Ice cream is synonymous with sunny summer days, but here in Florida, warm temperatures are a year-round thing. That means we get a free pass to eat frozen goodness whenever we please. At least, that’s the rule at my house.

Sure, ice cream is the ideal antidote to a hot and humid day, but it also makes a great bandaid for a tough day, a sick day, and especially a just-got-a-tooth-extracted day. If there’s a reasonable excuse to replace a meal with ice cream, I will absolutely consider it. (It has vitamins, okay?!)

If you’re new to the Melbourne area, allow me to introduce you to the wonders of homemade ice cream. I don’t own an ice cream maker, but thanks to Here’s the Scoop, I don’t need to. They make all their ice cream and Italian ice in-house, and once you try it, you can never go back to the store-bought, factory-made stuff.

Here’s the Scoop changes their flavors weekly, which is just dangerous because now I’m determined to try them all. They serve your classic vanilla, chocolate, and coffee, but they also have more eclectic flavors such as mango and Fruity Pebbles. And if you’re lactose intolerant, never fear—they make a great coconut-based ice cream that’s totally dairy-free.

For my fellow soft-serve fans, you also have to check out Del’s Freez. It is, hands down, the best place for a vanilla/chocolate twist in a cone. I don’t know what kind of sorcery they’re mixing into that stuff, but it is good.

Of course, if you prefer custard, I’m not going to leave you high and dry. My family swears by Rita’s Italian Ice. They make an incredible gelati with layers of Italian ice and custard. Their ice is made with real fruit every day, and their custard is so good that it’s won awards. I can never pick between the two, so a gelati is the only answer.

You may not share my views on ice cream for dinner, but even as a once-in-a-while treat, these Melbourne-area shops are unbeatable. And no, I wasn’t paid to tell you that—I genuinely love these businesses enough to recommend them. As a local realtor, supporting this community is a pleasure (especially when it involves dessert).

So what are you waiting for? Pick your favorite—hard scoop, soft serve, or gelati—and enjoy!