Best ice cream shops in San Francisco

Rice-A-Roni may be the San Francisco treat, but you won’t find people licking cones of it in the City. Instead, head to one of San Francisco’s homegrown ice cream shops for a sweet treat after a day of sightseeing.


Mitchell’s Ice Cream (688 San Jose Avenue): You’ll find plain vanilla and chocolate at this Noe Valley ice cream institution, around since 1953, but it would be a shame to pass up Mitchell’s unique flavors, like grasshopper pie, Mexican chocolate, tropical fruit, halo halo, Kahlua mocha cream, ube (purple yam), sweet coconut, avocado, and lychee. Prepare to take a number and wait. And wait. The store is small. The line is long. But it’s worth it. You won’t find a hotel in close distance, but try the Hotel Nikko near Union Square for a central spot.


Swensen’s Ice Cream (1999 Hyde Street): This is the original Swensen’s, opened in 1948. There’s no seating at this store, but you can try the coffee milkshake or go for toasted almond or classic flavors like mint chip and pecan praline. The Fairmont Heritage Square isn’t far away. You can burn a few of those calories off while you walk back.


Bi-Rite Creamery (3619 18th Street): Admittedly this is not the best name for an ice cream shop. But they use Straus Family organic dairy to make their ice cream, mixing the cream with locally-sourced organic fruits and flavorings. Plus, the ice cream is really, really good. Try the roasted banana, orange cardamom, earl gray, ginger, honey lavender, or salted caramel varieties. The Hotel Whitcomb isn’t far from this Mission shop.


- Debbie Abrams Kaplan of Frisco Kids and Kaplan Ink


Photo courtesy of Flickr user urbanfoodie33


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