The 13 Best Places For Banana Splits In The U.S.
You may associate the beloved banana split with easygoing summer days and the simple pleasures of life, but don't be fooled. While this humble 1950s favorite may seem like a wholesome and sweet treat, this dessert has caused a great war between ice cream fanatics across the States. The cause of so many strawberry ice cream lives being wasted and so much chocolate syrup being spilled? At least three — yes three – cities claim to have invented the snack.
But although Willington, Ohio; Latrobe, Pennsylvania; and Boston, Massachusetts, have been duking it out for the honorable title of the first to plop three scoops of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream between a halved banana, one fact remains: This snack is a 100% American delicacy. And so, no matter which state in the union invented it, all 50 have taken to creating and selling their own spin on this all-American dessert. But the question is: Which places in the U.S. do banana splits best? We're glad you asked. After examining a host of ice cream parlors across the nation, scrutinizing what goes into making the perfect banana split, and considering opinions from casual ice cream lovers and ice cream experts alike, we have created a list of the 13 best spots in America to grab this classic diner dessert.
1. Barbecue Center: Lexington, North Carolina
Okay, so we know that barbecue and ice cream aren't exactly thought of as a dynamic duo. But hear us out. Lexington, North Carolina's, famed Barbecue Center actually started out as an ice cream seller. But while the business cooled folks off with ice cream in the summer, the soon-to-be-deemed Barbecue Center also warmed people up with the region's style of bbq in the winter. So it makes sense that today the eatery is known for specializing in two unusually paired things: BBQ dinners and a killer banana split. And when we say killer we are only half-joking.
If you look at the dessert menu, the Barbecue Center's banana split seems simple enough. It features three dips of ice cream doused in chocolate syrup, whipped cream, cherries, and nuts. But note the language here — this banana split has three dips of ice cream, not scoops. And we assure you, there's a big difference between the two portion sizes. With some customers estimating this baby weighs in at 7 pounds, the Barbecue Center's split comes with a tower of chocolate ice cream balanced on top of two hills of strawberry and vanilla.
Described by one Trip Advisor reviewer as "a work of art," these banana splits are as delectable as they look. This, of course, makes this dessert's size all the more dangerous, and the Barbecue Center one of America's best banana split spots.
2. Jaxson's Ice Cream: Dania Beach, Florida
A genuine article of an ice cream parlor that started selling its treats in the days of eggs creams and questionable 50s foods, Dania Beach, Florida-based Jaxson's Ice Cream's interior looks like a spot where The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" is played on loop. A South Florida landmark, Jaxon's is committed to making all of its ice cream flavors and toppings in-house. And while it's probably most recognized for being the originator of the "Kitchen Sink" sundae, Jaxon's homemade ice cream also scooped into some phenomenal-tasting banana splits.
By ordering "The Old Favorite," you'll be able to experience a banana split that tastes like sock hopping in the 50s. But if you want to fancy up this classic pineapple and cherry-dusted dessert combo, try the hot fudge split, which is slathered in chocolate sauce and dusted with almonds, or opt to add some strawberry sauce. And, if you're feeling really hungry, ask for your split to be jumbo-sized.
Touted by many Jaxon's lovers as one of the best banana splits in retro or modern times, this sweet treat's taste has been known to leave its eaters at a loss for words. And so the ice cream dessert, with its perfect 50s style, great flavor, and tiny American flag, has made Jaxon's Ice Cream a banana split lovers' dream destination.
3. The Poky Dot: Fairmont, West Virginia
The Polky Dot in Fairmont, West Virginia, is a whimsical diner that puts a playful twist on the soda shops associated with poodle skirts and malt ice cream. Aside from using a lot more pink in its interior design, The Poky Dot also offers diners some delectable spins on good old-fashion American eats like its donut shake and s'mores french toast. And when the time came to decide what to do to make a memorable banana split, this retro-style diner clearly figured it was best to go big or go home.
With many people guessing this thing offers at least 9 pounds of ice cream per serving, the "Humongous Banana Split" is made of nine perfectly-shaped scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream slathered in flavored sauces, sprinkles, whipped cream, and cherries. Formidably huge and wonderfully tasty, The Poky Dot is good-humored about the size of its split and offers a challenge to foodies brave enough to take it. If you and a friend can make it disappear within the diner's chosen time crunch, you both get a special Poky Dot prize. But even if you can't (and let's face it, you probably won't), by partaking in this food challenge you'll be able to savor one of America's best banana splits.
4. Lucy's Waffles & Ice Cream: Las Vegas, Nevada
Lucy's Waffles & Ice Cream is an establishment that takes the already wonderful waffles a la mode concept to another level. Don't believe us? Well how does house-made Belgian waffles topped with strawberry cheesecake and black cherry ice cream sound? Or maybe this breakfast favorite doused in bacon, vanilla ice cream, and maple syrup is more your style? Okay, now picture a banana split topped with rocky road, black cherry, and praline ice cream, sprinkled with coconut flakes. Then, put it on a freshly-made Belgian waffle, add berries, chocolate and strawberry sauce, whip cream, and the ceremonial cherry. Folks, you are officially looking at Lucy's banana split waffle.
One of the eatery's most-recommended menu items, the combination of this dessert's light and crispy waffle with its sweet-tasting ice cream is a texture and flavor explosion. This scrumptious innovation makes us wonder what other banana split creations are just waiting to be made and sold to adoring foodies. Lucy's sweet and unique treat has earned this Nevada-based eatery the right to claim it's serving up one of the best splits in America.
5. Margie's Candies: Chicago, Illnois
Margie's Candies is the stuff of Chicago legend. This century-old eatery's homemade ice cream and hand-dipped desserts have brought famous figures like Al Capone and The Beatles to the diner's doorstep. The old-timey dessert bar continues to draw customers in with its famed, larger-than-life atomic-buster sundaes and an entire menu dedicated to nothing but decadent banana splits.
Aptly referred to as "banana split heaven" by one Trip Advisor reviewer, Margie's Candies offers everything from the classic, no-frills version of this diner staple to banana splits topped with cookies, butterscotch, fudge, fresh honeycomb chips (which are made in the eatery's famed candy kitchen), and marshmallows. But if you only have one shot at ordering this beloved ice cream treat at Margie's, you need to try The Turtle Split. One of the candy maker's house specialties, this flavor-filled dessert features vanilla ice cream, bananas, nuts, and cherries and is slathered in Margie's freshly-made caramel and fudge. A jack and master of all ice cream trades, Margie's Candies belongs on every banana split enthusiast's bucket list.
6. Gautreau's: New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in the Big Easy, Gautreau's is a bit of a sidestep from the longstanding mom-and-pop shops and diners that have made up this list so far. This fine-dining spot has been known to host James Beard-award winning chefs and is proud to serve eats that are "both inventive and down to earth." And the eatery's dessert menu lives up to the restaurant's motto by featuring unique treats like subtly sweet olive oil cake and a caramelized banana split.
A dessert filled with a multitude of flavors, the banana comes bursting with caramelized sugar that makes it worthy of making a dinner reservation on its own. The split, which features vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, butterscotch, and toasted walnuts, also comes with a side of warm banana bread — which unlocks a world of taste possibilities. You can, of course, eat the banana bread on its own, but if you're a true food connoisseur we implore you to imagine tasting a bite of caramelized banana, sauce-dressed ice cream, and oven-fresh banana bread.
7. The Franklin Fountain: Philadelphia, Pennslvanyia
The Franklin Fountain is a retro-style soda fountain that opened in 2004. Located inside a historic building with tin walls and a mosaic floor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this eatery reports that, here, guests get the ice cream "steeped in ideals, drizzled with drollery and sprinkled with the forgotten flavors of the American Past." And among retro cream sodas and house-made waffle bowls with flavors that will transport you to the bygone days, are two delectable and genuine-article banana splits.
At this spot, you can order Dr. Dovey's Banana split, a dessert featuring vanilla bean, strawberry, and chocolate ice creams between two banana pieces and topped with pineapple, sliced almonds, cherries, and whipped cream. It is about as quintessential a version of the original banana split as you can get. But for the slightly more chocolate-loving of us, The Franklin also offers "The Banana Split for My Baby," a snack composed of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream drizzled with fudge, peanut butter sauce, peanuts, and whipped cream. Simple, sweet, and made with enormous scoops of frozen goodness, this spot's banana splits are absolutely delectable. And so, in our opinion, The Franklin Fountain is a spot doing right by the legacy of this classic American dessert.
8. Mel's Hard Luck Diner: Branson, Missouri
At Mel's Hard Luck Diner in Branson, Missouri, the servers "sing for your supper." The staff includes 20 performers, including American Idol contestants and award-winning musicians. The employees at Hard Luck Diner have such amazing voices that guests often can't believe their ears and think the staff is lip-syncing. So we also doubt customers can believe their eyes when they see the diners' signature banana split.
In the same spirit as many of the treats on this list, "Build Me Up Banana Cup" is a supersized version of the perfect banana split bursting with classic flavors. Featuring a perfectly-molded scoop of gigantic strawberry ice cream drizzled with strawberry syrup, chocolate ice cream topped with chocolate syrup, and vanilla ice cream drowned in pineapple syrup, this treat is finished off with peanuts, strawberries, cherries, and pineapples. A dessert that looks and tastes too good to be true, the "Build Me Up Banana Cup" is the type of treat that when one person orders it, every customer in the house asks to add one to their bill too.
9. Lea Lanna's Bananas: Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas-based Lea Lanna's Bananas' Banana Shop (a tongue twister, we know) proves that bananas can unlock a yellow world of delicious recipes. Here, this fruit is dipped in chocolate, thrown into waffles, made into pudding, and of course, cut into splits. In fact, the Banana Shop claims to have "the most customizable Banana Split in Las Vegas" — and we have to agree. At this spot, you get to choose the size of your banana and the type of chocolate you'd like to dip it in. But then comes the hard part — picking the toppings and sauce. You can stack your banana split high with Butter Fingers, Nutter Butter, and Cocoa Krispies, and sauce it up with fudge, toffee, or pumpkin pie caramel, among other choices. But don't worry, if the options are overwhelming, The Banana Shop also offers guests a few store-sanctioned splits.
Some of the splits you can score at this Vegas shop include "Toffee Haven," which features vanilla ice cream drizzled in a caramel sauce and topped with Ghirardelli candy; "No Campfire Required," a split dusted with marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey's chocolate; and "PB Lovers," a dish that involves laying Reese's Pieces, vanilla ice cream, Ghirardelli chocolate, and as much peanut butter as possible on top of a banana. So yeah, stick around The Banana Shop long enough and we guarantee you'll discover a split you can't stop eating.
10. Antoinette's Sweets: Depew, New York
An upstate New York Staple, Antionette's Sweets has been manufacturing homemade candy since 1915. However, while its founders initially made their sweets at a different location, this Depew-based store didn't open its doors until 22 years later when its founder, William Morphis, did something we all dream of — won the lottery. Or technically, an Irish sweepstakes. Either way, with the money he acquired he was able to build a dessert-selling powerhouse where everything, from the sponge candy (a treat that's very similar to honeycomb candy) to the ice cream is made by hand. So is it any surprise Antionette's banana split is ridiculously delicious?
Likely still assembled the same way it was when it first appeared on Antionette's menu, the banana split is served with a sliced rather than spliced banana alongside vanilla and strawberry ice cream topped with pineapple, strawberries, and, most importantly, Antionette's homemade whipped cream — which is what makes this split so delectable. A Trip Advisor reviewer said it best, Antionette's in-house topping is "just heaven." A perfect old-style banana split, while this dessert isn't a 7-pounder it's still pretty sizable. So when you got to Antionette's Sweets, between the banana split and the homemade chocolate, you better be committed to eating a serious amount of dessert.
11. The Ice Cream Bar: San Fransisco, California
Housed in an old Michigan soda fountain that was bought and shipped to California, The Ice Cream Bar is committed to serving up 1930s-inspired treats. We emphasize inspired because this eatery's menu is filled with desserts that foodies from the 30s could only dream of ordering at their local ice cream parlor. Making all its treats in-house with locally-sourced ingredients, customers at this San Francisco-based spot can sip on some of the best boozed-up milkshakes in California while enjoying a caramelized banana split.
Differing from Gautreau's take on this fancied-up ice cream dish, The Ice Cream bar doesn't bury the crème brûlée-styled fruit under its chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream (which, by the way, also comes with cherries, almonds, hot fudge, butterscotch, and raspberry sauce). Instead, the caramelized banana halves are served to the side and the ice cream is placed on the center of the plate. This makes it easy to get bits of caramelized banana in every bite. And trust us, you'll want to savor the taste because these blow-torched treats are the warm and crunchy flavor companion your ice cream has always needed, which makes The Ice Cream Bar a member of the best splits in the States society.
12. The Ivy: Las Angeles, California
There's a reason "The" comes first in "The Ivy's" name." Based in Los Angeles, The Ivy is an "it girl" in restaurant form and frequented by celebrities. Just about everything on The Ivy's menu is worthy of a permanent photo spot on an influencer's Instagram page, including, of course, its banana split. In fact, as a dinner hotspot for the baddest and most bougie of us, you've likely already seen images of this flamboyant-looking dessert on every hot and happening social media platform.
Dubbed the "Killer Banana Split," this fanciful ice cream treat features four decadent ice cream flavors — praline, stracciatella, strawberry, and vanilla gelato — on top of a split banana slathered with hot fudge, butterscotch sauces, and whipped cream. Plated to perfection, the "Killer Banana Split" is served with pineapple and berries. But this dessert isn't just pretty, it also has a brain. Composed of ice cream and sauces made in-house, more than one person who has tried Ivy's famed dessert reports it is the best they've ever had. So at Ivy's, even if you're not interested in getting a taste of the lives of the rich and famous, you have to snag a bit of its star-studded banana split.
13. Serendipity 3: New York, New York
As with many things in NYC, the story of Serendipity 3 starts with a couple of scraggly dreamers hoping to get rich and famous. But Stephen Bruce, Clavin Holt, and Patch Caradine actually did it when they opened this now-beloved NYC staple. A general store and diner, Serendipity 3 has earned the patronage of Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol and built a reputation for over-the-top eats like foot-long hot dogs and frozen hot chocolate (which the shop covered in gold and sold for $99 in honor of the 2019 Oscars). That should clue you in to exactly what you're in for when ordering Serendipity 3's "Outrageous Banana Split."
True to its name, this massive dessert stuffs a heaping pile of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream into a humongous glass vase with gobs of hot fudge dripping off the side. It's topped with peanuts, walnuts, caramel, whipped cream, and cherry and chocolate shavings — and somewhere in all of that are two full-sized bananas. Now, if you still want all that delicious flavor without the scary amount of ice cream, you can order a "Coward's Portion" of the treat. However, even the meeker version of the "Outrageous Banana Split" is still sizable enough that you may not want to go at it alone. An NYC classic, Serendipity 3's over-the-top version of this beloved dessert elevates your average banana split from a simple sweet to a decadent three-course meal.