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    Ice Cream Theory

    4.3 (107 reviews)

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    ICE CREAM THEORY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos - Ice Cream Theory

    Blueberry Cheesecake & Banana Pudding
    Cindy Z.

    I stopped by Ice Cream theory after reading some of the great reviews and loved it! The service was awesome - shout out to Jules! I tried both the blueberry cheesecake and a scoop of the banana pudding (the scoops are generous). Both delish and will definitely go back!

    Store front
    Christopher S.

    The smell inside was this earthy stench from a candle/incense that didn't really suit the atmosphere of an ice cream parlor. However, the ice cream was delicious! Such a flavorful taste and texture to the ice cream that melted in my mouth once inserted via plastic spoon. I had the cookies and cream flavor and it was to live for! Would definitely recommend ice cream lovers in the area to stop by and enjoy the scrumptious dessert.

    a variety of chalkboard signs
    Bridget B.

    One of the coolest places to take kids for ice cream in this area. So many whimsical options like unicorn cones and mermaid tails and shark cones. Lots of great flavors of ice cream as well as gelato. Very nice family owned business. I loved the ice cream cone that was surrounded by cotton candy so it looked like it was floating in a cloud. My niece was loved it too

    The googly eyes came with the shark fin! It even looks like my shark has a mouth from the oreo cookie ^_^
    Rachel L.

    Okay not only does their ice cream LOOK CUTE it also TASTES GOOD TOO. It's not just another instagram-pretty dessert that tastes average. Their ice cream is homemade from Ocala and tastes amazing. You can customize it to look adorable. I made mine look like a shark. The price to doll up your ice cream is a bit pricey, but it's so much fun! My shark fin came with googly eyes too and it looked super cute! This is my new favorite ice cream place ^_^

    Shark sugar cone with cotton candy and bubble gum ice cream! Yes, I'm like a kid when it comes to ice cream flavors and it was delicious!
    Nikki G.

    I loved this ice cream shop! The flavors. The toppings. The choices of cones. My guilty pleasure as a grown adult is bubble gum and cotton candy flavored ice cream. I got a scoop of each with the "shark sugar" on top (and cone). So good! The next time I'm in the area, I will make a point to go here. If you're in the area, treat yourself and check out Ice Cream Theory!

    Medium cups (top coffee, bottom cookie dough)
    Chris T.

    Love this place the service is always great and their servings are quite generous! It's very clean and they have a variety of toppings/flavors to choose from. My wife and I both got a medium cup one the coffee chip and the other cookie dough. This is definitely our go to ice cream place in Oldsmar

    Main area
    Chris T.

    Great place with a great staff. Get the bubble waffle and you'll thank me later. Everything the family got was amazing. We will be back.

    Dressed up cones
    Anastasia A.

    This ice cream place is first off sooo freaking cute from the rainbow wall to the quotes all over the walls. And they have games at the tables. It is just sooo cute. I got a cloud cone which is a cone with ice cream then wrapped with COTTON CANDY!! I got limoncello sorbet in my cone and man was it refreshing. The cotton candy was light and fluffy and the whole thing was just so good even the cone. Plus guys it was seven bucks. This place is a little whimsical place that you can't help but feel happy in. The staff was really nice and let me sample different flavors before committing. Plus this spot is super instagramable. You have to go check it out the next time you get that hungry for some great ice cream.

    Bourbon butter pecan gelato in a peanut butter with chocolate chip dipped cone.
    Christina G.

    $7 for an instagram worthy ice cream cone - amazing. After a week of eating my sister said she could still go for something sweet. Insane, but since it was her last evening here I searching on Yelp for desserts near us. This one popped up and off we went. They have a ton of instagram worthy cones, like unicorn, bunny, buccs, rays, etc. They also have a ton of awesome additions to the cones, like dipping it in peanut butter with chocolate chips (which is the one I chose.) After trying a vast majority of their gelato (yes, they have gelato!) I went with the Bourbon Butter Pecan. My husband was shocked I didn't go with the bunny cone, but I was more interested in enjoying the taste than doing it for the 'gram. They put a HUGE scoop of ice cream or gelato on the cone. I was drowning in gelato and I was ok with it. I liked my flavor so much that I'll probably get it again, and I'm the type of person that likes trying variety. We were the only ones in the place at about 7 p.m. on a Monday, but I guess everyone else was eating dinner. This was our dinner. The decor of the place is super cute. Tons of awesome backdrops for photos.

    Medium mint chocolate chip.
    Brian C.

    Nice little ice cream shop. Cute decor. Would be great for little kids what with the decorative cones and all, but it was just me out for some ice cream. Mint chocolate chip was decent, but not out of this world or anything.

    Clown cone
    Boon C.

    It is about 4.5 stars in my book. It does bring something fresh to the community. Is it an art, ice cream, or beautiful treat? All of that. They have the gelato and ice cream section. I would go to the gelato because they are more interesting. We taste many flavor. I got the banana foster and bourbon gelato. This two flavors is excellent taste and not find elsewhere. Then you can choose the type of make up or just regular cone. For the experience, I would go for the makeup cone they have. We got the clown cone. This is with cotton candy. We take a part and eat those separately. By the way, extra scoop is only a dollar more. The clown cone is $7 and extra scoop make it to the $8. Not cheap, but they give good quantity of gelato to make up the price.

    Bolt Cone
    Melony R.

    If I'm thinking about this as my dessert dinner after dinner I think it deserves a 5 star. *It's close to Westchase, which doesn't have good ice cream options (as of the date that I write this review in June 2018) *The ice cream is delicious *Creative cone creations are whimsical and tasty *The Shop is clean and inviting *The Service is fun and friendly I can't think of any cons. I've known this parking lot to get full fast, but I found a spot right up front in the designated parking slots for Ice Cream Theory. So far my favorite ice cream is the banana pudding and my fave cone is the lucky which has a sweet icing rolled in lucky charms cereal. My kid loved the Lightning cone which features a white chocolate lightning bolt dyed blue...great for little Tampa Bay Lightning fans. He also likes the cloud cone. Who doesn't like cotton candy AND ice cream! So glad this cute shop opened nearby. I'm a fan and will be a regular!

    I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream
    Ticie B.

    My review is based off of the decor and not the actual Ice Cream itself. Although very tasty, the Ice Cream I had was a bit much too sweet for me, which didn't allow me to finish it. I had a chocolate chip and peanut butter cone stuffed with moose tracks ice cream, with a unicorn horn shaped piece of candy on top that sent my blood sugar through the roof! After taking a few bites and pictures with the cone, I had no other choice but to throw the remains in the trash which was a bummer for the price. As far as the decor goes, I would give this place 5 stars. Everything ranges from different shades of pink and yellow, and the lighting is just right for the perfect selfie. I also liked the fact that the girl working the front counter was very sweet and told us a little about the owner.

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    7 years ago

    Love their ice cream.. their gelato is great too.. Also kudos for 1. Table games, 2. Friendly staff and 3. an impeccable and clean place!

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    8 years ago

    Amazing ice cream and gelato! The staff are very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this spot (:

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    8 years ago

    Great little place and the service was great. Very patient with us because there is so much to choose from. Delicious

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great place. Has non-dairy ice cream if you're lactose! The portion size was enormous even for a medium-sized bowl!

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    8 years ago

    Ice cream is amazing and the staff is always smiling! I definitely recommend ice cream Theory!

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    8 years ago

    What a fun small spot for an ice cream treat. I love the Blueberry Cheesecake flavor. My family/kids loved the decorative cones.

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    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ice Cream Theory

    Are there still vegan flavors?

    Yes we still have vegan options!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Paciugo Gelato & Caffe

    Paciugo Gelato & Caffe

    4.6
    (551 reviews)
    18.0 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Catering service

    Paciugo is very much a "walk around Beach Drive with a gelato and suddenly life feels cinematic"…read morekind of place. The second the Florida heat becomes unbearable, this is where everyone ends up. And honestly? Valid. The gelato is actually good, not just cute-for-Instagram good. The pistachio and dark chocolate flavors deserve their loyal fanbase, but the real danger is the free samples because suddenly I'm standing there trying seven flavors like I'm a professional gelato critic. The vibe is peak St. Pete at night. People walking by with their dogs, couples on dates, groups lingering outside way longer than planned. It somehow feels both lively and weirdly relaxing at the same time. Also an affogato here after dinner just feels like good decision making.

    Paciugo Gelato and Caffe is such a great local spot. We stopped by on a Saturday night around 8:00…read moreand the line was out the door, which was a great sign. Even with how busy it was, the staff kept things moving and the wait was well worth it. We tried the coffee gelato and it was absolutely incredible. The flavor was rich, creamy, and tasted like real coffee without being too sweet. Every bite was delicious. The prices are a little on the higher side, but I love supporting local businesses, so it is worth it to me. The quality speaks for itself, and I can see why this place stays so busy. I will definitely be back to try more flavors.

    Photos
    Paciugo Gelato & Caffe
    Gelato Catering at your service
    Gelato Catering at your service
    Gelato cake

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    Gelato cake
    La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry

    La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry

    4.8
    (59 reviews)
    79.1 mi

    La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry is one of those rare gems that doesn't just serve dessert - it builds…read morecommunity, connection, and genuine joy with every visit. From day one, the owner has made us feel welcomed, remembered, and truly part of his world, and that level of hospitality is something you can't manufacture. It's real, and it's why this place stands out. The gelato is on another level entirely. I've traveled, tasted, and tried gelato in major cities and abroad, and nothing (absolutely nothing) compares to what's being crafted right here in our growing Ocala. The flavors rotate constantly, keeping every visit exciting and perfectly matched to whatever mood you're in. Each batch is rich, smooth, balanced, and made with a passion you can taste. We've never left with a single regret, only smiles and that satisfied "this hit the spot" feeling. And honestly, the gelato here deserves worldwide recognition. It's that exceptional. But what truly elevates La Dolce Vita is the owner himself - someone who cares deeply not just about his shop, but about the people who walk through his doors. His pride, kindness, and consistency have created a place that feels like home for so many of us. Ocala is lucky to have this treasure. Thank you to the AMAZING owner who has poured years of heart into serving this community. This is a must‑visit, a must‑return, and a place that continues to set the bar for what great gelato (and great hospitality) should be.

    It's got to be me...with all the rave reviews, I was so excited to try dessert from La Dolce Vita…read moreGelato and Pastry. I just don't understand why everyone but me is raving about this place. My friend went in to order sfogliatelle and a black and white cookie. He said the woman behind the counter was a bit impatient with him as he was looking at all the pastries and actually shook her head in frustration. I took one bite of the cookie and couldn't eat it. Both it and the sfogliatelle had a musty taste, though my friend said the inside of the shop didn't smell musty. I wanted to be one of the ones to rave about this place. Sadly, I cannot.

    Photos
    Seating
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    La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry
    Just finished my affogato.  Was in heaven when I ordered it and never thought to take a pic!

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    Just finished my affogato. Was in heaven when I ordered it and never thought to take a pic!

    Ice Cream Theory - gelato - Updated August 2026

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