Great Heights Creamery — Restaurant in Sarasota

I came. I licked. I blacked out from flavor euphoria.

This place doesn’t serve ice cream — it serves frozen happiness in a cone. I walked in expecting a scoop of vanilla and walked out questioning everything I thought I knew about ice cream.

Their flavors are wild. I had a scoop of “black sesame” and “somewhere in Tuscany ” — don’t ask questions, just trust the process. My taste buds filed a formal thank-you note. My lactose intolerance filed for divorce.

The staff were chipper, like they all just did shots of whipped cream in the back. One employee described a flavor as “what a cloud would taste like if it had a spicy secret,” and honestly? Accurate.

I don’t know who’s back there inventing these combos — a culinary wizard, a mad scientist, a sleep-deprived poet? Whoever they are, protect them at all costs.

Would I come back? Yes. Would I fight someone for the last scoop of “the darkness”? Also yes. 10/10. Would trade my therapist for a...

Ice cream flavors are fantastic and homemade. The owner and MOST of the staff are incredibly friendly. However, I've noticed that the older man working there has a CONSISTENTLY RUDE attitude towards me and others I’ve introduce to this place (who are a darker complexion). During multiple visits, he has treated us dismissively, including throwing spoons at my partner and I instead of handing them to us. In another incident, my friend said she noticed he didn’t want to give her the ice cream until she paid, while the next customer before her was given her ice cream before paying. ANOTHER incident was when we weren’t greeted when we walked into the shop but he was very friendly to the next family that came in RIGHT after us. My friends and I who’ve had this experience are a darker complexion and this behavior makes me reluctant to return. It’s really only this one guy who ruins the vibe everyone else especially the owner is so sweet and easy...

Wow, this was one of my favorite ice cream places I've been to (and I go to quite a few)!

The service and friendly and welcoming, and they are more than happy to let you sample a few of their original flavors. Even the tasting spoons are great (and eco-conscious since they're reusable).

I highly recommend trying a few flavors. I tried four, and all were excellent. My favorite was the (gf) peppermint chip, followed by the (vegan) lime-coconut. The honeycomb and watermelon-mint sorbet were also very good.

I opted for the cup, which came with a waffle-cone chip on the side - a really nice touch, too.

Outside, there's a nice courtyard with comfortable chairs, umbrellas, and even a boat you can sit in.

It is a little pricey, but it is made here at the shop with premium ingredients.

Will definitely be back next time I'm...