Famed New York Ice Cream Shop to Open First Florida Location

One of New York City's most legendary ice cream shops is opening in Florida for the first time in its 16-year history.

March 14, 2025

Image: Legendary New York ice cream shop Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will open its first Florida location in Miami Beach this March with its famous creamy ice cream.

Legendary New York ice cream shop Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will open its first Florida location in Miami Beach this March with its famous creamy ice cream. Van Leeuwen photo

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One of New York City's most famous ice cream parlors is headed down to Florida for the first time in over 16 years.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will make its Florida debut on Thursday, March 20 in Miami Beach, marking the first of four planned locations in South Florida. The New York-born brand will open at 1600 Collins Ave. in South Beach, bringing its famed French-style ice cream to the Magic City.

click to enlarge

From left: Founders Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen & Laura O'Neill at a Van Leeuwen ice cream shop in Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.

Photo by Vina Sananikone

Known for its ultra-creamy recipes made with twice the typical amount of egg yolks, Van Leeuwen began as a yellow truck rolling along New York City's streets in 2008. The brand has since grown to more than 70 shops across nine states. "Miami is a natural fit for us given its energy and love for great food," says Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO. "We can't wait to welcome everyone in for good ice cream that makes you feel good."

The shop will debut with over 25 flavors, including a new Miami-exclusive "Key Lime Pie Sundae" flavor in partnership with local favorite Fireman Derek's Bake Shop, one of the 13 best dessert shops in Miami. The sundae will be available while supplies last. "It's an honor to partner with Van Leeuwen on this Key Lime Pie Sundae. As a Miami native, I'm excited to share this classic flavor with the world," says Derek Kaplan, Fireman Derek's Bake Shop owner.

click to enlarge

A packed Van Leeuwen ice cream shop in Dallas.

Van Leeuwen photo

Famous for Ultra Creamy Ice Cream with Unique Combos

The ice cream brand has built a following for both its classic flavors — its vanilla bean was named the best vanilla ice cream by New York Times' Wirecutter — and unconventional limited-edition ice cream collaborations like "Kraft Mac & Cheese" and "Hidden Valley Ranch."

Popular signature flavors making their way to Florida include "Bigface Coffee Affogato," "Honeycomb," "Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Brownie," and a pistachio flavor made with Sicilian pistachios from Mount Etna. For non-dairy fans, the shop carries plenty of vegan options, including "Banana Bread Pudding," "Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb," and
"Strawberry Shortcake."

Other spring seasonal offerings include "White Chocolate Raspberry Brownie," "Blue Jasmine Passionfruit Swirl," and "Mango Sticky Rice."

To celebrate opening day in Miami Beach, Van Leeuwen will offer $1 scoops from noon to 2 p.m., with free, limited-edition tote bags for the first 100 customers starting at noon.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. 1600 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; vanleeuwenicecream.com.

A fourth-generation Miamian, Olee Fowler knows every corner of the city. She spent a decade as the editor of Eater Miami, and now as a freelance writer, she captures the stories that make Miami unique. When she's not exploring Miami's newest restaurants and bars, you can find her at home with her dogs, Foster and Peanut, or cheering on her beloved Florida Gators. And yes, that's probably a Coke Zero on her desk.

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