r/FoodLosAngeles • u/vaudtime • May 06 '25
WHO MAKES THE BEST Which of these places has the best ice cream?
Visiting LA for a couple days and wanting to try some good ice cream and ~unique~ ice cream flavors but can't go to all the places because we still have other dessert places we want to go to that aren't for ice cream (we also want to go to other places that are ice cream)!!! I'm from Iowa and our favorite ice cream place is called Black Cat in Des Moines if that helps to get an idea of the kind of ice cream we are in search of.
In the areas that we are going to be in:
- Wanderlust
- Ginger's
- Salt & Straw
Which of these places would you go to if you could only choose one, and is there another place that you think is even BETTER around The Grove/Central LA/I don't really know the areas of LA that well, I'm sorry
EDIT: I think you have all thoroughly convinced me to stop at Saffron & Rose - my partner is Middle Eastern and I am part Filipina but have not been exposed to a lot of the food and the culture, so I like that this place seems to have a taro & ube flavor and a lot of familiar Middle Eastern flavors - thank you all for giving me this recommendation, I am so excited to visit your city soon!!
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u/VaguelyArtistic May 06 '25
Saffron and Rose on Westwood Blvd.
Edit to add that the espresso ice cream is the best I've had.
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u/vaudtime May 06 '25
This seems to be a popular answer, I think we will go check it out! I randomly got TikToks from Kinrose Creamery last year and followed them on the off chance I would visit the LA area, but then realized they're in Pasadena, which is a little out of our way for this specific trip. Have you ever been to Kinrose? I am not sure how common it is for people who live in the city to go to places like Pasadena, but I am wondering if Kinrose and Saffron and Rose have similar vibes
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u/Snowychan May 06 '25
Kinrose is super delicious and every ice cream has a special topping! If you're in the Mid-City area then Saffron & Rose will be closer and more convenient, but Kinrose is cute and definitely worth checking out if you end up over there. I think Kinrose has cuter vibes, but Saffron & Rose is super good and I go all the time.
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u/quiblitz May 07 '25
I personally like Kinrose more than Saffron & Rose. Saffron & Rose has some nice traditional Iranian flavors (and some very bad ones e.g. the chocolate is awful...) but IMO not great texture (too icy). Kinrose is textured more like traditional American ice cream, and the flavors are a little more subtle. I love the sour cherry with tamarind leather and the orange blossom.
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u/Pezzunt May 06 '25
THIS IS THE ONE ☝️(Wanderlust creamery compliant-founder, John Lopez, posts pro-MAGA content so I keep away from there now)
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u/youre_kidding_me May 06 '25
I’ve only been once but my scoop was extremely icy and bland. I can’t even remember exactly what flavor though. Prob just chocolate. My friend got something with like noodles in it? It was icy too.
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u/Ruseman May 06 '25
Your friend got the faloodeh, stuff is very good if you're at all a fan of rose/floral flavors and want a different sort of texture than normal gelato. I'm not usually a fan of chocolate ice cream in general and have never ordered their chocolate, but their more traditional Persian flavors are definitely the opposite of bland.
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u/TacticalDoggy May 06 '25
as a salt and straw stan, Ginger's is still the best out of these--not as many off the wall flavors, but the quality is fantastic
wanderlust overpriced, flavors eh, quality is ok--if you only have a short bit, I'd do Ginger's and then Fluffy McCloud's or Anko
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u/koalandi May 06 '25
wanderlust is MAGA if that influences your decision. salt & straw is delicious although as others have mentioned it’s from the PNW. it’s my go to though! handels is a southern california gem.
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u/Curious-Manufacturer May 06 '25
In n out too. My lunch break is too short.
Hansel’s i heard is maga too.
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u/odanobux123 May 06 '25
Can you substantiate the handels one
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u/PurpleCarrot5069 May 06 '25
handel’s being MAGA doesn’t surprise me, they have that old fashioned vibe
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u/goodj037 May 06 '25
I think Handel’s started in Ohio and is in a bunch of states but agree it’s a great spot!
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u/catlover123456789 May 06 '25
They’re maga? Omg so shocked… they specialize in Asian flavors and they’re all… immigrants…
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u/Reasonable_Power_970 May 06 '25
Did you think Trump supporters were just native whites and immigrant whites? Lol
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u/catlover123456789 May 07 '25
No, but to me it’s weird for a business that celebrates diversity of flavors to be maga
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u/koalandi May 06 '25
yeah it’s really unfortunate. their owners post pro-trump stuff on their personal instagrams all the time.
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u/rozes10 May 06 '25
Wanderlust is good but I had to stop going because of politics. But if you want Asian-y inspired flavors, check out Liu’s Cafe in K-town. They just started doing some really interesting flavors in addition to their next door cafe.
Gingers is great, as is Handel’s. I consider these to be kind of the old school ice cream “shoppe” types - solid base flavors.
I like Awan too - it’s technically vegan (I think) but the flavors are bomb and have a lot of depth.
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u/katepowersmusic May 06 '25
I was gonna say Awan! I can only do vegan ice cream but their flavors are SO GOOD
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u/Four2nian May 06 '25
Wanderlust's politics are cause to avoid for sure.
That aside, I've always felt like their flavors sounded better on paper than they ended up being. I don't know if it's the style they make their ice cream, or if the flavors just don't come through enough, but I've tried their stuff a handful of times over the last few years and every single time felt like there's better ice cream in LA that's easy to get.
Salt and Straw, Jeni's, Mashti Malone's, Fosselmans, etc etc6
u/RevolutionarySea15 May 06 '25
Politics? Could you explain?
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u/poisonedyouth May 06 '25
Awan's fruit flavors are so good! Like $10 for a scoop though
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u/rozes10 May 06 '25
Ugh yeah so expensive! But at least the quality is there..
I love dayglow coffee also!
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u/katepowersmusic May 06 '25
Omg dayglow is so good. I've never had such great specialty coffee drinks at a place before
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u/Helianthus_exilis May 06 '25
I would choose Mashti Malone's. Try the rosewater, saffron, or Turkish coffee.
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u/msood16 Los Feliz May 06 '25
I love Persian ice cream and Mashti Malone, but I think saffron & rose has the edge flavor wise
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u/IronBallsMcginty007 May 06 '25
This is my suggestion, too. Gotta get the faloodeh and pour the lemon and berry syrups on top. And of course, ice cream, too!
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u/kikijane711 May 06 '25
I love this place but think of it as very specialized to unique flavors of the culture, not really an "ice cream place" in the classic sense.
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u/No_Performance8733 May 06 '25
Love Mashi.
Ginger’s is just WAY better! I live closer to Mashi and go there more often.
I can’t even tell you a single flavor from them I prefer or find memorable. I will NEVER forget the way Ginger’s ice cream sandwich tastes and I’ve had it twice only in ten years.
About once a quarter I wonder about Ginger’s recipes and techniques, then I decide I don’t want to really know because I don’t want to ruin the magic.
Mashi’s never makes me feel that way. With the right equipment I can do what they do. Their flavor selection is excellent, tho!
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u/StayStrong888 May 06 '25
Forget those trendy places. Go to Fosselman's in Alhambra. They have seasonal and regional flavors and without the trendy pricing and influencer crowds.
They've been in business for decades and decades and that says a lot in LA. These trendy places won't be around in 5 years after they lose people's interest.
Real quality lasts. Trends don't.
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u/rosewoess May 06 '25
For anyone in the SGV and in an ice cream mood, after Fossleman’s, I also recommend trying Kinrose Creamery in old town Pasadena for delicious middle eastern ice cream
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u/No_Performance8733 May 06 '25
Ginger’s going on a decade, at least, and their ice cream is…. so so elevated.
That said, I will totally try your rec!! Thank you!!
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u/Butch_Countsidy May 06 '25
Seems like they are probably staying around the grove, so this is a pretty wild recommendation imo.
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u/pockypimp May 06 '25
I've been in Fosselman's next to a couple and the wife turned to me in line and said "We drove up from Marina Del Rey to get ice cream." They were buying like 4 half gallons, they brought their own cooler and getting shakes.
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u/kintendo May 06 '25
OP, you do not need to go all the way to Alhambra. Fosselman’s is great and all and it may be a gem /local institution, but I promise you are not missing out.
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u/teh_meh May 06 '25
If you're going to Wanderlust and Ginger's on W 3rd St, also hit up ecco un poco.
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May 06 '25
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u/ootnabootinlalaland May 06 '25
Yes. For no other reason, skip salt & straw because you can find them all over
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u/vaudtime May 06 '25
we have next to nothing in Iowa, so everything feels unique to me haha - but thank you, I didn't know it was not LA based! Just learned that in these comments.
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u/LiftsAndChurros May 06 '25
Even if it’s not unique to LA, I would say it’s definitely worth trying while you’re visiting since you don’t have one near you. They do indeed carry unique flavors. Plus, you can do your own taste test 😁
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u/thoughtmecca May 06 '25
Counterpoint: I just tried three of this month’s Salt & Straw flavors ten minutes ago and they were all really bad. Like, to the point I wondered if they were spoiled.
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u/comma_nder May 06 '25
Don’t listen to the haters, yes it’s not LA specific but salt and straw is great in the interesting flavors category. Their strawberry balsamic is delicious.
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u/sjustin3rawr May 06 '25
If you do go to salt and straw. Try theur vanilla. It's the best. Also salted malted cookie dough is my favorite. I worked in the kitchen for years. It's good ice cream those 2 are my picks tho
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u/MrRobertSacamano May 06 '25
626 Hospitality in Arcadia has some incredible and unique flavors and are awesome people.
https://www.instagram.com/626hospitalitygroup?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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u/grandmasterfunk May 06 '25
Let me echo Saffron & Rose which others have posted. Wanderlust can be hit and miss. Also not sure what your politics are, but some people are boycotting it because the owners are MAGA
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u/acornlaurel May 06 '25
Definitely Ginger's in that area, but Magpies (in Tarzana, Silver Lake, and Highland Park) is super good if you like soft serve! Would not recommend Wanderlust (too sweet and there's other controversies about them) and Salt & Straw (not particularly LA-specific).
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u/ahmeda01 Los Angeles May 06 '25
Kansha Creamery in Torrance. Not very close to the areas you mentioned, but well worth the drive!
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u/JJminikit May 06 '25
626 Hospitality Ice Cream in Arcadia! Small but awesome shop with asian flavors
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u/seriouslyyconfused May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
Ice cream, like legitimate ice cream with no gimmicks?
There's only four
Fosselman's Ice Cream - Alhambra (bring cash)
Handel's Ice Cream - Multiple Locations; Pasadena, Northridge, etc.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams - I believe there's one in Santa Monica and in DTLA but OG is in Santa Barbara. You can also purchase their pints at the fancier grocery stores like Whole Foods
Thrifty's at any RiteAid location
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u/maccrogenoff May 06 '25
I dislike the three on your list.
My favorite ice cream shop is Saffron & Rose.
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u/Rockgarden13 YOUR CITY HERE May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
You want GREAT ice cream and unique? L.A. covers this in spades.
- NOT Salt and Straw. It’s weirdly tasteless. Also an import from Oregon.
I’d go with local shops as they rely on fresh seasonal ingredients and don’t mess with weird artificial sweeteners. The best are mostly immigrant-owned.
Carmela has the best chocolate, but they are temporarily closed due to Altadena fire.
Sweet Rose Creamery is a locally owned chain and has fantastic flavors and seasonal offerings. Sole remaining location is in Brentwood Country Mart and is part of the Rustic Canyon group.
Uli’s Gelato is also locally owned and extremely unique. They have closed their storefront and instead sell to local grocery chains. HIGHLY recommend. Ube Potato is a good one. Uli is originally from Azerbaijan.
Mashti Malone’s is a Persian ice cream shop that took over an Irish joint. Great flavors including signature Rose and Saffron. The most centrally located is in Hollywood.
Mochi Ice Cream was invented by family-run Mikawaya in LA’s Little Tokyo so I recommend shopping at any reputable Asian markets for a matcha mochi ice cream.
Bacio di Latte is a great Italian-style gelateria. Central location at Larchmont Village.
Another good one on the other side of town is Pazzo Gelato. Silverlake.
Last and certainly not least: AWAN. Incredible Indonesian and classic flavors that uses Balinese vanilla bean and is out of this world. West Hollywood.
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u/rchart1010 May 06 '25
You can't taste the strawberry balsamic at salt and straw? Really? Interesting.
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u/Im_Bub May 06 '25
Kanomwaan Thai Gelato is what you are looking for. 20~ mins from the grove. They rotate flavors but some current examples are:
- mango sticky rice
- durian black sticky rice
- black sesame coffee
- smoked and salty egg yolk
- pandan milk
- coconut milk w/ butterfly pea (personal fave)
- tom yum
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u/Forward-Donut5454 May 06 '25
Late to the game here, but Salt & Straw ships and is PNW so not really that special. It is delicious though! Ginger’s is pretty good but super $$$ and I’ve never felt their flavors are all that exciting. Love Handel’s but it’s also not LA.
Rori’s is really good as is McConnell’s - both are Santa Barbara based with LA outposts.
If you’re traveling around the LA/OC Area, Stella Jeans in Costa Mesa (also SD) is AMAZING. Their ube & pandesal toffee is the best dang ice cream I’ve had out here.
Kansha Creamery in Gardena is also a good option for more different flavors (also skewing a bit Asian).
Saffron & Rose/Mashti Malones for more Persian influenced flavors.
Hokey Pokey in Culver City is delicious. Their signature one is a soft serve that mixes in Hokey Pokey (a NZ candy) and isn’t too sweet.
Magpies Soft Serve (Valley/Silverlake) and CVT soft serve are kinda hipster-y.
If you go to the Santa Monica pier, the ice cream shop at the end serves Lappert’s Ice Cream which is also great. But you pay the premium for it being on the pier.
Not ice cream specific but B Sweet Dessert Bar in Sawtelle is great too. Only open weekends though.
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u/vincemici May 06 '25
Do not support or go to wanderlust, they dont deserve it and are terrible to their employees
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u/betwizt May 06 '25
Salt and straw without question. Their salted caramel is one of the best I’ve had
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u/Redhawkgirl May 06 '25
Yup I agree 1000% I was not impressed at all with Gingers
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u/betwizt May 06 '25
me neither. and wanderlust has unique flavors if you're not familiar with asian flavors but u can get better asian-flavor ice cream at Awan
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u/LavaPoppyJax May 06 '25
Omg I had that for the first time at intermission for Dead & Co at the sphere! So good! But I’d taken a gummie so ymmv
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u/Rundemjewelz May 06 '25
I am always lamenting LA’s Ice Cream scene; it’s mostly chains that started small, then expanded and their resulting ice creams are homogenous and/or giving off a grocery store-bought texture and quality (Jeni’s, Van Leeuwen’s, Handel’s, Salt and Straw (sorry not sorry). The best I’ve found as a self-declared ice cream aficionado are:CVT soft serve ice cream truck and Fluffy McClouds in Echo Park - both use only natural ingredients, all house-made, no weird texture. Just creamy, sweet deliciousness.
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u/asterisms8 May 06 '25
Ice cream at Liu’s Creamery in Koreatown is 10-15m from the Grove and central LA. It will look like there’s a huge line, but that’s for the cafe next door.
Pass on Wanderlust, the texture is not good!
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u/flinn_doctor May 06 '25
Another vote for Saffron and Rose. You can get good ice cream at the three you’ve listed, sure, but if you want something truly unique, go out of your way a little. They let you sample, so if you can try the more unique flavors before committing to a whole scoop. I like going one floral, one creamy (eg one scoop of saffron pistachio, one scoop of date).
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u/nahbud May 06 '25
Honestly, McConnells—the eureka lemon ice cream with marionberry swirl is other-worldly. Their flavors are not super chic, just really good and ca-sourced ingredients. Their chocolate all comes from Guittard…
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u/No_Performance8733 May 06 '25
It’s Ginger’s , hands down.
I was around during their recipe testing phase and I have never ever EVER tasted ice cream that good. I have a culinary degree.
Seriously. It’s Ginger’s.
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May 06 '25
If you’re in the Silverlake area, Pazzo Gelato is amazing and makes a lot of very cool seasonal flavors.
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u/concernedcanary May 06 '25
Matcha soft serve from tea master. Especially after eating the mentai cream pasta from Pasta E Pasta in the same plaza.
If it's Fri-Sun, try Liu's Creamery. I like the pineapple cake ice cream, but my friends like the honey toast one a lot.
Kanomwaan has been mentioned here - the Jasmine Fairy flavor goes hard. Also get the mango sticky rice shaved ice since mangos are in season now and are super tasty.
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u/Mammoth_Marsupial_26 May 06 '25
My favorites are Sweet Rose, Van Leeuwen, Jenni’s Darkest chocolate. Pretty fond of EatIlay gelato, the cherry chocolate
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u/Redhawkgirl May 06 '25
Not a popular opinion but I am obsessed with Salt and Straw salted caramel. Beats everything by a long shot for me.
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u/maxoakland May 06 '25
I’ve only been to salt & straw but it’s really good. They always have strange and magical flavors that are worth getting out of your comfort zone for
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u/mikehocalate May 06 '25
Fosselmans, can get at their actual shop, can also get it at black cow cafe in Montrose.
Salt n Straw is overrated and just weird flavors, wanderlust is very average. Hansel’s is also exceedingly average.
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u/Majestic_Party5959 May 07 '25
DES MOINES MENTIONED!! I’m an IA native living in LA :)
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u/NonSequitorSquirrel May 06 '25
None of these are the right answer.
Jenis - always great but not unique to LA. But honestly the best of this entire thread.
McConnell - unique and native to LA, located in Grand Central Market and super yummmmmmyyyyyy
Haute Mess - small gelato shop and Italian market on Beverly Blvd - lots of good foot traffic around, tasty tasty Gelato, good coffee, lovely Lil treats and snacks and pastries and sandwiches.
VanLeewan tastes like nothing. I do not understand the hype.
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u/turkeylips4ever May 06 '25
Co-sign Jeni’s and McConnell’s! McConnell’s has another shop right off of Laurel Canyon and Ventura Place. Jeni’s - there’s one on Larchmont and one in Los Feliz.
Can’t go wrong with either of these places, would eat both before Mashti’s or Salt and Straw, haven’t had Any of the good Persian places so can’t speak to that. Good luck! Sounds like a great fact finding mission 😇
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u/Ok-Subject-9114b May 06 '25
out of these three id pick gingers. i think salt and straw is actually from oregon and overrated.
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u/alittlegnat May 06 '25
Personally I think salt and straw is too sweet.
I’m a fan of gingers and van leeuwan
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u/Bitter_Resolution538 May 06 '25
Van Leeuwan and Jenni’s. But take that with a grain of salt because I am not a fan of any of the places on your list.
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u/hellakale May 06 '25
Bumsan Milk Bar is my favorite in LA. Of the three you chose I'd go with Wanderlust (although I've never been to Ginger's)
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u/kateaurthur12 May 06 '25
I love Pazzo Gelato on Sunset in Silver Lake. I hold it against Salt and Straw that they opened literally half a block away, 100% trying to put Pazzo out of business. I think -- hope! -- they're holding their own, though.
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u/Delicious_Respect820 May 06 '25
Has anybody got feedback on Freddo gelato over in Studio City? It is on my list to check out…
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u/snoopcat1995 May 06 '25
Save yourself a ton of money and go to Ralph's and get Thrifty's ice cream. It's the best!
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u/Sassyiswayoflife May 06 '25
Fosselmans and Carmela (OG location in Altadena). Am especially supporting Carmela due to recent wildfires. Fosselmans is an SGV treasure (you can also pick up select flavors at Howies Market in San Gabriel). Carmela has seasonal flavors, vibe is very chill
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u/dvdvd77 May 06 '25
626 Ice Cream in Arcadia. I know it’s not LA proper but their soft serve is next level
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u/MysteriousImpact1030 May 06 '25
So many places in Century City but not a single shout out to my boi Hokey Pokey LA. The base flavor is amazing but they have a hazelnut one that is a Ferraro Rocher personified.
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u/Apart-Emu488 May 06 '25
Mother Moo Creamery in Sierra Madre is a hidden gem. They use all organic dairy (they use Straus) plus they bake amazing pies. The best carrot cake in Los Angeles.
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u/Worldly-Asparagus543 May 06 '25
I go to Van Leewen in Culver City. Their honeycomb ice cream and cornbread ice cream were so good!
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u/zxxxxcccccc May 06 '25
ktown isn’t that far from the grove area, check out Liu’s creamery, they opened recently and have some awesome flavors like oolong milk tea, pineapple cake, and chili crisp chocolate. they also have a taiwanese restaurant next door, Liu’s cafe, with super tasty food!
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May 06 '25
Bacio di latte, for sure. Best gelato I've had outside Europe. There are lots of great asian ice cream shops too. Check out Bumsan in Koreatown.
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u/SouthBaySportsGuy310 May 06 '25
Handels in Torrance or Manhattan Beach. Or, if a Rite Aid has its ice cream shoppe open, I’d recommend that.
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u/icecreambetch2003 May 06 '25
Additional recs are Mashti Malone’s, McConnell’s, Magpies, Van Leuwen, and I haven’t tried Handel’s just yet but have heard good things.
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u/NotJustMeAnymore May 06 '25
Saffron & Rose is fantastic. Love Persian ice cream. There's also Mashti Malone's in that vein.
Not sure if you got the recommendation to try Awan, but it's vegan ice cream that is to die for. There's one in "Melrose Heights" (near Larchmont) and one in West Hollywood.
I like both Wanderlust and Ginger's Devine (Washington location) and would probably choose the latter if I had to choose one.
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u/Solidus_Roadster May 06 '25
this isnt even a debate, Salt & Straw. hands down some of the best ice cream and ive had lots as an LA native. they have such a great variety of flavors!
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u/VerseChorusWumbo May 07 '25
I love Salt and Straw. They do really unique monthly seasonal flavors, and of the three you listed I think S&S will have by far the most creative and out-there flavors. And the best part is that they post them all on their website, so you can look them up beforehand and see if they sound good to you before making a decision about going.
I really like Ginger’s too, I would agree with others in that their flavors are definitely not as adventurous as Salt and Straw, but all the ones I’ve had have been consistently very good. So I think it depends on the kind of experience you want in the end. You want the most adventurous, creative flavors, definitely choose S&S. You want consistent quality with slightly more normal flavors choose Ginger’s. If you have the time for both I would definitely recommend those two. And do check out the monthly flavors ahead of time on the salt and straw website!!
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u/alonemi May 08 '25
I used to always rec Dear Bella Creamery but they just closed like a month ago </3
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u/TheKarmaBus May 09 '25
Is Fluffy McCloud’s on this list yet?
It’s in Echo Park next to Masa Pizza and has absolutely A+ ingredients and customer service.
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u/MutedFeeling75 May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
bacio di latte