Is there anything better than rich and delicious ice cream—whether in a waffle cone, on a stick, or between two cookies? Uh…no! As the weather heats up, we’ve got the scoop on LA’s best places to cool down with everyone’s favorite frozen treat.
photo: McConnell’s Ice Cream via Lorraine P. on Yelp
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
Since 1949, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams has been serving up some of the tastiest scoops in the Golden State. Founded at a Santa Barbara dairy, McConnell’s offers fresh flavors that are made from scratch using grass-grazed milk and cream. With locations in Downtown LA, Los Feliz, Studio City, and Pacific Palisades, there’s bound to be a scoop shop close to you.
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
4 LA Locations
Online: mcconnells.com
photo: Salt & Straw via Paulina L. on Yelp
Salt & Straw
Lucky for Angelenos, this Portland native has now opened five scoop shops across LA. Each venue prides itself on being a place where neighbors can pop in for some community bonding and creative, artisanal ice cream crafted using local ingredients. With its wildly unusual flavors like Pear and Blue Cheese, Arbequina Olive Oil and Roasted Strawberry Coconut, this ain’t your mama’s Baskin Robbins.
Salt & Straw
5 LA Locations
Online: saltandstraw.com
photo: Milk via Wannie S. on Yelp
Milk
The only thing better than ice cream is ice cream between two freshly baked cookies. And no one has perfected the art of the ice cream sandwich better than Milk in the Beverly Grove (and now Silverlake!) area. Choose your own cookie-and-ice cream combo, or go with one of Milk’s greatest hits like Grasshopper, Fruity Pebbles or Green Tea Rose Swirl.
Milk
Beverly Grove and Silverlake
Online: themilkshop.com
photo: Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams via SW on Yelp
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
Known for its unique selection of small-batch ice creams, ice cream pops, and vegan ice creams, Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams is worth the trip even if you don’t call the Westside home. Kids will dig the unlimited tastings, and adults will appreciate inventive flavors like Brown Sugar Bourbon, Rosemary Goat Cheese, and Campfire Marshmallow.
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
12550 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: gingersicecreams.com
photo: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams via Celine L. on Yelp
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is known as much for their friendly and attentive customer service as they are for their magnificent ice cream. With only one LA location, you’re bound to find a long line on warmer days, but we promise it’s worth the wait. Jeni’s shuns synthetic everything, in favor of clean scoops with a buttercream body and texture that’s as a smooth as silk.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
4 LA Locations
Online: jenis.com
photo: Sweet Rose Creamery via Ryan W. on Yelp
Sweet Rose Creamery
Since it first opened its doors at the Brentwood Country Mart in 2010, Sweet Rose Creamery has been serving up organic, handcrafted ice cream made with fresh seasonal ingredients. With dairy-free options plus all the classics (like Old Fashioned Vanilla and Fresh Mint Chip), everyone’s sure to find something they’ll love. And don’t miss out on the banana split—you’ll thank us later!
Sweet Rose Creamery
4 LA Locations
Online: sweetrosecreamery.com
photo: Magpie’s Softserve via Julie N. on Yelp
Magpies Softserve
Remember mom and dad treating you to a soft serve cone on special occasions (or just because). While our memories often involve Dairy Queen or MacDonald’s, we’re happy to report that Magpies Softserve has taken the childhood tradition up a notch. Gone are the days of just chocolate and vanilla to choose from—Magpies features regular and vegan flavors like Mexican Hot Chocolate, Sweetened Cream, Peanut Butter and Concord Grape Jelly, and more?
Magpies Softserve
Silverlake and Tarzana
Online: magpiessoftserve.com
photo: Bennett’s Ice Cream via Bronson Q. on Yelp
Bennett’s Ice Cream
Located inside the Original Farmer’s Market, Bennett’s Ice Cream is a family-owned LA institution that’s been around since 1963. Through the kitchen window, customers can watch the Bennett’s staff make and mix their ice cream on the spot using fresh ingredients. And with flavors like Fancy Nancy and White Chocolate Raspberry, the shop continues to win countless awards (and young fans!) to this day.
Bennett’s Ice Cream
6333 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles
Online: farmersmarketla.com
photo: Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream via Elaine Y. on Yelp
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
What started as a simple yellow ice cream truck on the streets of the Big Apple has expanded to brick and mortar stores throughout NYC and LA. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream uses the freshest ingredients from the world’s best artisan producers and farmers, both locally and globally. Their classic flavors and vegan ones produce a completely decadent and naturally exquisite ice cream that’s sure to become a favorite.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
4 LA Locations
Online: vanleeuwenicecream.com
–Jennifer O’Brien & Andie Huber
featured photo: Jared Sluyter via Unsplash
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