Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — Attraction in San Diego

Updated review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5

Updated review — I’ve been coming here regularly for the past couple of months, and it’s officially my go-to ice cream spot!

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is consistently amazing. Every single time I visit, the staff are so kind, patient, and genuinely welcoming. They never rush or judge, even when I sample flavors I’ve already tried before (yes, I’m that person 😅).

I’ve had their shakes, pints, ice cream sandwiches, and even the dog ice cream—for my pup, of course—and he absolutely loves it. Everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients, and the flavors are always creative and delicious. They offer special flavors now and then, and not a single one has ever disappointed.

The shop itself has a friendly vibe with plenty of open seating and tables. Especially in the summer, it’s the perfect place to cool down, hang out, or stroll through the mall with a cone in hand.

Hands down the best ice cream shop at Westfield. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out!

—————- Previous review:

They just moved in and ive been here more than the other ice cream shops in utc. They are the best priced and their ice cream is flavorful, light...

I don’t really know why this place has 5 stars, or how that’s ever even possible. Unblemished, 5-star shops reek of tampering, of outsourced review hackers and fakers covering up mistakes. I mean, we’re all human, no one is perfect—who in the world really ever earns a perfect 5/5, time and again, forever?

Moving on…Van Leeuwen is pretty good, and the branding is funny and cool. The staff were easygoing and nice, and the line moved quickly even though there were a fair amount of customers. My friends and I ordered three different flavors—coffee, honeycomb, and chocolate fudge brownie. They were all decent, but none of them really wowed me or stood out in any important way.

I feel like Salt & Straw, while pricey, is better. But pound-for-pound, I really prefer places like Gelato Vero or Mariposa to this kind of new-school, ironically flashy parlor. I think their flavors aren’t all...

We came for the ice cream but stayed because Lacie (the coolest ice cream scooper ever) was the best. From the moment I walked in, Lacie greeted me with a big smile and such genuine enthusiasm that it instantly made my day. Even with a long line, she kept the energy up, moved quickly, and made every customer feel special. She helped me choose a flavor I wouldn’t have tried otherwise, and their recommendation was spot on! You can tell she truly cares about what she does, making the whole experience fun and welcoming. Their kindness and attention to detail turned a simple ice cream stop into something memorable. I’ll definitely be coming back, and I hope Lacie gets the recognition she deserves—if you visit, make sure to ask for Lacie, she’ll...