Little Truckee Ice Creamery - Experience Quality, Handcrafted Ice Cream in Truckee

Locations:

*Downtown Truckee

10157 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161

*Donner Lake 
15628 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

*Downtown Tahoe City

475 N. Lake Blvd.
Tahoe City, CA 96145

Website

Yelp

The moment I tasted this ice cream, I knew I had to tell the whole world how amazing it is! Honestly, it's some of the best in the Reno-Tahoe area—scratch that, it's some of the best ice cream anywhere! Creamy, rich, and packed with flavor—I can never get enough. I always make the time to drive to their shops, even though I live far away. They're that worth it!

Little Truckee Ice Creamery serves up all the classic flavors you crave, crafted with care and top-notch ingredients, plus some unique options that really stand out.

LOCATIONS

Another major perk of this shop is its locations. You really can't go wrong with any spot you visit.

-Donner Location: Right next to Donner Lake & Donner Memorial State Park ($10 day-use fee)—both true gems filled with natural beauty and endless things to do. Camp, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat, hike, or just lounge on the unique, almost private patches of shoreline while enjoying a nearby BBQ picnic.

-Downtown Truckee: The most charming downtown with a magnificent backdrop of evergreen trees and a bustling strip of shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

-Tahoe City: Just about a 20-minute drive away, you’ll find this neighborhood gem—another strip of charming shops and restaurants right by the shore. The ice cream truck is parked in the cobblestone center’s lot, where you can enjoy dining and live entertainment at Tahoe Tap House, catch a movie, and browse boutique shops. Just across the street is Common’s Beach, one of Tahoe’s most lively spots, with an epic playground, kayak rentals, summer markets, and movies on the beach.

Now, back to the ice cream...

All of their flavors are incredible.

-Blueberry Honey Lavender: Fresh and delicious, with the honey and lavender taking center stage while the blueberry adds a subtle touch. Every bite had me saying, "YUM!"

-Truckee Trails: Pine nut brittle and brownie in sweet ice cream marbled with caramel—hands down my favorite flavor! This OUT OF THIS WORLD foodie dream combines crunchy, flavorful brittle with brownie and ice cream, with pine nuts adding a warm, nutty tone that plays perfectly with the other ingredients. The pine nuts are a fitting touch, considering Lake Tahoe is surrounded by tons of pine trees.

-Chocolate Brownie: A sophisticated treat with RICH & INTENSE chocolate flavor and homemade brownies for extra flavor & texture.

-Salted Caramel: Left a big impression.

-Strawberry Lemonade: Super refreshing.

-Spooner Strawberry: Clean and fresh.

-Mountain Top Mint Chip - mint flavor not too overpowering, loaded with chocolate chips.  No artificial dyes.

-Cookies & Cream—OMG good!  Loaded with cookies.

This is what happens when you come across an award-winning shop—you just can't stop raving about everything they offer.  I could keep on going on about their other flavors - I've tried almost all of them, but you get the picture.

As someone who cooks at home all the time, I know that simple ingredients can be elevated with quality & care. Little Truckee Ice Creamery nails this, achieving a perfect balance that’s hard to get right.

Topping Options 

Brownies, cookies, coconut, chocolate/caramel sauce, nuts, cherries, chocolate chips.

They even have vegan options, like roasted coconut—a coconut milk base with toasted coconut and chocolate shavings. Any Almond Joy lovers in the house?

Seating  

- No seating at the Downtown Truckee location.

- Patio seating at Donner.

- No seating at the Downtown Tahoe City location, but you can easily enjoy your treat right across the street at Common's Beach.

NOTES

- If you're celebrating a special occasion—or just celebrating life—their brownie sundae is the ultimate indulgence. It’s huge, so perfect for sharing!

- In a single scoop, you're allowed to pick two flavors.

- They offer a mini option, perfect for kids or if you just want to sample a few flavors.

- Espresso available at the Donner location to make an affogato.

- If you're planning to camp at Donner State Memorial Park (nearby), make sure to book well in advance—those campsites fill up fast!

Prices as of 2020

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Dazzle Your Taste Buds at Icecycle Creamery & Pedaler's Deli in Reno

6147 Lakeside Dr. Suite 102
Reno, NV, 89511

Yelp
Website

Icecycle Creamery is where you go for the most adventurous flavors in town.  Along with ice cream, they serve up fresh & tasty sandwiches (bread made in house), salads, comforting soups, and drinks.

Some crowd favorites—like Cookie Roulette, Chocolate, and Home Means Nevada—are staples you’ll almost always find. If you’re feeling adventurous, though, check out their rotating unique flavors, such as Lemon Lavender, Horchata, Earl Grey, Salted Pretzel, Apple Pie, Mango Cardamom, and a variety of Asian-inspired options.

The original owner of the shop, Jeremy, started out selling his ice cream from the back of his bike out of a cooler. After a ton of encouragement, he opened up a brick-and-mortar shop. When it was time for him to focus on other goals, he passed the business to Juan, who's still keeping Jeremy's bold, amazing flavors alive with just as much passion.  Juan’s even added his own twist, introducing flavors inspired by his Mexican culture, like a mango tajin flavor that’ll remind you of those delicious & highly sought after mangonada drinks from Mexican snack shops.

Did I mention how awesome Juan is? He kept my three high-energy kids entertained for quite a while, and if you're a parent, you know how challenging that can be. Beyond that, he’s just a genuinely nice person, dedicated to creating fun, flavorful ice cream and food for the whole community to enjoy.

Everything here is made in-house, and I love the deli/ice cream combo because it satisfies both hot and cold cravings year-round. 

With so many unique ice cream flavors to choose from, you might find yourself unsure of what to get. In that case, I recommend trying their 6-flavor flight—perfect for a foodie adventure.

Prime location, quality products, awesome service, and adventurous flavors—it's always a good time at Icecycle Creamery.

Notes

-Pints available for purchase

-They have an actual espresso machine on hand - affogato anyone?!

-Deli closes an hour before closing (varies depending on day)

-Deli features hot/cold sandwiches, salads, and drinks (beer included!)

-Bartley Ranch Park, just a minute drive away, is a perfect spot to enjoy your treats.  Grassy areas, picnic tables, restrooms, and views included.

Categorized under "Good Eats"