BI-RITE CREAMERY
Head to Bi-Rite for intense flavors, locally sourced ingredients and handmade inclusions—think almond toffee and chocolate cookies. Popular flavors range from the seasonal orange cardamom to classic salted caramel and are available in tasty scoops, handcrafted sundaes, delectable ice cream sandwiches and more. 3692 18th St., 415.626.5600, biritemarket.com
GELATERIA DI COTOGNA
Every summer, Cotogna’s outdoor-only gelato cart is the talk of the town. Open Thursday through Saturday in the afternoon, the cart only stocks five flavors at a time, four of which consistently rotate. The mainstay? A vanilla and honeycomb masterpiece that even the most fussy of guests will find incredibly crave-worthy. 490 Pacific Ave., 415.775.8508, cotognasf.com
HILA GELATO
Female- and LGBTQ-owned Hila Gelato consistently delights with its Sicilian hospitality and fabulous flavors. The gelateria utilizes only natural, sustainable products, even powering the shop with solar panels. In addition to delicious gelato—our favorite flavors include the trendy Dubai chocolate and a funky coconut and cardamom—the sweet spot serves up coffee, pastries and savory Italian bites. 951 Valencia St., hilagelato.com
HUMPHRY SLOCOMBE
Since 2008, owners Jake Godby and Sean Vahey have tantalized the Bay Area with unique and unexpected ice cream flavors. Secret Breakfast is a fan favorite, featuring bourbon ice cream with cornflake cookies, while the Vietnamese Coffee and Matchadoodle flavors also delight and inspire. Multiple locations, humphryslocombe.com
MITCHELL’S ICE CREAM
Mitchell’s Ice Cream has been a San Francisco institution for over half a century. The creamery started with 19 flavors and was the first shop to introduce mango ice cream to the Bay Area in 1964. Now, all 40 flavors feature 16% butterfat and premium ingredients, from avocado and caramel praline to lychee and Mexican chocolate. 688 San Jose Ave., 415.648.2300, mitchellsicecream.com
Nothing beats an icy treat on a warm day.
MIYAKO OLD FASHION ICE CREAM
One of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the Fillmore, Miyako Old Fashion Ice Cream boasts vintage vibes and unique flavors. Cool down with a generous scoop of the creamery’s Filipino-inspired flavors like ube and macapuno, or stick with a classic treat like butter pecan, chocolate chip and almond praline. 1470 Fillmore St., 415.931.5260
SMITTEN ICE CREAM
Situated in the Mission, Smitten Ice Cream utilizes liquid nitrogen and its patented Brrr machine to craft small-batch ice creams in precisely 90 seconds. The high-tech dessert shop boasts flavors like coffee, strawberry cream, chocolate ganache and classic vanilla, best paired with caramel sauce, whipped cream, toasted almonds and rainbow sprinkles. 904 Valencia St., 415.636.9852, smittenicecream.com
SWENSEN’S
This old-school ice cream parlor has been an SF staple since 1948, serving up tasty scoops crafted from classic recipes, sherbets, sorbets, sundaes, milkshakes, malts and root beer floats. A few favorite flavors span Bordeaux cherry and caramel turtle fudge to Swiss orange chip and Sticky Chewy Chocolate. 1999 Hyde St., 415.775.6818, swensensofsf.com
THE ICE CREAM BAR
The Ice Cream Bar is San Francisco’s premier 1930s-style soda fountain. Everything, and we mean everything, is made in-house, including boozy ice cream floats and a decadent passionfruit baked Alaska. Inventive ice cream flavors include roasted pineapple, tres leches cake, caramelized honey and a vegan coconut milk dark chocolate almond. 815 Cole St., 415.742.4932, theicecreambarsf.com
WHAT’S THE SCOOP
What’s the Scoop is a hip, music-themed creamery in Bayview that serves homemade ice cream and flavors from Mitchell’s. Other offerings include affogatos (cookie dough, bananas foster, Oreo), ice cream sandwiches (the Musiq Soulberry concoction features a maple cookie with sweet strawberry ice cream), sundaes, milkshakes and more. 5668 3rd St.
