Best (and Most Unusual) Ice Cream in LA

By Sophia Pei ‘22

It may be autumn but it won’t be cooling down (much). Here are some of my favorite ice cream stores in LA that are easily accessible by public transport from USC. This list is not for the weak of heart, all of these stores are known for their unique (and unconventional) flavors so explore with an open mind!

Salt and Straw 
829 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Amazing ice cream place that has super cool flavors. Even the plain vanilla and chocolate are upgraded to Double Fold Vanilla and Woodblock Chocolate. The closest scoop shop to USC’s main campus is in DTLA’s arts district (aka one metro ride on the expo line away), but they are also found on Abbot Kinney (the infamous over-priced hipster street in Venice) and West Hollywood. All ingredients are locally sourced so if you decide to travel to Portland, San Francisco, San Francisco, or Seattle you’ll see different flavors than in the LA locations. Though it is on the pricier side (about $5 per scoop), it is totally worth it if you want to expand your taste palette. From avocado chocolate to goat cheese and black olive, they have it all (including non-dairy/vegan options)! They also have new flavors that they switch out every month that are even wackier than the usual – Bone marrow cherry anyone? The servers are super nice about letting you sample everything. My go-to is their signature Honey Lavender.

Wanderlust Creamery

609 Lincoln Blvd Suite B, Venice, CA 90291

Want to have a taste of the world without paying for a plane ticket? Check out Wanderlust! All the unique flavors are inspired by specific places and can’t be found anywhere else. For public transport, you would take the expo line to the end of the line (Santa Monica, woot woot!) and take Big Blue Bus Line 3 to Rose Ave. It does run on the pricier end of the ice-cream spectrum (also about $5 a scoop). The seasonal flavors change every month and are delicious – my favorite this month is the Rose Cardamom Lassi. The servers are super friendly and willing to let you try all the different flavors as well, so sample to your heart’s delight!I highly recommend trying Earl Grey and Ube Crunch!

Scoops

727 N Broadway #125, Los Angeles, CA 90012

A hidden gem in one of Chinatown’s many plazas. You can get here from UPC by taking the 3 metros (first expo, transfer to red, the finally ride the purple). It’s about $5 for a split scoop (which I highly recommend getting so you can have as much as you’d like). This was the original ice cream place that got me into nontraditional ice cream. Even though it sounds repulsive initially, nothing brings back childhood nostalgia like their coconut wasabi flavor (which I promise isn’t spicy and actually tastes like a dream). I would also recommend the Strawberry Champagne.

Sweet Rose Creamery

225 26th St #51, Santa Monica, CA 90402

While Sweet Rose is distributed all throughout Santa Monica (and expanding into West LA), the one at the Brentwood Country Mart is still my favorite. You get to explore a cute little country-style shopping center while getting really good ice cream. To get here from USC you would take the expo line to 26th Street/Bergamot and then take the 43 towards San Vincente (and get off at San Vicente). It’s about $4 for a scoop of heaven. Most the regular flavors are fairly conventional but occasionally you’ll get the amazing sweet corn or rose geranium (so check out the Chef’s pick)! Additionally, their Caffe Luxe is my all-time favorite coffee ice cream and the store is located right next to the ACTUAL Caffe Luxe so you can enjoy a cappuccino while indulging yourself with the ice cream!

Saffron and Rose

1387 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Okay this one is definitely in UCLA turf but what can I say? West side=best side! If you haven’t caught on already, I love weird flavors especially the tea and floral ones. If you also like eating flowers and drinking tea, this is your place. This place is also super friendly to the college budget, it’s only $4.50 for 2 (very big) scoops! From USC you’d take the metro line (seeing the trend?) to Westwood/Rancho park and then the R12. I love love love their pistachio saffron flavor as well as their pink rose and jasmine.

Other honorable mentions:
Matcha Cha

11301 W Olympic Blvd Ste 122, Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Try Deep Matcha and Matcha&Strawberry

Mikawaya

118 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Love their matcha and plum wine flavored mochi.

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