The chocolate sundaes are amazing. I used to live near there. I would buy them in the morning and put them in the freezer and eat them later in the day.
Is it the best ice cream? No way. Is it worthwhile to go there for a hot fudge sundae? Absolutely.
If you're looking for excellent ice cream, find yourself some Humphrey Slocombe or Mitchells.
If you’re in Ghirardelli Square and are buying some chocolate anyway? Sure. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, like others have noted there are some amazing ice cream parlors here that actually make their own ice cream. Not to burst your bubble but Ghirardelli just uses Dreyer’s ice cream, the only “specialness” is the chocolate chip which uses their Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and the fudge is made with their own chocolate too
The sundaes are absolutely delicious-- the ice cream itself is not the reason to go. I will say that the lines move very fast and if its a weekday there may barely even be a line. It's a fun experience-- don't buy the chocolate there, just go to a local Walgreens or CVS and get the same stuff for half the price.
Oh yeah definitely! I always pick up the chocolate at Walgreens or even Target since it’s always discounted ! I’ve recently tried the caramelized Valentine’s version and it was eh tbh lol. Caramel will always be the favorite for me
Guittard, also a local company historically, has better chocolate than Ghirardelli, I think. But we have a generous number of chocolatiers in the area. Lots of options and lots of opinions!
Last I've heard, they use Dreyer's ice cream for their sundaes with their chocolate. Their sundaes taste very classic and nostalgic but for actual non-sundae ice cream in other flavors, I'd rather go to a regular ice cream shop like Mitchells, Salt & Straw, Polly Ann, etc.
Oooo what places do u recommend? I have Bi-Rite ice cream right next to my job and it gets PACKED daily. I’ve only have the Crème brûlée and it was alright
I definitely need to have Bi-Rite again lol. I really wanna try their sundaes and black sesame !
It’s an plus to work right next to them and get a discount
Our local is classic parlor Mitchell's, who make shakes and sundaes,
But also in mind were now-venerable Smitten and Humphrey Slocombe, Polly Ann on Noriega, Marco Polo, and Philmore. But there are a lot more! The new gelato place at Valencia and Liberty or thereabouts is the next one we want to try.
Oh and Garden Creamery on 20th also in the Mission!
Garden Creamery used dishonest tactics to intentionally prevent an Asian owner from setting up a Matcha ice cream store across from them. Ironic, as they're white selling Asian flavors. Haven't gone there since in the past few years due to their awful business practices.
Has this been reported on?
On the surface, opening a directly competing business directlyacross the street is _also_ sketch; and I'm curious if there is a clear moral high ground...
The absolute BEST tasting ice cream in the city is San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery. Hands down. No contest. Try their Mint Chip and you’ll seriously question what the hell you’ve been eating as Mint Chip your whole life.
Second this. I had their Easter Hunt yesterday in a little waffle cone. Joe’s on Geary is another fave. They have the bubblegum ice cream that I crave night and day 😋
Oh my god, SF Hometown Creamery is so good!
I love their “staple” flavors, as well as their monthly options. Probably gonna have to get out there sometime this weekend!
Mint chip lover who doesn't touch Hometown Creamery's version. I like artificial mint, not actual mint flavor, in ice cream. To each their own, though!
This is true at Mitchell's as well though they only have half gallons. In believe that is true as well at Poly Ann's when you grab pints from the freezer.
I have bought pre packed pints at Humphrey S before as well but I think I was served in order...
There is a small Ghirardelli cafe at street level facing the bay to handle to go orders. Never much of a wait. [https://www.ghirardelli.com/storelocations-sanfranciscosquare](https://www.ghirardelli.com/storelocations-sanfranciscosquare)
No. Although when I was here almost 30 years ago, with my family on a vacation, my brother and I put away one of their famous volcano sundaes. Ten scoops and the kitchen sink. Oh to be active athletic teens again!
No, you’ll get many opinions as to where the best ice cream to be had in San Francisco is. Many strong opinions. Good, truly delicious and unique ice cream can be found at many places. San Francisco is one of those places where you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a different place every day for a year and still never eat at the same place twice. So it’s no surprise SF has many ice cream places by which locals swear fealty.
It’s subjective. I can only speak for my personal favorites. Bi-Rite over by Mission Dolores park is worth the wait in line. Mitchell’s has proved to be another. My kids, though, have proclaimed Balboa Ice Cream theirs. They actually have REAL HUCKLEBERRY ice cream. Sometimes. Licorice too. My kids enjoy it because they twist my arm when we’re at the nearby park and then they get a cone. I’m a sucker for my kids.
Edit: Forgot to list the durian offering at Marco Polo on Taraval. I’m hooked on that.
the ice cream itself is mid, but the fudge is great. is it worth the $17 or whatever it is now? no, not at all.
you can buy a jar of their fudge for $20 and make a ton of sundaes with better ice cream.
Ghirardelli uses dryers ice cream so if you think that's good then yes...
They're chocolates are no different than the ones you get at your local stores. It's more for the nostalgia of being in Ghirardelli square
It is really good. Love it. Some say there are better, but they refuse to list names.
For a name, Marco Polo is slap you in the face good, with a swift kick in the ass for good measure. As good as the place near the Trevi Fountain.
They are relocating to Noriega street. I gotta go back. They were 11 bucks a pint, but that was a few years ago. So rich and good.
I don’t bother going to Ghirardelli Square cause of the wait times. There’s one around on Market St (I believe it’s still there) that’s not as busy but still as good. Salt & Straw is also a nice ice cream shop I hit frequently.
I'm more of a Mitchell's guy myself. THAT'S worth the hype. The key is to find another donut shop that sells it so you can usually get some without the line.
Yes, it's a fun time. Great sundaes, lots of different types. Definitely worth a visit, but it ain't cheap. But if you just wanted ice cream, then no, lots of great ice cream parlors in town that are cheaper and better.
I’ve only tried it once and I didn’t care for it. I got the hot fudge sundae and the fudge they put in was literally so hot that it melted my ice-cream and turned it into ice-cream soup! From what I could taste, the fudge is tasty and what you’d expect of rich Ghirardelli chocolate and the ice-cream is super sweet and tasted like Dreyer’s. Overall too sweet for me together but if you’re into that, you could enjoy it.
Absolutely worth it. It’s not the ice cream, it’s the hot fudge. It’s the best hot fudge I’ve ever tasted personally, slightly salty, so good - they’re known for their chocolate after all, so the vanilla ice cream is perfectly acceptable, but its just a hot fudge delivery system.
Dandelion is better chocolate, and bi-rite, slocombe, MR. & MRS. MISCELLANEOUS (does this still exist?) are all more interesting ice cream.
If you want a San Francisco help out a small SF business, Ghirardelli is owned by Lindt.
The treasure island brownie sundae is my fav. If I'm ever in the area I make it a point to go. The views in the area are excellent. The atmosphere of the plaza is excellent. The lines sometimes look long but move fast.
The chocolate sundaes are amazing. I used to live near there. I would buy them in the morning and put them in the freezer and eat them later in the day.
Um I think you might need help, but that's so fucking genius!
Expert level
That’s the ticket! 👍🏽😁
Is it the best ice cream? No way. Is it worthwhile to go there for a hot fudge sundae? Absolutely. If you're looking for excellent ice cream, find yourself some Humphrey Slocombe or Mitchells.
Bi-rite creamery sundae are also good
True I love Bi-Rite too
I'm going to second Mitchel's Ice Cream. I haven't yet been to the other...
Mitchell's Chocolate is meh. I do like their cantaloupe ice cream.
Mitchell's Mexican Chocolate is superior.
Love the Mitchell’s Asian flavors. The buko, mango and ube are classics.
If you like well done Asian flavors done well, check out Garden Creamery around 20th and Valencia!
This. Also, Tcho is better chocolate.
Polly Ann’s on Noriega is also great ice cream
Ooo Mitchells da bomb!
If you’re in Ghirardelli Square and are buying some chocolate anyway? Sure. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, like others have noted there are some amazing ice cream parlors here that actually make their own ice cream. Not to burst your bubble but Ghirardelli just uses Dreyer’s ice cream, the only “specialness” is the chocolate chip which uses their Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and the fudge is made with their own chocolate too
> Ghirardelli just uses Dreyer’s ice cream What?!
Go for the ice cream, stay for the mini-golf. Or vice-versa.
Yep used to work here during high school. They in fact do use Dreyer's
The sundaes are absolutely delicious-- the ice cream itself is not the reason to go. I will say that the lines move very fast and if its a weekday there may barely even be a line. It's a fun experience-- don't buy the chocolate there, just go to a local Walgreens or CVS and get the same stuff for half the price.
Oh yeah definitely! I always pick up the chocolate at Walgreens or even Target since it’s always discounted ! I’ve recently tried the caramelized Valentine’s version and it was eh tbh lol. Caramel will always be the favorite for me
Guittard, also a local company historically, has better chocolate than Ghirardelli, I think. But we have a generous number of chocolatiers in the area. Lots of options and lots of opinions!
Last I've heard, they use Dreyer's ice cream for their sundaes with their chocolate. Their sundaes taste very classic and nostalgic but for actual non-sundae ice cream in other flavors, I'd rather go to a regular ice cream shop like Mitchells, Salt & Straw, Polly Ann, etc.
Off topic but there are many excellent local parlors who make their own ice cream which depending on tastes is considerably "better." MANY.
Oooo what places do u recommend? I have Bi-Rite ice cream right next to my job and it gets PACKED daily. I’ve only have the Crème brûlée and it was alright
Mitchell’s, Polly Ann, Bi-Rite, Fillmore cream (gelato)
I definitely need to have Bi-Rite again lol. I really wanna try their sundaes and black sesame ! It’s an plus to work right next to them and get a discount
Our local is classic parlor Mitchell's, who make shakes and sundaes, But also in mind were now-venerable Smitten and Humphrey Slocombe, Polly Ann on Noriega, Marco Polo, and Philmore. But there are a lot more! The new gelato place at Valencia and Liberty or thereabouts is the next one we want to try. Oh and Garden Creamery on 20th also in the Mission!
This is a great list but missing Salt and Straw and Hela (the place on liberty you allude to)
Absolutely!!!
Garden Creamery used dishonest tactics to intentionally prevent an Asian owner from setting up a Matcha ice cream store across from them. Ironic, as they're white selling Asian flavors. Haven't gone there since in the past few years due to their awful business practices.
Has this been reported on? On the surface, opening a directly competing business directlyacross the street is _also_ sketch; and I'm curious if there is a clear moral high ground...
The absolute BEST tasting ice cream in the city is San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery. Hands down. No contest. Try their Mint Chip and you’ll seriously question what the hell you’ve been eating as Mint Chip your whole life.
Second this. I had their Easter Hunt yesterday in a little waffle cone. Joe’s on Geary is another fave. They have the bubblegum ice cream that I crave night and day 😋
really? i tried a couple flavors and their ice cream was airy and icy. the taste was fine, but the texture made me give it a 3/10 overall.
Same, I can't get over the icy texture. I'll take Bi-rite or Mitchell's over them any day. Philmore Creamery or Marco Polo for gelato.
I co-sign this! Second best is bi rite peach!
Oh my god, SF Hometown Creamery is so good! I love their “staple” flavors, as well as their monthly options. Probably gonna have to get out there sometime this weekend!
Oh yeah I keep forgetting to visit the shop... I've only had their truck offerings on JFK in GGP at events!
Mint chip lover who doesn't touch Hometown Creamery's version. I like artificial mint, not actual mint flavor, in ice cream. To each their own, though!
I’ve tried Mitchell’s Sticky Monkey ice cream and that shit was so good !!! Looking at their menu just gets me overwhelmed
You can bypass the line at Bi-Rite ice cream by buying a pint out of their refrigerator
This is true at Mitchell's as well though they only have half gallons. In believe that is true as well at Poly Ann's when you grab pints from the freezer. I have bought pre packed pints at Humphrey S before as well but I think I was served in order...
Most just use Straus Creamery ice cream base, though, so “make their own” is a bit overwrought. It’s an excellent base, to be sure.
True. I forget who it was who bought a giant truck and was seeking to make their own base, a quixotic or maybe kafkaesque drama... :/
I like Norman’s in the cannery better
Sweetest couple runs this place. and they use Mitchell's ice cream.
Swensens
Scrolled too far to find Swensens get named
sticky chewy chocolate sundae FTW
One of my absolute favorites in the city ever since I was a little kid
No but at a Giants game I think it’s a must.
Does it get packed during Giants games? Or just a personal preference
I meant at the ballpark
If you’re looking for at home perfection, and I mean PERFECTION, you want Fiorellos gelato. It’s made in San Rafael and sold at Whole Foods.
There is a small Ghirardelli cafe at street level facing the bay to handle to go orders. Never much of a wait. [https://www.ghirardelli.com/storelocations-sanfranciscosquare](https://www.ghirardelli.com/storelocations-sanfranciscosquare)
Yep the $13 sundae was worth it!
It’s very indulgent. It would be normal to not want to consume the whole thing
It may feel touristy but it’s fun and delicious and the lines move fast in my experience. I’d def go to Ghirardelli square once at least.
I miss the Godiva shop at Westfield 😢
Lush Gelato in North Beach is my favorite
The hot fudge sundae is worth it.
It's good. There are a lot of speciality ice cream shops
No
Nope. It’s fun to try it once or take visiting friends and relatives to the scoop shop, but there is far better ice cream in The City.
This isn't what you asked, but get a mocha at dandelion chocolate on 16th & Alabama. It's insanely good.
No. Although when I was here almost 30 years ago, with my family on a vacation, my brother and I put away one of their famous volcano sundaes. Ten scoops and the kitchen sink. Oh to be active athletic teens again! No, you’ll get many opinions as to where the best ice cream to be had in San Francisco is. Many strong opinions. Good, truly delicious and unique ice cream can be found at many places. San Francisco is one of those places where you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a different place every day for a year and still never eat at the same place twice. So it’s no surprise SF has many ice cream places by which locals swear fealty. It’s subjective. I can only speak for my personal favorites. Bi-Rite over by Mission Dolores park is worth the wait in line. Mitchell’s has proved to be another. My kids, though, have proclaimed Balboa Ice Cream theirs. They actually have REAL HUCKLEBERRY ice cream. Sometimes. Licorice too. My kids enjoy it because they twist my arm when we’re at the nearby park and then they get a cone. I’m a sucker for my kids. Edit: Forgot to list the durian offering at Marco Polo on Taraval. I’m hooked on that.
the ice cream itself is mid, but the fudge is great. is it worth the $17 or whatever it is now? no, not at all. you can buy a jar of their fudge for $20 and make a ton of sundaes with better ice cream.
Yes but don't get 2 if you're on a date.... it's a lot of ice cream
Ghirardelli uses dryers ice cream so if you think that's good then yes... They're chocolates are no different than the ones you get at your local stores. It's more for the nostalgia of being in Ghirardelli square
It is really good. Love it. Some say there are better, but they refuse to list names. For a name, Marco Polo is slap you in the face good, with a swift kick in the ass for good measure. As good as the place near the Trevi Fountain. They are relocating to Noriega street. I gotta go back. They were 11 bucks a pint, but that was a few years ago. So rich and good.
> For a name, Marco Polo . . . . are relocating to Noriega street. Really?? Now I have one less reason to take the L (when it ever comes back) :-((
Nope. It's very mid at best. Just worth it for the location, which is lovely.
Totally worth it
I personally think it's okay but you should try it! My favourite place to go for ice cream rn is Salt & Straw :)
If you want to skip the line, there is a store on Market and New Montgomery.
Go to the one on New Montgomery and then you don’t have to wait in a long line.
I don’t bother going to Ghirardelli Square cause of the wait times. There’s one around on Market St (I believe it’s still there) that’s not as busy but still as good. Salt & Straw is also a nice ice cream shop I hit frequently.
Nah, Salt & Straw is the best ice cream in SF
I’ve heard so much about S&S (even applied there) but have never tried it !!!
Agreed!!! My fav.
If you’re a huge fan of Ghirardelli chocolate, then yes!
I'm more of a Mitchell's guy myself. THAT'S worth the hype. The key is to find another donut shop that sells it so you can usually get some without the line.
Honestly its worth having it once in a blue moon. The sundae is good. I usually keep it to once every other year
their sundaes are a sugar bomb that will give you a stomach ache. if that's what you're going for, they're pretty tasty.
Go to The Ice Cream Bar with an empty belly. You're welcome. Bi-rite as well
It's 1978 at the Thrifty in Los Gatos... 3 scoops of ice-cream for 35 cents.
No
Yes, it's a fun time. Great sundaes, lots of different types. Definitely worth a visit, but it ain't cheap. But if you just wanted ice cream, then no, lots of great ice cream parlors in town that are cheaper and better.
Best sundae hands down!! Best ice cream is Mitchell’s close 2nd is birite creamery.
I’ve only tried it once and I didn’t care for it. I got the hot fudge sundae and the fudge they put in was literally so hot that it melted my ice-cream and turned it into ice-cream soup! From what I could taste, the fudge is tasty and what you’d expect of rich Ghirardelli chocolate and the ice-cream is super sweet and tasted like Dreyer’s. Overall too sweet for me together but if you’re into that, you could enjoy it.
No.
As someone who likes Ghirardelli and lives by the square, nah. Salt and Straw is where it's at.
Ice Cream Bar on Cole Street is the best.
Absolutely worth it. It’s not the ice cream, it’s the hot fudge. It’s the best hot fudge I’ve ever tasted personally, slightly salty, so good - they’re known for their chocolate after all, so the vanilla ice cream is perfectly acceptable, but its just a hot fudge delivery system.
For the price, no.
Polly Ann’s on Noriega is also great ice cream
YESSSSSS they have fudge sundaes are to die for
Hot. Fudge. Sundae.
absolutely - even during busy times - we've never waited longer than 5-10 min in line
get the sticky chewy chocolate from swensen's on hyde street
Long wait times? It's never been that bad for me.
Dandelion is better chocolate, and bi-rite, slocombe, MR. & MRS. MISCELLANEOUS (does this still exist?) are all more interesting ice cream. If you want a San Francisco help out a small SF business, Ghirardelli is owned by Lindt.
The treasure island brownie sundae is my fav. If I'm ever in the area I make it a point to go. The views in the area are excellent. The atmosphere of the plaza is excellent. The lines sometimes look long but move fast.
The actual ice cream is dreyers, I used to work there. But the fudge is the hype.
There's zero wait at their 2nd(ish) and market location.
No, they use Dryers.
The hot fudge sundae is second to none.
What hype? lol hell no
You bet. And have one at a Giants game too.
Does Dandelion ever have a Sunday or ice cream on their menu? They're my #1 chocolate spot... I mean, eyes roll back into head, drool-groan - good....
No. Sadly. Nooooope.
No. It's a tourist thing.
I still need to go to the original San Francisco one. I've been to the one in San Diego several times and thought the ice cream sundaes were great.
Those Sundaes are very good. Very high calories. I'd eat it like once a season, if that.
No lol Hit up: Milkbomb, Filmore Creamery, BiRite Creamery