0 Followers
Long Beach Creamery
Master Critic Review
Long Beach Creamery
8.6
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, this organic ice cream maker crafts seasonal flavors using locally sourced ingredients from Long Beach farmers and small businesses. The signature Saltine Dream delivers playful contrasts of buttery caramel, fudgy ribbons, and crunchy crushed saltines that have made it an iconic local creation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saltine Dream, Burnt Caramel, Whiskey Vanilla
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Organic, handcrafted ice cream with inventive seasonal flavors using hyperlocal ingredients
Who should go: Locals seeking creative, sustainable desserts with community impact
When to visit: Weekend afternoons for $2.50 ice cream cake slices
What to order: Saltine Dream, Burnt Caramel, Midnight Oolong (tastes like chocolate)
Insider tip: Four house flavors always available; other flavors rotate seasonally
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available on Pine Ave and nearby blocks; metered until 8pm weekdays. Public lot at 3rd & Pine ($2/hr). Easy walk from Transit Mall.
Dress code: Come as you are - casual beach attire perfectly fine, locals often in shorts and tees
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - counter-service shop with minimal seating, easy conversation
Weekend wait: 5-15 min line typical on summer evenings, faster in cooler months
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually walk right up
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - all ice cream flavors are vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited - typically 1-2 coconut milk-based flavors available, varies seasonally
Gluten-free options: Most flavors are GF; ask staff about mix-ins and seasonal specials as some contain cookies/brownies
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect for casual first dates or post-dinner dessert dates. Low-pressure counter service, walkable downtown location, and interesting flavors give you conversation starters. Not ideal if you want a long sit-down experience (limited seating).
Can I get served during peak hours? Yes, it's counter service so you're never turned away. Weekend summer evenings may have 10-15 min lines but service moves steadily. Weekdays and off-season are quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly - classic ice cream shop vibe, reasonable prices ($5-8 for scoops), and playful flavors kids love. Strollers welcome, quick service keeps restless kids happy. All ages fit right in.
Do they have dairy-free options? Yes, but limited - usually 1-2 coconut milk-based flavors. Call ahead if dairy-free is essential, as selection varies by season and isn't as extensive as the dairy offerings.
Is it worth the price compared to chain ice cream? Absolutely if you value organic, hyperlocal ingredients and creative flavors. At $5-8 for scoops (vs $4-5 at chains), you're paying 20-30% more for genuinely unique, small-batch ice cream made with Long Beach farmers' ingredients. The Saltine Dream alone justifies the premium.
Best For
Better for: Creative, organic flavors with local ingredient storytelling; sustainability-minded dessert lovers; discovering unique Long Beach flavors you can't get elsewhere; supporting 10-year local business; afternoon ice cream cake slice deals ($2.50)
Skip if: You want extensive vegan/dairy-free selection (go to Van Leeuwen or Salt & Straw instead); need large indoor seating for groups; want traditional flavors only; visiting during winter when seasonal selection may be minimal