Best Desserts in Carlsbad
When it’s time to treat yourself to something sumptuous and special, Carlsbad has a number of options including some of the best ice cream and gelato you can buy anywhere – but that’s not all that Carlsbad has to offer. Check out our Best Desserts in Carlsbad list to see what is close by or what type of dessert you are in the mood for. Enjoy!
Criteria: Decadence, taste, quality ingredients, deliciousness, service, uniqueness, variety, joy, fun
Handels Ice Cream
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
Yes you are probably going to stand in line, but you’ll need that time to decide what flavor of delicious ice cream to order. There’s never regrets waiting for one of the best desserts in Carlsbad. With multiple windows, the line usually goes pretty fast.
What They Are Famous For: Huge selection of 50+ ice cream flavors, sundaes and shakes. Huge scoops.
Hints: Did you know you can order ahead of time and pick up from their side window without waiting in line? Wanna save $$$ – order 4 scoop sampler for just $7.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 11am - 10:40pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Street)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Shakes
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (Yes)
gelatolove
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
All natural gelato is the perfect dessert throughout Italy, and gelatolove brings that Italian spirit to rank as a top Carlsbad dessert.
What They Are Famous For: 20+ delicious flavors and always fresh. There are also many gelato cakes and a small Italian market inside. Nice place to sit and enjoy.
Hints: Ask for a sample if you are unsure about the taste as they feature exotic ones – but traditional stracciatella in a sugar cone is always a winner.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: Noon - 9/10pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Lot)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
Jeni's Ice Cream
Neighborhood: Carlsbad South
James Beard award-winning ice cream by founder Jeni Britton is out to redefine quality ice cream while using her company’s profits and energy towards community good. Delicious ice creams in over 45 different flavors.
What They Are Famous For: Their ice cream and civic activism is paired with unique in-store experiences.
Hints: Jeni’s offers ice creams in many different sized packages to take back home or even delivered.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 11am/Noon - 10pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Slot)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (No)
The Strawberry Shack
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
Southern California is known for its delicious strawberries and The Strawberry Shack taps into that curiosity with over 30 mostly strawberry concoctions.
What They Are Famous For: 20 different varieties of strawberry desserts including sundaes, pies,cookies, drinks, pudding, soft serve, fudge and more. Some with chocolate variations. This is a walk-up window.
Hints: Chocolate dipped strawberries are the tourist favorite but don’t forget the Strawberry Shake, a Dole pineapple soft serve, or the Strawberry Sundae.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 11am - 9pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Street)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (Yes)
McConnells
Neighborhood: Carlsbad South
3rd generation California dairy that has been making quality ice cream for 70 years. Multiple locations throughout California.
What They Are Famous For: Sourcing their ingredients from the Paso Robles hub of Produces Dairy – an 83 year old dairy in Central CA and other quality suppliers.
Hints: They have unusual flavors like Matinellis Apple Cider and Cranberry Jam or Red Clay Buttered Rum.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 11am - 10pm
- Price $$
- Parking (Free Lot)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe
Neighborhood: Carlsbad West
If ice cream or gelato isn’t enough, and you’re thinking about pie – then you should head to Carlsbad’s long-time favorite pie place.
What They Are Famous For: Huge selection of homemade pies to take home and share or to eat right in the restaurant (and you can add ice cream). This is a full service restaurant open every day, that has a bakery/pie shop in the front.
Hints: Full pies run about $21 – $25, and usually there are 20+ different types available. Many of them can be ordered by the slice. This place is a very busy breakfast location so keep that in mind when you visit and don’t forget to grab some delicious homemade cookies.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 8am - 8pm
- Price $$
- Parking (Free Lot)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options - Limited
- Dogs? (patio only)
Haagen-Dazs
Neighborhood: Carlsbad West
Original high-quality ice cream chain founded in 1960 still offers excellent ice cream and much more.
What They Are Famous For: Quality creamy ice cream, delicious chocolate dipped ice cream bars, and a wide variety of flavored shakes.
Hints: Conveniently located at the Premium Outlet shopping mall, Haagen-Dazs is a great place to get a cool dessert while shopping that never disappoints.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 10/11am - 7/8pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Lot)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Shakes
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
Cold Stone Creamery
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
National chain located right on PCH and very close to the City beaches. Besides ice cream in cups or cones, you can get packaged ice cream and a huge variety of cakes and ice cream specialties for any occasion.
What They Are Famous For: Hand-crafted ice cream made at each location on a frozen granite stone counter.
Hints: Look at their menu online before you go as it’s hard to decide what ice cream to get once you are there.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 11am - 9/10:30pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Street)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Many
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
Stella Jean's Ice Cream
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
Expanding San Diego small-batch ice cream maker opened in the new shared-space Roosevelt Cottages in 2023.
What They Are Famous For: Unusual flavors and plant-based options. Their mango-rice is the most famous of current flavors, but check out their seasonal flavors too.
Hints: Great shared patio under the trees is perfect place to chill with some unique flavored ice cream. Owners also own Pop Pie company and they sell them here to – they are delicious.
- Days: Tue. - Sun.
- Hours: 8am - 2pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Street)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
Aloha Ice Company
Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village
We come here on hot days for the authentic Hawaiian shave ice, but they have other treats too.
What They Are Famous For: Hawaiian Shave Ice done the right way – which means sharp-bladed shaving, tropical flavors and real ice cream added to make a creamy, cool dessert.
Hints: When it’s too hot for ice cream, Shave Ice is the right call to cool down and satisfy that thirst for tropical flavors. Grab one and people watch from a convenient center of town location.
- Days: Every Day
- Hours: 9am - 9pm/10pm
- Price $
- Parking (Free Street)
- Kid Friendly (Yes)
- Drink Options: Several
- Vegan/GF Options
- Dogs? (patio only)
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