Meet the Winners!

These are the best of the best in Irvine. Want your calories, time, and money to make the splurge worthwhile? Check out these winners.

First Place

Bacio Di Latte
508 Spectrum Center Drive Irvine, 92618
Sunday - Thursday | 10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Friday - Saturday | 10:30 am - 12 am

This year’s Cool Treat Contest crowned Bacio di Latte as the champion, with its silky, Milan-inspired gelato taking first place. One Official Taster likened it to the gelato she enjoyed on her honeymoon in Italy: “Bacio’s gelato is absolute bliss and brings back the best memories of my honeymoon in Venice.”

Second Place

Wanderlust Creamery
14413 Culver Drive, Irvine, 92606
Sun-Sat | 12 pm - 11 pm

Wanderlust Creamery earned silver for its globally inspired scoops, from ube malted crunch to honey lavender.

Third Place

Somisomi
2700 Alton Parkway, Irvine, 92614
Sun-Sat | 12 pm - 12 am
640 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine 92618
Sun-Sat | 10 am - 12 am

Somi Somi grabbed bronze with its signature Korean-style ah-boong (fish-shaped cones filled with soft serve and toppings).

Honorable Mention

Handel’s
5365 Alton Parkway, Irvine, 92604
13248 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 92602
827 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 92618
Sun-Sat | 11:30 am-10:00 pm for all locations

And rounding out the list, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream earned an Honorable Mention for its classic, extra-creamy flavors that keep locals lining up.

How Were the Winners Selected?

Our winners were chosen by Official Tasters—community members who applied to take part in the contest. To qualify, tasters had to live, work, or go to school in Irvine.

Not every shop was automatically included. Nominees came directly from The Vine’s newsletter subscribers, who submitted their favorite spots. Those nominations were then organized into four categories: ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and shaved ice.

Official Tasters rated each location by completing an online review form, scoring shops across these categories:

  • Taste & Flavor Variety (1–15 points)

  • Texture & Consistency (1–10 points)

  • Presentation & Aesthetics (1–10 points)

  • Value for Price (1–10 points)

  • Unique Features & Specialties (1–5 points)

  • Customer Experience (1–10 points)

🍦 A huge thank-you to the ice cream lovers who signed up, sampled, and submitted reviews—you made this contest possible. And thank you to our subscribers for nominating your favorite spots. Without your recommendations, there would be no contest (and no winning desserts!).

Stay tuned for our next contest as we continue celebrating the best of Irvine. ✨