Black and white engraving of downtown Oviedo with the historic water tower, an old citrus packing house, and a single pine tree.

My go-to ice cream and dessert stops in Oviedo (the real scoop)

After years of field research (i.e., eating way too much sugar), here are the local spots I keep coming back to.

I've lived in Oviedo for about eight years now, and if there's one thing I've gotten good at, it's finding dessert. Partly because I have a sweet tooth the size of the water tower, and partly because I have two kids who are basically sugar detectors. Over the years, I've tried almost every place that sells something cold and sugary within a five-mile radius. Some were one-and-done. Others became regular stops. Here are the ones that stuck.

Twistee Treat: the classic walk-up

You can't talk about Oviedo ice cream without starting at Twistee Treat. It's that little orange-and-white building on Broadway that looks like a giant ice cream cone from the outside. They've been around forever, and they do soft serve the right way: simple, creamy, and cheap. My kids love the sprinkle-dipped cones, but I'm a purist — vanilla with chocolate dip, no sprinkles, no nonsense.

The line can get long on summer evenings, but it moves fast. There's no indoor seating, just a couple of picnic tables out front, so it's more of a grab-and-go situation. But that's part of the charm. It feels like Oviedo hasn't changed much when you're standing in line there, even though the rest of the town has grown like crazy.

Sweet by Holly Creek: homemade, small-batch

If you want something a little more artisan, head to Sweet by Holly Creek in the shopping center by the Oviedo Mall. It's a tiny shop, and the owner, Holly, makes the ice cream herself in small batches. The flavors rotate, but the honey lavender is incredible — it sounds weird, but it's floral and sweet without being overpowering. They also do a salted caramel that I'd drink if I could.

The shop itself is cozy, with a few tables and a couch. It's the kind of place where you can sit and chat with the owner about where she got the vanilla. The portions are generous, and they'll let you sample as many flavors as you want. I've definitely gone in planning to buy one scoop and left with three.

Quick comparison of the five spots

Spot	Best For	Price	Dairy-Free Options
Twistee Treat	Classic soft serve	$	No
Sweet by Holly Creek	Artisan flavors	$$	Sometimes (sorbets)
Bella's Desserts	Cake & cheesecake	$$	Limited
The Townhouse	Milkshakes & floats	$$	No
Oviedo Juice Co.	Banana soft serve	$	Yes

Bella's Desserts: cake slices the size of your head

Okay, technically Bella's isn't ice cream — it's cakes, cheesecakes, and pastries. But they have an ice cream case too, so it counts. Bella's is on Lockwood in a strip mall, and you might drive past it if you aren't looking. Don't. The cakes are made in-house, and the slices are enormous. I'm talking "share with a friend" big, and that's assuming you both have a serious sweet tooth.

My favorite is the red velvet, but they also do a key lime pie that's dangerously good. The people behind the counter are always nice, and they'll wrap up anything you can't finish. That said, I rarely have leftovers. It's a dangerous place for me.

The Townhouse: the sneaky good milkshake

The Townhouse is known for its burgers and craft beer, but the milkshakes are a secret weapon. They use real ice cream (not soft serve) and blend it thick. The flavors aren't fancy — chocolate, vanilla, strawberry — but they do a root beer float that takes me straight back to childhood. It's a full-service restaurant, so you can sit down and have a meal, then finish with a shake.

I usually go for a burger and a chocolate shake, and I'm always stuffed but happy. The atmosphere is lively, with a big patio and often live music. It's more of a dinner spot, but the dessert alone is worth a visit.

Oviedo Juice Co.: dairy-free that doesn't taste like a compromise

I'm not dairy-free, but my sister-in-law is, so I've learned where to take her. Oviedo Juice Co. on Alafaya does a banana-based soft serve that's surprisingly creamy. It's made with frozen bananas and comes in flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and mango. It's not ice cream, but it's close enough that even my kids don't complain.

The shop itself is bright and healthy-looking, with acai bowls and smoothies too. The soft serve is a nice option if you want something sweet without the dairy bloat. They also do "nice cream" bowls with toppings like granola and coconut. It's a different vibe from the other spots, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.

▶ Watch: Local video tour of ice cream spots in Oviedo, FL
Find it on YouTube → “Oviedo Florida ice cream shops tour”

Questions folks ask me

Which place has the best ice cream for kids?

Twistee Treat is the easiest for kids — it's cheap, fast, and they love the novelty of the cone. The Townhouse also works if you're sitting down for a meal.

Is there any place open late for dessert?

Twistee Treat stays open until 10 PM most nights, and The Townhouse is open until 10 or later on weekends. Bella's closes earlier, around 8 PM.

Do any of these spots have vegan ice cream?

Oviedo Juice Co. is fully vegan (banana-based). Sweet by Holly Creek sometimes has coconut milk sorbets, but call ahead to check.

Can I get a whole cake at Bella's for a birthday?

Yes, you can order whole cakes in advance. They do custom orders too. Just give them a few days' notice.

Which one is the most "Oviedo" experience?

Twistee Treat, hands down. It's been there forever, and everyone in town has a memory of going there after little league or on a hot summer night.

So those are my favorites — the places I find myself going back to again and again. I'm sure I missed some (sorry, Baskin-Robbins at the mall), but these are the ones that feel like Oviedo to me. If you have a spot I should try, let me know. I'm always up for more dessert research. Just don't tell my doctor.

More from the Oviedo blog

All posts · Browse Oviedo businesses · Oviedo events