We couldn’t let National Ice Cream Month pass without a proper “Best of LA” roundup. We taste-tested ice cream across Los Angeles and narrowed it down to ten outstanding shops you should try this summer. Use the map below to plan your route, then read on for each shop’s highlights and our favorite flavors.
Click the map above to enlarge or download it and take it on your ice cream adventures.
Here are our 10 favorites, in no particular order.
Ice Cream Lab
(Multiple Locations)
Made-to-order ice cream frozen with liquid nitrogen right in front of you—part spectacle, part tasty treat.
Our favorite: Blue Velvet
Jeni’s Ice Cream
A longtime favorite now in LA, Jeni’s uses high-quality ingredients and consistently creative flavors.
Our favorites: Buckeye State, Seven Layer Bar, Brown Butter Almond Brittle (pictured)
Scoops
(Multiple Locations)
A local institution known for constantly rotating, wildly inventive flavors—expect surprises and playful combinations.
Our favorites: Ube Burnt Sugar and Brown Brown Bread
Salt & Straw
Portland’s famed shop that sparked excitement in LA with inventive seasonal flavors and notable collaborations, from coffee to chocolate to donuts.
Our favorite: Seasonal selections and Stumptown Coffee with Compartes Love Nuts (pictured)
Milk
(Multiple Locations)
Known for cookies and delectable macaron ice cream sandwiches, Milk serves indulgent flavors and creative treats worth the line.
Our favorites: Macaron ice cream sandwiches and Red Velvet
Sweet Rose Creamery
(Multiple Locations)
Sweet Rose stands out for sourcing organic, sustainable, and local ingredients, creating farmer’s market-inspired flavors that taste like summer.
Our favorites: True Mint Chocolate Chip and seasonal varieties
Bennett’s Ice Cream
Located in the Original Farmer’s Market, Bennett’s delivers classic, nostalgic favorites alongside a few elevated seasonal options for a timeless ice cream experience.
Our favorites: Fancy Nancy, Cabernet Sauvignon sorbet, and bubblegum (for the classic pink fun)
Carmela Ice Cream
(Multiple Locations)
Carmela highlights bright, market-fresh ingredients and bold flavor profiles. They even offer ice cream classes for anyone who wants to learn how it’s done.
Our favorites: Salted Caramel and seasonal Strawberry Buttermilk
Sprinkles
(Multiple Locations)
Sprinkles is expanding its reputation beyond cupcakes with standout ice cream flavors and inventive creations like the Sprinkles Sundae—ice cream sandwiched between halves of a cupcake.
Our favorite: The Sprinkles Sundae
Coolhaus
(Multiple Locations)
Known for creative ice cream sandwiches and playful, sometimes savory flavor mashups, Coolhaus keeps things surprising and fun.
Our favorites: Their cereal and savory combos—always rotating and always worth trying
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Map by Striped Cat Studio
So—what’s your go-to ice cream? It’s a tough choice, but the best solution is obvious: taste test them all and decide for yourself.
For more sugar fixes, explore other local favorites and keep sampling—the city has so much delicious variety.
Disclaimer: We focused this list on shops within Los Angeles city limits. There are great spots outside the city too—share your favorites in the comments!