HUSKY BOY BURGERS Ice cream , sundaes , shakes , root beer floats and banana splits ( 949-497-9605 ; huskyboyburgers . com )

JOHNNY ROCKETS Shakes , malts , sundaes and floats ( 949-497-7252 ; johnnyrockets . com )

DOLCE GELATO

On Broadway Street , just a short walk from Main Beach , Dolce Gelato offers an abundance of tantalizing treats , including gelato , sorbet and pastry desserts — all made daily on-site . Gelato and sorbet are handcrafted each morning , with more than 25 tempting flavors available on a rotating basis , including salted maple caramel , creme brulee and chocolate sea salt truffle , among others . Year-round classic flavors mingle with new seasonal tastes introduced weekly . To accompany the frozen treats , Dolce Gelato also offers pastries from scratch , including fresh fruit cobbler , chocolate lava cakes and other baked goods . ( 949-715-9249 ; gelatobydolce . com )

Dolce Gelato

RUBY ’ S DINER Shakes , malts , sundaes and floats ( 949-497- 7829 ; rubys . com )

Ruby ’ s Diner

GELATO PARADISO

A few blocks away , tucked into the back of the Peppertree Lane alley , Gelato Paradiso has been serving delicious , creamy gelato in cups or cones since 2006 . All of the gelato is made fresh daily in a small side room — known as “ Il Laboratorio ”— and the shop

Gelato Paradiso

regularly features between 28 to 32 flavors , including the popular “ bacio ” ( dark chocolate hazelnut ), which means “ kiss ” in Italian ; dulce de leche ; cookies and cream ; pistachio ; and “ sorbetto di limone ” ( lemon sorbet ). Fresh waffle cones are also

made in-house daily , in addition to authentic Italian handmade gelato cakes . ( 949-464-9255 ; gelatoparadiso . net )

THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER

Meanwhile , shoppers at The Old Pottery Place in the town ’ s HIP District can pop into The Chocolate Soldier to get a quick gelato fix . The tiny sweets shop offers six flavors , including vanilla panna cotta , pistachio and mint chip . The Chocolate Soldier introduced gelato to its menu a few summers ago in order to offer sundaes topped with the shop ’ s mouthwatering chocolates . ( 949-494-4462 ; thechocolatesoldier . com )

CHANTILLY ICE CREAM

At Chantilly Ice Cream , located at the corner of Park Avenue and

South Coast Highway , customers can select from 20 flavors of ice cream and several different toppings ( such as peanuts , chocolate and rainbow sprinkles ) served in sugar cones , waffle cones and chocolate cones . Nonfat yogurt ( chocolate , vanilla and swirl ) and seven different kinds of smoothies , including pina colada and Banana Blast , are also on the menu , as are brownie sundaes and banana splits . Chantilly Ice Cream features the same ice cream flavors year-round — bubble gum is a big hit with the little ones , while mint chocolate chip , almond praline and cookie dough flavors are always popular with adults . ( 949-494-7702 )

For more information on these ice cream hot spots and other Laguna restaurants and bars , see our Dine listings on page 42 .

SUMMER 2015 CITY GUIDE 25