50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Albany

“Everytime I go there, the staff are always warm and welcoming. The prices are great as far as I'm concerned. They keep it very clean and tidy. It's never been too busy. And the atmosphere is perfect for a random after school treat worth the kids.“

“Our first visit but absolutely not our last! What delicious flavors! Everyone loved their desserts, the toppings are incredible (vegan hot fudge, vegan caramel, toasted almonds,) and we all left full and happy! Definitely stop in when you’re in the neighborhood!“

“this soft serve truck is so cute and serves the best soft serve by far, with housemade chocolate sauce that hardens to a nice crunch on the ice cream. the addition of salt on it makes the perfect balance. the red truck has such a personality and the folks who work it are always so fun to chat with. and it's local! they even have a teeny tiny cone for kids and the seal is hand painted :) the line can get long, but I promise it's worth it!“

“We were in the area, nice 👍 to be able to enjoy our yogurt plus close to coffee shop as well & lots of benches to relax👋🤙👋“

“I eat lunch here regularly and find the service to be consistently friendly and attentive. The food is fresh and tasty— I usually have one of their generous banh mi sandwiches. The atmosphere is warm and the other customers seem happy to be there. And it’s a great vantage point for watching the Solano Avenue street scene.“

“Best gelato in San Francisco.“

“It's amazing, I highly recommend everyone to go here“

“Marshmallow fluff;) Loved the Milkbomb sandwich! Will definitely go again;)“

“How do you spell “Enrapture”? “Lexie’s Frozen Custard” of course, offering a wide array of heart-stopping pleasures and confections. Charm and charisma? Delivered with each serving! Pictured: Beguiling owner Alexis LeCount and arresting assistant Sadie Sprenkle.“

“Came here as an act of kindness for a school assignment because my group wanted to support a small business. Let me tell you, the staff was so nice ! The ice cream was SO GOOD (I got strawberry matcha with a waffle cone) and flavorful. Their ice cream flavors are so different that gives them a unique advantage compared to other shops. I will be coming back, it’s definitely worth the stop.“

“Historically best ice cream in SF!“

“The shop is run by a very sweet older man, I enjoy every visit. It really feels like a shop you could have been to in the 80s. The menu online is often inaccurate and the hours fluctuate slightly around open and closing times, but I definitely recommend it. Remember to bring cash, it's cash only.

The prices have gone up quite a bit but they definitely needed to, I'm sure they were too cheap to make a living before.

Current flavors on my last visit, if the menu isn't accurate:
Chocolate, vanilla, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, rocky road, cookies and cream, grasshopper, mocha fudge, lucuma, macapuno, rum raisin, butter pecan, black walnut, caramel praline, New York cherry, rainbow sherbet, green tea, avocado and what looked like ube (it was unlabeled).“

“My all time FAVORITE ice cream place in Oakland and honestly in SF & Berkeley included. Small gets u 2 scoops which is an UHMAZING deal 😙👌🏽 & i LOVE that they rotate their flavors!! also, they generously let u try their flavors!! I promise u, u will not regret getting ice cream from here! Qahwa is my fav flavor 😋 the workers are also super helpful. All around 10/10 place. I ride for miharu“

“The best dipped chocolate ice cream EVER!!!!. I have not been able to find any other place with the same quality and quantity. If you are in town or around the area craving ice cream, stop by, you wont regret it. Let me tell you, their eggnog ice cream is AMAZING. Don't hesitate. Only problem, be prepared for the wait time, worth it though!.“

“Came here after a very disappointing and expensive dinner experience in hopes of feeling better 🤣 maybe I was inconsolable or maybe it just is a bit overhyped. It is good quality ice cream for sure, I got the ube pandan and the matcha gold, but being totally honest, I have had better. The girls working there were all super nice and let us sample several flavors, but I think I panicked trying to decide on flavors quickly because they were trying to keep the line moving, so I think I didn’t totally choose what would have hit the spot more. It was a rough night for me what can I say 🥲 I would come back though when I’m in a better mood lol“

“I was introduced to this place by a friend and every time I’ve come, I’ve really enjoyed ice cream! They have many features flavors as well as combinations you won’t usually find elsewhere. The staff are always very friendly anytime I have gone.“

“I love going to Lana’s for ice cream. I am so happy they brought back the Macapuno. It’s so smooth and buttery. The Vietnamese coffee and banana Oreo flavors are also amazing. I tried the burgers once as well -definitely tasty. And the service is always wonderful. I just wish they could open sooner most days rather than just Fridays.“

“Great little ice cream shop, they have a great selection of ice creams, as well as hot and cold drinks. The ice creams are some of the best I have ever had, and they do a great hot fudge sundae. The service is great, prices are good and I would highly recommend a visit if you are in the Fishermans Wharf area of San Francisco.“

“The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience in San Francisco is an absolute must-visit! The moment you walk in, the smell of rich chocolate fills the air and instantly makes you happy. Their hot chocolate is out of this world — thick, velvety, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and deep cocoa flavor. It’s easily one of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, especially on a cool San Francisco day. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, and the whole experience feels indulgent and special. A perfect stop for any chocolate lover!“

“Good stuff, love nondairy options!“

“Four ice cream days in a row here in Oakland. This was my favorite. The cookies and cream were great (my fav flav) and the chocolate waffle cone was amazing.
Frankly, the young lady who served us wasn’t very warm or fun to sample with…but the lady in bibs felt like the owner and was super friendly and helpful.

Will absolutely got back. Moving here next month and my wife will see my location bubble nearby too many times!“

“I recently visited Juice Breeze in El Sobrante, California and it’s easily one of the best spots in the Bay Area for fresh smoothies, açai bowls, and unique desserts. From the moment you walk in, the place feels inviting, clean, and full of options that are both refreshing and delicious.

We started with their lemon mint smoothie, which was light, fresh, and perfect for the California weather. The flavors were balanced and it really hit the spot. Next, we tried the mini pancakes with toppings like Biscoff, Nutella, and pistachio—absolutely amazing. Soft, fluffy, and loaded with flavor, they’re the kind of treat you’ll want to come back for again and again.

The highlight for me was the viral Dubai chocolate crepe rolls. They were beautifully layered, rich in flavor, and had that perfect texture that makes them stand out from anything else in the area. Definitely a dessert worth traveling for!

If you’re into something fruity and filling, their açai bowls are a must-try. They’re fresh, customizable, and work perfectly as a breakfast, snack, or even a light dinner option.

Overall, Juice Breeze offers a great mix of smoothies, desserts, and quick bites that make it a true hidden gem in El Sobrante. Whether you’re searching for a juice bar, dessert spot, or smoothie place near El Sobrante, this is the place to go. Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back!“

“The most delicious, fresh, and hand-crafted gelato I’ve ever tasted. You must try! Thank you Philmore!!! Can’t wait to come again!“

“delicious ice cream and everything“

“Our first visit but absolutely not our last! What delicious flavors! Everyone loved their desserts, the toppings are incredible (vegan hot fudge, vegan caramel, toasted almonds,) and we all left full and happy! Definitely stop in when you’re in the neighborhood!“

“fabulous! please open another in the San Jose area. great service..the way they encourage you to taste while waiting in line...loved the various, different flavors“

“Our first visit but absolutely not our last! What delicious flavors! Everyone loved their desserts, the toppings are incredible (vegan hot fudge, vegan caramel, toasted almonds,) and we all left full and happy! Definitely stop in when you’re in the neighborhood!“

“Da Giuseppe Nardoni: fantastici cannoli cosi in Californiana non li mangi, con ricotta fresca siciliana“

“Best hot chocolate ever. Definitely trying the Gelato next!“

“Happiness in a cup. And a cone 😁“

“just the best gelato cake this side of Italy. great crew, great owners. their kids are awesome!“

“I never review anything , I have come to this place multiple times a week for weeks now .. I love their wings and seasoned fries . As a wing lover they are a step above wingstop Buffalo Wild Wings or any wing I have had. I appreciate the great customer service the food is soooooooooooo GOOD puts me in a good mood everytime I eat there.“

“Unique and exquisite homemade ice cream, original, tasty and so much more!😍 Don't hesitate to visit their cute shop and try them all!“

“I really enjoyed grabbing some ice cream here at Bad Walter's. I believe there is a rotating selection of flavors and the time I went, want too blown away by the options but I did walk away getting great service and a generous helping. I am eager to come back and give it another try. Great how convenient it is to Rockridge station!“

“Yummm. Try the sf cheesecake and the bubbly Texan“

“The best gelato I’ve found with many unique and delicious flavors using fresh fruits and ingredients on a daily basis. I come in every time I am in Berkeley, because it’s head and shoulders above the gelato in the Sacramento area!“

“I love these cute little corner stores in San Francisco on potrero Hill. We only had ice cream but the ice cream was great. Nice little tables and chairs to sit out and watch the world go by. Someday we'll have to go back and try some of the other thing on the menu besides ice cream.“

“We visited from across the country, and this was our first visit to any of The Yard's locations. Sean was a bright spark in the place. They were just beautifully kind, and incredibly helpful. We went in for the milkshakes and they were very good, all the flavors, it was difficult to decide. I got the Pecan Turtle, which was so rich and good. We also ended up getting some cookie dough to bring back home (in our checked bag, which made it home beautifully after talking to Sean about if he thought it would work). The dough was also sooooo good! I think that there is something different about the dairy products in the PNW versus the South East, it's richer, and perhaps fresher. I definitely recommend this location, especially if you're lucky enough to see Sean 💙“

“Great product. Pleasant and helpful staff.“

“Lovely place and really friendly staff!“

“Loved the crepes and service!

Crepes were soft and fluffy. We got #28 which had coffee icecream and pudding. Was a unique combo but both flavors paired well together.

The bear face was adorable (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠) ʕ⁠´⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠`⁠ʔ“

“Vegan (& Gluten-free) flavors! I loved the pluot, the dark chocolate, and the walnut (that has no pieces of nuts in it, which is really helpful to those like me who can’t have much fiber). Additionally, I found all three flavors more refreshing than (sickeningly) heavy, and the flavors 🤩 🎇—like the grand finale of a fireworks show for the taste buds. I’ve only had about a spoonful of each so far but am in love 😍🤤😋. I didn’t go to the shop, someone brought me some, so I’m not able to give my opinion on the actual shop. From what I heard, though, it wasn’t as crazy as many ice cream places are on hot weekends! 😊“

“love it for a afternoon treat w the kiddos“

“Not too sweet and great place to hang out!!!“

“This place was recommended to me by my sister, who loves Boba. Wow! Just WOW! It is my first time getting Boba here, and I like it compared to others. Their Boba is cook to perfection 👌.

I got strawberry macha with Boba, and it's absolutely the best strawberry macha out these. SO YUMMY. You can taste the freshness. Thank you.

This is one of those small businesses that we need to support.

Thanks 😊 for serving goodness 😍“

“"a mini is small, a small is large, and a large is gigantic"“

“Their service and their soft serve is amazing! I always stop by their store when I'm in the area! 😀“

“Loved my ice cream sandwich- such a fun dessert business! Very nice woman working the day we came. I do wish there were 2 gluten free cookie options and at least 2 gluten free ice cream options. It looked like there would be more variety on the website, but the day I went, there was only a chocolate chip cookie and a non dairy chocolate chip ice cream- would have loved to have chocolate or other options! Very delicious though!“

“Wow, It’s been 20 years, since I stepped foot on to Fosters Freeze. This well respected fine dine in establishment, aged well like fine wine. Service is rapidly/ friendly. Food portions is enormous and prices are very reasonable. Any residents that live in West Contra Costa County towns. Come by and give this place a shot.“

“When in San Francisco I always stop at Ghirardelli the hot cocoa is delicious, the sundaes are delicious. We stopped after a Giants game and it was crowded. We took it to go. The location is excellent within walking distance to the Nintendo store and the Nike store. The staff was so friendly and helpful. I love Ghirardelli.“