Since we shared Marin's best ice cream shops last week, we thought it only fitting to list our favorite ice cream shops in San Francisco.
Here is our list of the top 10 ice cream shops in the city.
1. Bi-Rite Creamery
As the long lines can attest, Bi-Rite is hands down San Francisco's most popular ice cream shop. They handcraft organic, small-batch, seasonal flavors like salted caramel, PB & YAY!, basil & honey, and balsamic strawberry. They also offer soft serve, confections and scrumptious baked goods (cakes, pies, cookies, tarts) as well as decadent sundaes.
Locations & Hours:
3692 18th Street, Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm
550 Divisadero Street, 9am-9pm daily
2. CREAM
An acronym for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me, Berkeley-based CREAM is the bastion for creating your own ice cream sandwiches. With near endless flavor varieties of both cookies and ice cream, the options are mind-boggling and keep customers coming back for more. CREAM offers fresh-baked cookies, including vegan and gluten-free options, and luscious ice creams such as caramel cinnamon chill, cookie dough and cup of Joe. You can also enjoy scoops, cones, milkshakes, malts, sundaes and coffee drinks.
Locations & Hours:
3106 16th Street, Mon - Thurs 12pm - 11pm, Fri - Sun 12pm - 1am, Sun 12pm - 11pm
Stonestown, 3251 20th Avenue, Mon - Sat 10am - 9pm, Sun 11am - 6pm
3. Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous
The epitome of gourmet, this scoop shop in Dog Patch is owned by husband and wife team, Ian Flores and Annabelle Topacio, former Spago pastry chefs. With a flavor menu that changes daily, customers can indulge their wild side with chocolate chicory, candied violet or white sesame or, stick to favorites like vanilla bean and chocolate chip. And, for mature audiences only are liquor-enhanced flavors like Honeywine made with mead, Pink Squirrel, Manhattan and their signature flavor, Ballpark, made with Anchor Steam beer. Since pastry is in their blood, there are also incredible, chewy cookies in case one wants to really go all out.
Location & Hours:
699 22nd Street, Tues.–Sat. 11:30pm–6 pm; Sun. 11:30pm–5pm, Closed Mondays.
4. Humphry Slocombe
Infamous for their wacky and weird concoctions, Humphry Slocombe first opened in 2008 and is named after the two lead characters in the 1970's British sitcom, "Are you being served?" Bizarre and delicious, best sellers include hibiscus beet sorbet, potato chip, Elvis (the fat years), government cheese and secret breakfast. They also offer ice cream cakes and pies. Humphry Slocombe has two San Francisco locations, one in the Mission District, the other in the Ferry Building.
Locations & Hours:
2790 Harrison Street, Mon-Thurs: 1pm to 11pm, Fri-Sun: 12pm-11pm
One Ferry Building, Mon-Fri & Sun: 11am-9pm, Sat: 8am-9pm
5. Mitchell's Ice Cream
A frozen treat fixture in Bernal Heights since 1953, Mitchell's is family-owned, making each flavor 10 gallons at a time. Whether you want your scoop in a cone, cup, sundae, split or smoothie, Mitchell's has it all. Their extensive menu of standard flavors include avocado, black walnut and Mexican chocolate while seasonal favorites include eggnog, cinnamon snap and cantaloupe. They have one store but their ice cream can be found in over 200 restaurants, markets and cafes.
Location & Hours:
688 San Jose Avenue, open daily 11am-11pm
6. Smitten Ice Cream
An experience in ice cream, Smitten customers have their ice cream churned to order right in front of them in under 2 minutes using a patented liquid nitrogen machine. The nitrogen makes for a smooth, dense dessert. Flavors include mojito, Earl Grey with milk chocolate, fresh mint chip and lemon gingersnap. Created with organic milk and cream along with fresh-picked fruits and veggies, you can choose to have your scoop in a cup or freshly made waffle cone. Smitten has three shops in San Francisco, one in the Marina, one in Pacific Heights and the last in Hayes Valley.
Locations & Hours:
432 Octavia Street, Mon-Wed, 12pm-11pm, Thurs: 12pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-11:30pm, Sun: 11:30am-10:30pm
2404 California Street, Mon-Thurs: 12pm-10:30pm, Fri: 12pm-11:30pm, Sat: 11:30am-11:30pm, Sun: 11:30am-10:30pm
2268 Chestnut Street, Mon-Wed, 12pm-11pm, Thurs: 12pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-11:30pm, Sun: 11:30am-10:30pm
8. Three Twins Ice Cream
Also on the Marin best-of list, Three Twins San Francisco shop offers organic delights like lemon cookie, cardamom and cherry chocolate chunk, to name a few.
Location & Hours:
254 Fillmore Street, Mon: 3p-10p • Tues-Thurs: 2p – 10p • Fri: 2p-11p •Sat: 1p-11p • Sun: 1p-10p
9. Little Giant Ice Cream
Simple. Honest. Easy. Decadent. That's the mission of Little Giant, where customers can watch ice cream crafters churn flavors daily. Known for their cocktail-inspired old fashioned and negroni scoops as well as unique flavors the likes of manberry (mango and strawberry), Mexican rocky road, TCHO chocolate and beez cheese, they also offer vegan options including matcha and passion fruit.
Location & Hours:
214 Sutter Street, Mon-Thurs: 1pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 1pm-10pm, Sun: 1pm-9pm
10. Gelateria Naia
Last but definitely not least is Gelateria Naia in North Beach. First opening in 2002 in Berkeley, founders Chris Tan and Trevor Morris have made a commitment to creating the best gelato possible, which meant sourcing ingredients made or grown in Northern California. Their gourmet gelato flavors include pistachio, TCHO chocolate, peanut butter, roasted banana and Madagascar vanilla. They also offer dairy-free and vegan options and you can also find their product in Whole Foods.
Location & Hours:
520 Columbus Avenue, Mon-Thurs & Sun: 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm-11pm
The next time you're in the mood for a sweet, creamy treat, we encourage you to try one (or more!) of the top 10 best ice cream shops in San Francisco!
