If you're by Newport Pier you have to stop by and get a donut. This is a very nostalgic spot that…read morehas been around ever since I can remember and their prices are definitely reasonable. The service is good, they're quick and efficient.

Definitely not what it used to be…read more We came in late morning on Saturday. There was a small line which is much better than nighttime. We ordered 3 croissants, cream and jalapeño, Turkey and cheese, Turkey and cheese jalapeño, and a green Thai tea. All the croissants felt like there was too much bread and not enough filling. I had to eat more than half of the bread to find very little cream cheese inside. The bread on this croissant is better than the one for the Turkey and cheese though. Green Thai tea was good but I the regular is much better. Green Thai tea has a more floral taste, kinda reminds me of pandan-ish.

Just what I was craving and what I needed while in town. Came to newport for a quick weekend trip…read morewith family and we were staying right around the corner from this area, which was amazing. We walked around after lunch and of course I needed a sweet treat! I had JUST had Handel's for the first time ever only a couple weeks before at my friends house and it was delightful. I ended up getting a mint chocolate chip ice cream in a chocolate dipped cone. They really stacked it up, which was AWESOME! It was perfect for a hot day. This is a grab and go place where you walk up to the window, place your order and take your ice cream to go of course enjoy the beach. It's perfect. I enjoyed taking my cone to go and walking around the area. It was delicious! I want to try more of their flavors at the location in Vegas now, but definitely recommend this spot. They were super quick, too! And who doesn't love ice cream at the beach?!

First time trying ice cream at Handel's! I've passed by many times and finally stipper by to check…read moreit out. I ordered a single scoop called Monkey Business. I had no clue what it really was. The names and images were on a big poster marquee and I figured it looked like caramel, fudge and maybe banana... so why not. Right away the texture stood out. Not too soft, not frozen solid, just that perfect scoopable consistency where every bite melts slowly instead of disappearing instantly. It starts creamy and mellow, then suddenly you run into caramel and chunks of chocolate brownie and it turns into a totally different bite. Every spoonful kind of surprises you a little. It ended up being way richer than I expected and honestly one of the best single scoops I've had in a long time. Super friendly lady slso was behind the window too, felt welcoming right away. Definitely coming back because if this was a random pick off the menu, I want to see what the rest taste like.

Friends and I weren't craving donuts while in Newport, so we decided on Milk & Cookies to satisfy…read moreour sweet treat cravings. You could tell the cashier was ready to go home, but I found her endearing. She was very helpful and provided descriptions of some of the cookies they had displayed. My friend got the cowboy cookie and I got the M&M cookie. We both opted out of enjoying our cookies with milk, which I guess defeats the purpose.. but the cookies were warm and tasty. They were a great size for a decent price.

I've been coming to this spot since 2020 during the COVID days, and the cookies remain great. They…read moreoffer a wide variety of flavors, and the best part is that the cookies are always served warm. The Order: * My Go-To: I highly recommend the chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top. * Variety: They have every flavor of milk, ice cream, and cookies you could want. Timing & Atmosphere: * Avoid Weekends: I would not recommend coming here on a weekend. The store is tiny, and because it's right next to all the bars, the area gets crowded with a lot of drunk people. If that isn't your scene, stick to a weekday visit. * Rewards: It is quite expensive, but it's a nice treat. Plus, you can sign up with your phone number to get discounts for future visits. The Parking Situation: * Virtually Non-Existent: There is no parking lot, so you are stuck looking for small spots along the side of the road. * Accessibility: There is no designated handicap parking, so keep that in mind if you aren't prepared to walk a bit from a side street. Final Verdict: It's a perfect weekday spot for a warm dessert, just be prepared for the peninsula parking struggle!

This location is wonderful! The sweet server who helped us was so incredibly patient and…read morethoughtful, suggesting so many flavors because we didn't like any of them... She helped me narrow it down to the safe lavender and honey, which is so delicious! Of course salt and straw is known for their crazy flavors, but chewing bread in chocolate ice cream was a new one for me. The inside is super clean and minimal, but there is no seating inside or outside. It's great to stop by after dinner or before an event!

My friend and I came here after dinner at Fashion Island--they're super close, so we were really…read morelooking forward to having ice cream in the cold weather. We got there around 10pm, and the line wasn't too long. I got their sea salt and double fold vanilla ice cream, which was the perfect combo, and let me tell you why! The sea salt ice cream itself is pretty salty because of the Guatemalan salt they use, but the caramel is strong and has the perfect sweetness, giving it that sweet-and-salty balance. Since I found the ice cream a bit more on the salty side, I wanted something sweeter, which is why the vanilla was the perfect addition. This is hands down one of the best vanilla ice creams I've had because I could really taste the vanilla bean flavor (it's called "double fold" for a reason). Their ice cream doesn't disappoint--it's rich, creamy, and really lives up to its flavors.

Stopped in today to get my coffee fix, and I think I've found my new go-to spot whenever I'm in the…read morearea. I tried one of the barista's recommendations, and it did not disappoint. It wasn't overly sweet, which I really appreciated. I also love that they offer gelato, açaí bowls, tea, and smoothies--such a great variety. Emma mentioned they carry ceremonial-grade matcha and said it's a must try, so needless to say, I'll definitely be back for that. Shoutout to Emma for being so kind and for turning me into a repeat customer.

Matcha so delicious, I had it two days in a row! What a cute coffee spot. Definitely can tell this…read moreis a favorite of the locals for sure as it seemed like there were a lot of regulars there. They have a little bit of seating inside, but outside there's more seating available. I loved that they had a wall of poloroids of dogs that come in haha. And you can tell the staff LOVES dogs. A man walked in with a husky puppy and they all stopped to say hi ahha it was so cute. We walked down from our Airbnb when we were on vacation this past weekend. The girl helping us was really nice. They had a variety of teas and my husband loves tea so he got the peach tea. It was sooo good! I ordered the matcha and that was delicious! WOW! I literally had to have it two days in a row because it was soooo good. Such a cute coffee shop to grab coffee and go walk down the pier, which is what we did. It was perfect. Highly recommend this coffee spot!

Yuzu Matcha Cloud (seasonal) is so bright and zingy. Love the yuzu pop! The strawberry oat crumble…read moreis nice to pair with the yuzu matcha. The little hidden oat crumbles make you feel like you're eating a slice of crumb pie. And the best part is you can get a single scoop but split with two flavs... all the better Thankful to have V & Gf options. Service was commendable. I do wish that an ingredients list were available as well as nutrition facts. Allergens information is available though.

I've tried a lot of ice cream spots--it's one of my favorite desserts--and I can honestly say this…read moreis some of the worst ice cream you can get in Orange County. I've been here twice now and tried about five different flavors total, and every single one was gross. The Experience: * Bad Flavors: On my last visit, I actually had to ask the worker to swap my flavor because I was convinced I just got a "bad" one. The second flavor was somehow even worse. I didn't even finish it; I just threw it away because it was that nasty. * Texture & Taste: It tastes like watered-down diet ice cream. It lacks any of the richness or flavor you'd expect from a specialized shop, especially for how expensive it is. I wouldn't even go back if the ice cream were free. The Location Trap: This place is right on 17th Street next to Sidecar Doughnuts and Pop Pie Co., which is a great, convenient location. I think people only go here because it's a "cool-looking" spot to stop at while driving to the beach or grabbing a donut next door. If it weren't for the location, I don't see how they would stay in business. Final Verdict: Don't be fooled by the convenient location or the surrounding shops. The ice cream is truly disappointing and definitely not worth the price. I won't be coming back ever.

I went here on Galentine's with my bestie, and we had the most amazing time! The place has a…read morebeautiful ambience and such a cozy vibe. It's family-owned, and the mother-son duo are some of the warmest and kindest people you'll ever meet. They were incredibly respectful and served us with so much love and care. The food was absolutely delicious! We had Maggi and the Poppin Paneer Sandwich with Indian fries, along with tea. For dessert, we tried their Kulfi platter -- and wow! Every single dish was so flavorful and comforting. It truly took us back to the Indian street food we grew up enjoying back home. If you're looking for authentic Indian street food along with amazing kulfi and faloodas, this is definitely the place to go. I've been searching for a spot like this for ages and finally found one in Orange County! We will definitely be visiting very often. Highly, highly recommend this place. I wish I could give more than 5 stars for their hospitality, delicious food, and the wonderful experience we had there!

I first tried Kulfi in India and I thought I would have to wait until my next visit to try it…read moreagain. I was so happy to find out that it was right across the street from Crab Cooker. It tastes amazing and authentic. The mango kulfi is so creamy and fresh tasting and sweet. The inside is very cute and the woman who served us was very kind. It was lovely talking to her while me and my colleague sat and had dessert

"There's always money in the banana stand."…read more Pop culture fans may be interested to know that Sugar 'n Spice is the inspiration for Bluth's Original Frozen Banana Stand from the TV series, Arrested Development. Located on Marine Avenue in Balboa Island, Sugar 'n Spice has been serving the original frozen bananas and Balboa Bars since 1945. P The biggest downside is their hours; they don't open until 11 AM, which is disappointing for those with a sweet tooth who want an early treat. I tried the frozen bananas and must say, Sugar 'n Spice has a superior frozen banana. The chocolate was delicious, the toppings were fresh, and the banana wasn't too frozen - if that makes sense! The staff was friendly and provided helpful service.

There's always money in the banana stand! We came as fans of Arrested Development but were…read morepleasantly surprised to find the dessert good and didn't feel too tourist trappy. Sugar 'n Spice is on the only road in and out of Balboa island so don't expect to find plenty of parking. The wait was quick and the prices weren't awful. We ordered the frozen banana and balboa bar with premium chocolate and peanuts. The Balboa Bar was delicious, exactly what you would want for a quick dessert option. The frozen banana was good, maybe a little too frozen but that is expected from a literal frozen banana. The line felt more touristy then local but overall I'd go again.

Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop is well-known for its Chocolate Frozen Bananas, Balboa Bars, and hippo…read morecookies. The shop has been a Balboa Island staple since 1960, when it was opened by Joe "Dad" Anderson. According to local lore, a group known as the "Dew Dads" began a tradition in the 1960s of gathering early for coffee and donuts, and that tradition continues today. Some regulars even have their own hooks on the wall for their coffee mugs. The hippo sugar cookies change with the holidays. I visited around Easter, and they had Easter colors. We got a glazed donut for my son, and he loved it. I got a hippo cookie to share; it was a standard sugar cookie, but the little, colorful hippo was adorable. It's a great treat for kids of all ages. We also got a frozen banana covered in chocolate with sprinkles. My son didn't care for it, but I really enjoyed it. I appreciate that Dad's Donuts opens early, allowing visitors to sample their goodies. It felt like a classic mom-and-pop shop, and I could tell many are regulars, as the staff was on a first-name basis with some patrons. Dad's Donuts is definitely a gem on Balboa Island, and their delicious treats and charming, family-friendly atmosphere make it a must-visit.

Dad's Bakery on Balboa Island is such a fun, lively spot !! I absolutely love coming here! It's…read morealways bustling, and you can see why everyone flocks to this place. This time I tried something new, and while the cheesecake and Dubai weren't really my favorite, the original is still my absolute favorite especially with sprinkles on top! Even though I don't have a picture this time, the flavors and the charm of Dad's Bakery always make it worth the visit. If you're on Balboa Island, this is definitely a must stop for sweet treats and a great atmosphere!

If you're walking around the Balboa Fun Zone or just getting off the ferry, Cowafornia is a great…read morespot to cool down. It has that classic, nostalgic beach-shack vibe that fits Newport perfectly. Frozen Lemonade: This was exactly what I needed! It was incredibly refreshing and had that perfect slushy consistency--not too sweet, just a great zesty kick for a warm day. Acai Bowl: The first thing you'll notice is the size--the portion was absolutely huge. It's definitely large enough to share or to serve as a full meal. While the base was a bit watery compared to some dedicated acai shops, the sheer volume and the fresh toppings made it a solid value for the price. The Vibe: The shop is right in the heart of the action on Bay Ave. It's a fun, bright place to stop by while you're exploring the peninsula. The service was quick, which is impressive considering how busy this area can get during the afternoon rush. Come here if you have a big appetite! Whether you want a refreshing drink or a giant bowl of fruit and acai, you definitely get your money's worth here.

Nice small town shop. Be sure to ask for a sample. It's a beach town so inventory has the…read morepotential to sit for a while longer and not be as fresh. My friend said that her chocolate chip ice cream had an old freezer burned taste.