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Welcome to Dairy Joy- Tampa Ice Cream

At Dairy Joy - Tampa Ice Cream, we believe that every scoop tells a story. Established in 1958, this beloved local institution captures the essence of nostalgia and community spirit. With a diverse menu featuring everything from classic soft serve to extravagant waffle bowl sundaes, each treat is crafted with care and bursting with flavor. The inviting walk-up window and cozy outdoor seating create a warm atmosphere for families and friends to gather and enjoy. Customers rave about the rich tastes and generous portions, as well as the friendly service. At Dairy Joy, every visit feels like a joyful celebration of ice cream.

Dairy Joy- Tampa Ice Cream: Reviews & Ratings

Mickey B.
Mickey B.

First experience here and we love it. We ordered a Fluffer Nutter Sunday with vanilla soft serve, marshmallow fluff and peanut butter sauce served in a waffle bowl and ordered Coffee chip in a waffle bowl with whipped cream. Both of these were quite large and we could have shared them. We struggled through finishing them as they were so large. These were very tasty. Great flavors and great ice cream consistency. The Coffee Chip had a rich coffee flavor with what seemed like small chunks of fudgy brownie and chocolate chips throughout. This is a walk up window with pick ic tables on either side of the building with umbrellas. The seating areas were surrounded by plant walls to make this feel more homey than being in a parking lot. We recommend this place for sure as they have a wide menu of different ice cream flavors, both hand dipped and soft serve, snow cones, sodas and hot dogs. There appeared to be just one worker who greeted every customer with a smile and positive greeting. We will be back!

Lindsy G.
Lindsy G.

Love this place! Family friendly and super cute. The ice cream is delicious! They offer soft serve and hand scooped ice cream. We usually split the fluffernutter or banana split sundaes or just get a couple scoops. Even the plain French Vanilla is delicious!!

Rachel M.
Rachel M.

Can't believe this is the first time I've visited here. I kept seeing it in IG and I had to go. Finally finally today was the perfect day. We ordered a scoop of rum raisin, a scoop of pineapple dole whip, and a pup cup. The line seemed long but went fast. We sat down in the left side seating areas. There's another area on the right side. We wanted to be next to the cars. Elvis Presley was there too. Didn't take his pic. We enjoyed our ice cream and Mocha Coconut, my pup wanted pics but the cars. No one was there so we had fun taking some pics! Very cute place. Its drive through ice cream is next door. Very nice and convenient since 1958.

Julia E.
Julia E.

Delicious ice cream and super nice employees! Recommend the mint chip and fudge brownie flavors.

Cody M.
Cody M.

Growing up, places like Dairy Joy were such a big part of my life, so when I spotted it while traveling, I knew I had to stop--especially since I now live in San Antonio and don't get to visit spots like this as often. Let me tell you, it was so worth the stop! The ice cream was absolutely fantastic, and the staff? They were just as sweet as the ice cream itself--so friendly and welcoming, they made the experience even better. The ambiance was so dope! From the retro vibes to the little golf carts you could take photos in, everything about this place was charming and fun. It brought back a wave of nostalgia, and I couldn't be happier I made the detour. Dairy Joy is a must-stop if you're ever in the area!

Xavier I.
Xavier I.

Sunday 9/15/2024 I found this spot while searching through Reddit for Tampa's best ice cream so I decided to make a visit. They have a drive thru location and ice cream stand location that are right next to each other but I ended up going to the ice cream stand location. The service was pretty good: I called in person about flavor availability and they were kind in answering my question. They also kept that same kindness in person as well. Before going I wanted to try both their premium flavors and try their shake but I only fulfilled the premium flavor half. I sampled the cookies n cream (premium) and the chocolate fudge brownie (premium). They were both pretty good flavors but cookies n cream was my favorite (of the two) so I ended up getting a pint $7 of it. All in all, my visit to dairy joy was good one. The prices are fair, the service is nice, and the ice cream is good. I'd recommend this spot and come back in the future (I gotta try the shake lol).

Lisa B.
Lisa B.

A stop for a Sunday ice cream and stepping back in time. All sorts of options to enjoy! We had a small Hot Fudge Sundae and a butter pecan ice cream cone. Service is always friendly and you could play a game of cornhole, if you're interested or take a family photo in one of the mini classic cars. Elvis is always standing guard.

Zarin B.
Zarin B.

Amazing cherry dip soft serve!!!! I have been CRAVING cherry dip but it's so hard to find! Can't wait to try everything here. It's such a chill little spot, well thought out even with a small water fountain out by the side. Check it out! It's also open pretty late and always has a steady stream of customers.

Paris T.
Paris T.

I absolutely love the vibes here and that's the main reason I stopped by to try this place out. I wasn't expecting much, but the ice cream was delicious. I got a medium cup which comes with 3 scoops. I tried cookies n cream & cookie monster. The cookie monster was my #1 favorite. I will say compared to other ice cream shops they definitely give you big portions here. Overall: I can't wait to go back!

Chris T.
Chris T.

What a vibe, read on I've got the inside scoop ;) After a morning at the Davis Island dog beach, we were all craving a sweet treat. Saw this scene and it looked immaculate, old style 50s diner meets Florida tropical backyard. Being a Sunday, there was a line, but it moved fast. We got a small cup, birthday cake and fudge brownie with waffle cone ($5ish) and a pup cup which was FREE. Seating is all outside (and dog friendly) but with plenty of shade so you or your cone doesn't melt too fast. Make sure you walk around and get plenty of insta-worthy scoop shots ;)

Location

Welcome to Dairy Joy - Tampa Ice Cream, a delightful gem located in the heart of Tampa, Florida. Situated at 3813 S Manhattan Ave, this charming ice cream shop has been a beloved spot since 1958, offering a nostalgic trip back to simpler times with its retro vibes and delicious treats. With options that cater to everyone, from families to furry friends, Dairy Joy is a must-visit for anyone craving a sweet escape.

Dairy Joy prides itself on its diverse menu that includes delightful treats such as:

  • Snow Cones: Flavorful options like Tigers Blood and Purplesaurus Rex.
  • Dipped Cones: Refreshing Blue Raspberry and buttery Butterscotch.
  • Soft Serve: Indulge in a classic Sugar Cone or a luxurious Waffle Cone, available in various flavors.

Aside from the usual suspects, Dairy Joy stands out with their signature sundaes. The Fluffer Nutter Sundae is truly a star, featuring creamy vanilla soft serve topped with marshmallow fluff and rich peanut butter sauce, all served in a lovely waffle bowl. Customers rave about the generous portions, often enough to share, yet so delicious you might want to keep it all to yourself!

One of the highlights during my visit was the Coffee Chip flavor, boasting a robust coffee richness accentuated by fudgy brownie chunks and classic chocolate chips. The creamy consistency and inventive toppings truly elevate the ice cream experience. With one reviewer mentioning, “The flavors were great and the ice cream consistency was on point,” it’s clear that quality is a priority here.

What adds to the charm of Dairy Joy is not just the food, but the all-encompassing experience. The walk-up window and pick-up tables, surrounded by plant walls, create a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. Customers like Mickey B. describe it as a place filled with warmth and friendliness, as the sole worker greets everyone with a smile. This creates an inviting environment perfect for enjoying sweet treats with family and friends.

Moreover, Dairy Joy offers an array of conveniences, including:

  • Dairy-Free Options
  • Delivery & Takeout
  • Wheelchair Accessibility
  • On-Site Parking & Bike Parking
  • Catering Services
  • Wi-Fi & multiple payment options including Cryptocurrency.

For those visiting with pets, Dairy Joy warmly welcomes dogs, ensuring that no family member is left out of the fun. As Cody M. beautifully puts it, "The staff were just as sweet as the ice cream," emphasizing the attention to customer service that makes this location a standout.

So, the next time you find yourself in Tampa, make sure to stop by Dairy Joy and indulge in one of their heavenly ice creams or sundaes. With a variety of options, friendly service, and an inviting atmosphere, you’ll leave with a smile and a satisfied sweet tooth!