Southwest Florida’s heat doesn’t check the calendar, and neither does our appetite for something cold. Cape Coral and Fort Myers have quietly built one of the better dessert scenes in the state, mixing longtime local institutions with small independent shops doing homemade ice cream, gelato, Italian ice and rolled ice cream.
Start with the history. Love Boat Ice Cream traces its roots to 1967 and still draws families with dozens of flavors, the kind of place where grandparents bring the grandkids out of habit. Cape Creamery focuses on premium homemade ice cream and presses fresh waffle cones. Sun Harvest Citrus in Fort Myers is the Florida pick, known for an orange-vanilla swirl soft serve that tastes like the state itself. And in Downtown Fort Myers, Belgian Yummies pairs gelato with Belgian waffles, crêpes and coffee.
The shops are spread across Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, the Gateway area and the rest of Lee County, so there’s a nearby option whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night or a quick cool-down. Keep in mind that addresses, hours and menus can change, so check a shop’s website before making the trip.
Which one’s your favorite? Tell us your go-to order and we’ll add it to our listener list.
