Sugar 'n Spice

I'd never had a frozen banana as a treat (other than the usual pieces in smoothies etc.), and my expectations were low (I was suspecting something soggy or completely solid frozen). This cute little place had a line even though it was early in the morning. There is no seating available, but we found a bench on the sidewalk. We had a banana with crumbled Reese's and a vanilla ice cream with sprinkles. It was so good! And the banana was perfect! Definitely recommend it!

Sugar ‘n Spice is a must-stop if you’re on Balboa Island—especially if you’re an Arrested Development fan! I had the cherry-dipped frozen banana with crumbled Reese’s and it was probably the best one I’ve ever had. My wife and kids tried different combos of toppings and everyone walked away happy. It was a big hit with the whole family. Delicious, nostalgic, and totally worth the visit. Highly recommend!

GO GO GO!! This is a cute hidden gem on Balboa Island. We ordered the frozen chocolate dipped banana with Oreo crumbles and then another chocolate dipped banana with Oreo and salted caramel. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!

Chocolate balboa bar dipped in Reese Peanut butter crumble. You won’t be disappointed I promise. It’s so good. And so simple. It’s actually wild that no one else is doing this as successfully as these guys. Maybe it’s the vibe and experience of riding the ferry over, walking through the island, getting your balboa bar etc. It’s a whole thing and it can’t be beat. Either way, it’s a must stop for me whenever I’m in Newport! So good. (Cannot comment on the frozen bananas as I’ve never tried them but I say go with your gut but hopefully your gut says ice cream because it’s 12/10).

I used to bike to Balboa Island as a kid when my family would vacation in Newport Beach in the summer and we would get Balboa Bars or frozen bananas here. Visited Balboa Island on an anniversary trip and got a Balboa Bar with everything on it. Tasted better than I remember! Nostalgic and delicious way to relive my childhood memories!

Ah yes, as a fan of arrested development I had to try a frozen banana when I visited balboa island for the first time. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. Is this my favorite dessert of all time? No. But it’s utterly unique and delicious, and it’s a lot of fun. A must try!

Enjoyed a traditional chocolate dipped banana with coconut topping. Definitely delicious and friendly service. Jesus Christ Loves You!!!

Such a fun treat on a warm day! Lots of choices for toppings and drizzles. The chocolate coating isn’t too thick and crumbly like other ice cream bars. We got the Balboa bar with Oreo topping and it was delicious.

Heath Bar and fruity pebbles - a slept on combo. Bea and Miley helped us out they were awesome - the best on Balboa!

My visit to Sugar 'n Spice left me with my sweet tooth satisfied and a delightful experience overall. I got to try their Balboa bar, which reminded me of a Haagen-Dazs ice cream bar in stores. However, unlike the ice cream bars you find in stores, they gave generous amount of Oreo toppings! The Balboa bar was super decadent The ice cream was thick and creamy in the center, yet had a smooth and velvety texture. One aspect that truly stood out was the abundance of Oreo toppings provided. Sugar 'n Spice certainly didn't skimp as there were copious amounts of Oreos with each bite. The generous serving of Oreo toppings added an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall experience and I would definitely come back to try some of their other offerings!

Home of the OG frozen bananas in Balboa Island since 1945, they say. Street parking. Few benches on the sidewalk. We love the ice cream bars dipped in your choice of chocolate and topped with whatever toppings your heart desires. My go to order is the vanilla ice cream bar dipped in dark chocolate and topped with oreos. The frozen bananas are also a hit. Pretty huge serving, we normally share between 2. No matter the season, they still seem to have lines... even in the winter. Local favorite.

cute frozen banana stand in Newport area, although there's about 3 other identical places nearby. I went here with a friend because apparently this made an appearance in Arrested Development? Service was super quick and bananas were delicious. Great quick snack/dessert if you're in the area. I think it'd be nice if they had a menu with toppings/options already pre-decided.

Sugar 'n Spice is a must stop at balboa island, especially if you're into frozen chocolate bananas, hot cocoa, or ice cream! The atmosphere is set up just like an old school stand where you have a window, order, and eat while you're walking or one of the near by benches. The service was fast, the ladies will dip your frozen banana in chocolate, and add any topping you would like. What I love is the amount of topping you will get, we ordered it with peanut butter clusters and it filled up on the banana and almost filled up the whole tray! Hot cocoa is also a must try, I personally like the hot cocoa over the frozen banana. With the whipped cream on top, it's the best hot cocoa ever!

This is the classic banana stand of Arrested Development fame. The line may look long from afar, but it moves very quickly (~5-10 min wait the few times I've gone). I like getting the chocolate covered banana, and they have many different toppings you can choose from. It is a bit pricy for what it is, and note there aren't many benches around that area. It's definitely a fun visit though if you are a fan of Arrested Development, but those who don't know the show may not enjoy their visit here as much.

OG spot for chocolate covered bananas on balboa Island. They have a wide variety of ice cream flavors. The main draw has to be their chocolate-covered bananas. They're perfectly made--just the right balance of chocolate to frozen banana, and they are pretty sweet The staff is friendly and always ready to offer recommendations, making the experience even more enjoyable. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this gem; it's the perfect spot to indulge in some delightful treats!

Pretty solid frozen banana experience. The toppings were good but honestly I couldn't taste any of the chocolate. It was more just flavor of sugar, texture of toppings and frozen banana, and banana flavor

Definitely go for the everything toppings on your banana! Just the right balance of flavors. The line at Sugar 'n Spice was pretty long but it moved really quickly.

My favorite place for frozen bananas! They're made to order, customized to your choice of dip and toppings. I especially enjoy that they are always at the perfect soft frozen state that's easy to eat. Today I ordered mine dipped in milk chocolate, then rolled in heath pecan crunch. My husband and daughter love the Balboa Bar. They chose milk chocolate topped with almonds. So, so good!

Is that a frozen banana or are you just happy to see me? Throw on some sugar 'n spice, and everything nice, and you got yourself a sweet treat on a hot summer day. So whether you crossed the bridge or ferried over, treat yourself. The balboa bar or frozen banana are both good choices. Since it's overly sugary, try to get the dark chocolate to feel somewhat healthier. You can offset the healthiness by just putting every single topping on your banana or bar. It's pretty bomb but can be messy. Also, if your teeth are sensitive, bite carefully lest you hurt yourself. Anyway, not much else to it, grab this sweet treat and walk down the rest of Oldtown Newport for a grand ol' time!

Fun spot to stop for a treat in balboa island. We wanted something to eat after a long day at the beach and this banana stand was the perfect place. Got the heath bar banana and we really enjoyed it!

BEST BANANA ON THE ISLAND!! I wanted to make my own opinion on the best chocolate covered banana on the island so I tried here and Dad's. I can confidently say Sugar & Spice has the best banana on the island. The chocolate has a better flavor and there are more topping options. Overall, come here for your chocolate covered banana and ice cream needs.

Sugar 'n Spice is a hidden gem with a sweet history that makes their original frozen banana a must-try! The story goes that Don, the son of the original owners, accidentally left bananas in the freezer instead of the refrigerator. This happy accident led to the creation of their famous frozen banana, which has become a beloved treat in Balboa Island ever since. I had the frozen banana dipped in chocolate and topped with Reese's peanut butter chunks, and it was simply fantastic. The frozen banana was perfectly ripe, offering a refreshing, creamy texture that paired wonderfully with the rich chocolate coating. The Reese's peanut butter topping added a delightful crunch and a hint of saltiness that balanced the sweetness perfectly. The accidental origin of this treat makes it even more special, and you can taste the love and history in every bite. If you're in the area, this unique dessert is definitely worth stopping by for!

***Check in on YELP: get a FREE small SODA*** The first invention of chocolate covered banana!!!! THE OG OF CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA!!!! $6.50 How it got invented: The owner's son wanted the bananas to be placed in the fridge, however he accidentally put bananas in the freezer instead of the refrigerator. He got the idea of dipping it in melted fudge and add toppings. I got Banana with Dark Chocolate and Everything Mix topping. It was so good, not much sweetness at all which I love and the topping adds a nutty crunch and a bit of sweetness! Line can get long but it goes by fast. Parking is very hectic on the weekend. Arrive early for street parking or even pay parking lot. It's a ToGo type place. No seating at all for the place. There are only city benches. ***check in on Yelp: get a free small soda***

Place is tasty! Long wait on a warm day. No cash accepted. No inside seating but benches on the outside. It's not a place I'd come back for this but it was decadent for what it is. Check in for a free soda!

It's a cute little shop on Balboa island near the bridge where you can drive over from Newport Beach. We got frozen bananas, one with everything topping and one with PB&J topping. Both are great and refreshing! The banana is frozen enough but still creamy when you bite into it. We opted for the dark chocolate covering and it was delicious! There are plenty of seats nearby! Beware if you have nuts allergy! A lot of their toppings do contain nuts!

Honestly the banana is way too frozen. It was rock hard... I went across the street and got a hot chocolate and waited about 30 minutes to an hour then it was edible. Idk I don't get it. But the flavors were good once it was less rock hard and the service was accommodating. There's no interior or tables so you better be ok with eating and walking.

Whenever i'm on Balboa Island I usually stop at Sugar n' spice to get myself a frozen chocolate banana or a balboa bar. Good amount of topping options to satisfy your sweet tooth in a not too sweet way. I do think the price should be a little less but they do give a good sized portion and pack on the toppings. Lines do get long but they move quickly and the workers are always friendly.

The frozen tiramisu and cheesecake are the best desserts I have had in my entire life. No joke. Getting them rolled in the "everything mix" topping made them 10x better as well, giving you a nice crunch with different textures in every bite. The line is shorter the earlier in the day you come. Quick service and this is a staple on Balboa Island. I would recommend this to anyone!

One of two locations on the main street that sells custom Frozen bananas and ice cream bars. Both claim to be "The Original". Which one was? Ah, who cares. Both places look to serve up tasty treats. I like how a frozen banana can be both healthy and decadent at the same time. Whether you choose a frozen banana or ice cream bar, you get to choose the chocolate dip/coating and toppings. As you can see in my photo, I want "all out". -Dark Chocolate coating -Everything topping -PB&J topping One word...Yum!

Waiting in line for a frozen banana is no problem when the banana is great. What makes a difference is that they offer squeezable topping on their bananas! I got an everything mixture and marshmallow fluff on top of mine and that marshmallow really made the difference!

Soooo good! Waited in line which went pretty fast. After speaking with a local, I decided on the Balboa Bar with Reese's crumbles. It was huge but I literally inhaled that thing in 10 minutes. I was in sugar heaven. The service was speedy, the staff was friendly and I thought the whole operation was well executed. Also, the stand has an old school, retro beachy vibe. Great experience all around. Highly recommended when you're in Balboa Island!

We were really curious what the hype was all about because the line was so long, so we did the tourist thing and got in line as well. We got a frozen banana dipped in premium dark chocolate with chopped almonds. It was huge! Perfect for sharing! This was a healthy alternative and was a very satisfying sweet treat! You'll have to take my word for it that it was huge. lol

Exactly what we expected! For a tourist spot we thought the prices would be higher but they were actually reasonable. There are so many ways to customize your treat. We loved it- so yummy!

Good place to go grab a late night sweet treat or maybe a good summer mid day snack. We went right before closing so around like 9pm and they close at 9:30. It was pretty empty here. Not too bad on pricing either, I think it was like $13 we got a frozen banana with cherry dip, chocolate dips, and a chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce wasn't worth the extra $1. Then we also got a frozen cheesecake on a stick cherry dipped as well with coconut. Delicious

Tried the frozen banana dip in chocolate with your choice of 2 toppings. It was mediocre since the banana not seeet but it's not total frozen solid so that you can take a bite into it. Service was okay, order at the counter This little stick will cost you about $7. Good to try it once.

This place tastes like childhood to me. My dad use to take me here to enjoy and I still come back now. Sugar n Spice is the OG for chocolate covered frozen bananas. They are priced a little high at $6.25 for a frozen banana but they are damn good and done just right. You can choose to get your banana dipped in their classic non-dairy chocolate, dark chocolate, PB, or cherry. And they have 15 different toppings you can choose. For an additional $1 you can get a drizzle of your choice. I usually go with my frozen banana dipped in classic milk chocolate with peanuts and chocolate sprinkles. The banana comes in a tray so it doesn't get too messy eating. Besides chocolate covered frozen bananas they also have their speciality Bolboa bar which is vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream covered in your choice of chocolate. In addition, they also have cheesecake, tiramisu and cookie sandwich. Your item is pre-made on a stick but isn't dipped and covered in toppings yet until you order. The staff is usually friendly and quick. Parking is difficult since it's in a busy area but there is 30 minutes parking nearby if you are only here for this.

Wandering down the docks, where the gentle sway of the water mirrors the ebb and flow of our conversation, I find solace in the simplest of pleasures. As we talk about life's winding paths and future dreams, this ice cream becomes more than a treat--it's a soothing balm for the soul. Each creamy bite is a whisper of nostalgia, mingling with the salty breeze and the rhythm of our reflections. It's as if the ice cream captures the essence of our shared moments, turning them into a sweet, serene escape amidst the backdrop of our life's journey. In this tranquil setting, every spoonful is a pause, a moment of peace, and a delicious reminder of the joy found in simple, cherished memories.

Food: known for their Frozen Banana & Balboa Bars with custom topppings; the Balboa Bar with Premium Dark Chocolate and Almonds was AMAZING!!! Service: made-to-order; long line, but goes quick Design: has an old school exterior vibe with the bright blue canopy and old school frozen banana sign marquee Overall: if you're on Balboa Island, then this is a MUST EAT dessert place

As one of our favorite spots on Balboa, we were excited to have Sugar 'n Spice serve dipped frozen bananas and ice cream bars as the late-night snack at our August 2024 wedding in Newport. They were a hit!

When in Balboa act like Balboaian! This place is popular for their Frozen Bananas, but I had to try their Salted caramel which is my all time to go in any ice cream place. On a Sunday afternoon this place will make you happy! Tasted good but I was hoping for a waffle cone but unfortunately they didnt have one.

I really enjoy stopping here. Its so much fun getting off the ferry and making a quick hop over to this ice cream bar shop. I usually get the Balboa bar with dark chocolate and Orea crumbs. I think of this like a large fancy Haagen-Dazs bar. They start you off with a blank vanilla bar, dip it in chocolate then your topping choice. Simple and great! They have other stuff such as banana for dipping with topping. Or they have a large ice cream sandwich. They got a few benches nearby to enjoy your frozen treat. I highly recommend grabbing an ice cream bar from this shop. Now good luck finding parking nearby.

A must stop when on Balboa Island and I am so thankful they have dairy free options! Don't worry if there is a long line, it goes by fast and gives you plenty of time to decide on your toppings. The bananas are of course dairy free, and they have a mango sorbet option for the balboa bars. The original chocolate coating is non-dairy too! I went with fruit pebbles as a last minute choice, and they were an incredible addition to the mango flavor. I wish there were multiple size options. The standard size was pretty big, and I could've gone for a small or kids size.

Frozen bananas were so refreshing and the perfect treat on a hot summer day! Lots of topping options

1st time trying this and it was awesome!!!! I did the dealers choice and the house delivered. I highly recommend this place!

It's a must do when on Balboa Island. I had the frozen cheesecake dipped in chocolate then rolled in crumbled peanut butter cup. GF had the classic Balboa Bar. Both were delicious.

As a newbie to the frozen banana world, I was unsure of what to expect but HOLY MOLY this was good. Ordered the frozen banana with the classic chocolate dip + Dealer's choice for toppings. Unbeknownst to me, Maggie (the frozen banana topping GOAT) was concocting the most INCREDIBLE dessert behind the counter. Peanut butter marshmallow god knows what else paradise pictured (in part, it was too yum) below.

I am a ChocoBanano lover (shout out to all my Latino peeps for the best childhood snack/dessert) so this review may be a little biased in that I have a favorable opinion toward sweets that combine banana and chocolate. I can honestly recommend Sugar N' Spice for those interested in trying their ChocoBanano version of a frozen banana with chocolate. The "premium dark chocolate" drip was rich and evenly spread throughout the banana. The two toppings that I chose (heath pecan crunch and Reese's peanut butter cup crumbles) elevated the experience which I appreciated since I do not usually have these ingredients on hand when I make ChocoBanano at home. This made it special and worth buying outside the home. However, I will say that the price is expensive. For 1 banana, you will be charged $6.25 even though you can get 1 big banana from Trader Joe's for about 25 cents. The other ingredients that they use are also not expensive so they're profit margins must be high. There was a line when we got there in the middle of the day and we had to wait about 20 minutes before placing an order. Business looks to be doing well. ---22nd Review of 2023---

Avoid if you have nut allergies. I had to sit and really think about how I'd leave this review, as this was the worst possible situation that could've happened during my visit. We decided to visit here for the famous balboa bar and dipped bananas later in the evening. To start, in terms of service the girl working the counter was extremely rude and we felt rushed and had to order in seconds or it would be a problem. I did look at the menu understanding that I had a nut allergy to try to find an option that's suitable for me. Generally, when I go somewhere they're accommodating or at least attempt to try to not kill people with allergies. When ordering I said "I'd like a balboa bar, chocolate dipped, with Oreos." The girl at the counter said "so you want peanut butter too," in which I clearly stated "No I have a severe allergy to nuts," at which point you'd think she'd mention they have poor practice on cross contamination, but no... I was instead rushed to order and so I did. Upon getting my ice cream... I had the chance to bite into it once, then another, and quickly noticed that my Oreo bar was in fact absolutely plastered with peanut butter, as well. Within 10 minutes I had throat closure and ears swollen shut. Even after initially noticing my wife said "why was this dipped in peanut butter? we specifically asked for no nuts, can we have something that's not dipped," in which the staff seemed perplexed and uninterested in solving the problem. Not like the additional bar mattered as I was going into anaphylactic shock. This morning, I am lucky to be alive after eating at this place. Now to note, they do have a small and I mean very small sign that I assume "legally" protects them that says there could be cross-contamination, but it happened to be hidden behind quite literally two other promotional signs and in the corner. I am using this post as education and in hopes management reads this and decides to take smarter measures on how you dip your food so that people don't die eating here. Every single person in our group had peanut butter in their items and not a single person ordered their stuff with it. So in closing, if you have an allergy, avoid this place like the plague and find another local option that actually accommodates guests and doesn't just give blanket statements to protect them legally from allergies. I have also just had the chance to review the owners responses to the many people who left reviews about having allergies, which confirms their "sign" in the window and little to no sympathy or change in policy to help better avoid causing situations like this. Everyone with allergies understands that you can't exactly ever promise no contamination, but rushing people and directly putting on peanut butter after saying there was an allergy seems negligent. Hope they can find a better way to train staff moving forward.

First time at Balboa Island and just like everyone else has heard, this is a MUST TRY... so I tried! Everyone loves their frozen bananas, but honestly the Balboa Bar is where it's at for me. I got the Balboa Bar with Heath Pecan Crunch and MY GOD where has this been all my life... I don't even like chocolate! It was soooo delicious! I also got the frozen banana with everything which was also really good- in total it was around almost $15 which isn't bad at all. The line is always long, yet always fast. The workers are super bubbly, kind, and the only thing there is, is an order and pickup window- everything is done outside. The scenery is nice and quiet; super earthy. What makes this successful is how simple the menu is, how fast the service is, and of course, how delicious everything is! I will definitely return and try more of the menu, but I will always include a Balboa Bar!

So here's the deal; banana to banana; Sugar 'n Spice has far superior to the other frozen banana place. This is based on taste alone. As far as size goes; the other banana place has the bigger sizes. But taste and topping options were not as good. Sugar ' n Spice allllllllways has a long line! I mean, every single time I go to visit my boyfriend- and I drive by, there's a line. It's just crazy to me lol I told my boyfriend that I wanted to try the chocolate covered bananas to see what the hype is all about. The chocolate covered bananas and the balboa bars seemed to be pretty popular items. I plan on going back to try a balboa bar. So the bananas, I suggest letting them sit for a little bit so that they can soften a little bit. Otherwise it is hard to but into. My boyfriend and I loved the chocolate covered banana, topped with Reese's pieces crumbles. Super tasty!! :) That was definitely our favorite.

This dessert window shop is great! First you pick your base item ("balboa bar" which is sherbet (?), frozen cheesecake, tiramisu, or classic banana), pick your chocolate coating, then select your toppings from a range of items. It's situated in the mentee of marine island, which is the main shopping street of balboa, which can get pretty lively. This place is quite popular, but the service is fast so you get through the line quite fast (lines happen in the evenings/nights generally). A classic treat if you come here (but it is just a chocolate covered banana/dessert item so... don't expect anything super fancy).

This is a great place to treat yourself! My wife and I shared a chocolate covered frozen banana covered with Reese's peanut butter cup chunks and almonds. We sat on a bench across from the stand and enjoyed it in the great, sunny weather. What a wonderful treat! Everything about the dessert was delicious! A large banana, a generous amount of chocolate on the banana, lots of Reese's peanut butter cup chunks and almonds. The woman who served us in the store was very friendly and helpful on how to do the ordering. I understand that this store has been serving frozen bananas since 1945. It's a dessert so great I can see why it has lasted so long. (They also have Balboa Bars.) Because we were there on a weekday there was a short line but I understand this place is very popular on a weekend with long lines.

Enjoyed my frozen banana in dark chocolate with peanut butter and almonds on top!! I'll definitely come back for more in the future! Service was fast and friendly. The stall still has the original setting which was interesting.

Really delicious and honestly exactly what I was expecting when you bite into it there's a lot more toppings than you think there is and honestly I think that's great. Definitely definitely recommend if you're in the area.

Super yummy frozen chocolate covered banana! This is apparently the OG spot so of course we had to try it! I got the chocolate covered banana with peanuts and the wife got it with the Pb&J drizzle and both were delicious! Definitely would come here again and maybe try one of their balboa bars or any of their other delicious frozen treats :)

My favorite frozen banana on Balboa Island! Not that the competitor isn't also delicious, but this frozen banana has that extra pizzazz I was looking for! Sugar 'n Spice has a solid selection of toppings to choose from, along with some sweet sauces to drizzle on the banana like marshmallow fluff! I noticed their bananas are more frozen than others, which I liked but if you have sensitive teeth like my friends, it'll take you a bit longer to eat. I got the S'mores frozen banana and it was the perfect amount of chocolate, graham cracker, and fluff! They are a cashless establishment which makes ordering a lot more easier. The employees are super nice and bubbly and made the overall experience memorable. Will definitely visit again when I'm back in the area!

This is probably the most delicious thing on a warm day where the sun is blazing hot and you've been wandering around the Balboa Island. And apparently the frozen banana is a thing that Balboa Island is known for! Location: it's right by the bridge on Marina Ave. The food: we got the Frozen Banana with chocolate dip and everything topping. It tastes like ice cream with this crunchy chocolate dip and all the delicious toppings!! And the treat isn't overly expensive either! Highly recommended!