24 Best Ice Cream Shops in Berkeley

“Best ice cream I’ve EVER had and probably the only thing I will miss when I leave this school. I’m sorry I doubted you when my friends said this is life changing ice cream. My biggest support during exam season. There must be magic in these ice cream because all the flavors are so perfect. I order a fruit freeze 50/50 every time and i REALLY REALLY RECOMMEND trying the fruit freezes. I do guava and cereal milk and oh my godddd they balance out soooo perfectly. It was so good I started buying pints of cereal milk. I wish I could buy the guava in pints too. Best thing in Berkeley, genuinely changed my life“

“Lexie's Frozen Custard has some of the nicest customer service and best dessert in Berkeley. I've been a regular here for about a year now, and just realized I never wrote a review! When I fell outside their store, they offered me an ice pack. Today they gave me two cherries in my sundae, so I have sworn allegiance to them forever. My favorite flavor of the day that has ever happened is banana caramel, but I also have enjoyed most of their flavors of the day. If I don't like their flavor of the day, I get a brownie sundae or a lemon raspberry sundae. Anyway, very tasty, highly recommended.“

“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! 😊“

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

“Amazing waffle & flavour and lovely atmosphere. Would definitely recommend you check them out!!!!!“

“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!“

“The Yard Milkshake Bar is a dessert spot built around making ice cream feel like an experience rather than just a regular sweet treat. The concept is all about oversized milkshakes, elaborate sundaes, and creative combinations that are designed to be visually impressive. The atmosphere is casual and fun, with a colorful setup that matches the playful style of the desserts. It feels like the type of place you visit when you want something indulgent, shareable, and a little over the top.

The main attraction is obviously the milkshakes and sundaes, which are made with rich ice cream and loaded with toppings. The presentation is a big part of the appeal, with desserts stacked high and created to stand out before you even take the first bite. The cookie dough and cookies & cream style options are popular choices for good reason, combining familiar flavors with a much more extravagant presentation. The sundaes also offer a lot of customization, with different ice cream flavors, sauces, and toppings that let you create your own combination.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that these desserts are very sweet and can become a lot if you are expecting a more balanced dessert. The portions are large, so sharing is probably the best way to experience it, especially since the flavors can get overwhelming after a while. The quality of the ice cream itself is solid, and the fun comes more from the creativity and presentation than from having a simple scoop of ice cream.

Service can vary depending on how busy the location is. When things are running smoothly, the staff helps guide you through the different sizes and options, which is useful since the menu can feel a little overwhelming at first. However, during busy periods the wait times can increase since each dessert takes time to assemble and decorate.

Overall, The Yard Milkshake Bar is a fun stop for anyone looking for a memorable dessert experience. It is not the place to go for a small, simple treat, but it delivers on the idea of a dessert destination. The combination of creative flavors, huge portions, and photo-worthy presentations makes it a good choice for groups, families, or anyone with a serious sweet tooth.“

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

“First off yuuummmy!! Just writing this review is making me crave this delicious gelato. It is made just right and every flavor is so tasty. The Sherbets are to die for! Seriously! Wish I knew more places to indulge in this treat �“

“Very distinctive flavors made with fresh and organic ingredients!!!“

“The service is so friendly and welcoming and the ice cream is amazing. My husband loves their double chocolate walnut brownies and they have the best pup cups! If I ever get back to running marathons again, I’m treating myself to their hot fudge sundae! It is the real deal.“

“My experience at Passione Caffè in their gorgeous two-story, well-decorated café at 91 Shattuck Square was simply marvelous. The staff was friendly, quick, and accommodating and the food, drinks, and desserts were delicious! I highly recommend Passione Caffè to those looking for a quick and yummy lunch (or breakfast/brunch everyday), to snack and study, or for an authentic Italian coffee. Don’t miss out on the great happy hour/aperativo deals between 4-7PM! It almost goes without mentioning, but Passione Caffè is absolutely true to its slogan: “A corner of Italy in Berkeley.” From the food and drink to the atmosphere and the service, this is the only truly Italian café I have found in Berkeley! And that comes from over a year of experience living and traveling in Italy! Besides the beautiful architecture and interior design of Passione Caffè—not to mention its convenient location next to Downtown Berkeley BART—I would like to point out some highlights on the menu. The pastas are all made with homemade, organic noodles and made-to-order sauces. The pasta dishes are so fresh and authentic! The spaghetti with meatballs, their only Americanized dish, is to die for! The pizzas also are also made with home-made dough and gluten-free options are offered. Try one with fresh prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula! The fresh panini with Italian meats and cheeses round out the lunch menu. It is possible to have a filling lunch for $7-15, which is definitely reasonably priced by Berkeley standards! A serious final highlight was the artisanal gelato, made in-house by the Italian co-owner, Eleanora Cercatore. There are 12 flavors, weekly made with gluten-free options, that are displayed on a beautiful rotating wheel. The gelato is spectacularly tasty—I cannot recommend it highly enough! For your time, money, and fine Italian bites and drinks, I cannot recommend a Berkeley café more highly than Passione Caffè! Please pay them a visit soon—you won’t be disappointed!“

“From what I can tell, this is one of the best ice cream and sweet shops in Berkeley! It's hidden in Crave Subs, but it has a lot of appeal in its own right.

The stand is decorated with waffle-cone lattice and decorative ice cream cones attached to the ceiling. It has bright and attractive signs and electronic arms whirl the ice cream right in front of you. Not only is the storefront adorable, but it's also located in the cartoon-themed Crave Subs. You can tell that the working area is kept very clean.

The menu is actually pretty extensive. It's a place that sells croffles, crepes, scoops of flavored gelato, milkshakes, and coffee. The gelato here is incredible!

The prices are entirely what I would expect, and the quality is very high. Everything they serve is beautiful, tasty, and carefully made! It appeals to children and adults alike.

The service is great! They are friendly and careful attentive with their work.

I definitely want to go back!“

“A fantastic assortment of eclectic ice cream flavors.“

“This is a staple of childhood with the chocolate dipped ice cream cones! There is rarely a wait and the ice cream tastes like childhood.
The waffle fries are a fairly new addition and definitely worth a taste.
Fosters Freeze still serves delicious crinkle fries!“

“Love Crumbl! This location is located right by UC Berkeley so the parking is pretty wild. Usually my Husband will pull up and I’ll hop out and run in while he parks around the block. TEAMWORK MAKE THE DREAM WORK! The cookies are soooo good and the sugar here is always nice and welcoming!“

“Stopped for breakfast one morning; what a delight! Tasty filling on a scrumptious bagel. The sight of all the donuts and pastries had us vowing to return. Which we did, scoring a box of various donuts and pastries and the biggest croissants I’ve ever seen. Definitely worth a return visit.“

“The guy & girl at the counter knew their ice cream and were very helpful and polite, don’t always get that kind of service. Keep up the good work! 👍🏼“

“Best ever! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😋😋😋😋💕💕💕💕😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋🖤“

“Me and K’Lin was happy to see this new place and it’s nice and clean after we was done the girt went a sanitize everything 🥰🥰“

“This is the best boba place in Berkeley. The lady working here is so nice and she even gave my friend a free drink for his birthday! If you ever pull up here make sure to get the grape sparkling or any of the Thai tea. Their sushi roll is also amazing. I swear you won’t be disappointed :)

P.S. this was the drink that my friend requested“

“Selena & Jamie were phenomenal, made sure my order was perfect, and even added a finishing touch of wrapping for the surprise cookie cake. They were kind, thorough, and ensure my order, though complicated was warm and ready on time. Incredible customer service, and delicious cookie cakes!“

“Delicious food - really Italian style Will go back & recommend to fam & friends“