Loving Cup

5

170

816

2 months ago

Solid fat-free froyo spot. Love that they actually churn in the toppings with the soft serve (save for the syrupy toppings), making the finished product easy to consume! Enjoyed the "crunchy cereal" flavor--would probably have liked it more if I subbed vanilla for chocolate. I think most of their menu combo flavors all sound pretty bomb. The yogurt itself does taste fat-free, to my younger sisters' dismay. I was fine with it, but it may not be as suitable for palettes that aren't necessarily into "healthier" alternatives. Overall, I had a good experience. Really appreciated the clean and accessible restroom. I would come back if a friend wanted to try this place (: read more

Loving Cup - Crunchy cereal - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Sizes - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Vanilla swirled with mango and strawberry - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

S.J. D.

3

173

38

3 months ago

Lovingcup is actually one of my favorite places in the world. I don't know of any other spot in SF that uses the same build-your-own concept. Try: health bar, vanilla yogurt base, chocolate chips. My fav read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jessie H.

20

373

873

5 hours ago

Good flavors but not a fan of the consistency. Its almost soft serve but not quite. They have something good to offer here but its bot a place I would return to over and over. I only tried the ice cream and non dairy ice cream. read more

Loving Cup - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Dawson L.

0

6

16 days ago

Smooth creamy ice cream with a nice color. The ice cream was mixed but you could still taste the flavors of the items mixed in. Did not try the pizza. read more

Loving Cup - Pleasing to the eye and flavorful - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jed O.

20

155

495

6 months ago

Fun ice cream shop to go post-dinner. Staff were very kind and service was very fast! 4/5 - Cookie Monster. Surprisingly it didn't taste too sweet despite visually having many blended crushed Oreos and cookie dough. This felt very filling and wasn't too sweet. I enjoyed the texture change between the oreo and cookie dough. 4/5 - Salty Dog. Tasted sweet as expected from the salted caramel but was balanced well with the smooth vanilla ice cream base. The caramel topping could be a bit overwhelming so I would recommend scoops to have a generous portion of the vanilla base. Pretzels were blended into the ice cream so there won't be too much crunch. 4.5/5 - Strawberry Shortcake. Blended quite well and will definitely give you the fix for a strawberry shortcake craving for ice cream! Animal crackers were also blended into the ice cream so you won't taste too much of a crunch but a nice variation of sweetness with the strawberry. read more

Loving Cup - salty dog - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - strawberry shortcake - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Cookie Monster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Zoe G.

2

157

367

4 months ago

This is my favorite guilt free sweet treat. Cute but small interior and well priced. I love how they blend your toppings into the yogurt so you get the perfect bite every time. My favorite combo is strawberry and pretzels but anything chocolate mint and or peanut butter is good too. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jen T.

16

107

152

9 months ago

Cutest most convenient little froyo + pizza joint on Divis! This is the goto spot for my friends and I for a late night sweet treat or post-pilates quick bite. Blueberry dream (9/10): looved the fresh, refreshing blueberry flavor and texture from the coconut flakes. Power cup - chocolate, almond butter, and banana (10/10): Sooo good and indulgent. It barely tastes like froyo. This absolutely hits if you're craving chocolate and a decadent sweet treat. The addition of almond butter lends a fudgey texture - think the chocolate cake from Matilda. The pizza here is also decent for the cheap price. It wasn't mind blowing and the crust wasn't as crispy as I'd like, but again, it was an entire pie for ten bucks. Service is always super fast and friendly. Will be coming back again and again! read more

Loving Cup - blueberry dream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - power cup - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sarah C.

18

1098

2539

5 months ago

ordered for pickup and everything was still nice and cold and creamy. I got the lone wolf ($6) as chocolate and the crunchy cereal ($6) as vanilla, and liked the chocolate a lot more than the vanilla. the chocolate was stretchy and creamy and tasted more like ice cream which was nice. the vanilla was obviously yogurt but it was also kind of bland and icier. I loved the mix-ins though, especially the crunchy ones read more

Loving Cup - lone wolf, crunchy cereal - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Steph C.

72

489

932

9 months ago

SF summer calls for ice cream/froyo/something cold. The ice/snow place I frequent wasn't open today so I came here. Ordered a matcha vanilla and it didn't have any matcha flavor and the froyo was too icy for my preference with a sweet aftertaste from the vanilla base. There are two flavors that serve as base - vanilla and chocolate. Toppings and flavors are layered on top of that so no tastings as it's made to order. Recommend trying the bases though before ordering or ask staff what is popular. Not my jam but may be yours. read more

Loving Cup - matcha vanilla - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Caili C.

200

1208

3014

10 months ago

My friend recommended this spot for froyo after we had dinner nearby. She was specifically craving cookies and cream ice cream and ended up getting the monster cookie froyo with oreo and cookie dough blended in. The add-ins are blended into the froyo, giving it a nice texture and sweetness without being too sweet. I do think I'd prefer other froyo spots that are more tart as the non-fat frozen yogurt doesn't have much creaminess and tasted pretty icy. I opted to try the rice pudding with toasted coconut. This was good and really creamy but I thought some additional flavor would have boosted it to more than rice pudding you could get from any market. read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Caly T.

18

209

524

10 months ago

Enjoyable sweet treat without the guilt! The froyo is light and icier texture than traditional froyo. I like that the two topping mix-in is customizable. I got the vanilla base with oreo and crunchy cereal mix-in. It was satisfying and tasted like a mcflurry! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Linda Y.

62

294

722

10 months ago

A solid froyo option for when you want a light sweet treat in NoPa. My favorites are the salty dog and peanut butter flavors (the one pictured below is strawberry shortcake). I agree with whoever below that the texture of this froyo is more icy than creamy, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. They usually aren't too busy, but this location doesn't really have seating so you'll need to take your froyo out for a little walk or hang outside. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sophia S.

0

15

17

2 months ago

Very good! It was so thick we almost didn't believe it was yogurt. Staff was very nice. read more

Loving Cup - Vanilla and chocolate frozen yogurt - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Susan C.

293

835

1642

8 months ago

Loved this spot! We just are dinner at Bar Crudo across the street and we were looking for a dessert spot. It's a well lit and fun space. They have both pizzas and froyo. The guy running the counter was very nice. They don't do samples because all the flavors are mixed in. I still think they can do samples... We had the large Butterfinger $8. It's vanilla froyo with peanut butter and Heath bar bits. So so good! Can't wait to go back! I want to try Mocha Chip next time! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ike S.

18

49

102

1 year ago

The fro-yo looks better than this pic! It was so good I started eating before I remembered camera eats first. I got the chocolate with brownie and strawberry. Would definitely come again but I would only recommend it if you enjoy the specific (healthyish) taste of probiotic fro-yo. The staff is lovely and it's in a beautiful area to walk around while you eat. read more

Loving Cup - Chocolate with brownie and strawberry - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Erica W.

562

462

103

1 year ago

5 stars for the soft serve!!! But minus the overcharge of tax (I think it's supposed to be 8.625% not 9.25%. Also, whilst one guy was super nice, one guy is not particularly friendly or cheerful. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Dianna P.

10

219

248

2 years ago

Right next to the Emporium, it's a perfect stop for a sweet treat! The shop itself is a bit tiny with roughly 4 bar seats facing the window, so not quite a place to hang out and eat but nice to stop by and grab some frozen yogurt swirls and walk around. I actually wasn't sure what to expect with this concept-they have signature mixes that combine a few different popular flavors and what I wasn't clear on were whether these were toppings or layered or etc. So what you do get are those flavors all blended into a swirly frozen yogurt - and it works really well! My husband's blend had oreos and nutella blended in while mine had peanut butter and bananas blended in, both combinations were very yummt! read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Dianna, for your kind review! it means a lot to us, and we…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jimmy C.

193

722

4692

1 year ago

It's been awhile since I set my presence in the heart of Alamo Square. Several years ago, I had been to the café at the corner of Divisadero and McAllister for the first sip of kava, which was down-to-earth amazing. So this time, I go to many other places, which was not uncommon. This, I settled for a cup of matcha/vanilla soft serve. What's awesome about it was that every soft serve I ordered was absolutely probiotic! Compared to authentic Uji matcha green tea soft serve that's blended with milk and vanilla, this one's very light in color when swirled in one. Not bad when it tasted different in probiotic form. Love a knowledgeable guy who runs his business alone. I'm sure to visit the same nifty hole-in-the-wall for another soft serve instead of a full dish size pizza in a handheld box. (⁠^⁠^⁠) read more

Loving Cup - Boy! Look at that color! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Pamela S.

0

55

4

4 months ago

So pleased with the wonderful customer service. Really nice team. Nick is friendly, extremely polite, efficient, builds customer relationships and provides an excellent product every time. I strongly recommend banana base if looking to stay away from the vanilla and chocolate. Very clean. A few seats placed so you can either chat with your friends or watch the view on Divisadero. It is not inexpensive, so be sure to enroll in the reward program. It is free and only uses my phone number. A definite bonus is it sends a text immediately every time I make a purchase. No delays so easy to always know your status towards a reward. In my ten years of coming to LC, I have never had the rice pudding or pizza. I have seen the pizzas and they look great. They are perfect for one or two people. They have a gluten free option. I recommend you try Living Cup. Enjoy! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Lizey N.

11

175

409

11 months ago

I did not know this was froyo hahah but it was super delicious and sweet. I got the monster cookie with Oreo and cookie dough and everything was perfectly blended with tiny chunky bits. I loved the creaminess of the froyo and texture/taste of the Oreos and cookie dough. My friends got the cereal one and it was super sweet and tasteful. Loved all the unique combinations of flavors and definitely satisfied my sweet tooth craving. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christine M.

9

158

196

1 year ago

Tiny froyo shop if you're on the go. I got the brownie obssessed - which was chocolate froyo with brownies mixed in. Rich and creamy texture, brownies added that extra crunch. It was good, i would visit again. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jenny W.

34

1569

133

2 years ago

Pretty creamy froyo, although pricy for what it is. I got the matcha and I like that it didn't skimp on the matcha flavor. A good option for something sweet that doesn't feel as unhealthy. Only bummer is they aren't open late, so unless you have an early dinner, you can't have it as a post dinner dessert option. read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Jenny, for sharing your experience. We really appreciate…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jenny X.

1215

1245

3798

2 years ago

Came here and then went to the Emporium afterward to eat the froyo. Good: - The large size is perfect for sharing - Nice staff and you get your order super fast - The lone wolf flavor was great, and I liked how it had some crunchy things inside - Really cute clean interior Bad: - Not much seating inside Overall would come back! The dessert hit the spot. read more

See all

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Jenny! We glad to hear you enjoyed the experience. Best.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Maya R.

23

90

323

2 years ago

The thin mint is a 10000/10! This is by far my favorite spot for dessert when I want something quick. Their flavors are pretty customizable and they mix it right in front of you. The large is the perfect size for two people to split if you're already stuffed from dinner but want a sweet treat :). read more

Loving Cup - THIN MINT - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Maya! we appreciate your feedback and support. Best.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sarah C.

7

117

156

2 years ago

I really enjoy the Oreo loving cup and now that they have pizza I thought I'd give it a try. It's very thin and solid for the price. Only complaint is that they folded it and then the cheese got stuck and became one ball of cheese... also it's a little weird to eat ice cream when the whole place smells strongly of pizza. read more

Loving Cup - Pizza - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

amy T.

54

406

805

1 year ago

This was delicious. We got soft serve fro yo with flavors mixed in. I had the chocolate with peanut butter and espresso and my friend had chocolate with strawberries. They do not do toppings. They blend it in. So good! A small is $6.00. There's not really a place to sit so you'll need to walk out but it's yummy still. If there was a place to sit I'd give it another star. Oh, and they have pizza that smelled very good. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alisa K.

128

267

678

1 year ago

Got the kids scoop which was $5 and a decent size. You can choose one of the popular premade yogurts or create your own with a vanilla or chocolate base and 2 free mix ins. They have a good variety of mix ins. I got the chocolate with almond butter and espresso. Didn't really like the chocolate flavor. It had a good creamy texture but it tasted very artificial read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Greg F.

0

22

0

5 months ago

Twice I ordered vanilla through Door Dash. Twice I get chocolate. I hate chocolate. How hard is it to make sure the order is correct?

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Amity H.

131

181

732

2 years ago

Was craving something sweet so decided to stop by. Butterfinger: 4.5/5 The frozen yogurt was super soft, almost kind of melty. I feel like it was more frozen solid in my previous visits but nonetheless, this one was still delicious! My absolute favorite is the peanut butter cup, give that a try! read more

Loving Cup - BUTTER FINGER - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Amity, for your feedback. Best.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Katherine H.

0

148

285

1 year ago

Loving cup is the best ice cream in this neighborhood. It's blended with the toppings to create custom flavors. It's a small shop with usually no line. read more

Loving Cup - Menu for frozen yogurt - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Andrew N.

775

584

1794

2 years ago

Stumbled upon this place on Divisadero and I heard this place is pretty good. The shop specializes in frozen yogurt and they have the option for you to create your own too, but we decided to get a set one. Butterfinger (5/5): this frozen yogurt was perfectly balanced. Not too much of anything. Perfect amount of butterfinger and the texture of the cream was very delicate. read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Andrew! We appreciate your feedback and support!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Emily H.

190

194

153

2 years ago

I thought it was a decent cup of frozen yogurt. I got a medium vanilla with Nutella and cereal mix ins. $7.45 - kinda pricey in myyyy opinion Not much flavor honestly and kind of icey. I prefer normal self serve fro yo :) read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Emily, for your feedback. hope to see you soon. best.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Melissa C.

24

223

554

2 years ago

Stopped by for dessert after eating dinner nearby and I really enjoyed the thin mint froyo! Although a bit more expensive, the flavor is great and a nice balance of soft/creamy and thick. I got a small and it was more than enough for me. The service was quick, but not much seating inside the place. You can also customize your own flavor or get one of their set flavors. Great for a quick dessert stop! read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Melissa. glad to hear you enjoyed the experience. best

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Caitlin A.

1

126

112

8 months ago

such good frozen yogurt!! it didn't hurt my stomach and you can tell how fresh and homemade the caramel sauce is! the salty dog was a perfect salty and sweet combo. i will most definitely be coming back for more, i am obsessed read more

Loving Cup - salty dog and dirty hipster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ed U.

5000

8052

72010

3 years ago

I'm not sure why my last couple of visits to this shop have been on the 'meh' side. I don't think it's the staff's fault because they're quite conscientious how they prepare the serving cups and generous on how much extra froyo they provide when they top it off. I have really liked their rice pudding a lot... But the froyo menu is so dominant I forget they have it. By default, I tend to order a small $5.83 cup like the Peanut Butter Cup with peanut butter and chocolate chips (photo: https://bit.ly/3JYnDq0). It was frustratingly melty as I wanted to enjoy it at Alamo Square, but it was dripping over my fingers by the time I got there. Today I just tried the Strawberry Shortcake with strawberries and animal crackers but decided to eat it in the shop this time (photo: https://bit.ly/3K2GDno). It was strangely bland with little evidence of the featured ingredients. Just too granulated, I think. I just need to remind myself about the rice pudding next time. FROYO - 3 stars...sometimes melty, sometimes just bland AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...compact space with just three seats at the window counter SERVICE - 4 stars...usually quite attentive TOTAL - 3 stars...remember the rice pudding RELATED - Exploring NoPa? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2uMQ82p read more

Loving Cup - Montage of images from Loving Cup - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Why I keep forgetting they have rice pudding.. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Order counter - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Front of the shop - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Prices for cup sizes - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Strawberry Shortcake Froyo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loving Cup - Peanut Butter Cup Froyo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Helpful 16

Thanks 0

Love this 12

Oh no 0

Gustavo G.

0

16

0

8 months ago

Came here with my partner for some froyo. I got the vanilla with oreo mix-in and it was completely flavorless and bland. My partner got what I believe was a peanut butter cup and also complained of no flavor. Would not recommend. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Megan L.

131

564

1440

3 years ago

Stumbled in spontaneously and grabbed a small Non-dairy Oatmilk Vanilla with matcha, espresso, and pistachios mixed in ($5.83 + $0.75 extra). Keep in mind this is frozen yogurt, so don't expect it to be creamy and sweet like ice cream. I was disappointed with mine bc I thought I had ordered a matcha flavored base. It tasted like frozen, watered down oatmilk. Pistachios saved it with its nuttiness. (6/10) The toppings are key to adding texture and sweetness! read more

Loving Cup - Non-dairy Oatmilk Vanilla with matcha, espresso, and pistachios mixed in ($5.83 + $0.75 extra) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Francisco, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Mel L.

16

190

206

1 year ago

I found this place one day as it randomly was pouring and needed to get somewhere fast! I was delighted to find that it was a pizza joint but hesitant they didn't sell slices. I ordered the bbq chicken and it was pretty good. I mostly enjoyed the quick and friendly service. The mango froyo was ok too read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kayla P.

4

215

18

2 years ago

This place looked and sounded really good so we stopped in to kill time. We tried the dirty hipster which was only okay. I love frozen yogurt so I thought I would really enjoy it but the texture was similar to soft serve ice cream because it was very soft and thin. The place is also very small so there are only 4 seats at a counter. Service is pretty friendly though and the pizza looked really good we just were just too full read more

Business owner information

Federica C.

Thank you, Kayla, for your kind words. we hope to see you again. Best.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Gabriel L.

0

2

0

11 months ago

Really good spot for ice cream! The flavors taste fresh and homemade, and the pistachio and mango were amazing. The place is clean and the staff was friendly -- just a bit slow because it was busy. Definitely worth coming back! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Page 1 of 5

See more reviews

More info about Loving Cup

608 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117
Alamo Square
Directions
(415) 701-0091
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.lovingcup.com/swirl-shops/

Hours

What time does Loving Cup open?

Loving Cup opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Loving Cup close?

Loving Cup closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Loving Cup take credit cards?

Yes, Loving Cup takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Loving Cup have a drive thru?

No, Loving Cup does not have a drive thru.

Indoor Amenities

Does Loving Cup allow dogs?

Yes, Loving Cup allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Loving Cup have bike parking?

Yes, Loving Cup has bike parking.

Does Loving Cup have parking?

Yes, Loving Cup has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Loving Cup have free WiFi?

No, Loving Cup does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

You might also consider

Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Fantastic charming LITTLE spot…read more Come support and get a treat for yourself! Ice cream or eats Love the prices

Loved coming to Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream on my way back from work during my stay in San…read moreFrancisco! I was always greeted by Tom, the owner, and our conversations made my day each time. You can really feel how much he cares about the shop and the people who come in. There are plenty of flavors to choose from, and Tom is incredibly generous with the size of the scoops. It's also only $5, which is so affordable compared to many other ice cream shops nowadays. Just a heads up that it's cash only, so make sure to come prepared. More than anything, what keeps me coming back is the warm, welcoming atmosphere Tom creates. He's always friendly, happy to chat, and makes every visit feel personal. Little neighborhood spots like this are getting harder to find, and Miyako is truly special because of him. I'll always make time to stop by whenever I'm in the city!

Split cup of green tea ice cream and coconut ice cream.

9/21/23

See all

Matcha Cafe Maiko

If you're craving Japanese soft serve in SF, Matcha Café Maiko has everything from matcha, hojicha…read moreto black sesame and mixed creations. Their standout dessert is the Maiko Special Soft Serve layered with mochi balls, chestnut, matcha cake, adzuki beans, cornflakes, agar jelly, kuromitsu, and syrup drizzle. And if you want something over the top, try The Golden Sho-Gun, a 24k gold-covered soft serve that's as photogenic as it is indulgent. There are two locations in SF, one in Japantown and one in Chinatown to get your sweet fix!

At the lower level in Japantown adjacent to a beauty salon is Matcha Cafe Maiko. It's really a…read morepick-up-and-go place. I ordered a matcha and milk swirl soft serve in a cup. Their matcha flavor is very strong but their milk flavor isn't as good as what's available upstairs. Still, they have other offerings and I look forward to trying other things!

Matcha strawberry mix and vanilla

Soft Serve

See all

Greentea swirl with boba

Uji Time Dessert

Matcha/sesame: Great combo of soft serve to end the night…read more Nuttiness of the sesame with the bitterness of matcha. Both are not sweet. Ordering is on the kiosk, comes out in less than 5 minutes. Well lit interior space with 2 staff members working. Utensils are self service. Seating is available across from the store.

I had been looking forward to coming back here for a while, but this recent visit was a total…read moredisappointment. The shop is always packed, but they have completely eliminated customer service by forcing everyone to order through a kiosk. Worse, the soft serve isn't as good as it used to be. The matcha flavor was incredibly weak, and the black sesame was way too grainy, weak and lacked any depth. The biggest issue was a major hygiene and professionalism fail. Despite using order numbers, the employee at the counter ignored them and handed my ice cream to two other customers. When they realized the mistake and said it wasn't theirs, the employee just took the ice cream back and handed it right to me--with zero apology. Passing along food that other people have already handled is completely unhygienic. Japantown has way too many amazing dessert spots to waste your time and money here. I won't be back.

Black sesame + matcha taiyaki soft serve

Ube with sprinkles

See all

Taiyaki - $8.75 each.

Belly Good Cafe & Crepes

I LOVED my crepe!! It had the most adorable face made out of chocolate chips, marshmallows, and a…read morepretzel. I got the #2: green tea ice cream, red bean, whipped creme, and strawberries. I highly recommend. The service was fast and attentive to my indecisiveness and helped me choose. It's inside west side mall of Japan town, right across from mini stores. It's hard to miss since it's all decorated. I hope you try it!

I was stuffed after dinner, but as we all know, dessert goes into a completely different stomach!…read more Another bonus was that there was no line when I arrived, so I quickly decided on the Daifuku Special. It came with a matcha-flavored crepe, matcha ice cream, caramel sauce, and, best of all, daifuku. I opted to skip the bananas since I wasn't really in the mood for fruit with my dessert. I just wish the crepe skin itself was a bit crispier. I requested it but I don't think their method of making the crepe makes it possible. At $12 plus tax it felt like a fun indulgence and a sweet way to end the evening.

Pikachu Crepe @whaevaeats

#4 with ice cream

DIY Crepe | @whaevaeats

See all

Bi-Rite Creamery

oh bi-rite, you have my whole entire heart…read more this staple of an establishment very well may top the chain of sf ice cream. their rotating new flavors always are a hit, and the ones that stick around are flawless. there's almost nothing better than grabbing a couple scoops and walking right across the street to mission dolores park to watch the sun set over the skyline. the crème brûlée, roasted banana, and tiramisu in particular have nearly drove me bankrupt. not to mention the peanut butter and cookies and cream. it is practically impossible to not enjoy this place. everyone i've ever taken has left in awe, and i will never abandon my spot as a loyal patron. i love you bi-rite

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I wasn't particularly blown away by Bi-Rite. The service…read morewas okay, though I felt a bit rushed by the employee despite there being very few people in the shop when I visited. They allow you to sample up to three flavors, and I ended up choosing the black sesame and crème brûlée. Unfortunately, both flavors felt a bit muted to me. I was especially disappointed by the crème brûlée since my scoop had very few of the crunchy caramelized bits that make that flavor special. I was also expecting a richer, creamier ice cream given the reputation, but it tasted fairly standard to me. Of course, texture and richness are subjective, but overall it didn't quite live up to the hype.

Creme Brûlée & Peach Cobbler

Coffee toffee

See all

Black sesame and coffee toffee

Mitchells Ice Cream

Busy place so expect to wait. Don't forget to grab a number ticket…read more Limited parking in the rear. Staff is friendly and a small place with a bench or two on the outside. Ice cream options are plentiful. Taste test before committing. Overall, a good old school spot for old school ice cream.

Awesome, vibrant ice cream shop. Great service, staff are friendly and efficient even with the huge…read morecrowds.. Soooooooo many flavors. Pick your favorite or try something new. An SF Staple that never disappoints.

Junior: strawberry sorbet, single: french custard vanilla (04/2026)

Oreo Cookie

See all

1 scoop of mango ice cream

Philmore Creamery

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

Really nice ice cream shop! I stopped by after seeing it on Google Maps and being in the area. It…read morelooked pretty unassuming, but they let me try all the different flavors. Good: The sorbet flavors are amazing. I was super thirsty, so the pear sorbet and the mango sorbet were really good. I almost felt like I was drinking a smoothie while I was eating it. I also like the stracciatella ice cream flavor since they're super creamy and very refreshing. There's a lot of seating inside, and I found it nice to just hunker down for an hour and work on my laptop. Bad: It does get pretty busy, and it can take a while to get through the line because it's super cramped inside. Overall loved this place and would come again~!

Wish I could Phil more of this gelato in my mouth cuz it's so good…read more Was hoping to get some of the delicious raspberry flavor I saw online but they didn't have it. Got pistachio and coconut and the were incredibly creamy and delicious. They have plenty of great flavors and will let you try them. A little crammed inside but it's worth it.

See all

Sophie's Crepes

Sophie's crepes have interesting combination of flavors. I had a mandarin ice cream crepe here…read morepreviously and it was delicious. I like the fresh fruits and ice cream inside the crispy crepe. Service is efficient and friendly. Located on Webster and Post.

I come to Japantown very often and I always pass by Sophie's Crepes, so I finally checked it out…read morethis past weekend. It was later in the evening, and luckily they were still open. I got the #8, strawberries and Nutella. The strawberries were juicy and delicious, and they put a good handful of them in there! The crepe was soft and crispy, but I wish there was more nutella. Aside from the crepe itself, the service was fast, cleanly, and the store is spacious even though it's not very large. Lots of room for people to order and enjoy their dessert.

D. Mandarin Orange with Ice Cream

10. Banana and Nutella

See all

Ham, cheese, and veggie crepe

Swensen's

Finally got to try Swensen's after a few years of living in SF and I see what the hype is all…read moreabout! The flavors were so good, and so fresh! We tried the lemon custard, lychee, and sticky chocolate (my safe flavor haha) but wow I was blown away by the lemon and lychee! They were unbelievably refreshing yet not so sweet. I highly recommend trying those flavors and I will be back to try more!!

I've been trying to hit more ice cream spots in the city, so what's better to try than…read moreSwensen's--an absolute classic! I got the Sticky Chewy Chocolate which I really liked! It was very rich (tasted very fudgey) and dense, which is exactly how I like my ice cream. The service was also good and I got to try a couple different flavors since it was my first time. I'll definitely be back at some point!

Lychee and Chocolate brownie

Black Raspberry Marble

See all

Salt & Straw

Delicious ice cream awaits you. Not only is Salt & Straw's ice cream yummy, they have unique…read moreflavors too. I tried a chocolate brownie flavored ice cream. Perfection. Go for the waffle cones--so good. Staff were helpful. The store was spotless.

I know Salt & Straw is known for having some interesting and unconventional flavors, so I tried a…read morelot of the flavors before settling; they rotate seasonally. I really appreciate that they allowed unlimited samples. Mom's mango pie: It mostly tastes like the pie part Parker House rolls with salted buttercream: It does taste kind of like cinnamon rolls, or something rich like biscuits Pumpkin pie tiramisu: The flavor mostly felt coffee-forward to me. Arbequina olive oil: It was pretty good, I liked how savory it is. Cinnamon snickerdoodle: Tastes like the cookie Salted, malted chocolate chip cookie dough: It is indeed salty and reminded me of a chocolate malt ball Jack o lantern pumpkin bread: Definitely quite pumpkin-y Turkey stuffing and cranberry: It might've actually have turkey in it I ultimately went for a single of parker house rolls and olive oil in a cup. Price was moderate compared to most ice cream I've seen nowadays.

Chocolate Pistachio Milk and Cookies

Single scoop chocolate zucchini bread

See all

Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet and Apple Cider Donut

Roma Antica

Locally sourced ingredients

Food was amazing! David was a great host. We had vegetarian…read morerestrictions and they accommodate our needs. Ambience was nice and cozy. Would come back again.

David our server was great! The cioppino and the amatriciana were excellent. Absolutely recommend…read moreif you're in the area!

Carbonara

See all

Saltimbocca alla romana

Parachute Bakery

Was in the area and heard Parachute won the best croissant award. But at 11:00 am, all plain…read morecroissants were sold out! What??? Then I just have to try something else. I was picking up something for my lunch and snack, some dessert for a relative. Holy moly! Everything I ordered was delicious. Wagyu Reuben -- wow a Reuben in a croissant. Genius. Delicious!!! My fav is the everything kouign aman. Think an everything bagel and sweet cream cheese as a perfect kouign aman. I could eat this every day!!! The pan au chocolate was a fun shape. And made it so easy to eat. Loved it. Morning bun --- wow! Soft pieces to pull apart and such a comforting bun. The cookies were good but the pastries I felt outshined the cookies. I need to go back. To try a plain croissant and to get more of my favs. It's prob a good thing I live across the bay-- too delicious!

I won't even try this place on a weekend given the long lines. We happen to be there on a weekday…read moreand the line was much more manageable but still took about 15 minutes before we were able to place our order; took about another 20 minutes before we received our order. Picked up a Pain au Chocolat and the Wagyu Pastrami Reuben Croissant which they warmed up for us. Also ordered the Strawberries and Cream Cube, Cookies and Cream latte, and a Banana Einspanner. The croissants were flaky. Enjoyed the pastrami reuben and there was quite a bit of chocolate in the other. The cube was more bready, less flaky and I liked the strawberries and cream which were not too sweet. The latte and Einspanner were also good. We enjoyed the baked goodies and coffees, but probably wouldn't go out of our way and/or wait in a long line for them.

Delicious latte but even after 3 shots of coffee it was light.

Drink menu

Basque Cheesecake

See all

Juniper

This place was lovely!! visiting from out of state and we stopped by, there was a bit of a wait but…read moreit goes by fast. Come earlier in the day as they tend to sell out towards the end of the day. The cappuccino was smooth, dark and really good. We also tried the raspberry almond croissant which was to die for, as well as a pain au chocolate and a regular croissant which were all great.

I've seen Juniper on social media and saw I was in the area and decided to give them a try. I got…read morethe raspberry almond croissant and my boyfriend got the ham & cheese croissant with a cold brew. I was a bit hesitant because I'm not the biggest raspberry fan, but I really enjoyed it! The almond and raspberry paired really greatly together, and I could only imagine how much better it would be if it were fresh. We came at around 12:30 on a Monday and the pastry selection seemed a bit slim, but I do believe they are constantly baking items throughout the day. There's a good handful of seating indoors, and I did enjoy that they allowed you to enjoy the pastries there. Would love to try other items from Juniper in the future!

The est Avocado toast ever!

Pain Au Chocolat

Bright ambiance inside

See all

The Italian Homemade Company

Meatballs were extremely good! I'm not a great critic for Italian food but here's my take:…read more The pesto surprisingly felt a bit not as immersed, the olive oil felt a bit separate from the parsley and the nuts but overall yummy. Pasta was fantastic, bouncy and fresh. If order the other créame bolognese sauce next time. Some mosquitos inside so just a bit annoying on warm days but overall great service and area.

This place is such a gem. Parking is somewhat convenient too -- you can find street parking or use…read morethe garage right in front. As soon as you walk in, you can see someone making fresh pasta, which is always a great sign. You order upfront and the cashier/waiter will bring your food to you after they give you a number. There was plenty of seats available and we came in around 6pm. You can really tell they use high-quality ingredients in their food. They offer a great variety of fresh pasta, and you can customize your dish with different sauces. They also have specialties like meat and veggie lasagna, along with fresh salads topped with generous amounts of cheese. We ordered the burrata salad, the meat lasagna, and the tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, and everything was delicious. My partner loved the perfectly al dente noodles, and I really enjoyed the unique, creamy sauce on the lasagna. The burrata salad paired nicely with everything, though I do wish it had a little more balsamic dressing. Overall, it's a great spot if you're looking for fresh, homemade Italian dishes. Definitely worth checking out!

Great mix of cold cuts and cheeses!

Casual dining

See all

Fettuccine Pesto was amazing!

Q Specialty Coffee

Certified professionals

Locally owned & operated

Coffee was great, and service was amazing. Was helped out by Karl who was very kind and recommended…read morethe mocha drink. It was very good and he was very patient when trying to figure out what to order. Will for sure be coming back! :)

I live for this Matcha. Plenty of street parking available…read morein the area. I've usually gone in the morning and the line isn't bad- moves quick. You have to use the QR code to see the breakdown of the menu. My favorite is the velvet matcha. It is so creamy and has the perfect sweetness. Honestly wish I had 100 of them. Staff is friendly and their gluten free brownie is pretty good. There are some tables but they are pretty small and the place gets busy. There is not a great place to wait for drinks, so sometimes I feel like I'm in the way. They are quick though, so that is not long. Can't wait to come back!