The Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Los Angeles

This gelato shop is operated by Nancy Silverton’s sister, Gail, so naturally it’s exceptional—the rich gelato tastes like it was just flown over from Italy. They offer standard Italian flavors like pistachio (deliciouso), hazelnut, and coffee, but they’ve also got adventurous offerings like Spicy Chocolate and Cinnamon Basil.

This Persian ice cream shop has been making exotic ice creams since the ‘80s, so don’t expect chocolate brownie or bubblegum. Mashti’s offers ice creams flavored with Eastern staples like pistachio, ginger saffron, rosewater, orange blossom, and pomegranate.

If you’re not lactose intolerant head over to his modern ice cream parlor, where you can get traditional sundaes, malts, and shakes. Their homemade ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches—the Grasshopper (see below) is a delicious mint-chocolatey choice— are not to missed; especially since they also make their own baked goods!

Located at the original Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax, Bennett’s offers old-school goodness (but that doesn’t mean they wont flavor ice creams with Cabernet). The Mocha Almond Fudge, Fancy Nancy (coffee, caramel and banana), and Pumpkin (which is sadly not available year-round) are worth a try.

This old-time ice cream parlor has garnered a ton of awards over the years (many will swear that this is the best ice cream in the LA area). But just because Fosselman’s has been around 80-plus years doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. Featured alongside old favorites like butter pecan, rocky road, and dutch chocolate are tequila lime, date, pink champagne, and lychee.