The Absolute Best Ice Cream in San Francisco, Ranked

The owner has been serving up his brother’s Double Rainbow ice cream since the early ’80s at this old-school ice cream, candy and toy emporium.

401 Clement St.; 415-751-7505

Two words: Taco Tuesdays. And by tacos, we mean the ice-cream variety with a waffle cone for the shell.

Multiple locations; creamnation.com

Can’t make up your mind? Spin the flavor wheel and let it decide your fate. Just cross your fingers it doesn’t land on durian.

3138 Noriega St.; 415-664-2472

If classic cocktails are your thing, try one in scoop form. May we recommend the Dirty South?

Multiple locations; littlegianticecream.com

Order a milk shake or ice-cream float and feel just like a kid again.

815 Cole St.; 415-742-4932 or theicecreambarsf.com

San Francisco’s signature ice-cream sandwich. ’Nuff said.

865 Burlway Rd., Burlingame; 650-347-2122 or itsiticecream.com

Ice cream meets shaved ice in this Taiwanese dessert that’s traditionally called “snow.” Go for black sesame or Vietnamese coffee.

260 Divisadero St.; powdershavedsnow.com

Just like the Italian stuff you know and love…only made with the freshest local ingredients. Try something new like orzata (marzipan and orange oil) or riso (rice pudding).

520 Columbus Ave.; 415-677-9280 or gelaterianaia.com

Look for the pricey pint in its signature mason-jar packaging in interesting flavors like apricot sunflower or brown butter plum.

34 Miller Ave., Mill Valley; 415-888-2307 or honeymoonbrands.com

Made to order in about 90 seconds using liquid nitrogen, this ice cream is so rich it’s almost like eating frozen butter.

Multiple locations; smittenicecream.com

If you can catch it when it’s actually open (according to their Facebook feed, they’re always on vacation or tending to a family situation), the ice cream is pretty darn good. We’ll take a scoop of Celebration Cake.

699 22nd St.; 415-970-0750

Small-batch ice cream (in flavors like Root Beer Float) with a side of art in the heart of the TL.

835 Geary St.; shakedownsf.com

Sweet Corn is a flavor and you should definitely try it…by the mouthful.

Multiple locations; tarasorganic.com

Bittersweet Chocolate might get top billing, but we <3 Lemon Cookie.

Multiple locations: threetwinsicecream.com

This classic shop’s global flavors (Mexican horchata, Peruvian lucuma, Filipino avocado) have been drawing lines for more than 60 years.

688 San Jose Ave.; 415-648-2300 or mitchellsicecream.com

If you can’t get enough of this “farm-to-cone” ice cream, then don’t! Order a flight of five flavors, including a seasonal caipirinha sorbet that will change your life…for the better.

1290 Ninth Ave.; 415-682-4977 or sfhometowncreamery.com

The Secret Breakfast (vanilla, cornflakes, bourbon) has us questioning our morning ritual, and the Jesus Juice sorbet (red wine and Coca-Cola) has us converting religions.

Multiple locations; humphryslocombe.com

Churning out sweet treats since 1948. A cone of Swiss Orange Chip at this old-fashioned parlor is about as classic as you can get.

1999 Hyde St.; 415-775-6818 or swensens.com

For all you soft-serve fans, this is where it’s at. Vanilla (made with Straus organic milk) dipped in chocolate on a Joy cone. Simply delicious.

1 Ferry Building #6; 415-318-3423 or gotts.com

Chocolate in the bottom of homemade cones to prevent dripping—how clever. It’s no wonder this sweet cream comes straight from a Chez Panisse alum. We’ll take all the flavors, please.

2948 College Ave., Berkeley; 510-665-6054 or ici-icecream.com

No surprise here. Nothing tops Bi-Rite’s salted caramel.

Multiple locations; biritecreamery.com