By 
To read part 2, click here.
This guide took about 6 months to write and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with you.
If you’re not from LA, let me enlighten you with the most beloved ice cream places:
-Salt & Straw
-McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
-Jeni’s Ice Cream
-Wanderlust Creamery
-Sweet Rose Creamery
In this post, I will be mentioning a few essential LA ice cream shops, but with special emphasis on small businesses that you will not find in most LA ice cream guides.
Before I moved here from Spain, it surprised me how much people loved ice cream and their willingness to wait in long lines just to get a scoop. Ice cream in LA is a year-round business. There’s no such thing as opening an ice cream shop only in the summer. Even on cold days, by LA standards, people will head to their favorite ice cream shops for a scoop.
On top of having outstanding ice cream shops, LA’s grocery stores offer an impressive plethora of ice cream flavors and brands.
I went to Whole Foods the other day and I counted all the different ice cream brands in the freezers. There were a whopping 21 brands! Trader Joe’s has their own ice cream brand with interesting flavors like Ube and Cookie Butter.
Thrifty is pretty much the OG of all ice cream in Southern California. For those who grew up in Southern California, Thrifty evokes happy childhood memories. A combination of their cylindrical-shaped scoops, innovative flavors and bargain prices (25c a scoop), turned Thrifty into one of the most beloved brands in the 20th century. Thrifty was a drugstore chain bought by Rite Aid in 1996. The ice cream was so popular that Rite Aid decided to keep selling it!
If you want to know more about how Thrifty became a Socal institution, visit this great article by the LA Times here.
With this being said, in a city where ice cream is as common as palm trees, these are some of the best places to explore LA’s underground ice cream scene.
Although I will be including a few soft-serve ice cream places, this article is mostly centered on regular ice cream. Gelatos in LA are a completely different ball game.
Awan
866 Huntley Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
5630 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
In September 2021, Awan ice cream opened its doors through a tiny walk-up window in West Hollywood. Awan was founded by Indonesian-Australian chef Zen Ong and his business partner, Tohm Ilfergan. They met in 2020 and founded Awan with the mission of bringing Indonesian, plant-based ice cream to LA. The most impressive thing about Awan is how truly unique the flavors are. An example of this is their chocolate flavor, which tasted exactly like hot chocolate, or their tortilla flavor, which made me wonder what type of magic powers they used behind closed doors. Seriously, it was like tasting a real handmade corn tortilla!
Zen or Josh are usually there to greet customers. They do an amazing job breaking down the flavors and walking you through the menu. They’re also super nice in letting you taste as many flavors as you want! So, don’t be shy if a few of them pique your interest. The downside is that you can’t get too attached to any of the flavors because they change every week!
I recommend getting one scoop with two flavors because the portions are pretty generous. The attention to detail that goes into each flavor says a lot about the experience they’re trying to convey.
On my second time, I had the orange and the strawberry flavor. Josh, the employee who took my order, said the strawberries came from Harry’s Berries farm in Oxnard. Once again, these flavors did not disappoint. I felt like I was savoring a real orange, which was incredibly refreshing. The strawberry flavor was also very rich and a tad bit creamier than the orange. Both flavors balanced each other out so perfectly. Awan’s prices are higher than the average ice cream shop in LA, and honestly, I think it’s worth it.
At Awan, you’re truly getting an experience that goes beyond eating a regular ice cream scoop. This is something that not many of the popular places in LA are able to achieve. Zen and Tohm took the concept of eating ice cream to the next level. I can’t wait to keep going back to further explore the menu. The biggest challenge is finding a good parking spot! If you live far away, you can also buy their pints online for pick-up.
Hours: Monday through Friday from 3PM-10PM
Saturday and Sunday from 12PM-10PM
All Chill Ice Cream
Black-owned
3415 W 43rd Pl, Leimert Park.
All Chill Ice Cream is owned by married duo Genelle and her husband.
In order to support their community, they allow other small businesses to do pop-up appearances inside their shop, which just goes to show you how much they support their local vendors. At All Chill, the African-American culture is ever-present in photographs and memorabilia from legendary Hip-Hop icons.
I cannot wait to further explore this area of LA and possibly write a post about it. On the weekends, Leimert becomes a cultural hub for African-American, Jamaicans and other Caribbean islanders. There’s music blasting through speakers, people dancing and vendors from different countries selling their goods. Even Rihanna follows @LeimertParkVillageVendors on Instagram, but this comes as no surprise since Rihanna is known for venturing into different areas of LA.
When I went there, Genelle and her young daughter were serving out scoops. Genelle was so nice and you could tell she knew the ins and outs of ice cream. When I asked what led her to open an ice cream shop, she said:
“I was tired of going on long drives for good ice cream. I love ice cream and prefer more interesting flavors. Finding a product driven by experience over profit is more difficult, especially in our area. So we are making products that we want and feel the community deserves this simple luxury.”
Her favorite places in LA for ice cream are Jenni’s, Carmela’s, and Bloomfield. I cannot thank her enough for mentioning Bloomfield. It made it on this list because of her! She’s an interior designer and she’s so well-traveled. We talked about Spain, which is where I’m from, and Dominican Republic, which is where my mom’s from. Not only had she been to Spain (Barcelona specifically), but also Dominican Republic and Italy! You could see that she was a very worldly person: her mannerisms, how eloquent she was…basically, a total gem!
There’s a few vegan flavors, but all the ice cream is organic and made with the highest quality ingredients.
I picked Honey Lavender and I was not expecting to like it so much. The texture was very delicate and the flavor was rich and vibrant. The honey and lavender complimented each other flawlessly.
“We have several local organic honey resources and these flavors are nostalgic yet innovative. People have responded very well to this one,” she said.
After trying out so many ice creams over the last few months, I know that when I detect a very soft, creamy, yet firm texture and flavor that takes your taste buds on a journey, it means the ice cream is artisanal and high-quality. Always pay attention to the texture and flavor!
I knew I would be kicking myself if I had to wait another week to try another flavor, so I went right back and ordered Cherry Vanilla, which was another winner. The cherries Genelle uses for this flavor are Luxardo Maraschino cherries, which are the most expensive cherries you can get. This boujee cherry is produced in Torreglia, Italy and is a far cry from the typical Maraschino cherries you will find at the grocery store.
The flavor of vanilla was subtle yet distinctive and the Luxardo Maraschino cherries added a special robust sweet-tart flavor that made the whole experience completely unmatched.
“Produced in Torreglia, Italy, these cherries are nothing like the bright red orbs you find in cocktails from workaday bars. Dense and chewy with a sweet-tart flavor, these maraschino cherries are made with prized sour marasca cherries preserved in the fruit’s famed liqueur. They’ll take your Manhattan (or Shirley Temple) to new heights and are also delicious spooned with their rich syrup over ice cream or cheesecake.” – Arpevinoauburn.com
I liked this combination so much that I went back another week and had the same order. The girl working there encouraged me to try their Bubble Gum ice cream on my next time!
Ken’s Ice Cream Parlor
18511 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746
Black-owned
Ken’s is a Black-owned, family-run business founded by Wanda Johnson-Pope in 1980. A few years ago, she passed down the business to her grandson, Keaton Johnson.
The ice cream at Ken’s is not made on the premises. They sell Thrifty ice cream and ice cream from independent ice cream makers around Southern California. Keaton told me that they’re currently looking into making their own flavors in-house, as well as expanding their menu items with vegan options for those who have special dietary needs.
Inside, there are several pictures on the wall of Ms. Wanda, the previous owner, with celebrities and Long Beach government officials.
Although you’ll find your perennial favorite flavors at Ken’s, it’s important to note that they also specialize in old-school milkshakes and banana sundaes. When I was inside waiting for my order, the man ahead of me ordered a sunday to-go. Also, while I was eating the ice cream in my car, two other people came out with a banana sundae. It seemed to me that this was a best-seller.
I got two ice cream flavors: Lemon Pie and Chocolate Malted Krunch. I’m usually not into super rich chocolate flavors, but that one was just calling my name that day. The Lemon Pie was so good!! It had the perfect amount of sweetness — not enough to spike your blood sugar levels through the roof — and the texture was very creamy and delicate. This one was from an independent ice cream maker.
The Chocolate Malted Krunch was from Thrifty! Can you believe it was my first time trying Thrifty ice cream? I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. I did not grow up in Socal, so it didn’t evoke any feelings of nostalgia, but it was good enough on its own. It was like drinking a straight-up chocolate malt milkshake.
Ken’s also hosts events to help the neighboring communities of Compton and Watts. When you walk in, even if you’ve never been there before, they’ll treat you like family. I truly hope their business continues to flourish!
I asked Keaton if he wanted to say something to my readers and this is what he said:
“Family owned business for 40+ years and growing. We would like to thank everyone who comes in to show support to our ice cream parlor, without you we could not be. We hope each time you come in it is a pleasant experience and want to hear more if this is otherwise untrue. We appreciate our customers, and would like to invite you to grow such as we are to bring an even better experience.”
Hug Life Ice Cream
2707 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
Hug Life Ice Cream is, without a doubt, one of the best vegan ice creams I’ve had since I moved to LA! This ALL-VEGAN dessert shop was founded by Johny “JT” Tran and his friends in 2017. After opening two successful locations in Orange County and gathering a massive loyal following, they opened the first Hug Life LA location in Long Beach in July 2019. I cannot believe I’m this late to the party!
What piqued my interest, besides the creative logo, was the interesting diversity of flavors. A few of them were Thai tea, Green Goblin (mint chocolate chip), Vietnamese Coffee, Matcha Monsta (matcha-based ice cream with cookie bits), Taro Root and Rocky Road.
I had one giant scoop with two flavors combined: Original Berries (gf) and Honey-Dew-Dew Child. They were insanely delicious and light. Advice: Eat your ice cream at the beach, which is just a few blocks away!
Johny has “Hug Life” tattooed on his stomach as a nod to Tupac’s “Thug Life” tattoo.
“Hug Life was conceived by a close-knit group of friends who had a plant-based lifestyle and listened to a lot of hip hop. Growing up with traditional families in a financial struggle, we didn’t have much help or support. In fact, a few of us went against our family’s wishes; we dropped out of school in order to pursue a vision.” he said.
Hug Life was created to remove awkward conversations that can occur between friends with different dietary needs.
Other menu items include root beer floats, brownie sundaes and ice cream cookie sandwiches. Even the waffle cones are vegan! This place deserves all the hype and I hope they expand into more locations in LA County.
Kith Treats
8500 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Who knew the coolest ice cream shop in LA was at an apparel and footwear store? Born and raised in Queens, NY, Kith’s founder, Ronnie Fieg, always dreamt of having his own cereal bar. His parents never allowed him to eat cereal at home, so he would sell the school lunch his parents would pack for him each morning to secretly buy his favorite cereals.
In order to refine the concept of his childhood fantasy, Ronnie decided to mix soft serve ice cream with popular breakfast cereals, and that’s how Kith Treats was born in 2015.
There are only four Kith Treats shops in the US inside the already existing Kith clothing shops: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Miami and LA. The latter opened in 2018. You can also find Kith in top international cities like Paris and Tokyo. The first Kith store opened in Manhattan in 2011.
Since Kith is a well-known apparel and footwear brand among the rich and famous, many menu items you will see were coined by celebrities and athletes. Lebron James has his own ice cream named The King’s Treat (Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Granola and Snickers).
The most popular menu item is The Bam Bam, which is what I ordered. This one was invented by rapper, chef, and TV presenter Action Bronson. If you type his name on Youtube, you will see that he’s been featured in many TV food episodes around the world. He’s like foodie royalty.
Think Rice Krispies, cookie crisps, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kit Kat, Oreos, and marshmallows all mixed together in a heavenly soft serve swirl. I did NOT expect to like this so much! I carried it to my car and despite the massive swirl, it stayed intact.
I’m pretty sure the piece of chocolate must have been amazing, but I had to leave it, because it was so much! You can see in the picture the bits of cereal and chocolate! It was delicious!
I asked the guy working there if the ice cream was made on the premises, and he said that the ice cream was shipped in a frozen container from NYC. I was a little turned off by the steep prices until I saw the massively big swirls of soft-serve they give you. I was not heading home afterwards, but if you are, ask for a LID!!! I really wish they offered different sizes and waffle cones.
Since this particular store is located underground, I highly recommend enjoying the ice cream in your car or going upstairs to the street level to enjoy the views of LA.
They do parking validation! First 2 hours free.
If you’re not in the mood for a soft-serve, you can also order anything in a milkshake form, and if nothing on the menu catches your eye, you can customize your order as you wish!! Kith Treats also does occasional partnerships with different cereal brands, TV shows like The Simpsons and even Disney.
Nika’s Ice Cream
Location: Beverly Hills
Nika’s Ice Cream was created by LA native Nika Taghdiri in 2020.
“What started as a quarantine hobby, turned into a small business. While I was spending almost all my time at home during the pandemic, I became very familiar with my kitchen and it became a time where I was making ice cream for family & friends. I then decided that I wanted to share what I was creating and have my ice cream available for local pick up via DM on @nikasicecream Instagram. I initially started making ice cream to create flavors that were not only challenging, but to create flavors that didn’t already exist. For example, Coffee Cookie was my first and is still my best selling flavor since there was no coffee and oreo combination already available on the market. I draw flavor inspiration from my surroundings, whether I’m influenced by a culture, a season or just am curious to try something new out! I’ve created over 20 rotating flavors so far and it’s very hard to say pick an all time favorite. It has been extremely rewarding to challenge myself in the kitchen and create a sense of community with Nika’s Ice Cream customers.”
Why do you love ice cream?
As a kid I was obsessed with ice cream from my first scoop (and clearly still am). Growing up I would be so excited to go to my weekly dance classes, because I knew that ice cream would almost always follow. I remember dreaming of being an ice cream taster or working in a scoop shop, and it seems that somehow I’ve always clung to that idea. Before I started making my own ice cream, I didn’t know that there would be such a science behind creating your own ice cream base. What I truly love about ice cream are the variety of textures, flavor options, and the endless possibilities.
What are your favorite ice cream shops in LA?
I grew up on Thrifty Ice Cream and it will always be my classic go-to. Not only are the flavors iconic, but the ice cream is nostalgic and just plain good. I also love McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Bacio di Latte for unreal gelato, and recently tried SOMISOMI which serves amazing soft-serve and Taiyaki!
What is your pick-up process?
Making my small batch ice cream is a two-day process. One day is dedicated to creating the ice cream base, which is then refrigerated for 8-24 hours to be churned, packed, and freezed the following day. At the moment pickups are made to order, but I also make sure to have extra ice cream available so same day pick ups can also be an option 🙂
Note: Pick-up location is in Beverly Hills. You have to DM her on IG to place your order.
What are your favorite restaurants in LA?
Forever and always will love any Hillstone restaurant! Best food. Best service. My favorite sushi in LA is definitely from Sushi Fumi (melt in your mouth toro). The best sandwiches in LA have to be from Larchmont Wine & Cheese. Darya for unbelievable and authentic persian food. I might be a little too obsessed with Angelini Osteria’s pasta a limone. And a new spot I’ve recently really enjoyed was Melody Wine Bar, which has rotating dinner pop-ups throughout the week.
OMG I love Larchmont Wine & Cheese! Do you have any other favorite sandwich places?
I definitely have a few favorites! Other go-tos are All About The Bread, Carla Cafe, Cortina’s in Orange (my sick obsession in college), Pizzana’s Padrino sandwich, Attari and most recently Potato Chips Deli. Hope these recs are helpful!!
What was it like growing up in LA?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! I truly loved growing up in a metropolitan city, filled with such diverse community, culture and opportunity. Although I can stay within my own bubble at times, I feel so lucky to be able to drive anywhere 20 mins away and there’s a complete shift of scenery & vibe. LA is filled with opportunity whether it’s within the food scene, entertainment or fashion and I am definitely staying put!
Sad Girl Creamery
Trigger Warning: This section contains mentions of mental illness.
Sue Mancini is the founder of Sad Girl Creamery, a Latinx-owned ice cream pop-up born during the pandemic, where she merges ice cream and mental health awareness. Born and raised in Houston, Texas to an Uruguayan family, Sue was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 26.
She shared the following with KCRW.com:
“The idea kind of came up during the height of the pandemic, when everyone was stuck at home. I figured sharing my own personal experiences with mental health could make people relate and feel a little alleviated with the sad feelings they’re having at home.
It’s not very common, especially in immigrant families, that we talk about things like mental health. I think that comes from a hard-working mentality. Your family moves here because of whatever reason, and you’re put into this survival mode. So if you’re talking about being sad, it’s kind of like, ‘Well, you can overcome that sadness on your own, can’t you?’”
Sue uses Instagram as a platform to not only promote her business, but to also broach the subject of mental health in hopes of encouraging others to talk about their hardships and struggles.
“A lot of the things I post about are happening in my life at that moment. I might have a situation with a friend where something happens with them and it’ll be on my mind for a while, so I’ll make a post about it and do research so I can read into things myself and find good practices,” she said.
She shared with LATaco.com: “A lot of my flavors are honestly memories of people in my life, the flavors either represent them, or I want to honor a memory of them.”
Some of the flavors are inspired by Latinx icons Sue grew up with, including Anything for Selenas Treat, or La Vida Es Un Guarnaval, named after the song “La Vida Es Un Carvanal” by legendary Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz.
Make sure to follow @SadGirlCreamery to stay updated on her next pop-up appearances! Place your order online to guarantee your pint because she sells out really fast! Priscilla Ono, Rihanna’s makeup artist and Fenty Beauty Ambassador, whom I had the pleasure to meet, posted her pints on IG!
Dear Bella Creamery
1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038
I’m shocked that this place isn’t popping up more on social media or ice cream guides. Dear Bella Creamery is an ALL-VEGAN and gluten-free ice cream shop tucked away in a Hollywood strip mall. I emailed founders Alice Cherng and Belinda Wei regarding their background and they nicely referred me to the interview they did with Voyagela.com.
“Growing up, we both had fond experiences at ice cream parlors, but after becoming vegans, it was challenging to find delicious ice cream that was dairy-free. After being disappointed by the dairy-free options at traditional ice cream parlors, they set out to recreate that childhood joy for everyone.” – Voyagela.com
I had one of their most popular signature flavors, Blueberry Cheesecake. The chunks of blueberry were fresh and the cheesecake flavor was spot-on. It was very light, but surprisingly creamy. It’s amazing that at Dear Bella they keep everything vegan without altering the creamy texture of the ice cream.
The employee that took my order said that they are planning on expanding into more locations. Dear Bella’s interior is decorated with sprinkled pink walls, a neon sign and a cute pink and white counter table. It’s also one of the very few ice cream places that opens until 12:00 am!
If you decide to order one of their pints, Dear Bella Creamery is also available on Postmates. The ice cream and the waffle cones are made daily in-house, and they also offer dairy-free ice cream cakes, as well as build-your-own sundaes!
Kansha Creamery
18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
Founded in 2015 by brother and sister duo, Elaine Yukari Marumoto-Perez and James Tatsuya, Kansha uses organic ingredients from local farmers. The core values of Kansha’s Creamery are rooted in kindness and generosity. A percentage of every ice cream pint and scoop goes to different charities.
Kansha Creamery is located in a Japanese strip mall in Torrance, so it can get pretty busy during peak hours. To check the full menu go to the website. Inside the shop they rotate their wall art to showcase different artists.
This month’s Featured Artist of the Month is @yoshikazu.ysa ! Reach out to the artist directly to purchase prints ❤️ Gorgeoouusss photos of some beautiful places that remind me of my own wedding- swipe for a throwback to summer 2017 😭❤️
Carmela’s Ice Cream
2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
My first time at Carmela’s was in 2017. When I first tried their ice cream, I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know ice cream could taste so good!
Carmela’s handmade artisanal ice cream hails from Pasadena. It was founded by Jessica and Zach, and after years of selling their ice cream at the Farmer’s Markets in the late 2000’s, they opened this first brick-and-mortar location back in early 2011.
Their ice cream shop, tucked away in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains with its close proximity to parks and hiking trails, adds a special charm and allure. To this day, the ice cream is still manufactured at their Pasadena creamery and they still sell their ice cream at Farmer’s Markets in Pasadena. My favorite flavor is the Salted Caramel, which is their best-selling flavor.
They also have other creative flavors like their Guinness ice cream, a beer-flavored ice cream that was intended to be seasonal but became a favorite and turned into a permanent flavor. The flavors at Carmela’s are ultra rich and have a velvety texture. The waffle cones are also made daily in-house and you will notice the heavenly smell as soon as you walk in.
If I had to recommend a place for someone who is visiting LA, it would be Carmela’s. I understand the location is not the most convenient one but if you have a car, Carmela’s is totally worth the drive. Vegan options and sorbets are available as well.
Genelle, founder of All Chill, said that Carmela’s was her favorite ice cream place in LA!!
I DMed Genelle on IG and she said: “Love Carmela. I had some this week. 🙂 Their flavors are simple yet interesting and delicious.” Genelle lives in Leimert Park, so you know the ice cream has to be bomb for her to make the trek all the way to Pasadena.
I took this picture in 2017. It makes me a little bit emotional to look back on my growth since that year, when I was just starting to discover LA and had just started my blog. :_)
Mother Moo Creamery
17 Kersting Ct, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
If you’ve never been to Sierra Madre before, you’re in for a big surprise. Not only does this town has a Western feel to it, but it also has an interesting mix of Asians and white conservatives.
After I read that Mother Moo Creamery had been ranked as one the best ice cream in Southern California on a regular basis, I had to go try it. All the ice cream at Mother Moo is organic and made on the premises. I chose one scoop of the Fresh Peach flavor but I was not enthused with it at all — too milky for me. I later read that they use organic Straus Farms milk in their ice cream base, which left a not-so-pleasant milk aftertaste in my mouth. I didn’t want to give up on them so I drove back to Sierra Madre a second time to give them another try. This time, I picked their organic Strawberry flavor. Unfortunately, I came across the same issue: it was too milky and the flavor from the fruit was too subtle. I’m not saying it was bad, but it was just not for me.
With this being said, don’t let my opinion deter you from making the trek to Mother Moo. They have so many flavors and it’s possible that I picked the wrong ones.
The general consensus among the 5-star Yelp reviews is that Mother Moo’s ice cream is milky, creamy and delicious. One of their most popular flavors is their Triple Milk ice cream, a milk-flavored ice cream! They really embrace the moo. Different strokes for different folks I guess! I personally don’t want my ice cream to have a very noticeable dairy flavor.
Just keeping it simple with the flavor: my favorite, #Organic Triple Milk
Mother Moo Creamery was also featured on HBO’s hit show Big Little Lies.
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
Locations in LA: Santa Monica and Bel Air
910 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
2926a Beverly Glen Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Locations in Ventura County: Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito, Camarillo
“In October 2011, Rori Trovato founded Rori’s Artisanal Creamery in Santa Barbara, but she originally began making ice cream over twenty years ago. Rori fell in love with the craft as a little girl, churning ice cream every Sunday for family dinner with her grandmother. Nothing ever compared to that fresh, creamy texture and flavor.”
“As a food writer and stylist, Rori has traveled all over the world, exploring the globes cuisines and cultures. When Rori moved back to her roots in California, she settled down in Santa Barbara and recreated her take on her grandmother’s phenomenal homespun ice cream.” – Rori’s Website
I went to the Santa Monica location and had the Wild Berry Chocolate Crisp and the vegan Lemon Freckles, which was lemon with rainbow sprinkles. The Wild Berry Chocolate was very rich, decadent, and was sprinkled with dark chocolate. Regarding the Vegan Lemon Freckles, I recall the girl saying it resembled a lemonade but without being overly sweet.
The texture of the latter was a bit more like a gelato. At first, I thought it was a tad bit sweet for my liking, but it grew on me and I ended up loving it!! At Rori’s, even the toppings are made in-house. My favorite part of the Vegan Lemon Freckles were the rainbow sprinkles, which topped everything off! Delicious is a big understatement.
Their dairy is from a farm located in California’s Central Coast. They also partner with other farmers to get the freshest and tastiest produce available for their ice creams, like lemons, cherries, herbs and berries.
Fosselman’s Ice Cream
1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
Fosselman’s is an institution in Alhambra and is one of the oldest ice cream parlors you will find in LA. I’m so glad they decided to keep the old-school atmosphere because stepping into Fosselman’s is like entering a soda shop from the 50’s.
This ice cream shop was founded by Christian Fosselman in 1919. He was the youngest of five and his father was a German inmigrant brewmaster. Christian, who had a beer and soda business, began using ice cream after tasting it for the very first time at a bottling convention in Toronto.
Fosselman’s has been working with the same family-owned dairy company as when they started. Like it says on the website, Fosselman’s reflects the ethnic diversity of Southern California by including Asian-inspired flavors like Ube or Black Sesame, and Latin-inspired flavors such as Oaxacan Chocolate, Horchata, and Dulce de Leche. Alhambra is specifically known for its big Asian community, which is why you may see many Asian families if you go there.
They have a pretty extensive range of flavors. I haven’t tried a flavor I did not like. If you love lemon, get the Lemon Custard!
Mashti Malone’s
1525 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
1898 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Before going to Mashti, I had driven by this strip mall countless times but had never paid attention to the ice cream sign you can see from La Brea Avenue. Mashti Malone’s has been featured in food shows and LA-based articles, deeming it the best Persian ice cream shop in LA. I went to this place before Saffron and Rose, which is another popular Persian ice cream shop.
Given the fact that this was my first time ever trying out Persian ice cream, I went for their signature flavor, Saffron and Rose Pistacchio.
The texture of the ice cream was a lot thicker than the one at Saffron and Rose. This does not mean the ice cream was bad by any means, but I preferred the smoother and more delicate texture of Saffron and Rose, as well as their pistachio bits. I only had this flavor, so maybe in the future I’ll give them another try.
Mashti is advertised as an old-fashioned ice cream shop. When you walk in, you’ll feel like you are at an old-school American ice cream shop, which didn’t really enhance my experience because I thought I was just going for Persian ice cream.
Saffron and Rose Ice Cream
1387 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
I decided to give Persian ice cream one more try. Instead of going back to Mashtis, I went to Saffron and Rose, another highly popular Persian ice cream shop. I didn’t have any expectations. I ordered one scoop with two half flavors: Lavender and Saffron Rose. I was completely mesmerized by the Lavender flavor. Think of the smell of lavender but edible. This was probably the best lavender ice cream flavor I’ve had to date. If you don’t like lavender, this will not be the flavor for you, as it is very strong, like 1000 on a scale of 1 to 10! The flavor of the Saffron Pistachio, however, was more subdued. It had bits of pistachio inside, which elevated the overall ice cream and paired excellently with the soft sweetness of the saffron.
The ice cream texture at Saffron and Rose was executed perfectly. It was very smooth yet dense. I also didn’t taste any trace of dairy in these flavors I had, which were not vegan!
You can also get their signature Saffron and Rose flavor but vegan! Everything at Saffron and Rose is organic, made from scratch without using any artificial colorings.
If you don’t want Persian flavors, no problem. You’ll find a great plethora of flavors like Nutella, Dark Chocolate, Caramel Crunch, Almond and Cookies and Cream!
Before I drove away, I noticed a big fire truck that had just pulled up right in front of the shop. I thought, ‘Were the ice creams so good that someone passed out?!’ No, just happy firefighters lining up to get a scoop of their delicious ice cream!
Magpies Softserve
2660 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
18971 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
5049 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Wow, I was utterly impressed by this place. Who knew vegan ice cream could taste so good? Even actress Natalie Portman raved about this place! Magpies Softserve was founded by two chefs: Rose, who is Korean-American and was raised in South Florida, and Warren, a San Fernando Valley native. The idea of opening Magpies came to them while they were on a trip in Palm Desert, longing for a good ice cream cone. They went to a Dairy Queen and as they were enjoying their ice creams, they thought of opening a “Chef-y Dairy Queen” type of establishment, as they state on their website.
They make everything in-house, even the toppings, and they’re constantly rotating flavors, earning them another bonus in terms of uniqueness. You can see the flavors of the day on their website, where everything is promptly updated.
I got the Corn Almond flavor. It was super refreshing, light, and packed with so much almond flavor. The consistency was soft, but it felt like you were eating an ice cream, not a gelato. My topping was the Butterscotch Rice Krispies, which added a nice sweet crunch. The corn almond is made of almond milk, but if you can’t have almond milk for some reason, they also have other flavors made of oat milk! I’ve never seen a place with so many dairy-free choices knocking it out the park. On the website, they list the the type of milk they use for the flavors.
It blew my mind how delicious it was and you bet I’ll be back. I ate my ice cream in the parking lot and it was crazy how many people lined up.
The good thing is that they have multiple locations! Their pies are also worth the drive, and if you become a convert to their ice creams, they also sell full-sized pints for you to take home!
Overall, Magpies was a 10/10: the richness of the flavor; the wide selection of vegan options; the fact that they also sell cakes; and that everything is made from scratch make Magpies a one-of-a-kind ice cream shop.
Long Beach Creamery
Three locations in Long Beach
If you’ve never been to this place, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s so worth the drive from Central LA. Long Beach residents are so lucky to have this gem available whenever they’re in the mood for ice cream.
All the ingredients used at Long Beach Creamery are organic and the ice cream is handmade. After having seen the lines every weekend whenever I went to Long Beach, I finally decided to try it out on a weekday. I was shocked. I was looking for something similar to McConnel’s Salted Caramel Chip ice cream, which is my favorite flavor in the world (or was). When I placed my order, I asked the guy if he was familiar with McConnells, he was and he recommended the closest flavor to McConnell’s salted caramel: the Burnt Caramel. I know this is a pretty bold statement, but dare I say that it was better than McConnels?! Flavorful is a big understatement here. Unlike McConnel’s, I didn’t really taste the milk in the ice cream, which is probably because Long Beach Creamery is organic and McConnell’s ice creams are not. That Burnt Caramel ice cream was sinfully delicious. The texture was much creamier and more delicate than McConnell’s ice creams. They also have a few vegan flavors and they rotate flavors frequently.
Yoga-Urt
Glendale 1407 Kenneth Rd
Echo Park 2211 Sunset Blvd
This is another place that took me completely by surprise! Yoga-Urt is an all-vegan dessert shop that specializes in frozen yogurt and smoothies. I know this is all about ice cream but it was so good I had to include it on the list. It says on the website that the founder, Melissa Schulman, spent three years doing extensive research on alternative frozen yogurt before opening the shop in 2009.
After reading the rave reviews, I went to the Echo Park location. The girl working there at the time said the Salted Caramel was her favorite flavor, followed by the Matcha Green Tea flavor. I opted for the latter as I’m a matcha lover and not many places in LA offer this particular flavor.
I’ll probably run out of words, but delicious is a big understatement here. I have tried many flavors over the years from Pinkberry and Munchie’s. While these were solid, you could always taste the yogurt. The green tea matcha flavor from Yoga-Urt was like eating straight up soft serve ice cream. If they had offered this in a regular ice cream shop, there’s NO WAY I would have been able to tell this was yogurt. I was mind-blown.
It was $8, which is pretty pricey for frozen yogurt, and the toppings are one dollar extra, but honestly, you’re paying for the quality. I got the small cup, which, as you can see, was a super generous portion! I would personally skip the toppings, as the real star of the show here is the impressive quality of flavors. All the waffle cones are made daily in-house, which you will realize immediately by the tantalizing smell from the moment you walk into the shop.
Yoga-Urt easily ranks as my favorite place to get a frozen treat. Despite the massively high swirls, everything at Yoga-Urt is as light as a feather, so don’t be afraid to order a larger cup. Everyone was walking out with massive swirls. Overall, Yoga-Urt is definitely not your average frozen yogurt chain shop.
Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream
12550 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
“I have always loved to cook and bake and was born at heart a foodie. I owned a successful small clothing business for many years with my husband, and we both decided it was time to do what we really loved, making desserts that made children and adults really really happy. We planned and labored for three years to open an ice cream store in our hood, Culver City. We converted a classic Culver City home into an ice cream shop. We wanted to be different by providing ice cream and Divine Pops made on the premises. We also offer great Vegan ice cream. I want to build a local community, one scoop at a time.” – Margaret Schniderman (owner)
Margaret’s nickname is ginger. “When I started making ice cream, it was like therapy, very relaxing. Now I can practice my craft. The milk is a blank canvas.”
The fruit used at Ginger’s is locally sourced from the Mar Vista and Santa Monica farmers markets. The vegan flavors are made with coconut milk!
On my first time, I opted for the chocolate raspberry flavor. The raspberry was very subtle and the bits of dark chocolate added an interesting texture component. The creamy, smooth and soft consistency made for a delectable mouth-feel experience.
A few months had passed since I went to Ginger’s for the first time, so I went back straight after work for the Milk & Cereal flavor.
Had the ice cream been less thick, I would have given it a 10. Other than that, I was impressed that despite the fact that this ice cream is 90% milk, I didn’t get a hint of lingering milk taste afterwards like I had at Mother Moo. NONE! When I got to the bottom, there was a noticeable pleasant change in the consistency. It was much smoother than the top of the scoop and I didn’t have to tinker with my spoon so much. As you can see in the picture above, Rice Krispies are hard and crunchy, which is probably why the ice cream consistency turned out thicker than their rest of their ice cream offerings.
Ginger’s also offers pre-packaged pints in Mason Jars and they also have an incredible amount of vegan options to choose from!
Margaret explained to argonautnews.com: “Yellow is a happy color. I want it to feel like a little break in here. A treat. A vacation spot.”
Bloomfield Creamery
1727 E. Washington, Pasadena, CA 91104
1427 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024
A big thank you to Genelle from All Chill Ice Cream for tipping me off on this amazing place!
“We can’t remember a time when ice cream hasn’t been a part of our lives. We were born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where our parents have been in the ice cream industry for over 40 years. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2010, we sought out a place to get the traditional feel-good ice cream that we grew up eating in the Midwest. When we couldn’t find what we were looking for we decided to start a business of our own. We set out to create a product that would satisfy our desire for that creamy delicious ice cream of our youth and offer it to everyone.” – Bijan & Leila Sadeghi.
I picked the vegan Birthday Cake flavor. I love this flavor in general, and after noticing the stainless steel container was almost empty, I knew I had to go for that one. The girl said that because this flavor was vegan and had oat milk as a base, the consistency was much creamier than their regular ice cream, but honestly, I did not detect that much of a difference. Not only was it incredibly good, but they even added real bits of birthday cake, which was beyond words! I can’t believe that even the birthday cake bits were also made in-house. Absolutely recommend.
Am I the only one that’s stunned at Bloomfield Creamery’s low-key presence in the LA ice cream scene? After combing through many LA ice cream blog posts, only one blog so far mentions Bloomfield.
It says on their website: “We don’t rely on gimmicks to impress our customers; instead we let our products speak for themselves.”
Bloomfield Creamery boasts an impressive selection of gluten-free and vegan ice cream flavors! Not only do they specialize in handmade ice cream, but they also make edible raw cookie dough, shakes, and gluten-free frozen yogurt.
SCOOPS
Highland Park: 5105 York Blvd
Chinatown: 727 N Broadway #125
Had it not been for this list, I would not have discovered this gem of a place. Scoops is an LA-based chain, founded by Tai Kim.
Tai Kim went to Cordon Bleu school in Portland, Oregon, where he specialized in ice cream and cheese. After he graduated, Tai was interested in trying new things and expanding his palate, and that’s when he realized ice cream would be the perfect medium for that.
Before opening his shop, he embarked on an extensive ice cream research journey. He said: “Pretty much everybody had the same flavors — vanilla, chocolate, etc. — nothing really new. So, that’s when I felt like, ‘OK, that’s going to be my niche market.’”
THIS article by Thrillist is so interesting and I highly recommend you read it! Here are a few cliff notes:
-Unlike most artisanal ice creams in LA, at Scoops you will not find pints for sale. He prefers the customer to go to the store and explore the different flavors in-person.
-The motto of Scoops is to expand your palate.
-Scoops was one of the first ice cream shops in LA to offer groundbreaking and unconventional flavors. One of Tai’s favorite ice cream shops was Peddlers Creamery in Downtown LA, an unusual ice cream shop where the workers churned their artisanal ice cream using a bicycle.
– Some of the most unique flavors at Scoops have been Cuban cigar, Nicotine Mint, Cumin Chocolate, Whiskey and Hot Cheetos.
-Scoops locally manufactures the ingredients and they use Grade A sweet cream, pure cane sugar, and other natural flavors.
-The Highland Park location sits inconspicuously among the many businesses that prevail on this street. When I went there for the first time, I couldn’t find it and thought my GPS was faulty until I spotted the ice cream sign.
-They have a few vegan flavors, but except for their Brown Bread flavor, they change their flavors ALL the time, so don’t get too attached if you end up loving one.
I had the Brown Bread and Vanilla M&M Chocolate Chips. Just wow. That day was 86°F in LA and this ice cream was the perfect way to cool down. The Vanilla flavor was very smooth, but the winner for me were the M&M’s inside, which added a nice chocolaty crunch. I got this flavor because the guy working there said Tai often complains about many places not getting the vanilla flavor right.
Like I said above, one of their few permanent flavors is the Brown Bread. This ice cream harkens back to 19th century Britain, where ice creams and sorbets began to become a staple among the rich in between meals. For this specific flavor, the cooks incorporated leftover bread from the day before.
It says on Google that Brown Bread ice cream is a vanilla-based flavor, but the one at Scoops was pretty subtle. Even though I had another scoop of vanilla, the brown bread tasted more like bread dipped in milk if that makes sense. I loved the juxtaposition of the creamy ice cream texture and the crunchiness of the bread. Two days before this post went live, I went back for one scoop of the Brown Bread, and as you can see, it was a very generous portion!
What I like about Scoops is that they have a unique variety of flavors that you won’t find anywhere in LA. I ended up learning about the Brown Bread flavor that day, which goes to show you how seriously Tai Kim takes the educational aspect of ice cream flavors.
I asked the guy working there what his favorite ice cream places were besides Scoops, and he said Mateo’s and Fosselman’s.
All in all, Scoops is definitely not your average ice cream shop. If you’re not an adventurous ice cream person, and you want to stick to the classic vanilla and chocolate flavors, this will not be the place for you. Below you will see the flavors that were available the first time I went.
There’s no website!
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt
1882 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
8850 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91324
4201 McGowen St Suite 200, Long Beach, CA 90808
3405 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Handel’s has been recognized by many publications as the best ice cream in the world. I’ve only been to the Redondo Beach and Pasadena location. If you’ve never been, get ready to walk away with towering scoops of ice cream.
Alice Handel founded Handel’s with her husband in 1945 through a walk-up window at a gas station in Youngstown, Ohio.
Her first batches were made using old fashioned recipes with fresh fruit she picked from her backyard. Since then, Handel’s has expanded into different US states. They have continued the legacy of the original Handel’s by serving ice cream through walk-up windows. The workers definitely don’t skimp on the scoops, so keep that in mind if you dare to order more than one. I prefer mine in a cup rather than a cone.
Their first LA location was in Redondo Beach!
Frozen Fruit Co
729 Montana Ave #2, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Frozen Fruit Co is a vegan and gluten-free ice cream shop. British couple Michael & Victoria Philippou, who were previously lawyers based in London, wanted to sell vegan ice cream and soft serve. The latter was heavily influenced by their love of Pinkberry. They use coconut as a base for their ice cream and everything is sweetened with natural fruit sugar.
When I went there after the pandemic, they only allowed to sample one flavor, so tried the Salted Caramel Chocolate flavor, but I also wanted another one, so I chose Vanilla.
In my personal opinion, the Vanilla flavor tasted very plant-based and it wasn’t anything to write home about. The Salted Caramel Chocolate, on the other hand, was very rich and decadent. I loved it.
Antico Nuovo
4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
This Italian restaurant opened in 2019 and right when the pandemic hit, they incorporated takeout menu items like focaccia-style pizza and Caesar salad. However, during this time, the most requested menu item was their ice cream pints, which they hadn’t sold before! It is prepared fresh every day with high-quality ingredients and a cutting-edge ice cream machine from Italy, which produces a wonderfully creamy and smooth texture. If this is not enough, the ice cream is made by veteran pastry chefs who introduce a variety of seasonal flavors to the dessert menu.
I had to include Antico when I saw people were raving about their Honeycomb ice cream, deeming it “the best ice cream you will ever have”. Their pint prices start at $14. If you’re feeling extra fancy and you want to treat yourself to a five-star Italian meal followed by luxurious and decadent ice cream, then Antico will be your best choice. Considering that the pint will last you for a few days and that you’re not eating store-bought ice cream, but rather ice cream meticulously prepared from scratch by renowned chefs, it won’t seem that exorbitant. You can also enjoy this ice cream if you dine in at the restaurant.
To see the ice cream flavors and the menu, click here.
Chainsaw
Echo Park
Former pastry chef Karla Subero Pitto, who is best known for her epic homemade pies, is the founder of Chainsaw.
In 2019, Karla and her partner Max Sheffler started doing private pop-ups inside their home garage in Echo Park. When the pandemic hit, Karla started making ice cream batches and other frozen treats like ice cream cookie sandwiches and sorbets.
The reason why the quality of each menu item is unsurpassed is because she only uses ingredients that are in season at the Farmer’s Market. Her pie dough even won Best Crust at KCRW’s annual Pie Contest.
Back in 2020, when the stay-at-home orders were in full effect, she lowered each order from her window on a bucket with a pulley.
Pickup location is in Echo Park, so keep that in mind. She doesn’t sell scoops, only full-sized pints or half-sized pints.
Le Cafe De La Plage
29169 Heathercliff Rd #112, Malibu, CA 90265
301 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (new location)
From France to Malibu! What a fascinating story.
Originally from Provence (South of France), Bernard and Sophie picked Malibu as the ideal location for their business given the “extraordinary vibes”.
In an interview with the website Bristolfarms.com, they gave us insight into their business:
“Sophie and I have always been passionate about the culinary arts and expressing ourselves in the kitchen. Our dream was to create sorbets and ice creams. But, we didn’t want to just make desserts — we wanted every scoop to carry a unique taste experience. And, we wanted to do it with only the best ingredients — mostly organic, never artificial, and always non-GMO. A few years ago, we moved to Point Dume, Malibu and found paradise. Nothing beats bringing happiness to our new friends and neighbors.”
Can’t make it to Malibu? Don’t worry! On their website they have a list of a few selected grocery stores in the LA area that carry their ice cream.
15355 Sherman Way Suite E, Van Nuys, CA 91406
450 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340
With two locations in the San Fernando Valley, Pop’s is a mom-and-pop ice cream shop founded in 2015 by a family from Belize!
Thank you so much to Nestor Aguilar from The 818 Insider for this amazing interview with Pop’s owner, Marthin Ken! Make sure to watch the interview to know more about his backstory!
Here are some notes from the interview:
Martin, the owner, comes from six generations of ice cream makers.
The secret of Marthin’s success? Sourcing the best ingredients, like cacao from Belize and lavender from Provence (France) while also making sure to foster a relationship with the local farmers.
The Caribbean and Latin influences are ever-present in Pop’s, like serving ice cream in a coconut shell! Marthin’s personal experiences are imbued in every menu item. For example, their Creme Brulee Coconut was inspired by his friend’s trip to Bora Bora (French Polynesia).
Growing up in Belize, Marthin said the mangroves were his playground and that he also used to shave coconuts! At Pop’s, it is all about carrying the tradition and legacy from his family.
Whether you want something nutty, fruity, tart, or straight-up classic, there’s always something for everyone. Vegan options including sorbets are also available. Since Marthin’s wife is vegan, he made sure to find the perfect dairy alternatives by using almonds, and of course, coconut.
Marthin tells people to not sleep on their sorbet. Just like at Scoops, a visit to Pop’s will be a very educational experience.
Is there such thing as too much Chamoy and Tajín!? 🤩 Add this delicious combo any of our fresh, hand-made sorbets! 😛🔥🙌🏼 #popscreamery
I had one scoop of the Guava Cheese flavor, which was inspired by the Guava Strudel from Porto’s Bakery. It had a lovely texture and a rich tropical taste that transported me to an island. I could tell that it was naturally flavored and it was the perfect dessert after lunch. I can’t wait to go back! If only they had more locations in Central LA…
Marthin’s top 5 flavors are: Honey Lavender, Cacao, Chocolate Tea, Guava Cheese and Coffee.
Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars
4234 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
1250 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006
4929 Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90230
Owning an ice cream business was always a dream of Priciliano Mateo. The Oaxacan native moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and in the year 2000, he decided to open Mateo’s, a bright and colorful ice cream establishment beloved by the Hispanic community in LA. Mateo paid homage to his roots by offering popsicles (also known as paletas) with flavors he grew up with. You can find over 30 different popsicle flavors and about 18 ice cream flavors. Sadly, the paleta maven passed away in 2018, but his frozen delights continue to put smiles on people’s faces.
In the Hispanic community in LA, Mateo’s is pretty much the king when it comes to getting a frozen treat.
The first time I drove past this place was on a weekend and the line wrapped around the block! It was mostly large parties of Hispanic families. I went back (Pico location) during the week. I still found a line, but it was much shorter. When it was finally my turn to go in, I was welcomed into a haven of multi-colored paletas (popsicles) and a rainbow of ice cream containers of every imaginable and unimaginable fruit flavor you could think of, like dragon fruit (pitaya), passion fruit (maracuya), mamey and soursop, flavors that were completely unbeknownst to me.
You can tell the ice cream is fresh because I could see the fruit being cut in the kitchen. When I interviewed Zen, owner of AWAN, he said that Mateo’s was his business inspiration. He praised the variety of items and the freshness.
I was not in the mood for ice cream, so I opted for two flavors from their water-based sorbet section: Maracuya and Dragon fruit. I didn’t know the scoops were going to be so massive! Thank God the girl gave me a lid to take it home because unlike ice cream from other places, it would have been impossible for me to have eaten it all in one sitting.
Both flavors were like eating straight-up fresh fruit. My mom used to make a lot of maracuya mousses back when I lived in Spain and I cannot tell you how much this flavor reminded me of her! The dragon fruit also made my taste buds swoon in delight. It wasn’t too sweet or sugary and I was awestruck by how fresh and tasty everything was. Fruit sorbets can be hard to nail.
Mateo’s prides themselves on using fresh, simple and 100% natural ingredients at amazing prices. My total was $5.
This place is a home away from home for all Latin Americans that want to relish in nostalgia by tasting South American staple fruits they grew up on. Whether it’s a sorbet, or a quintessential paleta, which are a staple in the Latin American culture, Mateo’s exotic flavors will transport you to Central and South America.
Is it worth the hype? 100% yes!! If you go on a weekend, know that you will have to wait.
Mateo’s also offers your classic ice cream flavors, some of them with a Latin twist, like their Coconut Pineapple (Coco y Pina), or Horchata ‘N Walnuts (Horchata y Nueces) ice cream.
I hope this list has given you a deeper insight into the stories of these ice cream shops and their owners from all walks of life. What’s your favorite ice cream shop in LA?
