Sweet Dreams
When it Comes to Ice Cream, Coral Gables Has It All
Perhaps it doesn’t make it a patriotic part of our heritage that George Washington loved to eat ice cream, but we would like to think so. Nothing says America like the summertime experience of eating an ice cream cone. Or ice cream on a stick. Or in a cup. Fortunately, Coral Gables has a great selection of shops to slake your sweet tooth. Here are the best (and all practice social distancing).
Whip ’n Dip
Talk about your neighborhood hangout. Whip ’n Dip has been owned by the same family since 1985, and proprietors George Giampetro and son George Jr., along with wives Nancy and Kathy (respectively) have created an institution of sweetness in the south Gables. While they offer great ice cream flavors (mango is a local favorite), what sets them apart is their soft-serve ice cream – with six flavors, including vanilla, chocolate and green tea. All ice cream is made fresh daily. 1407 Sunset Dr. 305.665.2565. Open noon to 8 p.m. daily.
Swenson’s
We don’t know for sure if the Swenson’s here dates back to the 1950s, but that is the vibe, the kind of place where Betty, Veronica, Archie and Jughead would go for what used to be considered the three-legs of a proper teenage meal: hamburger, fries and milkshake. You can also get ice cream by the scoop, or go for that perennial sock hop favorite, the ice cream sundae. 1586 S. Dixie Hwy 305.661.7658. Open daily Noon-9 p.m., until 10 Fri.-Sun.
Häagen-Dazs
What makes Häagen-Dazs special is the sophistication of its 24 flavors. No chunky monkey here. More like dark Belgian chocolate, pralines & cream, java chips, strawberry sorbet, peppermint bark, and rum raisin – though cookie dough is still the most popular. Also, they will make a milkshake for you from any flavor, in an old fashioned mixer. Nothing like a pistachio shake on a hot day. 286 Miracle Mile 786.353.2947. Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m, till 1 a.m. Sat., midnight Sun.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas
What we love about this flagship store (now a chain in Florida, the DR and Mexico) is their frozen fruit bars – like coconut, lime and strawberry. After all, their “paletas” are derived from the ancient Mexican art of mixing ice with fresh fruit. But Morelia has taken it to a new level with milk-based ice cream paletas, including banana filled with Nutella, passion fruit filled with condensed milk and dulce de leche filled with – of course! – dulce de leche. 76 Miracle Mile. 305.456.1306. Open daily 1 p.m.-11 p.m., till midnight Fri. & Sat.
Ben & Jerry’s
This Vermont-based chain made a name for itself by offering ice cream with not just lots of fat, but filled with all sorts of stuff. Like cookie dough, fudge brownies, gooey marshmallows, chocolate chip cookies, graham crackers – you get the idea. And what could be better than Rocky Road or Chunky Monkey? As for choice there are 36 flavors; milk & cookies and chocolate fudge brownie are the local faves. 80 Aragon Ave. 305.442.1800. Open daily noon-9 p.m., till 10 p.m. Fri.-Sun.
La Glace
The latest entry into the Gables ice cream scene, La Glace prides itself on purity – all natural, no sugar added, no artificial colors, etc. They also have non-dairy flavors for vegans. They have 24 regular flavors (like cheesecake, cactus pear, guava, and coconut) and a half dozen vegan (like peanut butter fudge, blueberry and sea salt caramel). Also, pineapple and vanilla soft serve. Our favorite: Coffee. 256 Giralda Ave. 786-542-9115. Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m., till 10 p.m. Sat., 6 p.m. Sun.
Kriss Gelato
Leave it to the Italians to have their own type of ice cream. Gelato is churned more slowly, with less air folded in – so it’s denser. Gelato also has less cream and no egg yolks, and uses more milk. The result is a silky product with much less fat but more sugar. At Kriss you can try 18 organic flavors such as lemon, Nutella, coconut, dark chocolate, Italian vanilla and the local favorite, butter pecan. 86 Miracle Mile. 786.953.8172. Open 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m. daily.