Great service, super friendly. Good quality ice cream. Strawberry was my favorite. Coffee chip was second fave. A few seating spots inside but we found a nice bench a few steps down by the train station. Love love that their tasting spoons are not disposable. That's so rare!
Ann M.
Who doesn't like eating yummy ice cream while strolling down a beautiful street. This is a cute shop that has an awesome reputation. I tried the lemon and berry flavor and my husband had an ice cream sandwich. The ice cream was delicious. It was incredibly creamy and tasted very clean. Kinda hard to explain but clean is the best word I can think of lol. My only critique is the chocolate chip cookie my husband had was on the hard side. Maybe it's baked that way so it withstand the ice cream but I prefer my cookies on the softer side. Besides that, this place definitely lives up to the hype.
Nipun N.
Great ice cream right next to the Santa Barbara beach and pier. Kids tried the Sea Salt Cream and Cookie - i snagged a bite and it was great.
Abby R.
A cute little ice cream shop in downtown Santa Barbara. The flavor selection was great - we got a single scoop of the Eureka Lemon & Marionberries and the Sea Salt Cookies and Cream. Both were DELICIOUS and we highly recommend. Although, I assume you can't go wrong with any of the flavors they offer. The staff gave us lots of time to choose which flavors we wanted, and once we decided, the service was quick. The store was clean, and had a couple seats inside, with self-serve water. But why not grab a scoop (or two) and walk downtown/to the beach?!
Michael B.
Meh. I saw all the amazing reviews and YouTube recommendations. So we waited in the 15+ minute line out the door. Lots of interesting sounding flavors but it's just fine. Not worth all the hype.
Tracy M.
Food: A nice selection of various ice cream flavors. I chose the mango flavored ice cream and I must say it was true to form. Options include a waffle cone which smelled so good or it could be in a cup. Service: They were very personable, patient and friendly as each person decided on what they wanted. I was completely satisfied as to how I was treated even though there was a long line forming behind me. Ambiance: It was a bright ambiance while we ate our ice cream inside with others who craved ice cream safely inside while it rained outside. We were all seated in a small area close together along the wall defying any personal space that may have been needed lol. Overall, I'd go back again.
Earl G.
Can't miss this iconic ice cream spot on State Street. Staff is really friendly with the samples and it can get busy depending on the time! Sea Salt Cream and Cookie - Great balance of sweet and salty with cookie bits to chew on. Ice cream has a great texture of creamy but not too airy. Salted Caramel Brownie - Also nice if you like that sweet and salty combo. Brownie chunks are pleasantly huge.
Ryan A.
We stopped into McConnell's for some dessert after dinner on our 1st night in Santa Barbara on Saturday the 13th. This place is near the end of state street as you're approaching the beach. It's located right next to a public parking garage. We drove by this place a few times and it had a line out the door. You can tell this place is famous touristy spot down in Santa Barbara. They have t-shirts, and other items. We picked up a custom stainless steel bowl on the inner part of the bowl to keep the ice cream cold. I like how they have combo options here also. I ended up getting 4 small scoops of different flavors so I could try more of them. We'll come back for sure when we return.
Travis P.
Stopped by here to kill time and it didn't disappoint. They have a pretty good selection of unique flavors and they allow samples. Will say prices are higher than many of the Ice cream shops that I've been to but the quality was definitely good. I got a double scoop with two different flavors. They weren't exactly full looking scoops either but oh well. All in all it's a very good ice cream place that's a tad pricey but delicious.
Sierra H.
McConnells is heaven on its own, as a brand (imo)- but the staff at this location were the cherry on TOP! The store is pretty small- but very clean, simple- so on a weekend night it's bound to get hectic in there. Shiloh was so quick to ask me and my group if we wanted any samples, and was very attentive and sweet. Isa is a doll! The ice cream and cookies were top notch but the employees are the ones who made my night. Be back soon :)
Probably some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had, very flavorful and creamy. Was 110% the way to go for dessert in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy K.
Earl grey w shortbread cookie in it. OMG delicious and addicting. Creamy, can taste the high quality ingredients. Is pricey but it's okay to treat yourself every once in a while. Use to buy double scoop, but loved this so much instead purchased the prepackaged pint for $12.95 before tax. I travel here for work so I have to get my craving satisfied before heading home 2-1/2 hours away. This week I treated myself twice. Lol not a bit of guilt.
W Beatty
Friendly staff, small amount of seating, nice ice cream, free parking near by for 75 mins. Still have to pay full amount for a small toddler portionParking: It's attached to a parking complex but it's difficult to find if your not from the areaKid-friendliness: Still pay adult portion if your wanting 40% portion for a 1 year old
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Breanna R.
I am an ice cream enthusiast and my favorite ice cream spot ever is Mcconnell's. It really amounts to anything. It is sad that I live so far away from it but it may also be a blessing for my diet because I would be here way too often. Sea salt brownie and sea salt cookie are one of a kind flavors.
William M.
Very good, freshly prepared and interesting variety of flavors Service was excellent and it's a nicely kept up location. I realize it is California and Santa Barbara, but wow, $6.50 for a single scoop of ice cream is really steep.
Great service, super friendly. Good quality ice cream. Strawberry was my favorite. Coffee chip was second fave. A few seating spots inside but we found a nice bench a few steps down by the train station. Love love that their tasting spoons are not disposable. That's so rare!
Who doesn't like eating yummy ice cream while strolling down a beautiful street. This is a cute shop that has an awesome reputation. I tried the lemon and berry flavor and my husband had an ice cream sandwich. The ice cream was delicious. It was incredibly creamy and tasted very clean. Kinda hard to explain but clean is the best word I can think of lol. My only critique is the chocolate chip cookie my husband had was on the hard side. Maybe it's baked that way so it withstand the ice cream but I prefer my cookies on the softer side. Besides that, this place definitely lives up to the hype.
Great ice cream right next to the Santa Barbara beach and pier. Kids tried the Sea Salt Cream and Cookie - i snagged a bite and it was great.
A cute little ice cream shop in downtown Santa Barbara. The flavor selection was great - we got a single scoop of the Eureka Lemon & Marionberries and the Sea Salt Cookies and Cream. Both were DELICIOUS and we highly recommend. Although, I assume you can't go wrong with any of the flavors they offer. The staff gave us lots of time to choose which flavors we wanted, and once we decided, the service was quick. The store was clean, and had a couple seats inside, with self-serve water. But why not grab a scoop (or two) and walk downtown/to the beach?!
Meh. I saw all the amazing reviews and YouTube recommendations. So we waited in the 15+ minute line out the door. Lots of interesting sounding flavors but it's just fine. Not worth all the hype.
Food: A nice selection of various ice cream flavors. I chose the mango flavored ice cream and I must say it was true to form. Options include a waffle cone which smelled so good or it could be in a cup. Service: They were very personable, patient and friendly as each person decided on what they wanted. I was completely satisfied as to how I was treated even though there was a long line forming behind me. Ambiance: It was a bright ambiance while we ate our ice cream inside with others who craved ice cream safely inside while it rained outside. We were all seated in a small area close together along the wall defying any personal space that may have been needed lol. Overall, I'd go back again.
Can't miss this iconic ice cream spot on State Street. Staff is really friendly with the samples and it can get busy depending on the time! Sea Salt Cream and Cookie - Great balance of sweet and salty with cookie bits to chew on. Ice cream has a great texture of creamy but not too airy. Salted Caramel Brownie - Also nice if you like that sweet and salty combo. Brownie chunks are pleasantly huge.
We stopped into McConnell's for some dessert after dinner on our 1st night in Santa Barbara on Saturday the 13th. This place is near the end of state street as you're approaching the beach. It's located right next to a public parking garage. We drove by this place a few times and it had a line out the door. You can tell this place is famous touristy spot down in Santa Barbara. They have t-shirts, and other items. We picked up a custom stainless steel bowl on the inner part of the bowl to keep the ice cream cold. I like how they have combo options here also. I ended up getting 4 small scoops of different flavors so I could try more of them. We'll come back for sure when we return.
Stopped by here to kill time and it didn't disappoint. They have a pretty good selection of unique flavors and they allow samples. Will say prices are higher than many of the Ice cream shops that I've been to but the quality was definitely good. I got a double scoop with two different flavors. They weren't exactly full looking scoops either but oh well. All in all it's a very good ice cream place that's a tad pricey but delicious.
McConnells is heaven on its own, as a brand (imo)- but the staff at this location were the cherry on TOP! The store is pretty small- but very clean, simple- so on a weekend night it's bound to get hectic in there. Shiloh was so quick to ask me and my group if we wanted any samples, and was very attentive and sweet. Isa is a doll! The ice cream and cookies were top notch but the employees are the ones who made my night. Be back soon :)
Restaurantji Recommends
Probably some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had, very flavorful and creamy. Was 110% the way to go for dessert in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Earl grey w shortbread cookie in it. OMG delicious and addicting. Creamy, can taste the high quality ingredients. Is pricey but it's okay to treat yourself every once in a while. Use to buy double scoop, but loved this so much instead purchased the prepackaged pint for $12.95 before tax. I travel here for work so I have to get my craving satisfied before heading home 2-1/2 hours away. This week I treated myself twice. Lol not a bit of guilt.
Friendly staff, small amount of seating, nice ice cream, free parking near by for 75 mins. Still have to pay full amount for a small toddler portionParking: It's attached to a parking complex but it's difficult to find if your not from the areaKid-friendliness: Still pay adult portion if your wanting 40% portion for a 1 year old
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am an ice cream enthusiast and my favorite ice cream spot ever is Mcconnell's. It really amounts to anything. It is sad that I live so far away from it but it may also be a blessing for my diet because I would be here way too often. Sea salt brownie and sea salt cookie are one of a kind flavors.
Very good, freshly prepared and interesting variety of flavors Service was excellent and it's a nicely kept up location. I realize it is California and Santa Barbara, but wow, $6.50 for a single scoop of ice cream is really steep.