Why you should experience Confetti Italian Ice & Custard in Costa Mesa, California.
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard is a cheerful dessert shop where energetic Italian ice, velvety frozen custard, and lively flavor combinations turn a simple treat into a burst of pure sweetness.
Located along East 17th Street in Costa Mesa near the intersection with Irvine Avenue and just minutes from the residential neighborhoods of Eastside Costa Mesa and the harbor communities lining Newport Beach, the shop sits within one of Orange County's most energetic local food corridors. Step inside and the atmosphere instantly feels colorful and upbeat. Bright menu boards showcase rotating Italian ice flavors while creamy custard machines spin quietly behind the counter. Cups and cones emerge layered with bold fruit flavors, smooth vanilla custard, or the shop's signature “gelati,” where icy brightness meets rich creaminess in the same spoonful. Families wander in after dinner, beachgoers stop by on their way back from the coast, and groups of friends gather outside with cups piled high with rainbow-hued scoops. The energy feels light and celebratory, the kind of place where dessert becomes the highlight of an evening stroll.
What you should know about Confetti Italian Ice & Custard.
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard draws inspiration from the classic Italian ice stands that have delighted American neighborhoods for generations.
Italian ice traces its roots to Sicilian granita, a frozen dessert made from fruit, sugar, and finely shaved ice that became popular in immigrant communities across the United States during the twentieth century. Over time, American shops began pairing Italian ice with frozen custard, a richer frozen dessert made with eggs and cream that produces a smoother, denser texture than traditional ice cream. The combination created the now-famous gelati style treat, layering bright fruit flavors with creamy custard to produce a balance of refreshment and indulgence that has become a staple in dessert shops across the country.
How to fold Confetti Italian Ice & Custard into your trip.
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard fits perfectly into an evening exploring Eastside Costa Mesa and the surrounding coastal neighborhoods.
Start with a walk along the lively stretch of East 17th Street where cafés, bakeries, and local boutiques create one of the area's most walkable districts. After dinner or an afternoon of shopping, stop by the shop and choose a bright Italian ice flavor or a custard swirl layered into a gelati. From there, many visitors continue toward nearby Newport Harbor where waterfront paths and marina views create a relaxing coastal backdrop for an evening stroll. Within that sequence of neighborhood exploration, harbor air, and frozen desserts, the shop becomes a sweet and memorable pause in a Costa Mesa outing.
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