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McConnell's Fine Ice Creams

Ice Cream Parlor$$$$

Lower State, Santa Barbara

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9.1^/10

381

ratings

Ranked #1 for desserts in Santa Barbara
This ice cream parlor is famous for their ice cream. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"break from the wine flights for the best flight of ice cream in SB!"(9 Tips)
"fresh waffle cones"(6 Tips)
"salted caramel chip flavors"(2 Tips)
"The Eureka Lemon and Marionberry is just fabulous!!!"(2 Tips)

71 Tips and reviews

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ice cream
flight
family-friendly
lively
casual
cookies
authentic
waffle cones
free samples
trendy
good service
coffee
churros
good for dates
sandwiches
chocolate
salted caramel
chips
coconut
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Dan RobertsOctober 12, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Best ice cream in Santa Barbara! The sorts of flavors this place excels at are things with salt, things with caramel, things with coffee, and things with peanut butter. Also, homemade waffle cones!
Lindsey KimOctober 30, 2017
Take a break from the wine flights for the best flight of ice cream in SB! The peanut butter chip with strawberry in a cone was like the best version of a pb&j.
Upvoted Nov 15
Doug BaerNovember 15, 2013
Fantastic ice cream. Each of us tried a different flavor and all were exceptional. Note: "a scoop" is BIG. We saw the "flight" option too late: 3 mini-scoops of 3 different flavors... DO THAT!
Tim DengAugust 5, 2016
So. Good. I'm pretty sure you can get any flavor and it'll be delicious. Got the single with two flavors and it was huge!
Katja HaackMarch 28, 2016
Always packed so we had to try it. You can try the flavors before deciding which is good because some flavors are very extraordinary but delicious
Jae ClarkeJanuary 11, 2016
Incredible texture! Can't remember the name, but the one with sweet cream + salt + cookie pieces is one of the best flavors I've ever tried. We went there three times in two days.
RainbeauApril 12, 2017
The perfect creaminess! Get a trio– my favorites together are chocolate covered strawberries + sea salt cream & cookies + dutchman's chocolate. Be sure to try their seasonal flavors.
Christina CristalJuly 20, 2015
The ice cream is the best I've ever had. The cookies and cream and the salted caramel chip flavors are amazing, and the workers and atmosphere are family-friendly.
Ryan GantzAugust 18, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Best ice cream in southern Cali. Everything is good. Try the Brazilian Coffee and the double chocolate.
ShashiOctober 21, 2018
Everything seems good here. Long queues say it all. Could not try all flavors, but I can tell all of them must be good.
Edward ForteMarch 27, 2023
Great local, fresh ice cream. Love the cookie sandwich
Mechell ElleJune 9, 2015
Lemon and Marion berry scoop paired with sweet cream scoop in a waffle cone. Goodness!!!!
Ayse MuskaraJuly 29, 2015
Best ice cream! Try the toasted almond coconut and double peanut butter chip!
Stefanie SchindlerApril 23, 2016
The salted caramel cookie with chocolate ganache is to die for.
Federico GarciaJuly 14, 2016
Best ice cream flavors I have tried, period. Ps, the 15 minute wait it's worth it
Kelly KnightNovember 26, 2014
Love the Eureka Lemon & Marionberries flavor. Sundaes are huge! Great place! Amazing and unique flavors.
Renee RiveraMarch 27, 2015
LOVED the sea salt and cookies! Ask for a split scoop if you're indecisive. I split mine with churros con leche.
Nigel GoodisonDecember 28, 2014
Blueberries and Cream, also when they have it, the swedish gingersnaps and cardamon. As everyone else says do the Flight.
Sunny DAugust 17, 2014
Lots of choices. Get a "flight" so you can have three different flavors.
Heather RobtoyMay 5, 2014
If you tell them you've never been before, they'll give you free samples of their top flavors. Undecided? Get the flight!
Doug BaerNovember 15, 2013
The McConnell's shops are each independently owned. This one is definitely worth finding parking and walking a few blocks.
Randy BrownAugust 25, 2014
The code for the rest room is 531. Pop quiz: name a city with the area code of 531... Bellevue, Columbus, Fremont, Hastings, La Vista, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha, Papillion, Nebraska.
JH H-DOctober 20, 2015
Delicious! So many flavors to choose from, but the staff are so friendly you won't feel bothered
Guy VancollieAugust 5, 2015
The Eureka Lemon and Marionberry is just fabulous!!!
Michele GuideSeptember 28, 2016
Silver lining of standing in an epic line at McConnell's: more time to spend smelling fresh waffle cones being made.
Reims ReimersApril 5, 2018
Anything in a waffle cone. Get it quick because they tend to run out later in the day.
H. Colbert (@hrsch)March 4, 2014
This location has excellent baked goods. Try the chocolate chunk with sea salt or the thin mint.
Billy AmpMarch 30, 2017
Now this is a Fine Ice Cream to Scream about! And when I do scream, will you scream? For Ice Cream?! 🍦
Dixon SteeleOctober 20, 2013
Once u decide on a few flavors get a "flight" of 3 mini scoops for $4.75
David Snabel-CauntSeptember 28, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Can't imagine ice-cream tasting any better. The chocolate and raspberry is a must.
Jing Yuan LiuJune 25, 2015
Get the ice cream sandwich. Peanut cookie with Turkish Coffee ice cream
Rach BApril 24, 2014
Can't choose a flavor? You can get a flight of three small scoops!
Ken GarbyMarch 23, 2018
Fresh ice cream with interesting flavor combinations.
Frost LiJuly 6, 2019
Amazing ice cream with a large selection
Tuan NguyenJune 22, 2018
Been here 25+ times
Can’t go wrong with dark chocolate chips and nibs
Anna KathrinMay 10, 2015
Very big selection! Loved the salted caramel
Daniel BellaireSeptember 6, 2020
The Turkish coffee/vanilla bean combo was great.
Danica KimJune 29, 2015
mint chip and salt caramel with cookies are delicious!
Whitney FishmanOctober 22, 2015
Churros con Leche. That's it. Go straight to the churro and say thank you.
siouxjaAugust 29, 2021
The Earl Grey and banana & salted caramel.
Jonathan HodgesMarch 20, 2015
Chocolate Almond Brittle ice cream was really good.
Goodstuff HallyMarch 1, 2015
Yummy, great ingredients and nice taste
Cyrièle PiancastelliSeptember 21, 2015
Homemade waffle scones are just unbelievable.
eric bornemannDecember 19, 2020
Totally awesome ice cream with flavors you can’t get elsewhere. Long lines at night.
Jeremy WagemansAugust 8, 2014
Ask to taste every flavor you like before ordering! It's free!
Pavan KulkarniJuly 6, 2016
Loved the caramel chip icecream.
Mark BryantOctober 14, 2013
Great ice cream. From out of town and lucked into this.
Andrew DOctober 20, 2015
I was surprised by how good it was!
H. Colbert (@hrsch)March 4, 2014
If you're searching for the restroom, it's here.
SalvadorSeptember 11, 2014
Summer Fruit Cobbler is really good.

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McConnell's Fine Ice Creams

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