Carmela Ice Cream
Ice cream shop · Altadena ·
Seasonal flavors, sorbet, coffee, and fresh waffle cones
Seasonal flavors, sorbet, coffee, and fresh waffle cones
"Jessica Mortarotti happily reopened her longtime shop in early June. Her Pasadena shop was closed for most of 2025 after the Eaton Fire, while much of the surrounding neighborhood rebuilds. Her Pasadena shop adjusts ice cream flavors throughout the week, but batches of the shop’s perennial favorites like salted caramel, mint cacao, lavender honey, and brown sugar vanilla bean are always ready for regulars." - Eater Staff
"When the weather heats up, head to Carmela Ice Cream, a small-batch shop that never uses additives like emulsifiers or stabilizers and relies on whole milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, and cane sugar for rich, bold seasonal flavors such as brown sugar vanilla bean, rocky road, and espresso. Founder Jessica Mortarotti also creates unique blends—cucumber sorbet, Guinness, and a lavender honey among them—and sells tempting ice cream sandwiches smashed between chocolate cookies. Mortarotti has taught ice cream-making classes in the charming shop for years, and this fall will be the last time they're offered, so be sure to sign up." - Eater Staff
"Jessica Mortarotti opened Carmela Ice Cream after years of selling her ice creams from a pushcart at farmers markets; I swing in after lunch for a seasonal scoop made with organic milk. The flavor list changes day to day, but perennial favorites like salted caramel, mint cacao, lavender honey, and brown sugar vanilla bean are often available, and the scent of freshly shaped waffle cones and cups fills the air." - Cathy Chaplin
