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Ice cream cone with two scoops from Bruster’s Ice Cream in Los Angeles.
Ice cream cone with two scoops from Bruster’s Ice Cream in Los Angeles.
Matthew Kang

16 Outstanding Ice Cream Shops in Los Angeles, Summer 2022

Where to find the best heat-beating scoops around town

by Eater Staff Updated
7 comments / new
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Ice cream cone with two scoops from Bruster’s Ice Cream in Los Angeles.
| Matthew Kang
by Eater Staff Updated
7 comments / new

With so little rain and cloud coverage in sight this spring, it’s a good time to start thinking about the near-endless summer in Los Angeles — like where to get the best ice cream, soft serve, and gelato. Thankfully, LA is spoiled for choice when it comes to all that’s cold and creamy, with scoop shops parked everywhere, from the Westside to SGV. Here now are 16 outstanding ice cream shops in Los Angeles from west to east.

Added: Bacio di Latte, Wanderlust, Mateo’s Ice Cream, Scoops, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Dear Bella Creamery

Removed: Tondi, Long Beach Creamery, Fatamorgana, Salt and Straw, Bumsan

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Sweet Rose Creamery

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The ice cream from Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb’s Rustic Canyon family of restaurants is the brainchild of chef Shiho Yoshikawa and is full of delightful surprises, like its housemade candied nuts and mini marshmallows.

225 26th St #51, Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 260-2663 ext. 1
(310) 260-2663 ext. 1

Also featured in:

Wanderlust Creamery

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Back on this list and perennially one of the city’s top ice cream shops, Wanderlust Creamery does inventive flavors based on the owner Adrienne Borlongan’s travels. Ube malted crunch, White Rabbit, and Vietnamese rocky road are just three examples that show Wanderlust’s high-quality texture and strong flavors.

2105 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(424) 832-3586
(424) 832-3586
Ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery.
Ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery.
Matthew Kang

Also featured in:

Bacio di Latte

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One of LA’s top practitioners of gelato, Bacio di Latte inside the Century City mall has the luscious creamy texture one would expect from top-quality Italian ice cream. The pistachio is a real gem, though the signature bacio di latte, or sweet cream, is a must-order as well.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 272-7800
(310) 272-7800
Gelato from Bacio di Latte.
Gelato from Bacio di Latte.
Matthew Kang

ecco un poco

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Tucked away on Third Street in Beverly Grove, Ecco un Poco offers a surprising, abundant selection of fresh gelato and cones that — like all its flavors — are gluten-free. Run by Alessandro Restelli (who was born and raised just outside of Milan) and his wife Alejandra Unger, the shop balances traditional Italian flavors with more gastronomical creations like “American breakfast” (with gluten-free maple pancake mix, bacon, and blueberries) and “avocado toast” (made with what it sounds like).

8318 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 595-0466
(310) 595-0466
A woman’s manicured hand holding up an ice cream cone filled with hazelnut gelato. Nicole Adlman

Also featured in:

Jamz Creamery

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Blocks away from SoFi Stadium is Jamz Creamery. This family-owned operation offers 27 flavors along with sundaes, shakes, banana splits, and an impossibly big ice cream sandwich. Toppings are plentiful, and they’ve even got a few vegan options available.

231 E Manchester Blvd #1717, Inglewood, CA 90301
(424) 351-8217
(424) 351-8217

Also featured in:

Mashti Malone Ice Cream

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LA's original Persian ice cream shop has been serving locals and tourists for decades, and its rose-infused ice cream still tastes like springtime. Don't forget to add a dash of sour cherry syrup to tame all of the sweetness.

1525 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 874-6168
(323) 874-6168

Bruster's Real Ice Cream

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Hailing from Pennsylvania, this national chain has been making good inroads in Los Angeles, starting with a longtime Torrance window and now this prime LA spot along La Brea. With dense, American-style ice cream and hefty flavors, this brand makes its cream locally, which adds freshness and overall quality.

1258 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 433-7999
(323) 433-7999
Ice cream cone from Bruster’s Ice Cream.
Ice cream cone from Bruster’s Ice Cream.
Matthew Kang

Mateo's Ice Cream & Fruit Bars

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With four locations across LA, this Mexican ice cream shop and paleteria is a place that features a multi-faceted fruit approach, with everything from strawberries and coconut pineapple to tropical mamey and yellow cherry (nance). The leche quemada, or smoked milk, is the one flavor that binds the nieves, or ice creams, together.

4234 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 931-5500
(323) 931-5500

Also featured in:

Dear Bella Creamery

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For surprising vegan eats hit up Dear Bella Creamery in Hollywood, where collaborations and seasonal rotations keep the menu fresh and lively. From soft serve options to scoops, pints, and ice cream sandwiches, this is the place for non-dairy ice cream seekers to get it all.

1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 848-4672
(323) 848-4672

Also featured in:

Kansha Creamery

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Sporting a slew of ice cream made on-site, this Gardena shop comes from James Tatsuya and Elaine Yukari, who make different flavors every day and use fresh, seasonal ingredients. The hours are limited, with service from just 12:30 to 6 p.m. (closed Sunday and Wednesday), but the shop generously donates a portion of its sales to charities.

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 953-7110
(310) 953-7110

Also featured in:

Gelateria Uli

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This Spring Street Arcade gelato destination comes from Uli Nasibova, and features a rotating selection of seasonal flavors perfect for those hot days when everyone needs something satisfying.

541 S Spring St Ste 104, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 900-4717
(213) 900-4717
A double scoop of ice cream from Gelateria Uli in Los Angeles, California.
Gelateria Uli
Gelateria Uli website

Also featured in:

La Jerezana Ice Cream Parlor

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A fairly recent addition to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, the family-owned La Jerezana opened in late-2020 where tequila ice cream, cheesecake paletas, raspados are made on-site. Plus, there’s a giant ice cream-wielding robot at the entrance.

2200 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 685-2699
(323) 685-2699

Scoops

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One of LA’s most classic shops at this point, with a history going back to the mid-2000s, Tai Kim’s enduring ice cream destination in Highland Park and Torrance (plus a separately owned Chinatown outlet) is the place to find a rotating array of changing flavors. Find anything from Grapenut-infused brown bread to things like strawberry balsamic. There’s always a good selection of non-dairy oat milk-based flavors as well.

5105 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 285-1096
(323) 285-1096
Scoops ice cream
Scoops ice cream Highland Park
Scoops

Also featured in:

Fosselman's Ice Cream Co.

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This 100-year-old ice cream brand still churns some of the city’s best scoops, anywhere. Of course, the Alhambra-based company’s soda fountain options (floats, malts, and more) are worth the trip to the original location or the more recently opened space in Glendora.

1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA
(626) 282-6533
(626) 282-6533

Also featured in:

Big Softee

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Local crowds descend upon Big Softee for highly Instagrammable swirls of soft serve. Flavors change daily and are inspired by Asian desserts, like Hong Kong-style milk tea, ginger-kissed tofu flower, and matcha almond.

128 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Carmela Ice Cream & Sorbet

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The salted caramel at Carmela Ice Cream is the stuff of legend, but that shouldn’t deter ice cream-goers from trying any of the other seasonal flavors on the menu, like the lavender honey and strawberry buttermilk, or rosemary with toasted pine nuts.

2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA
(626) 797-1405
(626) 797-1405
Pasadena’s Carmela ice cream is open for delivery and takeout
Carmela
[Official Photo]

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Sweet Rose Creamery

225 26th St #51, Santa Monica, CA 90402

The ice cream from Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb’s Rustic Canyon family of restaurants is the brainchild of chef Shiho Yoshikawa and is full of delightful surprises, like its housemade candied nuts and mini marshmallows.

225 26th St #51, Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 260-2663 ext. 1
(310) 260-2663 ext. 1

Wanderlust Creamery

2105 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Back on this list and perennially one of the city’s top ice cream shops, Wanderlust Creamery does inventive flavors based on the owner Adrienne Borlongan’s travels. Ube malted crunch, White Rabbit, and Vietnamese rocky road are just three examples that show Wanderlust’s high-quality texture and strong flavors.

2105 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(424) 832-3586
(424) 832-3586
Ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery.
Ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery.
Matthew Kang

Bacio di Latte

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

One of LA’s top practitioners of gelato, Bacio di Latte inside the Century City mall has the luscious creamy texture one would expect from top-quality Italian ice cream. The pistachio is a real gem, though the signature bacio di latte, or sweet cream, is a must-order as well.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 272-7800
(310) 272-7800
Gelato from Bacio di Latte.
Gelato from Bacio di Latte.
Matthew Kang

ecco un poco

8318 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Tucked away on Third Street in Beverly Grove, Ecco un Poco offers a surprising, abundant selection of fresh gelato and cones that — like all its flavors — are gluten-free. Run by Alessandro Restelli (who was born and raised just outside of Milan) and his wife Alejandra Unger, the shop balances traditional Italian flavors with more gastronomical creations like “American breakfast” (with gluten-free maple pancake mix, bacon, and blueberries) and “avocado toast” (made with what it sounds like).

8318 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 595-0466
(310) 595-0466
A woman’s manicured hand holding up an ice cream cone filled with hazelnut gelato. Nicole Adlman

Jamz Creamery

231 E Manchester Blvd #1717, Inglewood, CA 90301

Blocks away from SoFi Stadium is Jamz Creamery. This family-owned operation offers 27 flavors along with sundaes, shakes, banana splits, and an impossibly big ice cream sandwich. Toppings are plentiful, and they’ve even got a few vegan options available.

231 E Manchester Blvd #1717, Inglewood, CA 90301
(424) 351-8217
(424) 351-8217

Mashti Malone Ice Cream

1525 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA

LA's original Persian ice cream shop has been serving locals and tourists for decades, and its rose-infused ice cream still tastes like springtime. Don't forget to add a dash of sour cherry syrup to tame all of the sweetness.

1525 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 874-6168
(323) 874-6168

Bruster's Real Ice Cream

1258 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Hailing from Pennsylvania, this national chain has been making good inroads in Los Angeles, starting with a longtime Torrance window and now this prime LA spot along La Brea. With dense, American-style ice cream and hefty flavors, this brand makes its cream locally, which adds freshness and overall quality.

1258 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 433-7999
(323) 433-7999
Ice cream cone from Bruster’s Ice Cream.
Ice cream cone from Bruster’s Ice Cream.
Matthew Kang

Mateo's Ice Cream & Fruit Bars

4234 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

With four locations across LA, this Mexican ice cream shop and paleteria is a place that features a multi-faceted fruit approach, with everything from strawberries and coconut pineapple to tropical mamey and yellow cherry (nance). The leche quemada, or smoked milk, is the one flavor that binds the nieves, or ice creams, together.

4234 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 931-5500
(323) 931-5500

Dear Bella Creamery

1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038

For surprising vegan eats hit up Dear Bella Creamery in Hollywood, where collaborations and seasonal rotations keep the menu fresh and lively. From soft serve options to scoops, pints, and ice cream sandwiches, this is the place for non-dairy ice cream seekers to get it all.

1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 848-4672
(323) 848-4672

Kansha Creamery

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248

Sporting a slew of ice cream made on-site, this Gardena shop comes from James Tatsuya and Elaine Yukari, who make different flavors every day and use fresh, seasonal ingredients. The hours are limited, with service from just 12:30 to 6 p.m. (closed Sunday and Wednesday), but the shop generously donates a portion of its sales to charities.

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 953-7110
(310) 953-7110

Gelateria Uli

541 S Spring St Ste 104, Los Angeles, CA

This Spring Street Arcade gelato destination comes from Uli Nasibova, and features a rotating selection of seasonal flavors perfect for those hot days when everyone needs something satisfying.

541 S Spring St Ste 104, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 900-4717
(213) 900-4717
A double scoop of ice cream from Gelateria Uli in Los Angeles, California.
Gelateria Uli
Gelateria Uli website

La Jerezana Ice Cream Parlor

2200 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033

A fairly recent addition to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, the family-owned La Jerezana opened in late-2020 where tequila ice cream, cheesecake paletas, raspados are made on-site. Plus, there’s a giant ice cream-wielding robot at the entrance.

2200 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 685-2699
(323) 685-2699

Scoops

5105 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

One of LA’s most classic shops at this point, with a history going back to the mid-2000s, Tai Kim’s enduring ice cream destination in Highland Park and Torrance (plus a separately owned Chinatown outlet) is the place to find a rotating array of changing flavors. Find anything from Grapenut-infused brown bread to things like strawberry balsamic. There’s always a good selection of non-dairy oat milk-based flavors as well.

5105 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 285-1096
(323) 285-1096
Scoops ice cream
Scoops ice cream Highland Park
Scoops

Fosselman's Ice Cream Co.

1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA

This 100-year-old ice cream brand still churns some of the city’s best scoops, anywhere. Of course, the Alhambra-based company’s soda fountain options (floats, malts, and more) are worth the trip to the original location or the more recently opened space in Glendora.

1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA
(626) 282-6533
(626) 282-6533

Big Softee

128 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Local crowds descend upon Big Softee for highly Instagrammable swirls of soft serve. Flavors change daily and are inspired by Asian desserts, like Hong Kong-style milk tea, ginger-kissed tofu flower, and matcha almond.

128 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Related Maps

Carmela Ice Cream & Sorbet

2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA

The salted caramel at Carmela Ice Cream is the stuff of legend, but that shouldn’t deter ice cream-goers from trying any of the other seasonal flavors on the menu, like the lavender honey and strawberry buttermilk, or rosemary with toasted pine nuts.

2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA
(626) 797-1405
(626) 797-1405
Pasadena’s Carmela ice cream is open for delivery and takeout
Carmela
[Official Photo]

Related Maps