The Best Ice Cream Sundaes in Los Angeles

This corner hangout in South Pasadena dates to 1915, when the business was known as South Pasadena Pharmacy. The space received a revamp to start the '90s, and now touts a green awning, marble tables, wood-framed mirror behind the bar, and a substantial gift shop. Thrifty Ice Cream fuels the soda fountain, along with an energetic teenage workforce. Their “fancy sundae” selection captures local names like Raymond, Arroyo and Mission, with the difference primarily coming down to the sweet sauce. We’re partial to the namesake Fair Oaks, featuring two scoops of chocolate ice cream, one with chocolate sauce, the other with raspberry sauce, whipped cream, crushed peanuts and maraschino cherries.

This branch of iconic Santa Barbara dessert concept from Michael Palmer and Eva Ein is centrally located in the revived Grand Central Market. Yes, they’ve got plenty of premium ice cream that draws primarily on California ingredients that need no alterations, but they also know how to embellish. Sundaes include the outstanding PB&J, featuring sweet-tart milk chocolate and raspberry jam ice cream, peanut butter sauce, chunks of dark chocolate raspberry brownie, whipped cream and a subtle hit of salt.

The Mozza Restaurant Group has become a juggernaut, and part of the reason for that success has been the sweet vision of co-founder Nancy Silverton and longtime pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez. Their desserts permeate every part of the Hollywood compound, including Pizzeria Mozza. Sure, the butterscotch budino is dessert gospel, but just as potent is the caramel copetta with caramel ice cream, which coasts on a waffle-like anise cookie and gets treated to a shower of gooey marshmallow sauce and salted Spanish peanuts. In summer, they also serve an apricot and boysenberry copetta in a glass with tart lemon verbena gelato, fruit, and almond sbrisolona, an Italian crumble from Lombardi.

Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts have created a multifaceted beachside destination in Playa del Rey, which includes the Small Batch ice cream parlor, Dockside restaurant, Grain whiskey bar and King Beach café. Part of the fun at Playa Provisions is due to pastry chef Kristin Feuer. One of her most playful desserts at Dockside is a frozen banana sundae with banana ice cream, frozen banana, hot fudge, candied peanuts, and whipped cream with a cherry on top, which you can enjoy with a complimentary ocean breeze.

In September 2014, Kim Malek and cousin Tyler imported their Portland phenomenon to Larchmont Village, and the initial excitement resulted in long lines. The space features an awning with mismatched swaths of stripes and solids, a wood-tiled floor, shelves of gourmet ingredients (all for sale), and a seasonal blackboard menu that leans local. Sundaes include PB & SQIRL Jelly Sandwich, Lemon Caramel & Walnut Oil Sundae, and our choice, Warmed Brownie & Hot Fudge Sundae. Choose two different scoops of ice cream, crafted using Rockview Dairy. May we suggest Almond Brittle & Salted Ganache and Stumptown Coffee & Compartes Love Nuts? The base is a hot, gooey slab of rich chocolate brownie. Whipped cream, crushed almonds and a salty flourish help to fill the rest of the paper boat.

R.J. Milano drew on beloved childhood memories to open this Mid-City café, which features vine-coated brick walls, sidewalk seats shielded by blue umbrellas, and an indoor coffee bar. The menu revolves around sweet and savory Liege waffle preparations, perhaps none more compelling than the waffle sundae. The Shaky Alibi team starts with a firm waffle studded with rocks of sugar, and tops the base with scoops of McConnell's Fine Ice Creams. Yes, there are options - we suggest the sea salt caramel ice cream flecked with chocolate flakes, whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.

Known as the "Home of the Little Stinko," a notoriously pungent burger, Twohey's dates to 1943 and still features a neon logo depicting a man crying and a clothespin on his nose. Inside, the coffee shop’s retro décor includes white aqua and orange accents. Their hot fudge sundae is locally famous, available with caramel, milk chocolate, or if you play a proper hand, bittersweet chocolate sauce. Each goblet comes with multiple scoops of ice cream, fresh whipped cream, roasted almonds and a cherry on top.

This New York City import with a decidedly Dutch name is the product of bi-coastal work from Ben Van Leeuwen, Laura O'Neill, and Pete Van Leeuwen. Their company launched in 2008, touting "hormone and antibiotic free milk and cream, cane sugar, egg yolks and the best fruits, chocolates, spices and nuts from small producers locally and around the world." Van Leeuwen operates three brick and mortar locations in Los Angeles: the Arts District in Downtown L.A., Culver City, and its newest shop in Franklin Village.

They sell a variety of sundaes from their pastel yellow truck, including a Ginger Caramel Crunch Sundae with spicy ginger ice cream, crunchy crushed sugar cone slabs, caramel sauce and whipped cream. For daily locations, follow Van Leeuwen on Twitter: @VLAIC.