Top 8 Places to Get Ice Cream in Los Angeles

Ah, ice cream! There’s nothing like enjoying a scoop of your favorite flavor while strolling down the colorful streets of Los Angeles. And when you order from the top eight ice cream places in Los Angeles that we’re listing here, you can be sure you’re enjoying a tasty treat custom built for your palette. From vegan ice cream choices to old fashioned ice cream built from scratch, here are the best places to enjoy ice cream in LA.

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Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars

Real fruit and Oaxacan flavors make Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars a taste sensation

4234 Pico Blvd. | Mid-City/ mateosicecreamla.com

Do you like the exotic Oaxacan cuisines of southwestern Mexico? Then you should try Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars, one of Los Angeles’ more unique ice cream establishments. Founded by Oaxacan native Priciliano Mateo, this ice cream shop offers real fruit Paleta popsicles flavored with watermelon, pineapple, guava, and hibiscus.

If ice cream is more your style, try the fruit cream ice cream offered at Mateo’s. With flavors including smoked milk, eggnog w raisins, and tequila, even long-time ice cream fans will find something new and different. Why settle for ordinary ice cream when you can treat your taste buds to the amazing flavors at Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars?  

“I can’t suggest one thing from here because EVERYTHING IS delicious! The ‘paletas’ ice cream bars are the best!!!” — Yelp Review

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McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

Sample “the finest ice creams in the world” at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

317 S. Broadway | Grand Central Market Downtown/ mcconnells.com

Since 1949, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams has been delighting customers with some of the finest ice creams in the world. The ice creams offered here are made from scratch and provide a smooth, rich, velvety feel. Their recipes are surprisingly simple and do not include any stabilizers, fillers, or preservatives.

McConnell’s relies on milk, cream, eggs, and cane sugar as well as different jams, chocolates, coffees, and nuts to enhance their flavors. The ice cream is actually manufactured at The Old Dairy, an original dairy from the 1930s outfitted with state-of-the-art ice cream-making equipment. With over 70 years of experience, you know you’re sampling ice cream from the classic era at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams.  

“I chose the Eureka Lemon and Marionberries (5 stars), which [was] one [of] the best ice cream flavor combinations I’ve ever had.” — Yelp Review

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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Enjoy good ice cream “that makes you feel good”

5915 Franklin Ave. | Hollywood Hills/ vanleeuwenicecream.com

Vegan ice cream is only one option on the menu at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, an establishment that began serving ice cream from a truck in New York City back in 2008. Their vegan flavors are made from coconuts, cashews, and oats, while their more traditional ice creams are made from milk, cream, eggs, and cane sugar.

The ice cream makers here take pride in using simple, natural ingredients to make good ice cream “that makes you feel good.” While their ice cream is offered in grocery stores and online, you can also enjoy their Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Chunk or Honeycomb ice cream at scoop shops in New York City, Brooklyn, Houston, and of course, Los Angeles.  

“Stop by for the first time to try their vegan ice cream. It was SOOOOO GOOD!! They have plenty of delicious options” — Yelp Review

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J & F Ice Cream Shop

Ice cream is only one of the treats you can enjoy at J & F Ice Cream Shop

1703 Mariachi Plaza De Los Ang | Boyle Heights

You can order ice cream at J & F Ice Cream Shop — as well as frozen yogurt, sandwiches, juice bars, and smoothies. Enjoy some Latin cuisine with your favorite ice cream by ordering their Carne Asada or Vegetarian Torta. Or enjoy some different frozen treats, like their mango raspados (shaved ice).

For those who want a substantial meal with their ice cream, you can’t go wrong with J & F Ice Cream Shop. Be sure to try the tortas. They come highly recommended.

“The flavors were natural and not artificial which is very important to me.” — Yelp Review

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Oaxacalifornia Café & Juice Bar

Try the icy and refreshing treats of Oaxacan cuisine!

3655 S. Grand Ave. | Historic South Central

If you’re a fan of Oaxacan food then you’re sure to find something to love at Oaxacalifornia Café & Juice Bar. Customers love their agua fresca, a popular fruit drink from Mexico, that comes in a variety of flavors including, watermelon, pineapple, and more. Or if you’d like something a bit thicker, try their Chamango, a spicy and chilled Mexican fruit drink that’s like an icy smoothie.

Of course, you can’t forget the ice cream, and Oaxacalfornia Café & Juice Bar has you covered with different sorbet ice creams in a variety of flavors. Or if you feel like broadening your palette, try the Frescas con Crema, a delicious Mexican dessert made with fresh strawberries in a sweet and creamy sauce. You won’t be disappointed.

“We finally ordered the frescas con crema (solid in the summer, comes with crema, granola and whipped cream) and their watermelon aqua fresca — tasted very refreshing for summertime also!” —Yelp Review

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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Classic ice cream standards and creative flavors help make some splendid ice cream

1954 Hillhurst Ave. | Los Feliz/ jenis.com

Founded by professional ice cream maker Jeni Britton Bauer in 2002, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams was built on a philosophy of using whole ingredients and dairy from grass-pastured cows. The ice cream makers here take pride in not using synthetic flavorings, dyes, or commodity ice cream mix. The result is ice cream with a uniquely smooth texture and body that can be enjoyed at birthday parties, celebrations, and fun get togethers.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams also offers many different flavors of ice cream, including the High Five Candy Bar, Boston Cream Pie, and Lemon & Blueberries Parfait. Of course, traditionalists can always order a delicious scoop of Cookies in Cream or Green Mint Chip too. There are also dairy free options as well.

“I’ve tried the Wildberry Lavender, Atlantic Beach Pie, Brambleberry Crisp, and Churro and all were delicious.” — Yelp Review

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La Michoacana Premier Ice Cream

Enjoy authentic Mexican style ice cream and more at La Michoacana Premier Ice Cream!

2715 S. Western Ave. | Jefferson Park

Over 40 flavors of paleta style ice cream bars await you at La Michoacana Premier Ice Cream. Established in 2017, the owners use only the highest quality and freshest ingredients in their ice cream and make a point of offering traditional Mexican style treats as well as some creative new ones.

In addition to ice cream, you can also sample other Hispanic treats such as elote (corn on the cob), spicy tostilocos, mangonada desserts, and more. For those who want an authentic Mexican style experience, La Michoacana Premier Ice Cream offers the type of tastes you don’t typically sample.  

“Everything we ordered was really good! Would definitely come back!” — Yelp Review

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Ice Cream Occasions

Ice cream delivered right to your door!

Los Angeles, CA 90065 | Cypress Park/ icecreamoccasions.com

Our last selection is a little bit different. Instead of providing a traditional ice cream scoop shop, Ice Cream Occasions brings the ice cream directly to your door with their local ice cream catering & rental company. Birthday parties, corporate events, school fundraisers, weddings and more can enjoy delicious catered ice cream through this company.

You can offer an ice cream truck, ice cream cart, or even a sundae bar. This catering company also offers popular flavors like strawberry shortcake and brownie sundae. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re now offering fresh mini donuts made on site along with fresh churros catering. Paired with their ice cream, this is one taste experience you won’t forget.

“I have never experienced such great service like the one they provided. They were the hit of the party everything tasted amazing.” — Yelp Review

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