The cult-favorite creamery, Van Leeuwen, is heating up Miami Beach with chilled affogatos (hello, BIGFACE Coffee), inventive sundaes like the Fireman Derek’s Key Lime Pie, and rich vegan flavors including Banana Bread Pudding and Strawberry Shortcake. With locations expanding across South Florida, this is the spot to taste creativity—cone after cone.
📍 1600 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Back after a brief hiatus, La Ventanita at The Betsy Hotel is reopening with one of the best deals in town: $0.99 cones all day on July 20. Choose from rich soft serve or refreshing housemade gelato and sorbet—served in sugar or waffle cones. At under a dollar, it’s practically un-cone-scious not to stop by.
📍 1433 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
This isn’t your average steakhouse finish. At Lafayette Steakhouse, a retro ice cream cart rolls right to your table, brimming with classic toppings and housemade ice cream. It’s theatrical, shareable, and the perfect way to end a night of vintage pours and prime cuts.
📍 1111 SW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Crafted in-house with no refined sugars and sweetened naturally with trehalose, Pura Vida’s “clean” gelato doesn’t compromise on flavor. Standouts like Welcome to Miami and Salted Pistachio offer a fresh take on indulgence—but it was the Dark Chocolate 72% that truly stole the show. Rich, velvety, and impossibly satisfying, it’s the kind of scoop that lingers in your memory—I’m still craving it. All flavors are served in housemade gluten-free waffle cones, with pints available for whenever the craving strikes.
📍 3034 Grand Ave Studio A, Miami, FL 33133
On the quieter stretch of Española Way, The Joyce Patio is dishing out nostalgia with a contemporary twist. Flavors range from Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Flourless Chocolate Cake to classics like Strawberry and Vanilla. Bonus points for pairing your shake with crispy fries—because why not?
📍 448 Española Way, Miami Beach, Fl 33139
This indulgent, egg-based gelato from Felice comes with a regal backstory. Crafted using a recipe by Bernardo Buontalenti—the Medici family’s architect and the man credited with inventing gelato—this towering creation is finished with pistachios and your choice of strawberry or cherry compote. One Forbes critic called it “a mountain... four of us could not finish it all.”
📍 1450 Brickell Ave Suite 110, Miami, FL 33131
At RosaNegra, dessert is a full-on event. Their iconic Chocolate Sphere melts before your eyes as hot caramel is poured tableside, unveiling layers of dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, and crunchy nuts. Dramatic? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely.
📍 1346 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Helmed by Chef Eric—North America’s only Gelato Ambassador—V Gelato redefines indulgence for the dairy-free crowd. Winner of multiple global awards, this sleek gelateria offers inventive scoops like Black Sesame, Orange Carrot, and Strawberry Shortcake, plus espresso drinks and affogatos in a space as artistic as its neighborhood.
📍 317 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127
This South of Fifth rooftop favorite is offering a Japanese-style shaved ice dessert that’s as photogenic as it is flavorful. Strawberry compote, lemon cookie crumble, mascarpone mousse, and a drizzle of condensed milk turn this kakigori into a dreamy end to any summer meal at CATCH Miami Beach.
📍 200 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami’s culinary scene doesn’t just serve dessert—it stages it. With theatrics, heritage recipes, health-conscious scoops, and some of the best dairy-free options in the country, this city proves that even the hottest summer days can end on a seriously cool note. This National Ice Cream Day, treat yourself to something beyond the usual—and don’t forget the cherry on top.