The Scoop - The Best Ice Cream in San Francisco

Bi-Rite churns out popular classics (e.g., chocolate; vanilla; mint chip) and modernized blends (e.g., creme fraiche; Ricanelas (cinnamon ice cream with snickerdoodles); Ritual Coffee Toffee). Other frozen treats include popsicles and sorbet (the Concord grape ones, the Creamery says, are made with grapes grown on its Sonoma farm). Bi-Rite benefits from its handy location next to Dolores Park, which means the line often stretches around the corner. If it's unbearably hot, try the window next door, which serves two different soft-serve varieties each day (e.g., salted caramel; spicy Mexican chocolate); the line is much shorter. Most popular ice cream flavors: Salted caramel and honey lavender.

At 3692 18th St.; (415) 626-5600.

Some of the conventional ice cream varieties, such as bubblegum (called "Star Wars" here) and strawberry cheesecake, have alarming colors not known to nature. That's all the more reason to pick the house specialties that use saffron, ginger, cashews, mango, chai and other Indian cuisine staples. Cardamom rose, pistachio almond, and chiku (a tan-colored tropical fruit) are popular flavors. You can also order samosas and shop for spices, lentils, incense and other imported goods from India.

At 245 South Van Ness Ave.; (415) 864-2193

Wince or groan at its strawberry black olive or Government Cheese ice cream, but since opening in December 2008, Humphry Slocombe has amassed a crowd of followers (a reported 300,000 of the Twitter kind). Have the No. 1 hit, Secret Breakfast (bourbon and cornflakes), with the Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee, and your morning's set. 

The creations reflect the co-owners’ subversive palettes and political leanings (I Have a Dreamcicle; Harvey Milk & Honey Graham). A dozen flavors are served at any one time, but if you're with unexperimental eaters, check beforehand—chocolate or Tahitian vanilla may not be among them.

At 2790 Harrison St.; (415) 550-6971.

Two Mitchell brothers started the store in 1953; today, it’s still in its original location and still owned and run by the family. The menu at the San Francisco institution is a mix of good ol’ standbys (e.g., orange sherbet; rocky road; mocha fudge), exotic tropicals (Lilikoi Mango Swirl; jackfruit; baby coconut; sweet coconut) and south-of-the-border inspirations (Mexican chocolate; dulce de leche). Seasonal offerings include Irish coffee, pumpkin and eggnog. Most popular: Mango, ube (purple yam), vanilla.

At 688 San Jose Ave. (& 29^th St.); (415) 648-2300.

Smitten's scoops are individually made-to-order in front of your very eyes. Patented machines whisk the cream and other ingredients and quick-freeze them with liquid nitrogen, churning out ultra-smooth ice cream in about a minute.

Vanilla and Tcho dark chocolate are offered daily, along with two other flavors such as white nectarine, salted caramel and quince with nut streusel. Instead of waffle cones, Smitten bakes its own pizelle cones, which taste similar to butter cookies.

At 432 Octavia St. (at Linden); (415) 863-1518.

After opening stores in San Rafael and Napa, Three Twins set up shop in San Francisco in 2009. The compact, cheery, dairy-themed space in the Lower Haight serves eight selections each day, including one sorbet and one made of rice or soy milk. There are classics with upscale or gourmet touches (Madagascar vanilla; bittersweet chocolate; milk coffee), and Three Twins’ own blends, such as Cookie Jar (vanilla with three kinds of cookies), Strawberry Je Ne Sais Quoi (strawberry laced with balsamic vinegar), and Dad’s Cardamom (heavenly if you love cardamom). The crowd favorite, Lemon Cookie, is more sweet than sour. 

At 254 Fillmore St.; (415) ITS-TWIN.