I have eaten a lot of ice cream on this beach, and my stomach has the receipts to prove it. Redondo locals know that a proper sunset requires a cone in hand, but choosing where to go is the real gamble.

The options range from the perfect, warm-cookie embrace of The Baked Bear to the sophisticated, small-batch toffee at Kansha Creamery. I have even used Jus' Poke as a strategic savory reset before a triple scoop at Handel's, a move my wallet still feels.

The truth is, I have a bias toward anything with a honeycomb crunch, but I have tried to be fair. Here is the definitive list of where to spend your sugar budget.

Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar

Highlights
Three-flavor combos shine
Generous portions, fair price
Creamy, rich gelato texture
Ideal after-show treat
Friendly service, great vibe

I ordered three flavors at Capri and felt like a genius. The combo isn't just a gimmick; it's the right way to eat here. Pistachio, salted caramel, and chocolate hazelnut arrived in one cup. Creamy, dense, and not overly sweet. The portions are generous enough to make me question my life choices. Service was fast, and the room had a relaxed buzz. It's the ideal stop after a show, when you need something cool and quiet. I left with a slight brain freeze and zero regrets. My only complaint? I didn't order a fourth scoop.

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The Baked Bear

Highlights
Warm cookies, cold ice cream
Generous scoops, fair price
Fast, friendly service
Small shop, big flavors

The Baked Bear is a small shop with a loud identity. Warm cookies pressed around cold ice cream sounds simple. It isn't. The cookie dough was soft, almost molten. The ice cream held its own, thick and cold. Generous scoops, and the price felt fair for the beach. Service was quick, even with a line. I tried the classic combination: chocolate chip with vanilla bean. It worked. My hands got messy. My shirt got stained. I'd do it again tomorrow. The shop's tiny, but the flavors are not. I left smiling, and I never smile at dessert.

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Manhattan Beach Creamery

Highlights
Fresh-made ice cream sandwiches
Near Redondo Beach pier
Massive flavor selection
Vanilla sandwich is standout
Fun people-watching spot

Manhattan Beach Creamery sits close to the Redondo pier, which is dangerous for my wallet. The ice cream sandwiches are made fresh, and the vanilla one is the standout. Cold, creamy, and held together by a soft cookie that didn't crumble. The flavor selection is massive, and I froze at the counter. Staff waited patiently while I panicked. I settled on a classic, and it was the right call. The outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching. Families, couples, dogs. I watched a seagull steal a napkin. The ice cream didn't get stolen. That's a win in my book.

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lil' Vegerie

Highlights
Kind staff, quick service
Generous portions for price
Fresh, umami-rich vegan flavors
Cozy outdoor seating only
Convincing non-vegetarian taste

lil' Vegerie surprised me. I'm not vegan, but I ordered the vegan chocolate and something with a smoky, umami bite. The staff were kind, and service was quick. Portions are generous for the price, which never happens at specialty spots. The non-meat flavors tasted convincing, almost too convincing. I checked the menu twice. Outdoor seating only, so I wedged myself onto a small bench. The breeze kept things cool. My only complaint: I wanted more. The texture was rich, not icy. I left thinking I could go plant-based. Then I remembered a burger exists. But for dessert, this place wins.

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Hennessey's Tavern

Highlights
Great coffee and breakfast
Attentive, beautiful staff
Prime people-watching patio
Excellent brisket sandwich
Beachfront Irish pub vibe

Hennessey's Tavern is a beachfront Irish pub, and I came for breakfast. The coffee was strong, which I needed. The brisket sandwich arrived hot, juicy, and stacked high. Service was attentive, and the staff truly were beautiful. I say that with zero irony. The patio is prime people-watching territory. Surfers, tourists, locals on bikes. My sandwich disappeared faster than expected. I didn't order ice cream here. But the vibe alone makes it a worthy stop on any ice cream crawl. You can walk off the meal and hit the next scoop. That's the plan. I failed once. I'll succeed next time.

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Jus' Poke

Highlights
Fresh, soft tuna always
Large, filling portions
Clean Hawaiian-style flavors
Traditional fish selection
Great rice and toppings

Jus' Poke isn't an ice cream shop. I know. But I included it because sometimes, you need a savory pause. The tuna was fresh and soft, cut generously. Portions are large, and I felt full after half the bowl. The Hawaiian-style flavors are clean, not muddled. Traditional fish selection, and the rice was cooked right. Toppings held their own. The staff didn't rush me, even when I took forever to pick. This isn't dessert. It's the reset button before dessert. I ate here, then walked to a creamery. My stomach regretted it. My taste buds didn't.

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California Surf Club North Grill

Highlights
Desserts shine brightly
Mixed service experiences
Scenic ocean setting
Public side preferred
Private side disappoints

California Surf Club North Grill has two sides. Public and private. The public side is where I'd send friends. The private side disappointed me. Mixed service experiences, to put it kindly. But the desserts shine. I tried a sundae with hot fudge, and the ocean view made it taste better. Maybe that's a trick. I don't care. The scenery is unbeatable. Service on the public side was friendly enough. On the private side, I felt like a burden. Order dessert, sit by the water, ignore the staff. That's the move. I left with sand in my shoes and joy in my stomach.

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Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt

Highlights
Creamier, more flavorful than rivals
Staff recommendations elevate the experience
Generous portions, cheaper by dollars
Passionate team turns scooping into art
Massive flavor selection worth exploring

Handel's is the rival I've been chasing. Creamier and more flavorful than most places in town. The staff recommendations changed my order, and I'm grateful. I asked for something sweet, and they pointed me to a sea salt caramel. It was salty, buttery, and perfect. Portions are large and cheaper by a few dollars than the other spots. The team moves with passion, scooping like it's a performance. The flavor list is massive, and I only tried two. I felt like I should apologize. I didn't. I just ordered a third scoop. No regrets. None.

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Long Beach Creamery

Highlights
Sweet, salty, crunchy perfection
Rotating flavors, generous samples
Worth a double stop

Long Beach Creamery is a bit of a drive, but I made it. Worth it. The standout was a sweet, salty, crunchy combination that I can't stop thinking about. Maybe it was toffee. Maybe it was caramel. The rotating flavors mean you never know what you'll get. The staff gave generous samples, and I sampled far too many. They didn't judge. I ordered two scoops, then ordered a third. The texture was perfect, smooth and rich. I'll make the drive again. I might bring a cooler. Or a second stomach. I haven't figured it out yet.

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Creamy Boys Ice Cream

Highlights
New Zealand-style ice cream
Fresh strawberry, perfect texture
Generous portions every time
Best vegan options around
Hokey pokey honeycomb crunch

Creamy Boys brings New Zealand to Redondo Beach. The fresh strawberry flavor had a perfect texture, soft and creamy. Not icy, not gummy. The hokey pokey honeycomb crunch is the real deal. I crunched, then melted, then crunched again. Portions are generous every time, which I appreciate. The vegan options are some of the best around. I'm not vegan, but I tried one, and it held up. Service was quick, and the shop felt friendly. I went back the next day. That's not a confession; it's a fact. I'll go again next week.

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Kansha Creamery

Highlights
Exceptionally creamy, small-batch flavors
Efficient, cheerful service under pressure
Parking painless, worth the hype
Unique toffee and cookie combinations
Strong contender for South Bay’s best

Kansha Creamery is a strong contender for South Bay's best. The small-batch flavors are exceptionally creamy. I tried a toffee and cookie combination that was unique, almost strange. It worked. The service was efficient and cheerful, even with a line forming behind me. Parking was painless, which is rare near the beach. The hype is real, and I say that reluctantly. I wanted to find flaws. I found none. The texture was rich, the flavors balanced. I left with a full cup and a full heart. I might have eaten too fast. I don't regret it.

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The Funnel House

Highlights
Fresh churros made to order
Friendly, professional service
Live band adds atmosphere
Worth trying on the pier

The Funnel House sits on the pier, and the churros are made to order. Hot, crisp, and dusted with sugar. I ordered one, then immediately ordered another. The service was friendly and professional, though the line moved fast. A live band played nearby, adding a strange but pleasant soundtrack. People danced. I chewed. The churros were light, not greasy. The ocean breeze cooled them quickly, so eat fast. I ate fast. I might have looked foolish. But I was happy. For a pier snack, this is the place. I'll return, possibly with a friend to share. Or not. Sharing is overrated.

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