The Bay’s Best Ice Cream Spots
Photo Credit: Salt & Straw
Whether it's summer, fall (aka actual summer), winter, or second winter, it's always the right time for ice cream. From longtime classics to funky new favorites, we’ve got the scoop on all the best ice cream spots in the Bay. Grab a spoon and dig in.
San Francisco
Humphry Slocombe
Humphry Slocombe instantly makes first-timers into regulars with creative twists on traditional flavors like Tahitian V*n!ll@ and wildly adventurous sundaes. Two words: bourbon caramel. Which reminds us — they’re not opposed to getting a little boozy.
Must-Try: The Secret Breakfast is a game-changer.
Mitchell’s Ice Cream
(688 San Jose Ave // Bernal Heights)
There’s a reason Mitchell’s has been around for 65-plus years. The reason being, they've totally and completely perfected their craft. All 40 daily flavors are made fresh in-store. It's as good as it gets, really.
Must-Try: Grasshopper Pie, Ube, Thai Tea
Bi-Rite Creamery
(3692 18th St // Mission)
Bi-Rite's ice cream hub is known city-wide for its delicious ice cream, frozen yogurt, and speedy service. So while the line on any given summer night may look daunting, it'll be your turn before you know it.
Must-Try: Balsamic Strawberry, Malted Vanilla
Polly Ann Ice Cream
(3138 Noriega St // Outer Sunset)
A Sunset District staple, this place offers a delectable take on both traditional and unique flavors in a whimsical setting. With close to 50 options to choose from, you can always spin the wheel on the wall and let fate decide.
Must-Try: Jasmine Tea, Black Sesame, Taro
Salt & Straw
This Portland ice creamery tried their hand at a few Bay Area-specific flavors when they first opened in San Francisco, and they continue to impress with classics and limited-edition options. Stop by to find out what they’re serving up this month!
Must-Try: Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip (v), Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons
Miyako Old Fashion Ice Cream
(1470 Fillmore St // Japantown)
SF's only Black-owned ice cream shop has been sweetening up the Fillmore for 27 years now and will remain a neighborhood staple thanks to the community raising $20k to save it from permanent closure back in 2020. With 100 flavors to choose from, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied.
Must-Try: Avocado, Ube, Mexican Chocolate
Swensen’s Ice Cream
(1999 Hyde St // Russian Hill)
This old school ice cream shop will take you back in time with its humble, old fashioned interior and fantastic flavors. Grab a couple of scoops and wander down Lombard Street, just a few blocks away.
Must-Try: Turkish Coffee, Sticky Chewy Chocolate, Swiss Orange Chip
Alimento
(507 Columbus Ave // North Beach)
Take your pick from any of Alimento's mouthwatering gelato flavors. But if you’ve come hungrier for more than just dessert, their sandwiches are some of the tastiest around.
Must-Try: Rum Raisin, White Pistachio, Caramel Balsamic
Smitten Ice Cream
Smitten earns style points by making ice cream with liquid nitrogen right before your eyes. The result is a creamy, super smooth texture that’s as fresh as it gets.
Must-Try: Brookies 'N Cream
Over the Moon
(2144 Chestnut St // Marina)
First things first: cookie bowls. This place pairs creamy ice cream with crazy delicious homemade cookies. Whether you choose an ice cream sandwich or a cookie bowl is up to you.
Must-Try: Honey Lavender, Coffee Caramel Crunch, Salted Butterscotch
East Bay
Uji Time Dessert
A newer addition to the East Bay ice cream scene, Uji Time won fans quickly with adorable fish-shaped ice cream cones. These cuties are filled with delicious Taiyaki soft serve featuring Japanese inspired flavors, plus mochi!
Must-Try: Matcha, Black Sesame
iScream
(1819 Solano Ave // Berkeley)
This small-batch ice creamery is a hidden Berkeley gem. Constantly rotating flavors and house-made fudge, caramel sauce, toffee, and candy demand repeat visits.
Must-Try: Ginger, Creamsicle, Cinnamon Mango
Fentons Creamery
A slice of classic Americana, Fenton's has that comforting diner feel and a menu to match. Grab an old fashioned burger, but be sure to save room for one of their massive sundaes or banana splits.
Must-Try: Butter Brickle, Black Raspberry, Chocolate Marble
Tucker’s Ice Cream
(1349 Park St // Alameda)
Another great place to relax and reminisce, Tucker’s is an Alameda staple. Aside from tasty scoops and cones, they also dish out frozen bananas, sundaes, milkshakes, malts, and floats.
Must-Try: Mocha Almond Fudge, Cookie Mint Crunch
Yogurt Park
(2433 Durant Avenue // Berkeley)
Generations of Berkeleygoers have made stops at this historic sweet shop. With a menu that changes daily and more topping options than you can count, make sure to get your hands on that nostalgic seventies-looking soft serve.
Must-Try: Ghirardelli Chocolate
North Bay
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
(116 Matheson St // Healdsburg + 539 4th St // Santa Rosa)
Ice cream and pie pairings out the wazoo - what could be better? A la mode your pie with your favorite flavor and be transported to dessert heaven at this cute spot.
Must-Try: Homemade Oreo, Pistachio Cherry
Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
(408 1st St E // Sonoma)
Inviting and cozy, this location is the perfect place to share a scoop with friends. From sundaes to shakes and floats, you’ve got plenty of options. If you really can’t decide, go for a flight of four different flavors.
Must-Try: Alotachocolata, Wine Cherry Chip
Fairfax Scoop
(63 Broadway Blvd // Fairfax)
This tiny shop with daily rotating flavors is serving up some of the best organic ice cream around. Plus, how could you say no to a homemade waffle cone?!
Must-Try: Vanilla Honey Lavender, Vegan Chocolate
South Bay + Peninsula
SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki
A warm and soft fish-shaped waffle cone that you can choose to have filled with Nutella, custard, red bean, or taro and decadent soft-serve. Enjoy the flavors of Korea today!
Must-Try: Matcha soft serve in a taiyaki cone
Tin Pot Creamery
This classic creamery lets the flavors do the talking and trust us, they talk real sweet. Tin Pot serves up super innovative flavor combinations. Big bonus: you can grab a soft, fresh-baked cookie to go along with your frozen treat.
Must-Try: Pink Dragon Pineapple Sherbet, Blue Jasmine Tea, Maple Crumb Donut
Yumi Yogurt
(3955 S El Camino Real // San Mateo)
This frozen yogurt joint serves up huge portions of super tasty flavors. If you’re not in the mood for yogurt, they also offer smoothies, sorbet, ice cream, and an abundance of toppings sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Check out their Facebook for the daily scoops.
Must-Try: Chocolate Obsession, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
Cauldron Ice Cream
(1088 E Brokaw Rd #60 // San Jose)
Small-batch ice cream served in a puffle cone that's made right on the spot with Nitro (yuuum). Stop by and get your cone to-go!
Must-Try: Earl Grey Lavender or Milk and Cereal in a puffle cone
Dolce Spazio Gelato
(221 N Santa Cruz Ave // Los Gatos)
This old school gelato cafe and espresso bar does it right. They’ve got plenty of fun and classic flavors, many with an Italian twist, plus the most refreshing sorbetto around.
Must-Try: Spumoni, Mocha Rubble, Blackberry Cabernet Sorbetto
Willow Glen Creamery
(1100 Lincoln Ave // San Jose)
Frozen custard, yogurt, ice cream, and… Dole Whip! With plenty of dairy-free options alongside the creamiest flavors around, there’s something for everyone here.
Must-Try: German Chocolate, Marble Black Raspberry, Strawberry Cheesecake
** This article was originally published by East Bay - Do the Bay. CLICK HERE to view the full article.