Any insider tips for Magpies Softserve?

Grab a whole softserve pie to stash in your freezer—locals swear they’re the move for birthdays.

What should I order at Magpies Softserve?

Cornflake Pie, Strawberry Shortcake Pie, swirl-of-the-day soft serve.

When should I visit Magpies Softserve?

Evenings after dinner, especially warm weekends.

Who should go to Magpies Softserve?

Dessert obsessives and date-night duos chasing inventive flavors.

Any insider tips for Scoops?

Don’t get attached to a single flavor—the board changes constantly, so ask for plenty of samples.

What should I order at Scoops?

Brown Bread, a rotating vegan flavor, plus a second scoop to experiment.

When should I visit Scoops?

Afternoons or early evenings before the lines peak.

Who should go to Scoops?

Flavor nerds and locals who love low-key counter service.

Any insider tips for Donut Friend?

Build your own sundae: start with a warm donut, add two scoops and go heavy on toppings.

What should I order at Donut Friend?

Taking Back Sundae, a scoop of Creamo, plus a seasonal donut.

When should I visit Donut Friend?

Mornings for donuts, evenings for sundaes and affogatos.

Who should go to Donut Friend?

Vegans, donut lovers, and anyone building a dessert crawl on York.

Any insider tips for Afters Ice Cream?

Split a Milky Bun and a couple scoops with friends—portions are rich and easy to share.

What should I order at Afters Ice Cream?

Milk & Cereal, Cookie Monster in a Milky Bun, Ube Brownie scoop.

When should I visit Afters Ice Cream?

Late nights Friday–Sunday when it turns into dessert central.

Who should go to Afters Ice Cream?

Friends and families looking for post-dinner sugar highs.

Any insider tips for Swrlies Froyo?

Follow their socials for pop-up times—booking their cart for parties is a local power move.

What should I order at Swrlies Froyo?

La Toxica with Pulpa-moy sauce, Horchaty mix, Mazapan swirl.

When should I visit Swrlies Froyo?

Weekend afternoons and evenings when the cart is most active.

Who should go to Swrlies Froyo?

Fans of tart froyo, chamoy, and playful, build-your-own desserts.

Best Ice Cream Restaurants in Highland Park (90042)

5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

#1 Magpies Softserve

8.9

$ Highland Park

Vibes: Sweet Treats Escapes Instagram Worthy Wonders Family Friendly Favorites Trendy Table Hotspots

Chef-driven Magpies brings scratch-made soft serve and over-the-top frozen pies to York Boulevard, carrying on the dessert-focused vision Warren and Rose Schwartz launched in 2016. Expect rotating dairy and vegan flavors plus cult pies that locals treat more like special-occasion cakes than casual ice cream cups.

Must-Try Dishes: Cornflake Softserve Pie, Strawberry Shortcake Softserve Pie, Original Fried Softserve Pie (vegan corn almond)

What makes it special: Chef-created soft serve and pies that treat frozen dessert with restaurant-level creativity.

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#2 Scoops

8.5

$ Highland Park

Vibes: Sweet Treats Escapes Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Hidden Gems Heaven Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Scoops’ Highland Park outpost, opened in 2012, is a bare-bones counter that lets Tai Kim’s famously experimental flavors do all the talking. With rotating scoops like Brown Bread and Blueberry Lavender at neighborhood-friendly prices, it’s the kind of spot regulars hit multiple times a week.

Must-Try Dishes: Brown Bread ice cream, Banana Oreo scoop, Blueberry Lavender scoop

What makes it special: Long-running LA ice cream pioneer known for creative, often offbeat flavor combos at everyday prices.

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#3 Donut Friend

8.4

$$ Highland Park

Vibes: Sweet Treats Escapes Instagram Worthy Wonders Trendy Table Hotspots Family Friendly Favorites

Since 2013, Donut Friend’s Highland Park flagship has been drawing lines for over-the-top vegan donuts and, increasingly, its in-house ice cream. With sundaes like the Taking Back Sundae and affogato-style creations built on their Creamo ice cream, it doubles as both a bakery and a serious dessert stop.

Must-Try Dishes: Taking Back Sundae donut ice cream sandwich, Vanilla Bean Creamo ice cream scoop, Off!ogatto espresso-over-ice-cream

What makes it special: Cult-favorite vegan donut shop that backs up its reputation with house-made ice cream and donut sundaes.

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#4 Afters Ice Cream

8.3

$$$ Highland Park

Vibes: Sweet Treats Escapes Instagram Worthy Wonders Late Night Legends Group Dining Gatherings

Born in Orange County in 2014 and now a West Coast mini-empire, Afters’ Highland Park shop channels the brand’s social-media-famous energy into cereal-inspired scoops and their signature Milky Bun. Late hours, colorful interiors, and big, indulgent flavors make it a go-to dessert stop after dinner on Figueroa.

Must-Try Dishes: Milk & Cereal scoop, Cookie Monster Milky Bun, Ube Brownie ice cream

What makes it special: Flashy, trend-driven ice cream with flavors and Milky Buns built for late-night cravings and photos.

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#5 Swrlies Froyo

8.1

$ Highland Park

Vibes: Sweet Treats Escapes Hidden Gems Heaven Pet Friendly Paradise Quick Bites Champions

Launched in 2019 after a trip to a family froyo shop in Jalisco, Swrlies turns a small York Boulevard base into Mexican-style, real-fruit frozen yogurt and ice cream served from eye-catching carts. Their made-to-order mixes and spicy chamoy-forward creations have made them a word-of-mouth favorite for both walk-ups and catered events.

Must-Try Dishes: La Toxica mango-pineapple froyo, Horchaty real horchata froyo, Mazapan vanilla-banana swirl

What makes it special: Women- and Latin-owned froyo-and-ice-cream concept focused on real fruit, chamoy, and fully custom mixes.

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