I asked our 510Families Facebook community to share their favorite ice cream stores and received enthusiastic responses that span the entire East Bay.
Here are your ten favorite places to order a scoop:
Ice Cream Mania in Pinole, which sells Gunther’s Ice Cream, a Sacramento favorite. Here’s a thorough review on ChowHound.
1514 Fitzgerald Dr, Pinole, CA 94564
Tara’s on Telegraph in the Temescal District of Oakland. While the flavors listed on the website look good, last time I took my kids there, we actually left because the flavors were too offbeat. In my opinion, better for a date night at Burma Superstar than a family outing. Tara’s also has a store in Elmwood.
4731 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
3173 College Ave Berkeley, CA 94705
Fenton’s Creamery in Piedmont, which offers a full diner-style menu in addition to ice cream by the scoop and sundaes. Also? You can take a tour and get behind the scenes!
4226 Piedmont Ave Oakland, CA
IScream on Solano in Berkeley is located in the heart of a shopping district and around the corner from an elementary school and park. When school is not in session, you can walk over to Thousand Oaks Elementary on Colusa and use the playground to burn off some of the ice cream sugar.
1819 Solano Ave (at Colusa Ave) Berkeley, CA 94707
Ici in the Elmwood District of Berkeley. While the quality is undeniable, parents couldn’t help but mention the challenges with parking and the shockingly long line. Due to pricing and the patience required, I’d keep this one on my Mom’s Night Out list.
2948 College Ave, Berkeley, CA
Loard’s Ice Cream’s MacArthur location was mentioned by an Oaklander, who disclaimed, “Only ’cause it’s close!” I’ve been to the El Cerrito location which is convenient to other useful errands and liked the ice cream, though the setting is nothing special. Loard’s has locations in San Leandro, Alameda, and Orinda, in a addition to Oakland and El Cerrito. It’s a traditional ice cream store, like 31 flavors. No cilantro/basil flavored sorbet at this place.
Lush Gelato in Epicurious Garden, Berkeley. Anya from Cooking With Caleb says,
“After you get your scoop, you can walk out to the garden and soak up some sun while you devour your cone.” True, plus there’s another Lush in Piedmont.
1511 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA
4184 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA
Clancy’s Ice Cream Parlor in San Leandro. Described on Yelp as “a hole in the wall,” it sounds like a favorite with interesting flavors, but the standards as well.
1234 Manor Boulevard San Leandro, CA
Tucker’s Ice Cream in Alameda. A complete coffee bar and baked goods selection make Tucker’s more than a scoop counter. Eat the traditional, super creamy ice cream on the patio or inside.
1349 Park Street, Alameda , CA , 94501 USA
CREAM in Berkeley. The specialty at this tiny shop located near the Cal campus is $2 ice cream sandwiches made with fresh baked cookies. (CREAM stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me.) Vegan and gluten free items also available — and they have a tiny mobile cart for catering your special event (see picture above).
2399 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
And finally, a question for you guys from a reader on the topic of ice cream:
Does anyone have insight into an ice cream place in Berkeley that doesn’t use peanuts? My poor 2-year old has a severe peanut allergy, and I would love to get a scoop with her. Thanks!
[photo courtesy CREAM facebook page]
If you prefer an ice cream treat invented in the bay area you can get an It’s It at Playland Not at the Beach, Museum of Fun and tribute to the local park that will be gone 40 years this September.
Loard’s in El Cerrito is very different from a typical 31 flavors place — they have many kinds of sorbet as well as traditional Filippino flavors like macapuno, halo halo, and ube (my daughter’s favorite) and avocado. No they aren’t as unique as Lush’s flavors, but they are much more unique than a 31 flavors place.
Good point, Cara. And my daughter loves Ube as well!
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