The Bottom Line
Bi-Rite Creamery was an awaited event in San Francisco, with residents anxious to sample the creamery/bakery offspring of the Bi-Rite Market on 18th. Like the market, the creamery focuses on local, organic ingredients and mixes them into some unusual and delicious ice cream flavors.
Pros
- Flavorful, rich ice cream
- Unusual varieties like "salted caramel"
- Across from Dolores Park
Cons
- Lines out the door at times
- Parking in the Mission, if you drive
Description
- 3692 18th Street (at Dolores)
San Francisco CA 94110
Telephone: (415) 626-5600
BART Station: 16th Street
Muni Station: Church & 18th (J-Church Line)- Muni Bus Routes
- #26 Valencia
- #33 Stanyan
- #14 Mission
- #49 Van Ness-Mission
- Trip Planners
Guide Review - Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop
Bi-Rite is small, which accounts for the line you may see out the door. Service is friendly, but there are only so many samples, cones and cups they can dish up at any given time. On sunny days, with Dolores Park in view, expect to queue up and salivate.
The flavors might sound nouveau – roasted banana and honey lavender -- but when it comes down to the spoonful, it just tastes good. The coffee toffee has huge bits of toffee dispersed through the cream. The lemon is silky. If you know the salted caramels of France, you’ll appreciate Bi-Rite's version of salted caramel ice cream.
Bi-Rite does not have the selection of sorbets you'll find at some other ice cream or gelato places. On one visit, there were no sorbet selections, which was a mild disappointment.
Wherever possible, Bi-Rite uses organic ingredients, and its packaging is compostable. They have a few stools at the counter inside, and quite a bit of bench seating outside the shop.
2007 - Items, prices and events are subject to change. Always check with the venue directly for current information.