Wanderlust Creamery

Should You Book Wanderlust Creamery?

If you're choosing between Wanderlust Creamery in Canoga Park and a more central LA spot like McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, the decision comes down to what you want from an ice cream stop. McConnell's trades on heritage and clean dairy sourcing; Wanderlust trades on imagination. The flavor concepts here lean into travel-inspired references and less conventional combinations, which is precisely what's earned it consecutive rankings on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats list for North America — #312 in 2025, #304 in 2024, and a recommended slot in 2023. That's a meaningful track record for a scoop shop, and it's the clearest signal that this is worth the drive out to the western San Fernando Valley.

The Space

Wanderlust Creamery's Canoga Park location on CA-27 operates as a counter-service shop rather than a sit-down experience. It's a come-in, order, and find a spot kind of place — not a venue built for lingering over a long table. The space suits the format: you're here for the ice cream, not the room. That said, the layout works well for small groups or pairs who want to eat in, and the open hours (noon to 11 pm, seven days a week) mean you have real flexibility on timing.

If You've Already Been Once

The multi-visit case for Wanderlust is stronger than most scoop shops because the rotation of flavors gives you a reason to return. On a first visit, most people default to whatever's generating buzz at the moment. On a second visit, you can be more deliberate: ask what's rotating out soon, and prioritize accordingly. The shop is run by Jp Lopez and Adrienne Borlongan, whose concept is built around culturally inspired flavors rather than straight classics, so the menu has range. A third visit is when it makes sense to bring someone new and play the role of guide , the flavor concepts tend to land better with context.

For comparison, Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in New York City also builds its identity around creative flavor profiles but leans harder into toppings and sundae formats. Fatamorgana in Rome takes a similar artisan approach to unexpected combinations but within a gelato framework. Wanderlust sits closer to the Fatamorgana model in terms of concept seriousness, but in a casual American counter-service setting.

Ratings and Recognition

Wanderlust Creamery holds a Google rating of 3.9 from 19 reviews at this location , a small sample size, so read individual reviews rather than treating the aggregate as definitive. The more reliable signal is the OAD Cheap Eats recognition, which reflects a broader critical consensus. Three consecutive years on that list, with an improving rank between 2023 and 2024, suggests a consistent operation rather than a one-cycle flash.

Booking and Logistics

No reservation is needed. Walk in any day between noon and 11 pm. Booking difficulty is effectively zero , this is a counter-service shop. The location is in Canoga Park in the western San Fernando Valley, which puts it outside the usual central LA circuit. If you're already on the west side or heading toward Calabasas, the detour is easy to justify. If you're coming from downtown or Silver Lake specifically for this, set expectations for a 40-plus minute drive depending on traffic.

Who Should Go

Wanderlust Creamery earns a visit if you're interested in ice cream as a creative medium rather than a commodity. It's a good fit for pairs and small groups who want something low-commitment but genuinely considered. It's less suited to anyone who wants a conventional scoop of chocolate or vanilla and doesn't care about concept. If you're building a broader LA food day, it fits naturally alongside a meal at somewhere like Holbox for lunch before heading west, or as a dessert stop after dinner in the Valley. For a more complete picture of where to eat, drink, and stay while you're in the city, see our full Los Angeles restaurants guide, our full Los Angeles bars guide, our full Los Angeles hotels guide, our full Los Angeles wineries guide, and our full Los Angeles experiences guide.

For reference on what a serious fine-dining evening in the same city looks like on the opposite end of the price spectrum, Providence, Kato, Somni, Osteria Mozza, and Lazy Bear in San Francisco represent the higher-commitment end of the West Coast dining conversation. Wanderlust Creamery operates in a completely different register , low stakes, low spend, high creative ambition , which is exactly why it has a place on a well-constructed LA food itinerary.