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Vanilla ice cream in California

A scoop of vanilla that actually tastes like vanilla, not just a placeholder for toppings.

Based on 604 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Juice Time - Tustin image 1
Juice Time - Tustin image 2
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Ice cream shop

Ice cream shop offers bright, welcoming vibes with clean, modern decor and an outdoor seating area to balance indoor scents. The atmosphere carries great energy and attracts those seeking high-quality desserts and fresh beverages.

Ice cream offers a fresh taste that is not too sweet. Options like vanilla ice cream cone with Dubai strawberry cup and Ferrero ice cream stand out for their flavor.

Vanilla ice cream here has a smooth texture and pairs well with the Dubai strawberry cup. The cone version stands out for its balanced sweetness.

People are saying

"The Dubai chocolate strawberries were so fresh and delicious."

"I thought the ice cream here was amazing."

"I found the vanilla ice cream to be very good."

Good to know

1

Juice Time offers a large variety of menu items, including smoothies and desserts.

2

The prices are affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.

3

Juice Time is open late, perfect for night owls.

02
Filo Dessert Co image 1
Dessert shop

Space combines modern Mediterranean design with intricate patterns and warm lighting, creating a vibrant yet cozy atmosphere. Hanging greenery and detailed wall designs add to the welcoming, culturally rich vibe. Upstairs seating offers a scenic, comfortable spot to relax and enjoy desserts.

Mastic ice cream offers a unique Middle Eastern flavor that stands out. Options include juju berry vegan and layered scoops with cardamom and baklava for a rich, textured experience.

Vanilla ice cream pairs well with desserts like baklava and Knafeh, balancing sweetness nicely. It also complements an espresso for a rich flavor mix.

People are saying

"The pistachio ice cream tastes like real pistachios."

"The pistachio knafeh is perfectly crispy, gooey, and loaded with flavor."

"You have to try the Knafeh with vanilla ice cream."

Good to know

1

The price for three ice creams and one tiny baklava is $40.

2

The price for a small cup of ice cream is $7.

3

Parking is limited in the area around the dessert shop.

03
Drip Dessert House image 1
Dessert shop

Modern, cozy space with ambient lighting and artwork on the walls creates a welcoming, fun vibe. Comfortable seating includes card and board games, encouraging relaxed hangouts and family time. Outdoor seating adds variety to the inviting atmosphere.

Hot brownie with vanilla ice cream and almonds stands out as a popular choice. Waffles and pancakes come with ice cream and offer free toppings with options to add premium ones like fruit or more ice cream.

French vanilla ice cream comes perfectly creamy and pairs well with rich desserts like a deep dish cookie or a hot brownie. It appears alongside toppings like Ferrero Rocher, pistachios, wafers, and Biscoff, adding texture and flavor.

People are saying

"The desserts here are delicious and the staff is so friendly."

"The brownie with ice cream is simply amazing."

"The vanilla ice cream here is so inviting and the staff are friendly."

Good to know

1

The store is open late, making it a great late-night dessert spot.

2

Unlimited toppings are available, excluding premium options.

3

Everything on the menu is 100% halal.

04
Chip Cookies image 1
Dessert shop

Small dessert shop offers warm, thick cookies with a unique style and customizable toppings. The atmosphere is cozy with limited seating and a clean, sparkling interior. Cookies are known for freshness and quality ingredients, attracting those seeking a sweet treat late into the evening.

Cookies come with vanilla ice cream either on top or on the side, depending on the location. Some servers stick to serving the ice cream on the cookie, limiting customization for an ice cream sandwich.

Cookies come with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The vanilla pairs well with the ChipZookie and the circus animal chip Chipzookie.

People are saying

"I thought the cookies were delicious and larger than I expected."

"My youngest loved this place; the cookies are fantastic."

"The Chipzookie is perfect with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream."

Good to know

1

You can add toppings to your cookie for customization.

2

Theyโ€™re open late, perfect for late-night cravings.

3

The cookies are priced similarly to Crumbl's.

05
Millet Crepe Sawtelle image 1

Creperie operates as a walk-up kiosk with no indoor seating and only a couple of sidewalk benches nearby. The atmosphere is casual and street-side, attracting people who enjoy watching crepes being made and taking photos with Instagram-friendly walls. The vibe is lively with a college crowd mingling outside while savoring highly praised crepes served in cone form.

Crepes come with fresh ice cream like matcha, vanilla, and strawberry, often paired with fruits such as banana and mango. Popular combos include crรจme brรปlรฉe custard with ice cream and fruit, topped with cute designs.

Vanilla ice cream appears as a base in many desserts, often paired with crรจme brรปlรฉe custard and fruit like mango or apple cinnamon. It adds a refreshing and creamy contrast to sweet, rich fillings.

People are saying

"These crepes are delicious, with a nice balance of sweet and salty."

"The crรจme brรปlรฉe crepe has an exciting cracking crust."

"The vanilla ice cream with crรจme brรปlรฉe topping is heavenly."

Good to know

1

There's no seating available at Millet Crepe Sawtelle.

2

Parking can be a nightmare, so consider walking or taking an Uber.

3

Expect wait times of up to 15 minutes during busy hours.

06
Kiss of Matcha image 1

Small, traditional Japanese-style tea house with a cozy minimalist interior and strong tea aroma. Atmosphere feels warm and calming despite limited seating and occasional crowding. Known for creamy, deeply flavored matcha soft serve that stands out among similar spots.

Soft serve features a creamy texture with a deep matcha flavor that matches authentic Japanese ice cream. Vanilla and sesame ice cream options pair well with toppings like boba and Ferrero Rocher.

Vanilla ice cream appears in various forms, including a matcha parfait mix and as a topping in Too Good to Go bags. It pairs with items like brown sugar boba and taiyaki in a cup.

People are saying

"The matcha soft serve is creamy with a strong, grassy flavor."

"The matcha ice cream has a really strong, concentrated flavor."

"I enjoyed the mix of matcha and vanilla ice cream."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times after 2pm; visit in the morning for shorter waits.

2

They offer a rewards program with $2 ice cream on Tuesdays.

3

Street parking is available, but the area can be busy.

07
J's Ice Cream Parlor image 1
Ice cream shop

Small ice cream shop with a nostalgic 70's vibe and a large selection including Italian ice and cyclones. Atmosphere feels classic but shows signs of wear and needs renovation. Offers well-portioned, homemade ice cream at reasonable prices.

Homemade ice cream features an authentic, rich vanilla flavor with a perfect soft serve to ice ratio. Italian Ice comes with a swirl of vanilla ice cream, and cyclones add variety to the menu.

Vanilla ice cream here varies from authentic and rich to somewhat watered down. It pairs well with Italian Ice, especially when swirled together.

People are saying

"I thought the ice cream here was delicious and rich."

"The soft serve here is delicious."

"The vanilla ice cream here is so authentic and rich."

Good to know

1

J's Ice Cream Parlor offers a large selection of ice cream, including sundaes and parfaits.

2

Ice cream prices are reasonable, with two medium-sized servings costing around $13.

3

The shop is a classic Mom & Pop establishment known for its Italian ice cream.

08
Millet Crepe - Little Tokyo image 1
Dessert restaurant

Small dessert spot offers unique crepe service with self-order kiosks and indoor and outdoor seating. Atmosphere feels cozy and lively despite tight space and occasional crowding. Crepes stand out as rich and flavorful, especially crรจme brรปlรฉe varieties.

Creme brulee crepes come with matcha, vanilla, or chocolate ice cream and often include strawberries, bananas, Nutella, or custard. Caramel crepes feature cinnamon apple and ice cream, with vanilla ice cream added at no extra cost.

Vanilla ice cream comes as a complimentary scoop with many desserts like crepes and tiramisu. It pairs well with crรจme brรปlรฉe, custard, and fresh strawberries, adding a creamy balance to sweet dishes.

People are saying

"The crรจme brรปlรฉe crepe's caramelized top and creamy custard are amazing."

"These crepes are so unique, with a perfectly thin and crispy texture."

"The crรจme brรปlรฉe crepe with ice cream was so good."

Good to know

1

This location does not accept cash; only cards and Apple Pay are accepted.

2

The place gets packed quickly due to its popularity and has limited seating.

3

Parking is difficult; consider using Japanese Market Plaza or street parking.

09
Ululani's San Diego image 1

Shave ice shop with Hawaiian aloha vibe and snow-like ice texture offers a family-oriented atmosphere filled with lively energy and a wall of photos sharing personal stories. The space feels like a mini island getaway but can be busy and noisy, especially with many children around.

Macadamia nut ice cream features full nuts and pairs well with shaved ice and tropical flavors like mango and coconut. Mango sorbet tastes fresh and creamy. Mochi and snow cap toppings add texture and sweetness.

Vanilla ice cream serves as a base for various flavors like POG and Ube. It also pairs with shaved ice and fruit flavors such as blueberry and strawberry, often combined with cheesecake cream.

People are saying

"The ice cream staff are so friendly and patient."

"I found the mochi topping made the treat so much better."

"The wait for Vanilla Ice Cream can take a while."

Good to know

1

The wait time can exceed 50 minutes during peak hours on weekends.

2

Indoor seating is limited, making it hard for large groups to find space.

3

Prices for shave ice start at over $10, which is higher than average.

10
Cassetta image 1
Dessert shop

Dessert shop with modern design and artistic presentation offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Atmosphere feels cozy and trendy with a bright, airy vibe when not crowded. Unique touches include interactive weekend bunny visits and visually stunning decor like a cassette tape wall.

Soft serve stands out with fresh, clean flavors and a tart wildflower powder topping. Options include lactose-free and vegan oat soft serve that taste natural, paired with house-made syrups from freeze-dried fruit without added sugar.

Soft serve vanilla ice cream here tastes like good vanilla, not just milk. It offers a simple, traditional flavor without the watery feel of frozen yogurt.

People are saying

"The ice cream here is beautifully presented with artistic toppings."

"The dairy-free soft serve is so creamy and visually appealing."

"The vanilla ice cream is creamy, delicious, and not too sweet."

Good to know

1

Meter parking is available, free after 7pm.

2

Cassetta is pet-friendly.

3

All toppings cost $1.00 or more.

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