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Bi-Rite Creamery
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
3692 18th St(between Dolores St & Oakwood St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 626-5600
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4434 reviews for Bi-Rite Creamery
Review Highlights
"salted caramel makes your mouth sing."
(in 2288 reviews)
"and the roasted banana (so deliciously creamy."
(in 615 reviews)
"The Balsamic Strawberry is absolutely delicious."
(in 485 reviews)
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4433 reviews in English
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Review from Joyce E.
Daly City, CA
2/8/2012
I love Birite!
Parking will always be difficult and there will always be a line, but everything is totally worth it once you take that first lick! The line goes by pretty quickly because the workers are very efficient and friendly. They have all sorts of flavors: Honey Lavender, Salted Caramel, Roasted Coconut etc. They also have basic flavors for ridiculous people like myself. :) They allow you to pick two flavors for the smallest cup.
I've tried the Salted Caramel, Honey Lavender, Mint Chip, Vanilla, Cookies and Cream, Toasted Coconut, Roasted Banana, and my absolute favorite.. Ricanelas! There's enough flavoring in each scoop and the consistency of the ice cream is thick and creamy. My least favorite would have to be the Salted Caramel, though. For some reason, it had more of the salty than the sweet. As previously stated, Ricanelas would have to be my absolute favorite! The ice cream was not too sweet and had enough snickerdoodle cookies mixed in.
Staff is pretty friendly as well and prices are reasonable for two flavors. I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Janna M.
Updated - 2/8/2012 1 photo
I've developed a mad taste for Bi-Rite's Candy Cane flavor, which is available only in Decemberish. I don't really know what I'm going to do next Decemberish, because I've given up dairy products, but I will say this: I officially became vegan in mid-January. Coincidence? I think not.
While I contemplate all of the circuitous routes I'll be inventing to avoid Bi-Rite later this year, I am thoroughly enjoying their chocolate coconut vegan flavor. I also grudgingly appreciate the fact that, when you order vegan ice cream, they warn you of the milk products in the hot fudge sauce if you try to sneak that in. Bastards. I mean, thanks guys, you totally have my back.
Yeah, I'm new to this. But in all seriousness, Bi-Rite does actually have your back if you are trying to avoid dairy. The ice cream is also phenomenal, but you already knew that. There are 4430 reviews now, and the overall rating is still 4.5 stars.Listed in: SF Love, Just Drink the Kool-Aid…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/12/2010
There are over 2,200 reviews here, and the overall rating is 4.5 stars. I don't blindly trust Yelp… Read more »
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Review from Johnny W.
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
One year and two visits later, I figured it was time to finally write this - never mind that I only took a bite the second time around though! I'll keep this (relatively) short though, given how many people have written about Bi-Rite already.
Their flavors, while fairly traditional (with the likes of chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, salted caramel), are very good: strong, but not overly so, and quite tasty. Rich and very creamy, their ice cream is somewhat reminiscent of frozen custard. Not inherently a bad thing, but one must be in the mood for something like this.
Lines at night tend can be intimidating, but, as long as people aren't taste-testing every flavor, it actually moves fairly quickly. Alternatively, show up earlier in the day when there's almost no line - nothing wrong with a bit (or a lot) of ice cream in the middle of the day! The venue itself is accessible, but requires a bit of finagling to get in and out of, due to the single queue pole that essentially cuts the width of the entrance door in half.
$3.20 or so will land you a single, with two scoops (of different flavors, if you so choose). Personally, I'm more likely to go to Humphry than Bi-Rite, but this is mostly due to the fact that they have more unique flavors than Bi-Rite does, and is also a bit lighter (so one can eat more!) -
Review from July H.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
Salted Caramel Ice Cream!
And if you are going to eat it there, the whipped cream is heavenly, so get a Sundae.
Service is super awesome. I was inline waiting for these two girls trying every single flavor they have before buying one scoop each. Yet, they are sill so patient and helpful. They also have punch cards so you can get free ice cream later. -
Review from Zvezdana O.
New York, NY
LOVE THIS PLACE! Can't believe I never reviewed it before :)
I was back in San Francisco for a few days last week and I was so pleased to be able to do one of my absolute favourite things - get some birite ice-cream and enjoy every luscious mouthful in beautiful Dolores Park.
(I miss you San Francisco!)
I had my two favourites, salted caramel & brown sugar ice cream and my third scoop was roasted coconut.
The staff here are always absolutely lovely and super friendly. -
Review from Sunanda P.
Hayward, CA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE BI-RITE! ITS SO GOOD!!!
The ice cream is creamy and full of flavor. The flavors I like are the honey lavender and the salter caramel, even better if you put them together. I mean... GENIUS! They have the new earl grey flavor, ugh its great too. it kinda puts me in a weird bind, so when u get into the front of the line and you have to try both, when u secretly know how both of them taste, but you have to try because you just can't decide (i really need to stop doing this)... solution: switch, one day earl grey, one day. Let's save some time here people... the line is long. When u really wanna treat yoself throw the salted caramel in there! I always get one kid scoop, cheaper, less calories, not too indulgent on a regular cone. winner!
Customer service is excellent, willing to to cater to your taste bud needs even when it means 10 tastings. They also offer great suggestions!
Tip: go to Delores Park across the street and enjoy your sweet there. -
Review from Katrina D.
Milpitas, CA
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm lactose intolerant and I forgot my lactase enzyme pills the day I came here.
Oh well, any pain is worth it for me when it comes to ice cream, and this was no exception. I told my friend, "This place better be the sh*t and worth the 15 minute walk!", and I can safely say that it was worth it. We waited in line for about five minutes and I opted for a small brown sugar with ginger and a scoop of toasted coconut, which was reasonably priced for under $4. I enjoyed them. A lot on the sweet side, and I could definitely taste the full-fatness of the cream, so it was purely decadent.
Worth the extra 4 mile run I have to do to burn it off. -
Review from Chris L.
Vallejo, CA
2/7/2012
This ice cream must be made by angel wings....because it was heavenly......this is the only freaking ice cream i put in the fridge where it stays soft and creamy..... i love this place......but here's a little secret....bi-rite market across the street sells the ice cream too.....so why not buy it there and not wait in that humongoloid line
Salted Caramel = De-licious -
Review from dina s.
Concord, CA
2/6/2012
THIS ICE CREAM IS AMAZING!
400+ reviews= this place rocks.
Fresh-made ice cream, salted caramel is a flavor, amazing! -
Review from Jessica B.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
The absolute divine nature of the ice cream here has been clearly Yelped about 4410 times before me, so I'm not going to hack at it again. Bi-Rite. Try it. On to more useful information . . .
If I could give you some novel advice here it would be to do what I do and bust out an order I like to call the "Party Hat." Get three scoops of your choosing (plenty of info regarding the best flavors in other reviews below) in a bowl and then put some brownie pieces on that ish. BUUUT, also order a delicious sugar cone and stick that sucker on top so that your ice cream bowl looks like it's wearing a big ol' hat. Ice cream cone without the mildly '"first world problems" stress of having to eat all the ice cream before it melts onto your hands. Party hat. Party hat in your mouth. Try it. -
Review from Evelyn S.
I'm not a big fan of flower-favored ice cream because it makes me feel like I'm eating potpourri, but Bi-Rite makes a wicked honey lavender ice cream that balances both! The initial taste gives you the sweet lavender, and then the light honey aspect hits you near the end of your first bite!
The salted caramel is too rich for me. Their cookies n cream flavor was a bit disappointing -- I'm a HUGE cookies and cream fanatic, so I would've preferred more oreos/crunch to it, and less cream. I also liked their malted vanilla though -- it has a nice crunch with the brittle!
Tip: The junior/kid size is ONE scoop= one flavor, their normal size is TWO scoops! -
Review from jessica m.
Diamond Bar, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally got around to trying this ice cream everyone talks about!
In my book, it's really a 4 star, but it saved my SF trip from being a disaster after a super disappointing meal, so I bumped it up to 5.
Came here on Sunday to try to get it, but the line was ridiculously long so I opted to make the experience more dramatic by prolonging the wait. Came here again at 6pm on a Thursday night, and yay not a single person in line! Weekdays are magical for these popular places. Sampled the salted caramel I keep reading about, but the taste was a bit too intense for me.
Shared a single scoop with the Earl Grey and the Honey Lavender with the bf for $3.50. A bit pricey considering the dinky size of the scoops, but I guess for unique flavors and the ultra smooth texture, it's worth it? The Earl Grey was delicious! At first I couldn't taste it, but then I realized that they had JUST the right amount of tea flavor. The flavor is ridiculously light, but it's strong enough for you to taste. I wish boba places could make their Earl Grey Milk Tea's as smooth as Bi Rite makes their ice cream. Sigh. A girl can hope.
The Honey Lavender was pretty good. I probably wouldn't get it next time, but I just wanted to try different flavors since it was my first visit, and probably only for a while. I guess I'm not much of a fan of lavender, because I know I had Lavender Milk Tea once and wasn't too impressed. (Sorry for comparing everything to boba, but that's the only thing I have to go on.)
Walked across the street to Dolores Park afterwards to eat our dessert. I like the ice cream+park combo. You get to walk off some of the calories you're ingesting.
Pints are $7, which if you think about it is an extremely great deal since that only gets you 2 single scoops. The shop is extra small, but the servers are extra nice. I'll definitely come back whenever I'm craving some Earl Grey! -
Review from Sabrina C.
San Jose, CA
1/30/2012
A creamery that has a line out the door as long as a night club line????!!!! Either something is seriously wrong or seriously right!
Lucky for me, something was seriously right. The line was looooong (about 30 ppl in front of me) but it went by quickly. A menu was passed up and down the line and there were a variety of options to choose from. I got a "single scoop" which is actually 2 small scoops of ice cream of different flavors if you want.
I listened to fellow Yelper Evonne L.'s recommendations and went for two of her top flavors: ginger and earl grey. It was DELICIOUS. I was torn because she also said salted caramel and roasted banana were amazing as well but I couldn't stuff down any more food than I had that night.
The GINGER was such a pleasant surprise. It was perfectly creamy, slightly sweet, and had a flavorful kick to it. I loved it!
Would definitely wait in line again to try more! -
Review from Andrew S.
Salted caramel was definitely good but I think I should've gotten a different second flavor. Got a little sick of the same flavor. I tried my gf's honey lavendar + earl grey and both were really good! The shop is really cute and has a bathroom and water fountain.
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Review from Don T.
Seattle, WA
2/8/2012
Not sure about the hype here. The ice cream is okay, but I wouldn't do a double-take over it. I enjoyed the bi-rite series that occupies this area (ice cream store, sweets shop, market), but the ice cream tasted just decent. Staff is super friendly though, which is much appreciate. Got the salted caramel and malted vanilla. Malted vanilla was better than the salted caramel. A fun spot to get your fix, but not something to seek out.
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Review from Colette P.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012
I freaking love this place! if I could give 10 stars i would. I never get sick of their icecream, ever. My fav is probably their salted caramel. My parents house is literally 6 min away so when I was living there i'd always hit up bi-rite , pretty often. Especially on hot days. Another great thing about this place is dolores park is right across the street so if you're with friends and want to relax and chill, you can just walk over and sit on the grass. Theres pretty long lines, but it is worth the wait. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Only downside is...it is very hard to find parking.
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Review from Amy N.
2/7/2012
I don't have a sweet tooth but I love ice cream. The line here is always horrendously long on the weekends so I decided to go on a random weekday in the afternoon when there was no line. I heard the salted caramel is amazing and requested for a sample. But since I don't have a strong sweet tooth, I thought the salted caramel was a bit too sweet for me. I settled with a scoop of the honey lavender and a scoop of the cookies and cream. The combination was delicious. The honey lavender provided a very refreshing contrast to the more rich cookies and cream. The ice cream is delicious here, but I wouldn't say it's worth standing in line for more than an hour.
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Review from Camille R.
Somerville, MA
2/8/2012
Ice Cream heaven! Even for vegans! I love all of their options vegan or not. Olive oil in ice cream? Sure!
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Review from Julie L.
Boston, MA
2/2/2012
Salted caramel - need I say more?
Even though I love the fact that you can get more than one flavor in a cup, I always end up wishing it was ALL salted caramel. Although having a smidge of another flavor on the side does help me appreciate how delicious the salted caramel is over and over and over.
My only complaint is - I've purchased a pint a couple of times now - once from the ice cream shop and once from the market. Both times, the consistency was strange. The whole middle of the pint was melty. I still drank it up, but it was a sort of a bummer considering how much of a luxury it is. -
Review from Mel D.
Irvine, CA
1/30/2012
3 letters. O M G! I love this place for their salted caramel and roasted banana. My hubby gets the Trifecta: salted caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla and absolutely loves it. Pricey, but worth every penny.
Our trips to SF are not complete without bi rite! -
Review from Mariam H.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2012
I have no complaints.
A trip to a neighborhood ice cream shop for absolutely no reason is all a girl needs. I got a single scoop which they very kindly divide into two mini scoops for those of us who want variety. I was able to get the last bit of holiday left candy cane ice cream!! And the salted caramel on a sugar cone. Happiness!
I'll be back to try the strawberry balsamic ice cream. -
Review from Roy J.
Union City, CA
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Do not be turned away by the long line. Be like me and complain the whole time, but there is wonderful, ice creamy gold at the end of the rainbow.
I've been wanting to try this place out for quite a while now, and finally got around to it a couple weeks ago with Xandra. I got the salted caramel and the Ricanelas. With the perfect balance of sweet and salty, you really can't go wrong with the salted caramel. And the Ricanelas... Think of snickerdoodles.
While I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, I know that whenever I'm near Dolores Park, I will probably pay a visit. -
Review from Nadeem A.
Union City, CA
1/23/2012
Like everybody else, we came here because of the hype. And like everybody else, we waited in a long line to get our ice cream. But unlike everybody else, we don't think this is the BEST ICE CREAM EVER!
We tried a variety of flavors; salted caramel, mint chip, roasted banana, and malted vanilla, All of the flavors were good, and the quality was obviously very high - all of the flavors were very creamy and rich. But, this place may not be for you if you prefer classic flavors over these trendy new flavors,
Like I said, it's not the best ice cream ever, but It's still good and worth trying. Personally, I like classic flavors more, so you're more likely to find me at Mitchell's! -
Review from Melissa L.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/21/2012
This place definitely lives up to the hype and the long line out the door, down the street, and around the corner is justified. Don't be intimidated by the line; it moves rather quickly.
Salted Caramel seems to be one of the most popular and rightfully so and it is DELISH! I was also able to try out the Roasted Banana, Ginger, and the Brown Sugar to which all are yum.
I also like that this place gives you real spoons to sample.
Closes at 11pm Fri and Sat night so make sure you stop by for some dessert after dinner. -
Review from Jason A.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome ice cream!!! The line is usually out the door, but moves fast. Get any falvor with "snickerdoodle" in the name, and you'll be smiling all the way home! There are a few seats in the store, but you can also take it to go and walk to the park across the street.
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Review from Audrey C.
Los Altos, CA
1/19/2012 2 photos
Great, creamy ice cream! I don't know how/why it took me so many years to discover it, but finally, I can say, I've tried it! Fortunately, for going on a Monday afternoon around 5pm, I didn't have to wait in line for more than 20 minutes.
Although I know their Salted Caramel flavor is what their known for, I decided to try their Toasted Coconut and Meyer Lemon. Both were great flavors, and who would have thought that the two would make a good combination together.
Since I didn't have the Salted Caramel in the store, I did take a pint home. For the future, I would recommend bringing a cooler if you're going to have a long drive home. Salted Caramel, in general, is a softer ice cream and doesn't freeze solid, so by the time I got home, an hour later, it was quite soft. It re-froze well, but we weren't able to enjoy it at it's peak consistency that night.
I can't wait to try all of their other flavors!Listed in: My Favorite Spots
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Review from Heidi H.
Granite Bay, CA
2/6/2012
Honey lavender and salted caramel ice creams are to die for, however the place is quite pricey.
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Review from Tiff K.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow this place is popular! Loooong line out the door. Right next door is where Bi-Rite sells their frozen yogurt and other baked goods. Also quite a line.
Tried the salted caramel and honey lavender. The salted caramel had a very strong taste. It was personally a little too sweet and overindulgent for me, but I can see why it's so popular. The honey lavender tasted slightly weird at first, but the taste grows on you after awhile. I love how they sell their various ice cream flavors in pints & quarts to take home. The shop itself is also cute and the servers are patient in helping you figure out what flavor you'd like. I'd go back to try other flavors and the fro-yo next door. -
Review from Kathy Y.
San Jose, CA
I had the biggest and longest craving for ice cream. Told my girlfriend to take me to an ice cream place after dinner... and HOORAY, I LOVE THIS PLACE!!
They let you try as many flavors as you'd like. Be considerate for the long line behind you! I love how they give you metal spoons to try different flavors!
I ended up getting the salted caramel and orange cardamom. 2 scoops for $3.50! My flavors kind of clashed, but I still enjoyed both while sitting on an old school desk looking table/chair.
Used their restroom and got a hold of the whisk key! Also, got to spy on the girl making ice cream in the back! Eek, maybe I shouldn't have spied on her because I saw how much heavy cream was put in that pot! WHO CARES! This place is no place to frown upon the ingredients put into their ice cream! I like how they make all their goodies in the back.
My gf knows I'll probably come more often than her, so I got to keep the frequent stamp card :) -
Review from Wendy M.
Oakland, CA
1/26/2012
Oh My God, Heaven in my mouth.
Don't be scared of the line, it actually moves pretty fast.
The menu can be overwhelming but just pick something, anything...it will be good!!!!! -
Review from Jeff I.
Roseville, CA
A small little ice cream shop, good service, and decent priced ice cream.
The ice cream here was really good. A lot of flavor. I had the salted caramel and recanella. Both were good. Next time im going to try the coffee toffee and brown sugar.
Only downside is expect to be in line. No matter what time it is. -
Review from Gina P.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I finally got to experience Bi-Rite ice cream for the first time last week. I went with a few friends on a Monday afternoon and of course there was a line. I ordered salted caramel (of course) and coffee and they were both delicious. The creaminess and sweetness of their ice cream is perfect. My boyfriend got three flavors: coconut, banana & salted caramel and he liked all of them.
I took away one star because after reading the yelp reviews, I REALLY wanted to try the balsamic strawberry but it wasn't on the menu. -
Review from Susan C.
Los Angeles, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not sure what else there really is to say about this place because it's obviously got some great ice cream. I personally like the honey lavender. Can't visit SF without stopping by!
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Review from Loni L.
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
best ice cream in sf? Yes, I think so!
Try it & see what the hype is all about!!
Amazing flavors! My favorite is the balsamic strawberry & the brown butter pecan.
* drool * -
Review from Ratika N.
1/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Love the ice cream here! Yes, you have to wait in line most of the days but the line moves fast. They let you taste as many flavors and there are some amazing flavors here, so it is hard to decide. They also have great sundaes but it's the ice cream that makes me come here whenever I am in San Francisco.
My favorite flavors are the salted caramel, coffee toffee, cinnamon and ginger....the ginger one made me cry out in delight, the flavor is so subtle and so good...it's amazing. My husband had the brownie sundae (housemade decadent brownies with vanilla ice cream, chocolate and burnt caramel sauces, whipped cream, and candied pecans)...it was delicious! Unfortunately, my husband liked it too much to share, so all I could get was a bite but it was heavenly!
Another thing had won me over was their bio-degradable spoons and containers...awesome!
Overall, delicious and freshly made ice-cream....you can't go wrong by coming here. I only wish I was in SF longer so I could try more flavors. If they open one in LA, I would be a regular here for sure.Listed in: Ice cream time!
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Review from Ara A.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Lord have mercy that was some damn good ice cream!
I wasn't sure what to expect but upon walking toward the place seeing the velvet rope outside I knew I was in for a treat. An ice cream place that gets a line like a club? Must be good right? Hell yes!
I had the Salted Caramel and the Brown Sugar with burned Caramel swirls. I was in Caramel heaven. Seriously delicious ice cream and great service too. Although I didn't try any samples you can pretty much get samples of anything you want.
The place is a little small inside, so the line outside makes a little more sense but even if it was huge I'd still assume there would be a line out the door. It's that good! -
Review from Sengdara M.
Daly City, CA
2/4/2012
Lavender honey..is my fav...so good! Long line...but worth the wait...good stuff!
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Review from Dee H.
Updated - 1/12/2012
Bi-rite, you deserve 10 stars!!!!! I ordered an ice cream pie (yes they make this!!) for the 1st time and there was a little goof on the order. I called and informed them of this and they corrected the issue immediately. Hooray for excellent customer service and friendly employees. I love you Bi-Rite and my goal is to get all my friends and family on your bandwagon. Even got a cousin from Seattle loving you!
New fave flavor: Toffee Coffee1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/3/2011
I love their chocolate, salted caramel, and roasted banana. The last time I went the line wasn't… Read more »
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Review from Jerry D.
Irvine, CA
2/5/2012
The salted caramel hand-dipped cone is worth the half-hour, half-way around the block wait. It really is! (If you can't stand the wait, the short line up to the soft-serve window is an excellent alternative.)
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Review from Johnny W.
Fremont, CA
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm not sure which place I like more? This or Mitchell's a few blocks away. They each have their own unique flavors tho..
The roasted coconut was one of the best coconut ice creams I've ever had. Smooth and creamy, and not overly sweet
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