Why Locals Love Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw in Newport Beach, CA, is far more than just an ice cream shop; it’s a delightful destination for dessert lovers seeking innovative, artisanal frozen treats crafted with imagination and care. Nestled at 2001 Westcliff Dr #102, this charming spot combines playful creativity with high-quality ingredients that make every bite feel like a celebration.
What truly sets Salt & Straw apart is its daring menu that serenades your palate with unexpected yet harmonious flavors. Take, for instance, The Tacolate—a decadent fusion featuring cinnamonancho ice cream served in a hand-pressed crunchy waffle cone taco, dipped in dark chocolate and finished with a satisfying crunch of puffed quinoa. This unique creation deftly combines texture and spice in a way that dances on the tongue. For those looking to share indulgence on a larger scale, the Black Forest Ice Cream Cake offers a luscious, vegan and gluten-free experience. Layers of rich chocolate cake alternate with silky vegan coconut cream frozen yogurt and ribbons of tart cherry jam, crowned with a crumble of crystallized cacao nibs—a luxurious treat that satisfies both conscience and craving.
Dog owners find their furry friends aren’t left out, either. The Pup Cup is a heartwarming treat crafted with smooth coconut ice cream mingling bits of crisp apples, carrots, and sweet potato ribbons, designed especially for four-legged companions. This thoughtful touch adds an extra layer of warmth and community spirit to the shop.
Visitors frequently rave about the irresistible seasonal specials that rotate throughout the year, from apple-centric autumn concoctions to floral and coffee-inspired favorites. Fans of the lavender honey and rich coffee flavors often mention how these selections offer depth and refinement, showcasing Salt & Straw’s artistry in ice cream flavor development.
Beyond the sublime taste, the welcoming atmosphere of Salt & Straw complements its menu perfectly. Customers recount moments of friendly service—shout out to staff member Katrina, whose enthusiasm and charm elevate the experience—and appreciate the cleanliness and ample parking, making every visit effortless and enjoyable.
Stepping into Salt & Straw feels like a joyful adventure in flavor. Whether you’re enticed by the smell of fresh waffle cones wafting from the shop or intrigued by imaginative combinations like goat cheese with pears, the experience is consistently memorable. It is the kind of place where ice cream transcends its usual role and becomes an artful indulgence, inviting you to slow down and savor every spoonful.
For anyone seeking exceptional ice cream in Newport Beach, Salt & Straw doesn’t merely meet expectations—it delights and surprises with every visit.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Identifies as women-owned
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- In-store pick-up
- In-store shopping
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Great dessert
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Seating
- Table service
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Casual
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safe space
- Quick visit
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 17, 2026
If you love seasonal specials with great ice cream you will flip for Salt & Straw.. they have special flavors galore and tons of options for children young and old. For fall they had all sorts of apple creations.. and their coffee and lavender flavors were both amazing. There was a line outside but not too bad and plenty of free parking. The quality and richness of the ice cream really stands out. Good service, clean store, many happy smiling customers.
- Mar 2, 2026
One of the best ice cream I ever had, simple delicious, staff very friendly, great place to visit, great area.
- Feb 4, 2026
We have been wanting to try this place for a while, and I finally got the chance to come! Perfect timing with this hot weather! The shop was clean, the staff was friendly, and the ice cream did not disappoint. I had the lavender honey flavor, and it was absolutely delicious. My husband went with the coffee ice cream, which was rich and flavorful. The kids enjoyed a chocolate ice cream and a milkshake, and they loved every bite. I’ll definitely be coming back next time I’m in the area!
- Jan 17, 2026
Katrina was a gem gem awesome customer service and personality.. props to the hiring manager! The ice cream flavors were uniquely intriguing!! Who ever had goat cheese in ice-cream with pears? ...sounds odd, I know but yummy overall! You can smell those waffle cones 2 doors down.. yummy!
- Jan 7, 2026
The December seasonal flavors that are out right now are ALL delicious! Their regular flavors are yummy. Always great, unique, ice cream. Whenever we are in town, we make it a point to get some salt & straw since there's not a store where we live in the IE. Got pineapple upside down cake & almond brittle with salted ganache & the great cookie swap (seasonal menu) and honey lavender (regular menu amazing flavor). Karina, I think her name is who helped us today, was very sweet as well! FYI, line is usually out the door at all Salt & Sraw locations & worth it!
- Dec 29, 2025
After a long beach day my wife, our friend, and I wanted something cold so of course we went to Salt and Straw. We have been here plenty of times but this time we wanted to try all the seasonal Halloween flavors. We sampled the Great Candy Copia, Jack O Lantern Pumpkin Bread, Creepy Crawly Critters, Essence of Ghosts, and Double Double Toil and Trouble. Candy Copia was the one I ended up going with and honestly it was by far the best. It is like a vanilla caramel swirl loaded with different candies, I think Snickers or Twix or M and Ms or Oreos or cookies, I do not even remember but every bite was thick, creamy, crunchy, and smooth all at once. I basically licked the bowl. That is a flavor I would 100 percent go back for. The Jack O Lantern Pumpkin Bread was also good. They had chunks of actual pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie in there and it had great texture but it was not my favorite even though I still enjoyed it. The last three were not really for me. Creepy Crawly Critters just had a funky vibe and I am not a big chocolate person to begin with. Essence of Ghosts was even more out there. I remember hearing the ingredients and it had licorice and some kind of alcohol element and I just tried it for fun but yeah that was definitely not it. As for their regular flavors, they always switch things out but the Cinnamon Snickerdoodle is my go to every single time. It is seriously one of my favorites of all time. I also really like the Chocolate Gooey Brownie even though I am not a chocolate lover at all. And the Hazelnut Cookies and Cream which is vegan is honestly so good too. Cookies and cream never misses and the hazelnut gives it something extra. Salt and Straw is always a great spot for quality ice cream and part of the fun is trying whatever new flavors they roll out.
- Dec 17, 2025
Stopped by Salt & Straw for a sweet treat and it did not disappoint! Tried the Arbequina Olive Oil - creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced. The mix of textures and flavors is what makes this place so special. The staff AMAZING! Definitely worth it!
- Dec 5, 2025
Some of the most amazing ice cream I've tasted. Friendly severs too and you can sample as many flavours from menu as you like.
