Get the Inside Scoop on These Local Creameries
Alright guys, we’ve got the scoop! We’re breaking out of the cone of silence so listen up because we are taking back sundaes and spilling the secret on the best ice cream shops in town. Whether you opt for a cup or cone, single scoop, or make it a double, hot fudge, sprinkles, or whipped cream with a cherry on top, ice cream is America’s favorite dessert pastime, and any way you do it, it’s always good!
This is the ultimate cool treat, and Orange County is home to some seriously amazing creameries that serve up everything from classics to downright kooky flavor pairings. Whether you’re a classic sundae stan or a little more adventurous, we have something for everyone with these eight ice cream shops in Orange County.
La Tienda at Bodega Laguna
An authentic Mexican restaurant that also serves up ice cream? Que delicioso! It’s not a traditional pairing, but once you chase a margarita with mango sorbet, you’ll never look back. Bodega Laguna in Laguna Beach is a restaurant that celebrates a rich family history through food, artisan home goods and homemade sweet treats. This Mexican outpost on PCH serves up authentic Mexican cuisine, but the star of the show is La Tienda, the in-house ice cream bar and shop with flavors like Abuelita’s chocolate, horchata, fresa (strawberry), pistachio and specialty creations like the ever-popular churro sundae.
The pink bar pays homage to a classic old-school ice cream parlor, and the flavors and toppings are all as fresh as can be. With a location right across the street from Main Beach, you can take your cone to go and walk the boardwalk. Nothing sweetens a sunset like a scoop or two from this new ice cream shop in Orange County!
Location: Laguna Beach
South Swell Ice Cream
South Swell Ice Cream is a surfer paradise for scoops, sundaes and hand-dipped frozen treats. This parlor pitstop makes cool treats look hot and we are here for it. They pride themselves on serving off-the-wall ice cream creations that will blow your mind and look even better on your feed. Pop through their pink doorway and pick your preferred base: a vanilla or chocolate ice cream bar, a frozen banana, a coconut ice cream bar (for the non-dairy folks) or soft serve.
They’ll put your thang down, dip it and reverse it into whatever toppings suit your sweet tooth, like peanuts, sprinkles, graham crackers, salted pretzels, toasted coconut, candies and nostalgic breakfast cereals. The combinations are endless so you don’t ever have to indulge in the same thing twice. A fan favorite is the s’mores dipped cone, topped with toasted marshmallow fluff for a hot-cold concoction. With two locations in South County, South Swell is surfing, er, we mean serving some serious sweets.
Locations: Laguna Beach and San Clemente
Wanderlust Creamery
Wanderlust is a reference to that euphoric feeling of exploring something new and this creamery satisfies that craving. This Filipino-American-owned shop is a fun fusion of classic favorites with funky flavors like Thai tea with boba and sticky rice with mango. Their seasonal flavors are constantly rotating, but you can expect innovative ice creams like Amalfi Pear Torte, Noyaux (plum kernel) with plum jam and Subak Hwachae—a sherbert based on a Korean summer punch with over six different types of fruits.
For the vegan or dairy-free crowd, they have an ice cream iteration of a Vietnamese fruit cocktail called Che Thai made with coconut cream and jackfruit, various jellies of tropical fruits, pandan-coconut “noodles” and bits of rambutan sorbet. This is a texture-filled flavor journey that will take you places you didn’t even know you wanted to go. With a location opening up in Costa Mesa this fall, Wanderlust Creamery will surely draw a crowd.
Locations: Irvine and Costa Mesa
Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw is the OG artisan ice cream shop that made this cool treat sexy with handcrafted creations and rotating themed flavors that are small-batch with big impressions. When you walk into any of their locations, you’re immediately overcome by the smell of waffle cone goodness wafting over you. It is intoxicating in the best way. Sure, it’s ice cream, but it’s elevated. And they encourage taste testing. Try every flavor if your heart desires!
This place wants you to connect over your cone so they make your visit an experience to remember every time. Using only high quality ingredients, each batch is handcrafted to perfection with a beautiful flavor base and unique mix-ins like malted fudge, peanut butter brittle, candied pears and chunks of pie, cookie, donut or candy bits. Upgrade to a waffle bowl so you can optimize your scoop experience. Thank us later!
Locations: Anaheim and Newport Beach
Saffron & Rose
Ever heard of Persian ice cream? Well, now you have! This Irvine ice cream parlor celebrates Middle Eastern flavors like saffron, almond, rosewater, cucumber, coconut, ginger, fig, pistachio and more. Cool off with an ultra-refreshing Faloodeh ice cream, a chilled rosewater sorbet with crunchy rice noodle “sprinkles”, or opt for the cucumber flavor, which tastes like a spa-inspired sweet treat. Everything is fresh, and you can really taste the difference. You won’t leave here with a tummy ache like you may from some other ice cream spots. In fact, a scoop of their spicy ginger ice cream will settle any upset stomachs. We love supporting different cultural takes on our all-American classics and this is one of those spots that has earned its repeat customers.
Location: Irvine
KEM by Mmm Gelato
KEM by Mmm Gelato in Garden Grove is slinging Vietnamese-inspired ice cream and gelato and serving it up in unique, Instagram-friendly ways so you can get some likes before your licks. This parlor is all about presentation, serving scoops in coconut shells, buns, cups and cones and with cute character faces to boot. We’re not sure who loves it more, kids or adults. Their ultra-creamy product blends into the perfect milkshake for those who prefer to sip their sweet treats. Avocado lovers must try their Avo Durian Smash, an icy concoction pairing classic Vietnamese flavors for a memorable, melty mouthful.
Location: Garden Grove
Pampas Helados Argentinos
We have Mexican ice cream, Persian ice cream, Filipino ice cream, Vietnamese ice cream and now Argentinian ice cream. We’re taking you all over the world in one article! Bet you didn’t expect that. This South American spot whips up extra thick and creamy delicacies with flavors like dulce de leche, coffee and sambayon—an egg yolk base infused with Argentinian port wine. Don’t skimp on the toppings, and be sure to opt for a churro over a spoon. No visit to Pampas Helados Argentinos is complete without grabbing an alfajores or two. These Argentinian stuffed cookies will make you forget all about the ordinary Oreo.
Location: Aliso Viejo
Afters Ice Cream
Afters Ice Cream is nostalgia in a cup. Your kids won’t be able to control themselves around the rainbow birthday cake ice cream with chunks of sugar cookie, and the fan-favorite cookie monster will cure any of your post-summer blues. Top any of their flavors with old-school cereal favorites like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp, Fruity Pebbles or Cap’n Crunch. This place will make you feel like a kid again with all of its colorful creations. If you’re craving the ultimate sugar rush, opt for the viral donut ice cream sandwich as seen all over their Instagram. With over 27 locations throughout Southern California, you’re bound to be near one when the ice cream craving strikes!
Locations: Newport Beach, Long Beach, Orange and more
