Where is the best ice cream in San Francisco?

Based on diner recommendations, the best ice cream in San Francisco is at Humphry Slocombe. We compared 10 restaurants serving ice cream.

How much does ice cream cost in San Francisco?

Ice Cream prices in San Francisco range from $6.50 to $7.00 across 10 restaurants.

Best Ice Cream in San Francisco

10 restaurants compared

Price range: $6.50 – $7.00

Avg recommendation: 80%

Top 5 Ice Cream in San Francisco (Quick Answer)

Based on diner recommendations across 10 restaurants:

Humphry Slocombe, $7.00 (Embarcadero)
Humphry Slocombe, $7.00 (Embarcadero)
Bi-Rite Creamery, $6.50 (Mission District)
Humphry Slocombe — 96% recommended, $7.00 (Embarcadero)
Bi-Rite Creamery — 92% recommended, $6.50 (Mission District)

Scroll down for detailed comparisons, prices, and diner tips for each restaurant.

All 10 Restaurants Compared

Humphry Slocombe

Embarcadero·$

Salted Caramel & Grappa

$7.00

Caramel ice cream with a hit of brandy-style grappa and sea salt.

Tip: This is a more refined take on salted caramel. If you've had the Bi-Rite version, this will taste noticeably more complex and boozy.

Humphry Slocombe

Embarcadero·$

Lavender & Honeycomb

$7.00

Delicate lavender ice cream with shards of honeycomb candy.

Tip: If you're new to Humphry Slocombe and want something adventurous but not extreme, this is a good entry point. The lavender is aromatic without being weird.

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission District·$

Cookies and Cream

$6.50

Creamy vanilla ice cream studded with homemade chocolate cookie pieces.

Tip: This is available year-round and never disappoints. A safe choice if you're overwhelmed by the seasonal options.

#496% recommend

Humphry Slocombe

Embarcadero·$

Secret Breakfast

$7.00

Bourbon-soaked ice cream with crispy cornflake cookie pieces mixed in.

Tip: This is the must-try flavor and what Humphry Slocombe is known for. It's unlike any other ice cream you've had — don't skip it for the unusual flavors.

#592% recommend

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission District·$

Salted Caramel

$6.50

Creamy caramel ice cream with a sharp hit of sea salt.

Tip: This is always available. It's the benchmark flavor — taste it first, then experiment with the seasonal options.

#688% recommend

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission District·$

Balsamic Strawberry

$6.50

Fresh strawberry ice cream finished with aged balsamic vinegar.

Tip: This flavor only appears in spring and early summer when strawberries are in season. If you see it, order it — it's what defines the season at Bi-Rite.

#785% recommend

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission District·$

Ritual Coffee Toffee

$6.50

Espresso ice cream with almond toffee made fresh daily.

Tip: This is the best coffee ice cream in San Francisco because of the toffee element. Coffee ice cream alone can taste bitter, but the toffee balances it perfectly.

#878% recommend

Bi-Rite Creamery

Mission District·$

Honey Lavender

$6.50

Creamy ice cream infused with dried lavender and Bay Area bee honey.

Tip: Ask for a taste before ordering — lavender is divisive. If you like floral flavors, this will become your favorite.

#965% recommend

Humphry Slocombe

Embarcadero·$

Foie Gras Ice Cream

$7.00

Rich, creamy ice cream infused with foie gras and chicken liver mousse.

Tip: Try a taste before committing to a full scoop. This is genuinely unusual — it's rich, savory, and challenges your idea of what ice cream can be.

#1055% recommend

Humphry Slocombe

Embarcadero·$

Black Olive & Walnut

$7.00

Brined black olive ice cream with toasted walnut pieces.

Tip: This is a savory ice cream that challenges your palate. If you like umami-forward food, order this. If you prefer traditional sweet, skip it.