50 Best Ice Cream Shops in San Francisco

“Best gelato in San Francisco.“

“Historically best ice cream in SF!“

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

“Çok lezzetli sağlıklı hijyenik aile olarak üretim yapılan bir yer kesinlikle ziyaret edilmeli teşekkür ederiz“

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

“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.“

“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).“

“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“

“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!.“

“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.“

“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“

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

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

“Great experience at this spot. They have maintained the same experience with some decent updates since the last time I visited this place 20 years ago ! The Dubai chocolate was a great addition. It was super crowded and totally worth the wait“

“Good stuff, love nondairy options!“

“One of our favorite spots in the Richmond. Sean and Alice are as terrific as their ice cream!“

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

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

“Love this place. Another one of my top 3 in SF. Even though it can get overwhelming, its great having so many flavor options, and they all taste fresh! This really is a fun place to come on a warm day or while out for a stroll. Recommend getting the marble fudge and macopuno.“

“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“

“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 😁“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“I came across here on a beautiful day and was craving for some ice cream. Was greeted and welcomed by one of their friendly staffs, she explained to me they offer ice cream and gelatos and the different flavors they carry. They also have many things to choose from, such as sundaes, milkshakes, boba drinks, smoothies, mangonadas, etc. It’s a cool little spot in the neighborhood that definitely attracts customers like myself. Definitely will be back!“

“The ice cream is amazing! I’m a sucker for Juliette’s Vanilla malt milkshake. Never too full for one of those!“

“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.“

“Always a good experience, everything is very good especially their TaroMatcha drink, one of my favorites. Rated 4 stars though I'm pretty bummed out we drove 20 minutes because I really didn't want to leave the city without getting one of my favorite drinks. Got their 20 minutes before closing just to be told that they stopped making drinks 30 minutes before they close. Let them know that's pretty messed up especially since it's not stated anywhere and drove all the way there for nothing. Was only told to come by 1 hr before closing lol wanted it so bad I could taste it 😭 if you know you know.“

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

“Delicious Harvey Milk and Peanut Butter. As good as it gets.“

“gluten free, vegan, coconut based froyo! yum!“

“se te hace agua la boca 🤤 The food is BOOOOMB, bomb.com!!! The Crepes are AMAZING 🤩 The esquites are magically delicious 😋 and the customer service is great 👍🏻 super friendly and nice. Definitely our favorite place to snack at whenever we are in San Francisco“

“Great Milkshakes and cookies“

“the matcha TEA drink was super yummy I liked it a lot. However, the ube matcha latte was not it… I couldn’t only taste the ube and it was pretty sweet. If u are looking for a strong matcha drink, don’t get the ube LOL. On a side note, the ice cream was a major plus, very strong flavor and not a puny little serving!
P.S. this location did not have a crazy long line and the order is prepared super quickly“

“Easily the best ice cream in San Francisco; some of the other high-end ice cream shops may have more creative flavors but Smitten makes perfection out of basics like vanilla, chocolate, etc.
They have several vegan options too like turmeric/ginger. Amazing sundaes, their chocolate sauce is next level!! A+ service!“

“Stopped in here to fulfill an ice cream after sushi craving. Loved this little store. The young woman behind the counter had some helpful flavor suggestions. Unique (butterfinger, whisky praline, drumstick, PB and j) but delicious flavors. Some classics too and even a sorbet for the dairy free visitor. Loved that they have a tiny cup option as well. Would love to come back to try more flavors.“

“The hubby and I were killing time and found this place for dinner. We got seated and immediately. We ordered our pepperoni pizza. Since we sat at the bar, we saw them making our pizza and placing it in the wood burning stove. It took about 2 minutes to be baked and quickly served. Loved it! Everything was great. It can get a bit dark in there but it’s all part of the ambiance. We’re definitely going back!“

“Vegan caramel chai with chocolate rocks...because I’m 7 ❤️“

“Son divinas, si pruebas las de café son un sueño y sobre todo a la hora de la película familiar. Altamente recomendadas“

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

“They are clean and organized and the prices are fair, especially being in the tenderloin where the struggle and homelessness is really the over all attraction. But one employee just doesn't seem to be happy. He doesn't smile is unfriendly and somewhat rude!! And the other one is completely the opposite. But over all I enjoyed there food... And definitely there milkshakes are a must have. I will be a consistent customer since I'm new to the area!“

“Talk about a hidden gem in the slums of downtown San Francisco! For a corner store they sure do have an amazing food selection. Went to go get pizza across the street around midnight and they just closed, went here instead and got some fruit salad and fettuccine. They had kebabs, wings, pasta salads etc and it all looked super fresh.

Great place to go for quick meals to take back to your hotel if you’re staying nearby.“

“Though this is the branch you’d want to visit, bear in mind that the inside looks very much different to some of the photos. They did a remodelling few years ago and with it some of the stuff like the famous chocolate fountain is gone😭

Same great quality and service though 👏🏻“

“So yummy ! Choose any cookies and any ice cream flavor.“

“First time having shaved ice cream. It was Tachata which is cinnamon vanilla. Texture and taste was outstanding.“

“Happiness in a cup. And a cone 😁“

“Delicious rolled ice cream with free toppings!!! Yummm!!!“

“I used to get Yomie’s in SoCal, and it was a yummy alternative to boba when I wanted something different. The yogurt smoothies at the North Beach location taste pretty similar but seem to be blended a little thicker. I got the passion fruit smoothie with less sugar and purple rice as a topping, and it was very filling. Definitely recommend as a drinkable snack.“