OK, OK, so Orange County might not have “seasons” in the way our East Coast counterparts do. But honestly, there’s a marked difference between a clear, breezy 78-degree day and a scorching 95-degree one here in SoCal. And with summer in full swing, now is the time to dive headfirst into some of the sweetest, coldest treats around.
I’ve rounded up some of the best glacial and chilled treats you can find across Orange County that go above and beyond your classic scoop. While you will definitely find some choice ice cream spots, you will also find unique chilly treats that also deserve a spot on your must-try list, like chè thái, a Vietnamese dessert drink made with coconut milk, or booza, the popular Middle Eastern ice cream known for its stretchy texture.
And since locals know just how packed our beach enclaves get tourists this time of year, this list focuses on inland gems, with a couple of exceptions.
Affogato
What: An Italian dessert/beverage featuring a scoop of ice cream or gelato into which hot espresso is poured. Dripp in Fullerton makes an affogato that comes with a scoop of ice cream (vanilla is classic, but guests can opt for coffee or strawberry) doused with either espresso or, for a contemporary twist, matcha.
Find it: 500 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton
Bingsoo or Patbingsu
What: This Korean treat features a base of finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans and chewy rice cakes, offering a cool textural sensation. Sul and Beans, which has two Orange County locations in Buena Park and Irvine, offers a multitude of flavors, including green tea, coffee, Oreo, taro, mango and strawberry cheese.
Find it: 5427 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; 2750 Alton Parkway, Irvine
Booza
What: An ice cream noted for its stretchiness. It achieves its characteristic elasticity with the use of mastic, a resin which grows on the Greek island of Chios. Filo Dessert Co., which opened in July 2024, makes its own booza, offering such flavors as pistachio (using a pistachio butter made from imported Turkish nuts), lemon-mint, Biscoff, banana, chocolate, vanilla (using the finest Madagascar beans) and more.
Find it: 227 E. Chapman Ave., Ste D, Orange
ALSO SEE: 6 places to cool off in LA County with cool treats like ice cream, milkshakes and gelato
Chè Thái
What: Bejeweled Vietnamese dessert akin to a refreshing fruit cocktail, this dairy-free treat is inspired by the Thai dessert “Tub Tim Krob.” It’s notable for its multihued look featuring a mix of tropical fruits (like longan, lychee or jackfruit), green aiyu jelly and red rubies. Thạch Chè Hiển Khánh in Westminster offers one of the best in Orange County, ladling its Chè Thái into generously-sized cups that come with an extra-large straw and spoon.
Find it: 9639 Bolsa Ave., Westminster
Dogelato
What: Canine-friendly ice cream for human’s best friend. While “pup cups” have become popular items at that Seattle-based multinational coffee chain, the best canine treat can be found in San Clemente’s Lucky Dog Gelato. It specializes in gelato for humans, but also offers a stretch-made, dog-friendly version.
Find it: 1008 S El Camino Real, San Clemente
ALSO SEE: Ice cream and ice cream-adjacent treats in the Inland Empire
Gelato
What: Denser, creamier, richer and lower in fat than standard ice cream. You can’t beat Gelato Paradiso in Laguna Beach, which offers such flavor-rich gelatos as stracciatella, panna cotta, nocciola (hazelnut), menta (mint), chocolate and an exceptional dark cherry. Bonus points for Gelato Paradiso’s absurdly enchanting location on Peppertree Lane, an European-inspired alley.
Find it: 448 South Coast Highway., Ste A, Laguna Beach
Ice Cream float
What: Ice cream mixed with a sweet carbonated beverage, most commonly with root beer and a scoop of vanilla, but the best one I’ve found is this Orange Dreamsicle. Truly Pizza, best known for its award-winning pies, has a pared-down dessert menu that’s equally worth acclaim. Its Orange Creamsicle features Boylan Bottling Co. Orange Soda and Strauss Creamery vanilla soft serve. (Purists can still enjoy a root beer version as well.)
Find it: 24402 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point
ALSO SEE: The 7 best things I ate at the OC Fair 2025
Italian Ice
What: A frozen soft serve-like treat made with water, sugar and fruit flavoring. Fans like it for its smooth, creamy texture. Joe’s Italian Ice in Anaheim offers a roster of flavors from which to choose, like Blue Raspberry and Dreamsicle to Peanut Butter Cup and Peachy Kiwi. Go wild and add dairy-based soft serve to your Italian ice for a double hit of frozen glee.
Find it: 2201 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim
Matcha Mont Blanc
What: Inspired by the French cake “Mont Blanc,” this buzzy, verdant Japanese soft serve features a swirl of matcha ice cream topped with a tangle of green chestnut paste on top. The combined textures, in addition to the nutty, slightly grassy flavors of the ice cream and paste, make for one of Orange County’s best tasting (and looking) sweet eats.
Find it: Matcha Ren inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, 665 Paularino Ave., Costa Mesa
Southern-style ice cream
What: Scratch-made ice cream with mix-ins aplenty and exceeding creaminess. Blue Scoop Creamery has two locations, in Brea and Yorba Linda. This family-friendly shop, opened by husband-wife duo Chris and Kim Rhodes, features such flavors as Twin Mint, PB Situation (peanut butter ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter-covered feuilletine flakes), Peppermint Stick, Movie Munchies (packed with sundry snacks you’d find at your nearest cinema), Grape Nuts, Candy Cane Cookie Cheesecake and Almond Chip.
Find it: 391 S. State College Blvd., Brea; 5105 Richfield Road, Yorba Linda
Vegan Ice Cream
What: Stella Jean‘s excels at the creamery game, with its vegan offerings being a highlight, even for those who don’t abide by the central tenets of veganism. Scoops include Yuzu and Poppyseed Cake, Kinako Choco Crunch, Mango Sticky Rice and Strawberry Oat Crumble.
Find it: 270 E 17th St., Ste 16, Costa Mesa; 2930 Bristol St., Ste A103, Costa Mesa
