The Best Frozen Treats In Berkeley

With mid-summer fast approaching, sweet and cold treats are becoming more and more in demand in the Bay Area. While these chilly concoctions are delicious any time of year, they are especially good enjoyed on a hot summer’s day. Here we profile the best sweet shops to beat the heat in Berkeley.

CREAM

Perhaps the most popular late night snack in Berkeley, CREAM has something for everyone. College students are the main customers here, but locals also flock to this spot for an indulgent treat. Customers can choose from almost a dozen cookie flavors as well as a variety of ice cream options to create an original masterpiece. The cookies are warmed slightly, melting the ice cream just enough to create a delicious mess. CREAM also offers gluten-free and vegan alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.

CREAM, 2399 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 (510)-649-1000

Ici Ice Cream

With some of the most unique and adventurous flavors around, Ici Ice Cream offers eleven seasonally inspired options every week. This always includes vanilla and chocolate, but surprises with concoctions like bright and refreshing Meyer lemon, brown sugar gingersnap, or blood orange sorbet. Those in the know spring for the hand rolled cones, which are filled with a generous amount of dark chocolate at the tip. The ice cream is homemade fresh every day using organic dairy, eggs, and sustainable ingredients.

Ici Ice Cream, 2948 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 (510)-665-6054

iScream

Relatively new to the Berkeley ice cream scene is iScream, located in the busy area at the top of Solano Avenue. This new establishment has become a favorite among locals. The shop is family run and sells organic and seasonal ice cream using dairy from the local Straus Creamery. Their ice cream is made daily in small batches and varies with the season. Favorites include blackberry, chocolate mascarpone, and salted caramel.

iScream, 1819 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 (510)-524-4787

Tara’s Organic Ice Cream

Following the popular Bay Area model, Tara’s sources the best local ingredients for their ice cream. Focusing on the flavor of fresh cream, herbs, spices, and other ingredients rather than sugary sweetness, Tara’s achieves a subtly sweet flavor in all their products. Though many of their flavors have limited availability or seasonal, the shop offers a total of 165 different choices throughout the year. Special flavors can also be ordered online through their website.

Tara’s Organic Ice Cream, 3173 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 (510)-655-5014

Lush Gelato

There are many great gelato shops in Berkeley, but Lush is one of the best and most exciting. Located in the gourmet ghetto inside the Epicurious Garden, the store is adjacent to plenty of dining options, making it the perfect place for an after dinner treat. One of the most popular flavors is the Cowgirl Creamery fromage blanc chocolate chip cookie dough, which evokes childhood memories with a sophisticated adult twist.

Lush Gelato, 1511 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 (510)-666-0644

About the author

Clara Obstfeld

Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Clara is a Sociology and Anthropology major at Swarthmore College with a particular interest in food culture and access.