Summer is in full bloom and with the weather getting hotter people will be looking for ways to cool off. But besides cooling off the on the outside by going to places like pools or the beach, people can also cool off their insides by checking out the city’s many ice cream shops and places that serve cold treats.
So to help you plan you cool summer, here are six places you can go for a cold desert, or maybe a milkshake or just simple and delicious ice cream.
Banana Split
What: While Handel’s Ice Cream has more than 150 locations in 15 states, it has maintained that old school ice cream parlor feel and taste with a history of tradition that still includes making all batches on site using the same methods used since the first one opened in 1945. And one of the best things on the menu is the classic banana split. At Handel’s it’s made with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate plus strawberry ice cream topped with mixed nuts, cherries, pineapple and of course sliced bananas under a mountain of whipped cream. It hits all the spots; it’s sweet, has texture and lots of juicy pop from the fruit, especially the pineapple, which really brings it all together.
Find it: Handel’s Ice Cream, at various Southern California locations in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties. handelsicecream.com
ALSO SEE: Orange County’s best ice creams, frozen sweets and cool treats
Gelato
What: Venchi is an Italian-born chocolate and gelato maker that first opened its doors in 1878. And this summer it just opened its first spot in Los Angeles and it’s already making cool waves with its Italian gelato, which is made on site. The shop offers 20 flavors with classic options like the Stracciatella, a simple but delicious mix of dark chocolate and milk, and the rich Cream Venchi, which includes egg yolk.
Find it: Venchi, at The Americana at Brand, 629 Americana Way, Glendale. us.venchi.com/gelato
Milkshake
What: When it comes to ice cream, few things are as classic as a thick cool milkshake. One of the best around is poured at Mel’s Drive-in, a small chain started back in the late 1940s that still maintains that old diner look. The milkshake options include the Thick Old Fashioned with your choice of chocolate, strawberry or vanilla. But be warned, you’ll have to work for it since this is so thick it’ll take a few tries before you can get that first sip through the straw. Other milkshake options include The Grants, a drink for those with a real sweet tooth since its a blend of sweet chocolate Nutella spread, banana and chocolate sprinkles all blended into the milkshake. Oh, and good news for adults, except for the Sherman Oaks location, you can spike up you milkshakes too with options that add bourbon and rum infused sake to the blend.
Find it: Mel’s Drive-in, various locations in Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Santa Monica. melsdrive-in.com
Old School scoops
What: When it comes to stepping back in time with a scoop of ice cream it doesn’t get more nostalgic than this South Pasadena landmark. Fair Oaks Pharmacy has been around since 1915 and it’s one of the few places where people can still find a working old-fashioned soda fountain. Customers can get ice cream sodas, milk shakes, malts and root beer floats. Or for a straight up simple but good ice cream rush, order the one-scoop cones.
Find it: Fair Oaks Pharmacy & Soda Fountain, 1526 Mission St. South Pasadena.
ALSO SEE: Ice cream and ice cream-adjacent treats in the Inland Empire
Persian ice cream
What: Most locals know that in Los Angeles, Persian ice cream is a thing of its own with people seeking out shops that use traditional flavors like saffron, rose water and pistachios to create a more fragrant, herbal and exotic tase that’s enhanced with a creamy velvety texture. And few places in L.A. do it as well as Saffron & Rose, which has been around since 1974. Long lines are not uncommon at this Persian shop where people get flavors like the popular Saffron Pistachio Ice Cream. The shop’s best seller is made with a blend of golden saffron, rosewater, and toasted pistachio. It’s fragrant with a bit of a spice to it and the pistachios add a nice texture to every bite.
Find it: Saffron & Rose, 1387 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles. saffronrosepersianicecream
Something different
What: While Din Tai Fung is a world famous maker of soup dumplings, for the first time in its history, the Michelin-recognized restaurant has launched a cold desert. It’s called the Shaved Snow with Fresh Mango. This new dish is made from shaved snow, which is created by mixing fruits with milk and a sweetener that’s frozen and then shaved razor-thin. The restaurant then adds mango and a drizzle of its signature sweet and tart mango sauce.
Find it: Din Tai Fung, various locations in L.A. and Orange counties. dtf.com