Best of Santa Barbara
The best ice cream in Santa Barbara
Start with Great Pacific Ice Cream in Stearns Wharf for handmade ice creams and sherbets on the wharf, McConnell's Fine Ice Creams in Downtown (728 State St) for A double scoop and Rori's Artisanal Creamery in Montecito Country Mart for A cone. Here are all 4, with what to get at each.
- Great Pacific Ice CreamStearns Wharf · Ice cream
Get: Handmade ice creams and sherbets on the wharf
Ice cream shop on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, known for ocean views and classic scoops after a stroll on the pier.
- McConnell's Fine Ice CreamsDowntown (728 State St)
Get: A double scoop
Santa Barbara's own ice cream maker, scooping on State Street.
- Rori's Artisanal CreameryMontecito Country Mart · Ice cream
Get: A cone
A small-batch creamery at the Montecito Country Mart. Montecito Country Mart creamery known for handcrafted ice cream with bold mix-ins like toffee and olive oil.
- Tondi GelatoLower State St · Ice cream
Get: Gelato, called the best in town by a local guide
Lower State Street gelato spot in Santa Barbara known for creamy, Italian-style gelato in rotating seasonal flavors.
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Where is the best ice cream in Santa Barbara?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Great Pacific Ice Cream (Stearns Wharf), McConnell's Fine Ice Creams (Downtown (728 State St)) and Rori's Artisanal Creamery (Montecito Country Mart). All 4 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Great Pacific Ice Cream, get handmade ice creams and sherbets on the wharf. At McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, get A double scoop. At Rori's Artisanal Creamery, get A cone. At Tondi Gelato, get gelato, called the best in town by a local guide.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Santa Barbara: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
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Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated November 14, 2026.