With the weather warming up, there’s no better way to cool down than with a delicious ice cream cone. Southern California boasts a plethora of ice cream shops offering unique flavors and creative combinations. Here’s a guide to some of the best spots to indulge your sweet tooth and beat the heat.
Wanderlust Creamery
Location: 18511 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
Wanderlust Creamery, with seven locations across Southern California, is the place to go for unique and seasonal flavors. Indulge in the ube malted crunch, pandan tres leches, or the Japanese Neapolitan featuring matcha, sakura, and Hokkaido milk. Each scoop is a journey through global flavors, perfect for adventurous taste buds.
Scoops
Location: 5105 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Scoops, with locations in Highland Park, Torrance, and Chinatown, offers an ever-changing array of innovative flavors. Try the Grapenut-infused brown bread or the strawberry balsamic. Scoops also provides a good selection of non-dairy, oat milk-based options, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Magpies Softserve
Location: 2660 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Think of Magpies Softserve as a “chefy” Dairy Queen. Located in Highland Park, Silver Lake, and Tarzana, this spot offers delightful soft serve in flavors like malted milk chocolate and black sesame. Don’t miss out on their vegan Mexican hot chocolate ice cream pie, perfect for taking home and enjoying later.
Mashti Malone Ice Cream
Location: 1525 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
As LA’s original Persian ice cream shop, Mashti Malone has been a favorite for decades. With locations on La Brea, at Griffith Park, and in Westwood, they serve up rose-infused ice cream that tastes like springtime. Add a dash of sour cherry syrup for a unique twist to tame any sweetness.
Dear Bella Creamery
Location: 1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Head to Hollywood’s Dear Bella Creamery for wonderfully creamy vegan ice cream, soft serve, and ice cream sandwiches. Their periodic collaborations and seasonal offerings keep the menu fresh and exciting, making each visit a new experience.
Awan
Location: 866 Huntley Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Awan in West Hollywood is a dairy-free shop serving complex flavors like saffron pistachio with Medjool dates, spiced persimmon and graham, and blue corn tortilla. Keep an eye out for their upcoming location in Larchmont.
Ecco un Poco
Location: 8318 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tucked away on Third Street in Beverly Grove, Ecco un Poco offers an abundant selection of fresh, gluten-free gelato and cones. Run by Milano-born Alessandro Restelli and his wife Alejandra Unger, this shop balances traditional Italian flavors with gastronomical creations like American breakfast with gluten-free maple pancake mix, bacon, and blueberries.
Bumsan Organic Milk Bar
Location: 534 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Bumsan’s organic soft serve is a treat not to be missed. Choose from flavors like pink guava, pineapple mango, and taro milk tea, and customize your cone with toppings like Fruity Pebbles and puffed rice.
Bacio di Latte
Location: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
One of LA’s top gelato makers, Bacio di Latte, operates from the Century City mall. The pistachio gelato is a real gem, though the signature bacio di latte, or sweet cream, is a must-order too.
Hokey Pokey
Location: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Find New Zealand’s most popular soft serve at the Westfield Century City mall. Hokey Pokey’s namesake flavor comes in a generous cone topped with crushed toffee. Other flavors like chocolate, cherry, and hazelnut evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Sweet Rose Creamery
Location: 225 26th St #51, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Sweet Rose Creamery, part of the Rustic Canyon family, is the brainchild of chef Shiho Yoshikawa. Delight in housemade candied nuts and mini marshmallows to top off every scoop.
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
Location: 12550 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Head to Ginger’s West Third or Culver City locations to enjoy scoops of burnt sugar vanilla, classic butter pecan, or the best-selling Girl Scout’s Thin Mint ice cream, available with full cream or as a dairy-free option.
Jamz Creamery
Location: 231 E Manchester Blvd #1717, Inglewood, CA 90301
Blocks away from SoFi Stadium, Jamz Creamery is a family-owned operation offering 27 flavors made into sundaes, milkshakes, banana splits, or hefty ice cream sandwiches. Toppings are plentiful, as are vegan options.