The 23 Best SF Restaurants for Large Groups, Sorted by ‘Hood

Face it, you’re no event planner, but then, sure enough, you always get stuck planning... an... event. Roommate’s birthday party, best friend’s engagement shindig, college friends dinner -- whatever it is, you now need to know where the hell to fit all these people. Well, this should help: here are 23 restaurants in SF that are all great for large groups. Commence the bookmarking.

Starbelly

The Castro
Why it’s good for groups: Depending on the event and size of your party, Starbelly can accommodate everything from a birthday to a wedding reception with semi-to-full use of the dining room and outdoor patio.
How to reserve: info@starbellysf.com

Grant Markey/Thrillist (edited)

Schroeder’s

FiDi
Why it’s good for groups: Whether you’re looking to block off a huge portion of the restaurant, or you just want to sit 20 buddies at a giant table for brats and huge beers, Schroeder’s has you covered in both instances because it has room for TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE PEOPLE.
How to reserve: The beer hall area is first come, first served, but if you want to book one of the curtained-off dining areas in the back, try contacting the resto online.

Courtesy of DOSA (edited)

Dosa

Fillmore
Why it’s good for groups: Whether you’re after a casual or formal experience, don’t let the one person in the group who’s never tried Indian food stop you from going to Dosa. The multipurpose space can easily fit 16 to 250 people.
How to reserve: groupevents@dosasf.com or by phone 415.819.3672

related

Courtesy of Espetus Churrascaria (edited)

Espetus Churrascaria

Hayes Valley
Why it’s good for groups: Something about Brazilian steakhouses lends itself nicely to large group outings. Depending on the size of the gathering, Espetus has several prix-fixe menus, including free reign of the buffet. And don’t worry, it doesn’t just have to be an endless meat parade, vegetarian options are available as well.
How to reserve: amanda@espetus.com or 415.552.8792
 

Suppenkuche

Hayes Valley
Why it’s good for groups: Communal tables (and German beer boots!) make getting a bunch of folks in easy if you get there early enough. As for reservations: Suppenkuche doesn’t even take reservations for parties smaller than six. Beifall!
How to reserve: 415.252.9289

Courtesy of Mamacita (edited)

Mamacita

The Marina/Cow Hollow
Why it’s good for groups: What the place lacks in square footage, it makes up for in communal table space, so call in advance and Mamacita help figure out the particulars.
How to reserve: 415.346.8494

Courtesy of Foreign Cinema (edited)

Foreign Cinema

The Mission
Why it’s good for groups: Dinner and a movie projected onto the alley wall of Foreign Cinema’s charming outdoor patio isn’t just popular for romantic dates, it’s perfect for fancying up a night out to dinner with a lot of friends, and it's got enough room that you don’t need to buy out the whole place or anything.
How to reserve: 415.648.7600 or OpenTable
 

Beretta

The Mission
Why it’s good for groups: When Beretta isn’t using the downstairs space to host special events like its cocktail classes, larger groups can take advantage of the extra dining room. But if you really like your privacy, invite 40 of your closest friends and you can have the whole thing, well... not have, but, like, borrow for the night.
How to reserve: Online
 

Loló

The Mission
Why it’s good for groups: The colorful, eclectic decor will keep your group busy when you’re not looking down, devouring the fantastic ceviche.
How to reserve: lolorestaurantsf@gmail.com
 

Gracias Madre

The Mission
Why it’s good for groups: When have you gone to Gracias Madre and not seen a large group going to town on some delicious vegan Mexican food?
How to reserve: 415.683.1346
 

West of Pecos

Mission
Why it’s good for groups: Well, first off, the place is MASSIVENORMOUS, which means it’s easy to get a giant table (especially in the Saddle Room to the left) without having to rent the whole place out. That said, if you DO want to rent it out, the Saddle Room seats 55 and stands 70 and you’ll only have to deal with a food/bev minimum (which you were gonna hit anyway). Also: guacamole!
How to reserve: Online, or if you wanna go big-time buyout style, via phone at 415.252.7000
 

Hawker Fare

Mission
Why it’s good for groups: Like West of Pecos, it’s HUGE. Like, my God, how much room does it have. What’s more, there’s actually even MORE room upstairs in the secret-ish bar Holy Mountain, making it a good start upstairs, move downstairs (or vice versa!) scenery changer. Bonus: Thai food is totally a great sharing food. Double bonus: it weirdly has bottle service!
How to reserve: Online, or give the place a ring at 415. 400.5699 if you want to go full-on Holy Mountain rent-out

Courtesy of Eden Room (edited)

The Eden Room at Park Tavern

North Beach
Why it’s good for groups: It's specifically designed for them. This cobalt-blue private dining space hidden away in the back of Park Tavern seats 50 and fits 80 if you're just doing stand-up drinking, plus it has its own wood-wrapped service bar.
How to reserve: privatedining@parktavernsf.com
 

E’ Tutto Qua

North Beach
Why it’s good for groups: If your group gets particularly loud, you’ll fit right in at this truly Italian-style restaurant.
How to reserve: 415.989.1002 (call before 4pm)
 

Don Pisto’s

North Beach
Why it’s good for groups: Sure, you can make a reservation for six or more, but did you know you can also rent out 1) a private dining room, 2) a shared space, or 3) the entire restaurant? Don Pisto’s will also create a special menu for groups of anywhere from 12-90. Cue the NBC knowledge rainbow!
How to reserve: stephanie@donpistos.com or 415.395.0939

Courtesy of Stones Throw (edited)

Stones Throw

Russian Hill
Why it’s good for groups: The dining room has a view of the open kitchen and wine cellar, and can tailor to a range of parties. But you don’t have to shut the place down to have good time, Stones Throw accepts reservations for any kind of (big) group.
How to reserve: tricci@stonesthrowsf.com or 415.796.2901

Daisy Barringer/Thrillist (edited)

Marlowe

SOMA
Why it’s good for groups: The weatherproof outdoor patio can accommodate up to 15 people so no matter what kind of day San Francisco is having, your party can enjoy a Marlowe burger without parkas.
How to reserve: events@marlowesf.com
 

The Cavalier

SOMA
Why it’s good for groups: The Cavalier is sorta like a beefed-up version of Marlowe -- the food and service is just as unparalleled, but there’s just a whole lot more room: you can book the Rail Car (seats 40), the Wine Stables (seats 26, plus it has its own sliding door that closes), or you can maybe even buy out the secret bar in back, Marianne’s.
How to reserve: events@thecavaliersf.com
 

Zero Zero

SOMA
Why it’s good for groups: Zero Zero offers three different pre-set menus for your lunch or dinner party to choose from, with an option for a boozy punch bowl to share. If you think you might need some extra room after all those arancini balls, the mezzanine is available to rent for a semi-private event as well.
How to reserve: events@zerozerosf.com
 

Local Kitchen

SOMA
Why it’s good for groups: Depending on whom you’re trying to impress, there are three glitzy rooms you can reserve: the VIP Room, Wine Cellar, or Oak Room. Each room allows you to create your own environment via iPad or iPhone, but only one has the dance floor and private bar. Hint: it’s not the VIP room.
How to reserve: info@sf-local.com

Courtesy of Chambers Eat + Drink (edited)

Chambers Eat + Drink

The Tenderloin
Why it’s good for groups: Because who doesn’t wanna take a group photo in front of its “Be Amazing” sign?? You can rent out the back room with the second bar, or post up poolside on the heated covered patio.
How to reserve: info@chambers-sf.com or by phone Tuesday-Sunday at 415.496.5178

Joe Starkey/Thrillist (edited)

Burritt Room + Tavern

Union Square
Why it’s good for groups: It’s the Russian nesting doll of restaurants for groups. Reserve the swanky Red Couch area for up to 25 people, the Red + Black Couch area for 45. And should the occasion arise, you can rent out the entire restaurant, with or without the bar.
How to reserve: Call 415.400.0555 or fill out the inquiry form on the restaurant’s website

Courtesy of Nopa (edited)

Nopa

Western Addition
Why it’s good for groups: You’ll have to make reservations two months in advance, but it’ll be worth it because its two-story floor plan makes it ideal for a big brunch or dinner.
How to reserve: Online if you just want a big table (you can book for as many as 20 diners), or info@nopasf.com if you wanna get in on some full-floor action.


Article and images sourced from https://www.thrillist.com/eat/san-francisco/the-23-best-restaurants-in-sf-for-large-groups?share=c

Beverly Hills Home With Trimmings Seeks $29 Million

The roughly 12,000-square-foot house has a movie theater and a bulletproof safe room

In Beverly Hills, an ornate European-style home is going on the market for $29 million.
Completed around 2007, the five-bedroom home measures about 12,000 square feet, according to real-estate agent Jeff Kohl of the Agency, who is listing the property with colleague Mauricio Umansky.

Many of the materials used to build the home were imported from Europe, Mr. Kohl said. The dining room has a custom Chinoiserie mural made in Paris. An antique French vanity was built into the powder room, and a hood for the kitchen range came from a château in France.


The house also has a temperature-controlled wine cave and tasting room, a mirrored gym and a movie theater. In a closet in the master bedroom, there is a bulletproof safe room with a separate emergency phone line and a monitor for security cameras, a refrigerator, microwave and even a coffee machine. A staff quarters has a kitchen and separate entrance.
The house has numerous archways leading out to the tennis court and pool, which is decorated with an elaborate design made from hand painted and gold-plated tiles, Mr. Kohl said. The garden has a marble fountain and well imported from Argentina.

The house is owned by the estate of Leonardo Berezovsky, a cardiologist and health care entrepreneur who was co-founder of AHI Healthcare Systems and former CEO of the healthcare information technology company AssistMed. Dr. Berezovsky purchased the roughly 1-acre site in the 1990s and rebuilt the house, Mr. Kohl said. Dr. Berezovsky died recently, and his estate is selling the property.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Releases 2015 Lineup Teaser

The organizers of San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival released a lineup teaser today with a music recording featuring clips from 10 of the upcoming weekend’s acts.  

The riddle is an invitation to music fans to test their smarts and start getting excited for the free event that draws nearly a million people to Golden Gate Park each year.  

You can listen to the recording on the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass site, and find the answers in the gallery below showcasing the artists in the order their musical clips are featured.  

The festival beloved by locals features 100 musical acts on seven stages at Hellman Hollow and Marx and Lindley meadows October 2 to 4. No tickets required.

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1) Paul Weller will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.  

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2) Boz Scaggs will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. 

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3) The Stones Foxes will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park 

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4) The Ben Miller Band will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. 

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5) Charles Bradley will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.  

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6) Monophonics will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.  

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7) Leftover Salmon will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.  

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• 8) The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
   
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9) Chicano Batman will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.  

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10) Pokey LaFarge will perform at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.   

Jordi Vidal / Redferns via Getty Images

Article and images sourced from http://blog.sfgate.com/hottopics/2015/08/17/hardly-strictly-bluegrass-releases-2015-lineup-teaser/?utm_content=buffer8a7aa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_campaign=buffer

AL’s Place in SF is the Best New Restaurant in America, According to Bon Appétit

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Start making those reservations, people.
First they nominated six restaurants in San Francisco to be on their Hot 10. Then they named San Francisco the best food city in the country. And finally, the news you’ve been waiting for: Bon Appétit has finalized their Hot 10, and AL’s Place in the Mission is the best new restaurant in all of America.

via AL's Place

Posted up on 1499 Valencia St, AL’s Place (the AL stands for Aaron London, the chef and owner) seats a modest forty-six and hosts three chefs; size aside, they are serving up highly innovative and flavorful takes on vegetable dishes — seriously, just check out the process for french fries.
Prior to operating his own restaurant, Aaron London was working at Ubuntu in Napa Valley where, according to Bon Appétit, “Under London, Ubuntu became the first vegetarian restaurant in America to win a coveted Michelin star.” I highly recommend reading Andrew Knowlton’s analysis of AL’s over at Bon Appétit — Aaron is truly an interesting character.

The izakaya Rintaro in the Mission also made it on list at #8, and you can check out the eight other restaurants in America that are on the Hot 10 here.

via AL's Place

Have you tried out AL’s or Rintaro yet?

[Featured Image: via AL's Place]

Article and images sourced from http://www.upout.com/blog/san-francisco-3/als-place-in-sf-is-the-best-new-restaurant-in-america-according-to-bon-appetit?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=UpOutSF&utm_campaign=freepost

Pacific Union’s July 2015 Real Estate Update

Inventory conditions remained tight across the Bay Area as the third quarter began, with the months’ supply of inventory (MSI) dropping or remaining flat from the previous month in the majority of Pacific Union’s regions. Meanwhile, all regions saw the median sales price increase from one year ago with the exception of condominiums in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee region.
Click on the image accompanying each of our regions below for an expanded look at local real estate activity in July.

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MARIN COUNTY

The median sales price in Marin County cooled just a bit from June to land at $1,056,000 in July. At 1.3, the MSI tied its one-year low.
Homes took an average of 38 days to sell — unchanged from June — with the average seller taking in 100.3 percent of the original price.
Defining Marin County: Our real estate markets in Marin County include the cities of Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes single-family homes in these communities.

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NAPA COUNTY

A slim supply of homes for sale helped push Napa County‘s median sales price up to $639,000 in July, a yearly high. At the same, the MSI fell to 2.2, the lowest level observed in the past 12 months.
Homes sold in an average 71 days, almost identical to the pace of sales in May and June. Sellers received 95.7 percent of asking prices, a bit less than they did in the preceding month.
Defining Napa County: Our real estate markets in Napa County include the cities of American Canyon, Angwin, Calistoga, Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Yountville. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes all single-family homes in Napa County.

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SAN FRANCISCO – SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

The MSI for single-family homes in San Francisco has been slowly dropping since the spring, closing July at 1.3. The median sales price tapered off slightly from June to $1.28 million, up 18 percent from one year ago.
Single-family homes in San Francisco continue to command sizable premiums, selling for 112.3 percent of original price. Buyers took an average 27 days to seal a deal, two days faster than in June.

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SAN FRANCISCO – CONDOMINIUMS

For the sixth straight month, the median sales price for a San Francisco condominium was north of the $1 million mark: $1,085,000 to be precise. At 1.3, the MSI rose a hair from the previous month and is in the same general range as it has been since the spring.
Condominiums in the city sold in an average 28 days in July, unchanged from June. Successful buyers paid 107 percent of asking prices, nearly identical to levels recorded one year earlier.

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SILICON VALLEY

With a July median sales price of $2.7 million, Silicon Valley remains the most expensive real estate market in which Pacific Union operates. For the third straight month, the MSI in the region was 1.2, tying a one-year low.
On average, homes sold in 20 days – two days faster than in June – and for 103.1 percent of asking prices.
Defining Silicon Valley: Our real estate markets in the Silicon Valley region include the cities and towns of Atherton, Los Altos (excluding county area), Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park (excluding east of U.S. 101), Palo Alto, Portola Valley, and Woodside. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes all single-family homes in these communities.
Mid-Peninsula Subregion
For the past few months, the median sales price in our Mid-Peninsula subregion has been climbing and reached $1,803,500 in July, a yearly peak. Inventory conditions remain exceptionally tight, with the 0.8 months’ supply unchanged from June.
Homes sold in exactly three weeks, one day longer than in the preceding month. Sellers received 105.7 percent of original prices, a bit less than they did earlier in the late spring and early summer.
Defining the Mid-Peninsula: Our real estate markets in the Mid-Peninsula subregion include the cities of Burlingame (excluding Ingold Millsdale Industrial Center), Hillsborough, and San Mateo (excluding the North Shoreview/Dore Cavanaugh area). Sales data in the adjoining chart includes all single-family homes in these communities.

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SONOMA COUNTY

At $545,000, the July median sales price in Sonoma County was essentially unchanged from the previous two months, dropping a mere $500 from June. The MSI shrank to 1.6, which ties one-year lows recorded last December.
The average Sonoma County buyer paid 97.8 percent of the original price, and properties sold in 60 days – both in line with numbers from last July.
Defining Sonoma County: Our real estate markets in Sonoma County include the cities of Cotati, Healdsburg, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Windsor. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes all single-family homes and farms and ranches in Sonoma County.

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SONOMA VALLEY

After several months of declines, the median sales price in our Sonoma Valley region rebounded in July, rising to $712,500. Buyers appeared to have a bit more negotiating room than in June, with the average home selling for 96.3 percent of the asking price.
Contrary to patterns observed across the rest of Bay Area, Sonoma Valley saw inventory upticks – albeit very slight ones – on both a monthly and yearly basis, with the MSI rising to 2.4. The pace of sales slowed dramatically from the previous month, with homes selling in an average 66 days in July.
Defining Sonoma Valley: Our real estate markets in Sonoma Valley include the cities of Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and Sonoma. Sales data in the adjoining chart refers to all residential properties – including single-family homes, condominiums, and farms and ranches – in these communities.

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LAKE TAHOE/TRUCKEE – SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

The median sales price for a single-family home in our Lake Tahoe/Truckee region increased for the second straight month to close July at $599,000. At 6.6, the MSI was up a tiny bit from June but down significantly from levels recorded last July.
Buyers paid 86.5 percent of original prices in July, netting the largest discounts in the past 12 months. Single-family homes sold in an average 84 days, considerably slower than in June.
Defining Tahoe/Truckee: Our real estate markets in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee region include the communities of Alpine Meadows, Donner Lake, Donner Summit, Lahontan, Martis Valley, North Shore Lake Tahoe, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, Tahoe Donner, Truckee, and the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes single-family homes in these communities.

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LAKE TAHOE/TRUCKEE – CONDOMINIUMS

After a brisk pace of sales in June, the condominium market in Lake Tahoe/Truckee slowed again in July, with properties taking an average 107 days to sell. July’s MSI was 8.8, nearly identical to what it was one year earlier.
The median sales price — $356,000 — was down on both a monthly and annual basis, with condominiums selling for 95.9 percent of asking prices.
Defining Tahoe/Truckee: Our real estate markets in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee region include the communities of Alpine Meadows, Donner Lake, Donner Summit, Lahontan, Martis Valley, North Shore Lake Tahoe, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, Tahoe Donner, Truckee, and the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Sales data in the adjoining chart includes condominiums in these communities.

Article and images sourced from http://blog.pacificunion.com/pacific-unions-july-2015-real-estate-update/

American Cancer Society Bark For Life: A Canine Event To Fight Cancer

Bark For Life of San Francisco Event Date: Saturday, August 22, 2015 Event Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Event Location: Hellman Hollow 750 John F Kennedy Dr Contact:  Daniel Schneider at daniel.schneider@cancer.org

	Opening Ceremony The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy event kickoff to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to inspire hope by sharing recent accomplishments and progress, and to remind everyone that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority.
	The Walk - Full 5k or Short Loop Your choice of walks in Golden Gate Park. A full 5k lap around out to the Polo Fields and back, or a short loop on the classic 1 mile course. Both are beautiful, and start and finish at the same location!
	Canine Activities and Contests After the walk is when the fun really begins, with music, a silent auction, fun canine games like musical sit, stupid pet tricks, a costume contest, and demonstration by the SFPD K-9 unit, Vader's World flying disc dog, and an agility challenge.
	Fight Back The Fight Back Ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment we each make to the fight against cancer. The action we take represents what we are willing to do for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our community to fight cancer year-round and to commit to saving lives.
	Closing Ceremony The Closing Ceremony is a time to remember the lives of those lost and to celebrate that each of us has committed, through our participation in a Relay event, to fight back against this disease over the next year. Article and images sourced from http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/BFLCY15CA?sid=128433&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=67870

13 of San Francisco's Essential Ice Cream Shops

 

It may not always be ideal ice cream weather, but that's never stopped San Franciscans from snaking a line down the block for some of the sweet stuff. You already know Bi-Rite and Humphry Slocombe are guaranteed to give you a good frozen fix, but here are some of the city's best options for ice cream when the mood for a scoop strikes.

1 Bi-Rite Creamery

Small-batch, seasonal, hand-made, local, etc. ice cream is the calling card at San Francisco’s arguably most popular scoop shop. Lines usually snake out the door and down the block with people waiting for tastes of salted caramel and balsamic strawberry, two of Bi-Rite’s most popular flavors, or the more unusual options like basil and honey lavender. Pro-tip: fans of soft-serve can usually forego some of the wait time at their soft-serve and baked goods window, just past the main scoop shop. [Photo: Facebook]

3692 18th St

San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit website

(415) 626-5600 

2 CREAM

Expect to wait in line for Berkeley-based CREAM’s (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) mix-and-match ice cream sandwiches that have proved exceedingly popular with the Cal student set. The endless options allow ice cream sandwich fiends to build the ideal sandwich from a large selection of cookies (there are vegan and gluten-free flavors, plus more unusual variations like turtle, M&M and cappuccino) and ice creams (green tea, cinnamon, and the highly meta cookie dough). Check out their full list of locations around the Bay Area here. [Photo: CREAM]

6300 College Ave

Oakland, CA 94618

Visit website

(510) 601-1317

3 Fentons Creamery & Restaurant

It doesn’t get more iconic than family-owned Fentons, which opened in 1894 and has been scooping up old-fashioned favorites such as toasted almond in its famous Black & Tan sundae ever since. Bonus: Fentons knows ice cream is often best after a burger, which you can order here, too. [Photo: Facebook]

4226 Piedmont Ave

Oakland, CA 94611

Visit website

(510) 658-7000

4 Humphry Slocombe

Get your weird on with experimental flavors at this crazy popular Mission ice cream destination (with an outpost in the Ferry Building, too). The most-talked-about flavor is Secret Breakfast, made with vanilla, cornflake cookies and Jim Beam bourbon, but there’s no shortage of wacky options such as prosciutto, cheese, mushrooms and foie gras from evil ice cream genius Jake Godby. [Photo: Humphry Slocombe]

2790 Harrison St

San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit website

(415) 550-6971

5 Ici Ice Cream

If you’re feeling fancy, Ici in Berkeley is most definitely the place for you. Handmade cones and unique flavors like saffron rose and orange rosemary toffee by former Chez Panisse pastry chef Mary Canales are a labor of love, absolutely delicious — and priced accordingly. [Photo: Yelp]

2948 College Ave

Berkeley, CA 94705

Visit website

(510) 665-6054

6 Joe's Ice Cream

This no-frills classic scoop shop doesn't pull any punches, offering Americana standards such as root beer swirl and rum raisin, or more unconventional flavors like wasabi and chai tea. One thing’s for sure: it’s still serving up ice cream straight from your SF childhood — even after a 2010 move across the street. [Photo: Yelp]

 

 

5420 Geary Blvd

San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit website

(415) 751-1950

7 Mitchell's Ice Cream

Mitchell’s opened in Bernal Heights way back in 1953 and has been inspiring lines of fans ever since. The classic shop is known for its authentic Mexican (horchata, Mexican chocolate), Peruvian (yucuma) and Filipino (two types of coconut) options. [Photo: Facebook]

688 San Jose Ave

San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit website

(415) 648-2300 

 

 

 

8 Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous

If it’s gourmet ice cream you desire, look no further than this daily-changing option from Wolfgang Puck Spago alums (and husband and wife team) Ian Flores and Annabelle Topacio. Flavors like mango chili lime, chocolate chicory coffee and candied violet will satisfy your higher-end needs, though there’s no shame in going classic with plain old vanilla bean, too. [Photo: Yelp

699 22nd St

San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit website

(415) 970-0750

9 Polly Ann Ice Cream

Have flavor fatigue? Leave your fate in the hands of Polly Ann, where you can spin the wheel and let it decide which of the over 500 rotating flavors you’ll be trying today. The shop, which has been open since the 1950s, often has Asian flavors like durian, lychee and jasmine on display, as well as favorites like rocky road and mint chocolate chip. [Photo: Yelp]

3138 Noriega St

San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit website

(415) 664-2472

10 Smitten Ice Cream

If the excitement of dining at a chef’s counter is your idea of a good time, head to Smitten where the ice cream is made at all locations in front of you in about 90 seconds, using liquid nitrogen for a smoother, denser cream. Owner Robyn Sue Fisher created and patented the machine herself, which churns out everyday local flavors like Blue Bottle espresso and TCHO 60.5 percent chocolate as well as seasonal options such as sweet corn with berries and rhubarb crisp. [Photo: Smitten]

432 Octavia St #1A

San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit website

(415) 863-1518 

 

 

11 Swensen's Ice Cream

It’s all old-school all the time at this Russian Hill ice cream parlor — which has since gone international — scooping up standbys such as sticky chewy chocolate and Turkish coffee, plus turning them into massive classic sundaes, too. [Photo: Yelp]

1999 Hyde St

San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit website

(415) 775-6818

 

 

12 The Ice Cream Bar Soda Fountain

Head back in time at this classic 1930s-inspired soda fountain shop serving up vintage phosphates, lactarts, malts, plus boozy milkshakes, ice cream soda floats and ice cream sandwiches in vegan options, too. There’s another location headed to the Castro in the near future, so be ready for more maple syrup or chicory coffee ice cream shakes. [Photo: Flickr]

815 Cole St

San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit website

(415) 742-4932

 

 

13 Three Twins Ice Cream

Yes, you can grab a pint of Three Twins at the grocery store, but this ice cream shop got its start (and expanded) in nearby San Rafael. Now its SF location is scooping up flavors with inventive, cheeky names like Bear Bait (a Gay Pride special of vanilla with muffin top chunks) along with more staid options such as lemon cookie and cardamom. [Photo: Yelp]

254 Fillmore St

San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit website

(415) 487-8946