In the sweltering, sun-slicked streets of Tampa, where palms whisper secrets in the breeze and heat shimmers like a fever dream, there’s a place where time doesn’t move—it melts. Right there on North Florida Avenue, nestled in Seminole Heights like a vintage postcard left untouched, sits Bo’s Ice Cream—a family-owned icon that’s been cooling down the city since 1954.
The Birth of a Legend
You can almost hear the ghost of old Florida murmuring through the oak trees when you pull up to Bo’s. The blue-and-white facade doesn’t scream for attention; instead, it whispers: “I’ve been here longer than most.” Founded by the Bosanko family, Bo’s began with a dream and a need—”his father, unable to find the kind of ice cream he loved, decided to make his own.” That decision would ripple through generations, as Bo’s became a cornerstone of Tampa’s soul.
On sticky nights when the air won’t sit still, locals flock here. They’re not just looking for relief—they’re chasing memories, flavor, and a taste of the past. Bo’s isn’t just an ice cream shop. It’s a ritual.
📍 Official Site & Social Media
Website: Bo’s Ice Cream
Facebook: facebook.com/bosicecreamtampa
Instagram: @bosicecreamtampa
The Cone That Became a Legend
If Tampa had a city flag made of dessert, the butterscotch dip top cone would be front and center. It’s not just a treat—it’s a rite of passage. Picture this: cool vanilla, dunked in golden, molten butterscotch that hardens to a glossy shell seconds after hitting the humid air. It cracks like glass under your teeth, and in that crunch is sixty years of history.
Each bite of this iconic cone is a love letter to classic ice cream, back when flavors were simple, affordable, and unforgettable.
Banana Split Bliss
Then there’s the upside-down banana split, which sounds like a mistake—but tastes like a miracle. Served in reverse and stacked sky-high with vanilla ice cream, strawberries, pineapple, bananas, nuts, a swirl of whipped cream, and a cherry on top, it’s a symphony of texture and flavor. Every layer builds on the last, like chapters in a summer novel that you can’t put down.
It’s not just a dessert. It’s an event.
The Secret’s in the Sherbet
For those who prefer their indulgence a bit lighter, Bo’s tropical sherbets whisper of island breezes and hammock naps. The pineapple and lime sherbets are cooling, tangy, and dangerously addictive. They taste like Florida in a spoon—sun, sea, and sweet simplicity.
Even those who swear by chocolate cones have been known to defect once they try a spoonful of that sherbet magic.
Milkshakes That Could Stop Time
But don’t leave without a Butterfinger milkshake. This monster of a drink isn’t just thick—it’s chunky, sweet, and criminally good. It grabs you by the taste buds and refuses to let go. You’ll find yourself tilting the cup, eyes wide, trying to find the last bits at the bottom like a miner panning for gold.
Each sip is nostalgia with a sugar buzz.
More Than Just Ice Cream
What sets Bo’s apart isn’t just the menu. It’s the vibe, the energy, the way the sun hits the picnic tables out front as families gather, kids chase each other, and young lovers share cones like something out of an old movie. Bo’s is a living postcard, a sweet moment in time that somehow never expired. And maybe that’s the real magic here. Bo’s isn’t flashy. It’s familiar. In a world that spins faster every day, Bo’s stays still—and that, dear reader, is priceless.
A Local Treasure That Still Reigns
At 7101 North Florida Avenue, Bo’s Ice Cream stands as the city’s oldest sweet shop—and maybe its most beloved. With every lick of butterscotch, every mouthful of creamy shake, you’re not just tasting dessert. You’re tasting history, heart, and hometown pride.
In a city full of trendy cafes and Instagrammable bites, Bo’s is the place where tradition never melts. If you think Bo’s is just another ice cream stand, think again. Behind those picnic tables and retro signs are decades of frozen magic, waiting for you to dig in. So the next time the Tampa heat starts to bite—bite back. With a cone from Bo’s.