Best Ice Cream

Stella Jean’s takes a Filipino favorite and turns it into a vivid, small-batch scoop at its University Heights shop. The flavor blends creamy ube (purple yam) with bits of buttery pandesal toffee for a sweet, nutty crunch and striking color. It’s one of the brand’s staple “always” flavors and a local favorite for good reason. We put it on our picks list for clear, balanced flavor and texture - the smooth ube base against crisp toffee pieces - plus year-round availability. It holds up in a housemade waffle cone and, at this location, pairs neatly with a slice from neighboring Pop Pie Co. A dependable choice whether you want a single scoop or a take-home pint.

Graham Central Station is a signature scoop at Handel’s Pacific Beach shop. It’s graham-flavored ice cream laced with a graham-cracker ripple and speckled with chocolate-covered “crunchies,” made fresh daily in-store. The result is mellow, toasty sweetness with pops of texture - a nostalgic flavor that reads classic, not gimmick. We put it on our picks list for its balance and consistency. The graham base stays creamy while the ripple and chocolate bits add contrast, so it holds up in a cone or a take-home pint. If you like mix-ins without overload, this is the sweet spot. Pacific Beach is an easy stop for an after-dinner or beach-day treat.

At National City’s long-running Niederfrank’s, the Coffee Almond Fudge scoop shows why this creamery endures. It’s classic coffee ice cream studded with almonds and ribboned with chocolate fudge, made in small batches the old-fashioned way. Dense, creamy texture and straightforward flavor keep it timeless. We put it on our picks list for balance and craft: clean coffee, crunchy nuts, and a soft fudge swirl that melts into each bite. It’s excellent in a house-made waffle cone or packed as a pint to go. A reliable South Bay detour from a shop locals have visited for generations.