Keep cool at Bay Area ice cream shops
The forecast: triple digits. Your salvation: ice cream.
Here’s a roundup of Bay Area ice cream shops, from classic scoop shops to artisan purveyors to stores where the ice cream is part dessert, part entertainment.
FENTONS CREAMERY » This centuryold ice cream parlor makes old-fashioned Fudgeannas and Black & Tan Sundaes as well as the newer Fentons Frost, a syrup, whipped cream and soda water concoction. 4226 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, and Nut Tree/Vacaville.
RICK’S ICE CREAM » At this neighborhood spot, the wide array of innovative flavors for scoops, shakes and sundaes ranges from saffron pistachio and lavender honey to black raspberry crunch and Mexican chocolate. 3946 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
SWEET FIX CREAMERY » Everything’s made in-house at this dairy/creamery, from the ice cream and Italian ices to the cones, cookies and brownies. Banana brownie is the signature ice cream flavor; watermelon, cherry and blue raspberry are the bestselling ices. 2715 McKee Road, San Jose.
LOTTIE’S CREAMERY » Fresh mint chocolate chip and caramel carrot cake star on the current menu at this artisanal scoop shop. 1414 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, and 145 E. Prospect Ave., Danville.
ICICLES » Dessert is a show at these shops, where the Thai-style rolled ice cream in flavors like Nutella & Chill and Strawberry Fantasy is made to order for each customer. Locations in Newark, Gilroy, Mountain View, Pleasanton, San Mateo, Cupertino and San Jose.
LOARD’S ICE CREAM » At this East Bay classic, the classic flavors abound. Where else are you going to find Butter Brickle and lemon chiffon along with trendy newcomers like
horchata? Locations in Alameda, Oakland, Orinda, Moraga, Dublin, Livermore, plus the HQ factory shop at 2000 Wayne Ave., San Leandro.
TIN POT CREAMERY >> This artisanal, small-batch specialist offers seasonal flavors along with such favorites as Tcho chocolate, blue jasmine tea and malted milkshake. Locations in San Mateo, Campbell, Los Altos, Palo Alto.
PRESTON’S CANDY & ICE CREAM >> This 60 years-plus shop scoops ice cream and sorbet from Bay Area favorites Mitchell’s, Loard’s and Golnazar. Primarily a candymaker, Preston’s makes the mints used in the Thin Mint ice cream. 1170 Broadway, Burlingame.
CREAM >> Find ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies, taco sundaes and more at this shop whose name is an acronym for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me. Multiple locations.
ITALIAN BROTHERS BAKERY >> This Sicilian-born team makes gelato on-site. Among the top sellers are pistachio and lemon. 1401 W. San Carlos St., San Jose.
BASKIN-ROBBINS >> A refreshing citrus ice cream — Summertime Lime (with a lemon-lime slime ribbon!) — has joined the menu. You can also add a Sour Berry Slime topping to any shake or sundae. Multiple locations.
SMITTEN ICE CREAM >> Your dessert is freshly churned after you order, thanks to a tank of liquid nitrogen at each shop. Find matcha, Earl Grey and salted caramel in Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco.
SAN JOSE CANDY KITCHEN >> This mom-and-pop shop scoops 20 flavors of San Jose’s Treat ice cream for cones, shakes, floats, banana splits and brownie sundaes (made with freshly baked brownies). New: Treat available by the quart. 200 S. First St., San Jose.
MEADOWLARK DAIRY >> This drivethru dairy’s soft serve cones are a Pleasanton institution. Chocolate, vanilla, orange, pineapple and strawberry. 57 W. Neal St., Pleasanton.
CAMPBELL CREAMERY, WILLOW
GLEN CREAMERY >> These two shops offer St. Louis-style frozen custard in addition to frozen yogurt and local fave Treat ice cream. 267 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, and 1100 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.
DOUBLE RAINBOW CAFE >> At this family-owned shop now under new management, current flavors include cappuccino chocolate crunch and mango tangerine sorbet. 560 First St., Benicia.
SWEET RETREAT >> Create your own frozen yogurt at these fruitforward shops or select an ice cream from the 30 or more flavors on the menu board. 846 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, and 97 E. Third St., Morgan Hill.
SALT&STRAW>> This gourmet purveyor is known for its wildly innovative flavors inspired by meadow flowers, holiday meals, children’s literature … or whatever. Are you up for a scoop of “Goosebumps: Monster Blood is Back”? San Ramon, San Jose, Palo Alto, Burlingame, San Francisco, plus online store.
MILKCOW CAFE >> Free-range cows and hives of bees team up to create the specialty here: Milky soft serve ice cream drizzled with raw honey. Locations in Fremont, San Bruno, Castro Valley.
CAULDRON ICE CREAM >> This cultfave shop uses liquid nitrogen and waffle irons to create Instagram-worthy treats — ice cream “roses” nestled in puffy waffle cones. Among the seasonal flavors: peaches and cream. 1088 E.
Brokaw Road, San Jose.
SAN FRANCISCO CREAMERY >> Inspired by 1930s fountains, this East Bay shop makes its own ice cream as well as its fudge, car
amel and butterscotch toppings. 1370 Locust St., Walnut Creek.
HUMPHREY SLOCOMBE >> This artisan purveyor is currently scooping a dozen creative flavors including bourbon bacon peanuts, vegan coconut salted caramel and Harvey Milk & honey graham. Locations in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco.
WILLOW GLEN SWEET SHOPPE >> This nostalgic candy shop is now scooping Marianne’s Ice Cream from Santa Cruz, along with Gelato Classico. 1203 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.
LA PLAYA ICE CREAM SHOP >> Fresh fruit dominates the paleta offerings here, and the ice cream comes in such flavors as tequilapecan, gansito and Mexican chocolate cake. All the frozen confections are made on-site. 17415 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill.
GIO GELATI >> This Italian-born gelateria features flavors such as tiramisu and espresso along with fruity options. 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, and 1998 Union St., San Francisco.
HAAGEN-DAZS >> A pioneer in the gourmet ice cream field, this company’s cafes offer their rich flavors at mall-centric locations in Santa Clara (Valley Fair), San Mateo (Hillsdale) and at the Livermore outlets.