Best Places to Get Ice Cream in Oakland, CA

From the undeniable classics, to exciting unconventional flavors, Oakland has got your perfect scoop! Indulge in your favorite churned, rolled, and liquid nitrogen frozen scoops at these unique ice creameries in the Town. 

Ice Cream Spots in The Town

Ben & Jerryʻs 

Enjoy these iconic scoops at the waterfront in Jack London Square. 

Cookiebar Creamery

Ice cream parlor & cookie bakery dishing up many flavors in a spare, modern space.

Cheri Ice Cream & Deli Shop 

Homemade ice cream in a neighborhood deli & coffee shop. 

Curbside Creamery

In Oakland’s Temescal Alley is Curbside Creamery, a classic parlor bringing you scoops, soft serve, ice cream sandwiches and delicious fresh made waffle cones.  They specialize in gourmet takes on classic flavors everyone loves, available in both traditional dairy and cashew-based vegan options.

Fentons Creamery

Bay Area natives recognize Fenton’s as the classic place to celebrate birthdays, end of seasons, and graduations. If you’re in the mood for a big ice cream sundae, but your friend is craving a hearty comfort meal, Fenton’s on Piedmont Avenue is undoubtedly the best solution to your dilemma. This 123 year old, family owned and operated ice cream parlor and restaurant is a true Oakland gem.

Humpry Slocombe

This ice cream shop has been highly regarded as one of the Bay’s best and can be found at The Hive in Oakland’s Uptown. You won’t miss the refurbished bright blue shipping container. They have a changing portfolio of flavors, including Hibiscus Beet sorbet, Here’s Your Damn Strawberry, Honey Thyme, and their highly coveted Secret Breakfast - a bourbon ice cream base with cornflakes.

I Scream Donuts 

Organic ice cream and vegan sorbets from Taras Organic Ice Cream inside of a hot donut. 

J’s Ice Cream 

Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Cookies, Candy, Hot Dogs, Corn-dogs, Chips, and Sodas. 

Little Giant Ice Cream

On the corner of Telegraph and William Street in Uptown, you’ll find a cute ice cream shop with quirky decorations and colorful stools. Little Giant keeps their ice cream simple with some milk, eggs, sugar and salt. They have plenty of classic flavors as well as unique renditions such as jalapeño peach, dirty south (bourbon pecan caramel) and vegan flavors such as coconuts and strawberry limeade.

The most amazing flavors with a fab vegan selection! - @jaclynkellye

Loard’s Ice Cream

This Bay Area ice cream chain has fun flavors like Almond Joy, Burgundy Cherry, and Banana but they also have your classic Vanilla and Chocolate. Stop in for a scoop or a sundae!

Nieves Cinco de Mayo

Simply put, if you want the best Mexican ice cream around, this is where you go.

Smitten Ice Cream

Liquid Nitrogen might be one of the biggest trends in ice cream game, and Smitten is doing it just right. Upon entering their shop, you won’t see any ice cream at the counter because they make every scoop fresh to order. They offer a small selection of flavors in addition to a couple of seasonal options. Take your pick and see the magic happen before your eyes. The process of making ice cream with liquid nitrogen makes it incredibly creamy and decadent. While the price point may be a little higher, the quality of the ice cream and overall experience makes a trip to Smitten well worth it.

Taras Organic Ice Cream

Ice cream at Tara’s is handcrafted in small batches of just 2-4 gallons at a time, and they use only the best, certified organic ingredients. Their rotating artisan flavors are made with fresh herbs, freshly ground spices, dairy and seasonal fruit from local farms. Not only does Tara’s emphasize using pure and honest ingredients, but they’re taking the initiative to reduce their carbon footprint with all compostable cups and pints made from sugarcane, spoons made from potato starch and energy efficient lighting and equipment in their shop. Swing by their Temescal shop and try one of their unique flavors like Mexican chocolate, nectarine or lemon verbena in a fresh plain or black sesame waffle cone.

The Sweet Booth 

Cozy counter-serve offering classic ice cream flavors & Thai beverages such as milk tea & smoothies. 

Other Frozen Treats

Flavor Brigade

We're going to be honest, Flavor Brigade is mostly known for their Italian Ice rather than their ice cream. But hear us out they still have ice cream because there may be a time you need dairy and sugar-free. This is THE spot in the town for Italian Ice; with 30 flavors you will for sure find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Gelato Firenze 

Delicious gelato and non-dairy sorbettos. The almond and pistachio gelatos are fan favorites! 

United Paleteria y Neveria  

Enjoy ice cream and popsicles in a variety of flavors such as: eggnog, horchata, guava, lime, mango, mamey, piña colada, and pistachio!

Vegan Donut Gelato

Laid-back neighborhood locale serving pastries and gelato scoops, plus coffee and tea.

Find Ice Cream Near You