San Francisco
Ice Cream

San Francisco's ice cream options are outstanding. Most of the shops below have been around for generations and, based on taste test, will be around for many more.

By the way, you can taste the different and very unique flavors before you buy at most of these places. Just ask. That's part of the experience and they are happy to please.

Bi-Rite Creamery, 3692 18th St just east of Dolores Park, Mission -- Known mainly by locals, it is highly regarded as perhaps the best ice cream around. Many different flavors such as Salted Caramel, Roasted Banana, and Honey Lavender. The service is very pleasant and they will let you taste test to find out what you like best.

Mitchell's Ice Cream, 688 San Jose Ave/29th, Noe Valley -- A 50 year old San Francisco tradition. The location is not impressive but the taste of this premium ice cream definitely is. Very creamy. Wide variety of tasty flavors. Often crowded.

Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, 2790 Harrison Street (between 23rd St & 24th St), Mission -- More adventurous than Bi-Rite. They serve 10-12 flavors per day rotated from a selection of about 80. Secret Breakfast (bourbon ice cream with cornflake bits) is one of their most famous flavors. Or, maybe you'd prefer the Bacon Peanut Brittle.

Mr & Mrs Miscellaneous 699 22nd St/3d St -- A new sit-down place in Dogpatch run by run by Ian and Anabelle, a nice husband-and-wife team who make everything themselves. The flavors are tasty and change every day. Try the chocolate malted ice cream or the peanut brittle & brown sugar cookies. Open clean atmosphere, they actually have 20 seats which is rare.

Ghiradelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, Ghiradelli Square, SW corner of Beach St/Larkin Streets -- This is a tourist trap, but a good one! If you have kids or a sweet tooth it's worth visiting at least once. The hot fudge sundae is one good choice ($1 off coupons are on-line). Inside the main shop is a "working chocolate factory" using original Ghiradelli chocolate factory equipment. Get to it from inside Ghiradelli Square or, if you don't want to enjoy the atmosphere and deal with crowds, there is a less interesting take-out shop at the NW corner of Larkin & North Point Streets.

Costco Wholesale, various Bay Area locations including Foster City -- Would you believe it, the chocolate hand dipped vanilla ice cream bar rolled in Almonds sold at the food court inside of Costco is sinfully good ... and it only costs $1.50. They wait until you order to unwrap a rich vanilla ice cream bar, dip it into hot fudge, and roll it in almonds. Besides the taste, the sinful part is in the 870 calories.

Swenson's Ice Cream, Union & Hyde St, Russian Hill -- Here is another classic San Francisco gem. This location is the original shop in the chain and was kept by the owner when he sold the Swenson's chain years ago. Very good, classic ice cream!



These are some of the best San Francisco area ice cream shops around. You'll definitely enjoy checking them out for yourself :).


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