50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Orinda

“Lovely place and really friendly staff!“

“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“

“First visit to Lexie’s tonight - got a single size peanut butter Oreo Sunday… should have gotten the double.

They have Incredibly tasty and rich custard and very delightfully curated sundaes. And the staff was very warm, welcoming, and kind.

Excited for the next one…“

“With flavor combinations that will wake up your palate and prices that seem downright reasonable for the Bay Area, Bad Walters is a welcome addition to my go-to ice cream destinations. And then there’s the fact that it’s named after a Chihuahua who was apparently an a**hole. I’m in love!“

“New favorite ice cream spot in Oakland. The ice cream is nice and dense. (I don't like airy ice cream). I am vanilla all the way everyday. I have compared vanilla ice creams far and wide, grocery store, and gourmet. The vanilla here is greaaaaaat, I'd say it's in my top 3 favorites amongst Double Rainbow and Haagen Dazs. So if you're into those, you'll very likely love Miharu's vanilla ice cream. :)“

“Myself and a friend were looking for an ice cream joint in the Walnut Creek area, and happen to come across this place.

The owner is very friendly. We tried a variety of flavors, and then ended up getting the Roasted Cashew, Lemon Creme and the Strawberry.

The ice cream was very creamy and thick, with the right amout of sweetness. Extremely tasty. I always try ice cream at local joints, and this one exceeded all expectations. Will definitely come back, if I am in the area.“

“Lana’s is now my go to place for DELICIOUS BURGERS 🍔 & Fries 🍟. I’ve traveled the world and I can confirm that I haven’t eaten a better burger and fries. My top favorite is a Fried Chicken Deluxe and The Deluxe and Fries! You must try the fries and you will get it yourself. They have delicious ice cream as well🍦! Very cool nice friendly stuff, clean neat kitchen, cozy environment, great prices ! I’m not typically leaving reviews but this place is worth it ❤💫“

“I am addicted to their Dubai Strawberry Cup — it is soooo good. Every time I come in, I tell myself I’m going to try something new, but nothing compares. I’ve also tried their fresh-squeezed juice and it’s delicious. The flavors are perfect, everything tastes so clean and refreshing, and I honestly don’t know what magic they put in it, but I’m hooked. Highly recommend!“

“delicious ice cream and everything“

“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! 😊“

“Friendly staff ! Delicious icecream - we accidentally dropped our icecream as we were walking out and the staff didn’t hesitate to replace 💕❤️🍦“

“Good stuff, love nondairy options!“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“Vegan Donut Gelato is PHENOMENAL! My wife and I loved our brief stop this week. The donuts are massive and well worth the price. Friendly service and the woman who served us was great. Highly recommended!“

“Excellent staff. Delicious - big fan of that pluot sorbet!!“

“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.“

“soooooooooo........goooooood 😋🤤💯❤ All the Cookie dough and Hot Chocolate 💯❤🤤😋“

“This is always my go to place for boba milk tea after school, I feel like I tried some of their flavors and they are really good to drink on a hot or cold day. The staff there are kind and friendly, it makes me feel a bit happy once I get my order. Overall, I recommend this place for their boba milk tea :) (Also I'm so sorry for giving you guys quarters most of the time when I buy, it's usually for the bus but I always can't help the urge to use it to buy it from you guys... Sorry once again!)“

“Great product. Pleasant and helpful staff.“

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

“Great homely environment & love the ice creams here. There are a few rocks outside to site and and enjoy beautiful sunset view.. Love coming back“

“Had such a great experience :)
Genuine staff who were as sweet as the ice cream - which was already incredible. Had the monkey business which was divine, and the sweet worker made sure that the order wasn’t messed up :)
The black raspberry was just amazing, definitely a highlight of my trip“

“Oh man sushi crepes! What an amazing idea and it tasted amazing!!

We got simple ice cream which was perfect and tasty, and then we got the Nutella and strawberries crepes. Really awesome!! And we tried one of our friends’ sushi crepes which we’ll get next time.“

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

“Wonderful cookies, Excellent Consumer service“

“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.“

“The best premium frozen yogurt in town!! 🍦 My favorite is the classic chocolate vanilla swirl—it takes me right back to my childhood! 🥰 The owners, Heather and Aron, are the absolute sweetest, and they always create such a welcoming and fun atmosphere no matter the time of day. If you haven't been to Yogurt Spot yet, you’re missing out. Couldn't recommend it more!“

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

“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👋🤙👋“

“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!“

“It's a great little spot for quick bite. They have good burgers and fries. They also have hot dogs, chicken strips, chicken sandwiches, chili fries, chocolate dipped ice-cream and much more. My favorite item is the twister. I get the Resses cup one but they have many other flavors. My daughter loves their sundaes. It's a little pricey but for me it's worth it.“

“love it for a afternoon treat w the kiddos“

“I’ve only had their smoothies and tasted the ice cream . It’s pretty good haven’t been disappointed . Thai tea ice cream is fire 🔥 . They do close early , earlier than their posted hours though sometimes a half hour early so best to arrive over an hour before they close . I haven’t tried their banh mi but they do seem pricey at nearly 18 dollars each!“

“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!“

“Amazing that we’ve gained this place back in Oakland! The icecream was incredible, and sitting in there was a fun blast from the past. The cherry icecream was really something special, people don’t make icecream like this often. Enjoy!“

“Best Sundaes around! Family favorite for years! Gotta have my Brown n White!“

“Good place nice people there“

“Customer service was awesome!!!! A little travel but worth it. The yogurt was good and tasty...“

“im a brokeass student and everyday is a living hell for me because of the hotass weather plus my horrible grades😭😭

i went to QTea Bar for the first time and honestly - ITS NOT BAD FOR A PERSON WHO ONLY HAS $10 AT THE MOMENT LIKE ME.

basically, its a small place - however they offer a lot of items on their menu! the one on the picture is the Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Boba, which costed $7 dollars (I DROPPED MY JAW AT THE PRICE, BUT ITS FINE I GUESS?)

i chose Normal sweetness level and was expecting a nice sugar level, but was instantly kicked with a flavor that felt like 10 spoons of sugar on my mouth😭💔

i suggest letting it dilute for a little bit and drinking it, because the sugar really was kicking me 🫩

im used to the “normal” amount if sugar level since im a sugar-tooth, but if youre an adult, i suggest 50-75% sugar - also the toppings (boba, etc) are $0.50 — which is an okay price

the employees are super nice, they only had 2 people working at the time i was there - so i believe its a small business run by them

overall; great service, nice menu, small place but functional!

5/5 in my opinion, if i were bias, id give 3.5/5, but they were kind :)“

“Delicious creamy and flavorful. I had the guava and it was rich and fruity.“

“love this place. Good for munchies, ice cream activities and food. They sell food as well. this place has something for everybody. I love the Dubai chocolate strawberries. and the different flavors of ice creams that you will not find anywhere else.“

“Fries were excellent, the hamburger and hotdog were not too bad either“

“My husband and I just spent two weeks visiting Oakland and we discovered Gelato Firenza (near Grand Lake Theate) one week into our trip. Once we did we made a special trip there every day, and one day even went twice! It’s the best gelato we’ve tasted anywhere, and we’ve been all over.

We first had gelato 40 years ago in Rome and were delighted as it became increasingly popular all over the world. We’ve tried it in many places, but this is our favorite.

We learned that it’s all natural, no additives, and made on the premises daily by the owner, who is so devoted to getting the flavors just right that she often spends four or more days perfecting them.

We love the fact that it’s not overly sweet, so you can really taste the underlying flavors (and feel good about it having less sugar). They’re very generous about allowing you to taste before ordering, and the prices are excellent.

Our favorites were: hazelnut, salted caramel, strawberry and rose (which was so unique and delicious!) Others we tasted and loved included Earl Grey, Matcha, coconut, almond, Dulce de Leche, and cookies and cream, but every flavor we tried was truly delicious.

For reference I have only written two other reviews in my life: one about my dog’s veterinarian, and one about a hotel in Thailand. But this gelato is so special and the owner so delightful I had to pass the word on.

We can’t wait to return to the Bay Area for more.“

“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!“

“Enjoy coming to yogurt shack in the heart of Danville. Great variety of yogurt flavors and toppings. The owners staff with mostly high school youth. Looks like an excellent first job and the kids seem to not only enjoy working there but are very friendly and helpful. I love that it is conveniently located next to primos. It's a great after dinner treat.“

“Mangonada, nieve de garrafa, raspados, bionicos, tostilocos, tejuinos“