Best Ice Cream Sundaes In San Francisco

There's a good reason why there always seems to be a line of people out the door at Bi-Rite Creamery. Easily one of San Francisco's best ice cream shops, Bi-Rite Creamery was the city's first to use an organic dairy – the North Bay's Straus Family Creamery – for their milk and cream. Customers can order Bi-Rite's signature sundaes, such as the popular Afternoon Snack, Berry Sundae, Sam's Sundae and Dainty Gentleman, or make their own with one or two scoops of ice cream, toppings and sauces of their choice. Located in the Mission District, Bi-Rite Creamery is part of the family-owned Bi-Rite Market and opened a new shop last year on Divisadero Street, a block from Alamo Square.

Humphry Slocombe (credit: Randy Yagi)

Humphry Slocombe
2790 A Harrison St.
San Francisco, CA  94110
(415) 550-6971
www.humphryslocombe.com

Like Bi-Rite, Humphry Slocombe is a local favorite in the Mission District. With more than 80 flavors of ice cream, sorbets and sherbets, it has one of the most extensive menus in the Bay Area. It's just not the locals who have raved about delicious flavors such as Secret Breakfast, Harvey Milk and Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee from this shop at the corner of 24th and Harrison Streets. Humphry Slocombe has been praised from a number of leading national publications, including Bon Appétit, The New York Times and Gourmet. Also using dairy products from Straus Family Creamery, the Tin Roof Sundae and Gabba Gabba are among top choices for sundaes. Earlier this year, Humphry Slocombe opened a new location at the Ferry Building and, not surprisingly, is drawing long lines of ice cream lovers.

Like any of San Francisco's best places for an ice cream sundae, the lines at the Ice Cream Bar can be quite long. But this distinctive spot is well worth the wait and not just because it dishes out fabulous sundaes. Featuring an authentic 1930s soda fountain, retro lunch counter and a staff dressed like classic soda jerks, customers can enjoy tasty ice cream treats as well as enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere. Using locally sourced ingredients, the Cole Valley business makes its own ice cream and sodas in house. In addition to serving luscious sundaes like Keller's Farm and Tropical Sundae, Ice Cream Bar offers a lunch menu, beer, wine and fountain sodas, some containing alcohol. In business since 2012, Ice Cream Bar has been featured in a number of national publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Bon Appétit, The New York Times and GQ Magazine.

Another ice cream shop getting plenty of national attention is Mitchell's in Bernal Heights. In business for more than 60 years, the family-owned shop features more than 70 ice cream and sorbet flavors and a nice assortment of yummy sundaes. Featuring premium ice cream made with 16 percent butterfat, Mitchell's offers a Sundae of the Month, in addition to choices like Oreo Cookie Explosion, Caramel Pecan and Peanut Butter Blitz, topped with a generous helping of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Mitchell's Ice Cream is located at the intersection of San Jose Avenue and 29^th Street, two blocks from Guerrero Park.

Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Smitten claims to make the "purest, creamiest ice cream." And as evidenced by long lines, repeat customers, new locations and rave reviews on taste, that claim appears to be backed up. Ice cream at Smitten is made with a patented "Brrr" churning machine that uses liquid nitrogen to create smaller ice crystals, which translates into a smoother and tastier ice cream. Striving for perfection in ice cream making, Smitten also uses locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. Favorite sundaes include Hot Stuff, Brittle Me This and Choc Full O'Mint. The original location can be found near the intersection of Hayes and Octavia Streets, three blocks west of Van Ness Avenue.