Best Sweet Treats Restaurants in San Francisco
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bob's Donuts
Handmade, hot-fried classics with decades of local devotion.
Notable Picks
#1
Bob's Donuts
8.7
SF legacy donut shop (family-run since the 1950s) known for hot-fried classics, the apple fritter, and its famous giant donut challenge. The new Polk Street space keeps the old-school recipes with a bit more breathing room for the morning rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Giant Raised Donut, Old-Fashioned (glazed)
What Makes it Special: Handmade, hot-fried classics with decades of local devotion.
#2
Swensen's
8.7
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
The original 1948 Hyde & Union flagship still hand-scoops dense, old-school ice cream with flavors SF grew up on. Lines move quickly for hot-fudge sundaes, Swiss Orange Chip, and the house Sticky Chewy Chocolate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sticky Chewy Chocolate sundae, Swiss Orange Chip scoop, Hot Fudge Sundae
What Makes it Special: San Francisco’s original Swensen’s scooping since 1948 with signature classics.
8.6
Bold, chef-driven scoops (think Secret Breakfast and Vietnamese Coffee) served at a compact Dogpatch counter. Lines move fast and rotating collaborations keep locals returning for new flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Secret Breakfast (bourbon & cornflake cookie), Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee, Honey Graham sundae
What Makes it Special: Chef-created flavors with cult classics and seasonal collabs.
#4
Lush Gelato
8.6
Small North Beach shop churning rich, dense gelato with a rotating board that leans seasonal and inventive. Flavors like brown butter & chocolate honeycomb and bright lemon sorbet are executed cleanly, with textures dialed to that elastic, Italian-style chew.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brown Butter & Chocolate Honeycomb, Fresh Mint Chip, Lemon Sorbet
What Makes it Special: Continuously changing, from-scratch gelato with standout texture.
8.5
Tiny counter famed for benchmark croissants and laminated pastries. Expect a short line and crisp, buttery bakes that set the local standard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Croissant, Kouign-Amann, Ham & Cheese Croissant
What Makes it Special: Nationally praised croissants with deep butter flavor and shatter.
The Mission Rock outpost of the famed bakery turns out ultra-flaky laminated pastries ideal for a sweet brunch start. Lines move quickly and the golden croissants are reliably camera-ready.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Croissant, Kouign-Amann, Ham & Cheese Croissant
What Makes it Special: Nationally praised viennoiserie with flaky pastries perfect for brunch.
#7
Breadbelly
8.5
Asian American bakery-café known for kaya toast, dialed pastries, and efficient counter service. Lines move, the kitchen cooks clean and bright, and the Clement Street room hums without feeling cramped.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kaya Toast, Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Seasonal Pastry
What Makes it Special: Kaya-driven pastry program with café-speed hot plates.
8.5
Small-batch creamery making ice cream, sorbets, and sundaes in-house with rotating, from-scratch flavors. Lines move quickly; the waffle cones and seasonal pints are worth the wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip, Honey Lavender, Vanilla Salted Almond Toffee
What Makes it Special: House-made, seasonal flavors posted daily with sundaes and floats.
8.5
Retro 1930s-style soda fountain scooping house-made ice creams and running a serious fountain program. Locals come for seasonal flavors, classic sundaes, and (for adults) well-crafted boozy shakes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dublin Honey (boozy shake), Hot Fudge Sundae, Malted Peanut Butter Cookie scoop
What Makes it Special: A true soda fountain with scratch-made ice cream and classic fountain drinks.
8.4
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
Petaluma-born scoop shop’s first SF outpost brings 30+ organic flavors with a thick-yet-airy texture. Locals come for creative pints and sundaes plus ample indoor/outdoor seating on 24th Street.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lemon Bar (lemon curd + shortbread), Tiramisusie, Caramel Crack
What Makes it Special: Organic, house-made flavors with mousse-like texture and seasonal creativity.
#11
Balboa Ice Cream
8.4
Neighborhood scoop shop on San Jose Ave serving classic cones, milkshakes, and mangonadas with long evening hours. Locals come for straightforward flavors, quick service, and a friendly counter that keeps lines moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double scoop cup, Mangonada, Classic milkshake
What Makes it Special: Classic scoop shop with mangonadas and late hours.
8.4
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family-run shop (since 1960) turning out from-scratch classics at the Baker Street outpost. Expect crisp-edged old fashioneds, hefty fritters, and steady production through the day.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Glazed Old Fashioned, Maple Bar
What Makes it Special: Handmade, scratch donuts from a longstanding SF original.
Waterfront kiosk pouring coffee and frying small-batch donuts with seasonal, chef-driven flavors. Locals swing by after runs on the Marina Green for Maple Apple Bacon or vegan Spiced Chocolate while taking in the bay breeze.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maple Apple Bacon, Spiced Chocolate (vegan), Vanilla Bean
What Makes it Special: Chef-led flavors from a long-running SF donut institution in a bayfront kiosk.
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
High-volume Chinatown counter turning out hot, freshly fried pastries alongside classic dim sum. Expect fast-moving lines and consistent execution on donut-adjacent favorites like sesame balls and fried dough sticks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sesame Balls (Jin Dui), Chinese Donut (Youtiao), Sweet Egg Puffs
What Makes it Special: Takeout-only pace with reliably fresh, fried pastries.
#15
Johnny Doughnuts
8.4
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
Handcrafted doughnuts made fresh daily in a cozy Pacific Heights storefront. Known for classic raised and old-fashioned styles alongside seasonal specials and a house ‘Crodough’.
Must-Try Dishes:
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk, Apple Fritter, Crodough
What Makes it Special: Scratch-made doughnuts with rotating seasonal flavors and a signature croissant-doughnut hybrid.
#16
Magical Donuts
8.4
Woman-owned donut kitchen trailer at Parklab Gardens turning out signature sourdough donuts with rotating flavors and inclusive options. Locals swing by for fresh-fried texture, creative glazes, and an easy grab-and-go stop before SPARK Social or Stagecoach Greens.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sourdough Brown Butter Donut, Maple Bacon Donut, Gluten-Free Vegan Devil’s Food Cake Donut
What Makes it Special: Signature sourdough donuts with dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options.
8.4
Chinatown outpost specializing in Kyoto-style matcha soft-serve, parfaits, and taiyaki cones. The soft-serve runs creamy and tea-forward, with seasonal specials and efficient counter service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maiko Special Parfait, Matcha–Hojicha Soft-Serve Swirl, Taiyaki Cone with Red Bean
What Makes it Special: Tea-forward matcha soft-serve and parfaits using Kyoto-sourced matcha.
#18
Meadowlark Dairy
8.4
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Century-old drive-thru known for creamy soft-serve and rotating fruit flavors, including vegan options. Locals line up for quick cones after downtown strolls and Little League games.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vanilla–chocolate twist cone, Pineapple whip (vegan), Seasonal special (e.g., coconut or peach)
What Makes it Special: Historic drive-thru soft-serve with daily rotating dairy-free fruit flavors.
8.4
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Rolled ice cream made to-order with unlimited toppings near Yerba Buena. The fun, showy prep appeals to kids and groups, with dairy-free options available.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cookie Monster roll, Cereal Killer roll, Strawberry Fantasy roll
What Makes it Special: Made-to-order rolled ice cream with unlimited toppings.
#20
Modo Hawaii
8.4
Mochi donut specialists frying to order—chewy, feather-light rings with flavors like lilikoi, ube, and cookies & cream. The Parkside outpost opened in 2025 and draws steady lines for consistent texture and clean glazes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lilikoi mochi donut, Ube glaze mochi donut, Cookies & Cream mochi donut
What Makes it Special: Fresh-fried mochi donuts with rotating island-influenced flavors (opened 2025).
8.4
Dogpatch’s laminated-pastry specialist known for deeply caramelized kouign-amann, layered croissants, and seasonal tarts that look as good as they taste. The minimalist counter setup keeps lines moving for quick, photogenic grabs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kouign-Amann, Almond Croissant, Seasonal Fruit Tart
What Makes it Special: Precision viennoiserie with dramatic lamination and caramelization.
8.4
Small-batch Italian-style gelato made in-house with organic dairy and imported nut pastes. Clean, bright space on Fillmore turns out focused flavors with balanced sweetness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bronte pistachio gelato, Hazelnut (nocciola) gelato, Passion fruit sorbetto
What Makes it Special: Onsite, daily-made gelato with precise textures and classic Italian flavors.
8.4
Bay Area’s mochi specialists turn out chewy butter mochi donuts with seasonal glazes alongside their famed Mochi Muffins. Lines are steady for colorful, gluten-free treats that travel well and pair with matcha lattes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Mochi Donut — Matcha White Chocolate, Ube Coconut Mochi Donut, Strawberries & Cream Mochi Donut
What Makes it Special: Chewy butter mochi donuts with rotating, vibrant flavors.
#24
Verace Gelato
8.4
Small-batch gelato made in the Italian style with clean textures and balanced sweetness. Rotating case highlights nut-forward classics and bright sorbetti in a modern downtown nook.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio, Gianduja (hazelnut chocolate), Lemon Sorbetto
What Makes it Special: True-to-style Italian gelato with focused rotating flavors.
Female- and immigrant-founded small-batch outfit (since 2020) turning out polished, CIA-honed doughnuts at the Saturday Ferry Plaza market. Glazes and fillings spotlight ube, Madagascar vanilla, and Belgian chocolate.
Must-Try Dishes:
The O.G. (Madagascar Vanilla Bean Glaze), Ooh Baby (Ube Filled & Glazed), Napa Creme (Belgian Chocolate + Vanilla Bean Cream)
What Makes it Special: Culinary Institute–born recipes with Filipino and travel-inspired flavors.
8.3
Plant-based scoop shop serving cashew-milk ice cream in classic and seasonal flavors with a rich, dairy-free texture. Downtown location makes it an easy stop for pints, cones, and flights after dinner on Locust.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cool Mint Chip, Chocolate Orange Chip, Cold Brew Coffee
What Makes it Special: All-organic, dairy-free cashew-milk ice cream with inventive flavors.
Family-run cart scooping Mitchell’s Ice Cream inside SPARK Social with classic and tropical flavors. Ideal for casual groups roaming the food truck park with plenty of outdoor seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ube scoop, Mango scoop, Double scoop sundae
What Makes it Special: Small cart serving beloved Mitchell’s flavors in the food-truck park.
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Small-batch, from-scratch scoops served out of a compact Hayes Valley shop right off Patricia’s Green. Rotating seasonal flavors sit alongside well-executed classics, with shakes and floats for add-on indulgence.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh Mint Chip, German Chocolate Cake, Peach Lemon Thyme Sorbet
What Makes it Special: From-scratch, small-batch ice cream with thoughtful seasonal rotations.
#29
Somisomi
8.3
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
Korean-style soft serve and taiyaki converge in customizable "ah-boong" cones with fillings like custard or red bean and swirls from ube to milk. Locals hit this Mission Bay shop for clean execution, fast lines, and photo-worthy cones after campus or ballpark events.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ube & milk swirl in taiyaki cone, Custard-filled taiyaki + soft serve, Black sesame soft serve
What Makes it Special: Taiyaki fish-shaped cones topped with ultra-smooth Korean soft serve.
#30
Tartine Bakery
8.3
Mission-born bakery (since 2002) drawing lines for croissants, morning buns, and rustic loaves. Neutral tones, abundant natural light, and sculptural pastries make easy hero shots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Morning bun, Butter croissant, Double pain au chocolat
What Makes it Special: Influential French-style pastry program with iconic morning buns.
#31
Toy Boat by Jane
8.3
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Quick Bites Champions
Revived neighborhood scoop shop serving sundaes, shakes, and locally sourced ice cream in a nostalgic, toy-lined room. Lines move steadily and portions are generous for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic hot fudge sundae, Cookie crumble shake, Double Rainbow scoop + waffle cone
What Makes it Special: Classic sundaes and local scoops in a preserved Clement Street icon.
8.3
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
Husband-and-wife shop (since 2014) balancing classic doughnuts on weekdays with playful weekend specials. Locals come for tight execution, creative flavors, and a steady morning flow that keeps cases fresh.
Must-Try Dishes:
Old Fashioned (glazed or chocolate), Nutty Monkey specialty donut, Maple Buttermilk Bar
What Makes it Special: Small-batch classics plus inventive weekend flavors from a family-run team.
#33
Glaze Donuts
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Neighborhood counter on Mission Street turning out classic yeast-raised and cake donuts alongside coffee and quick breakfast items. Locals rely on it for consistent fritters and freshly glazed rounds from early morning through the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Maple Bar, Old-Fashioned Cake Donut
What Makes it Special: Reliable, early-opening shop with freshly glazed classics all day.
8.2
Small counter-service spot on 6th Street turning out fresh classics—old fashioneds, twists, and apple fritters—at budget-friendly prices. Regulars swing by early for warm trays and simple coffee before the Mid-Market rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Old Fashioned (plain or glazed), Cinnamon Twist
What Makes it Special: Fresh-batched classics at true old-school prices on 6th Street.
8.2
German bakery specializing in Berliners (jam-filled donuts) alongside cakes and pretzels. Small window service with limited daily batches and precise, not-too-sweet fillings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Berliner (Seasonal Jam), Vanilla Cream Berliner, Mini Berliner Assortment
What Makes it Special: Authentic German Berliners with rotating house-made fillings.
#36
Koolfi Creamery
8.2
South Asian–inspired ice cream and kulfi near Salesforce Tower, turning out flavors like mango lassi and cardamom alongside fun specials (think banana with gulab jamun bites). Small, efficient counter setup makes it an easy after-work or dessert stop downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Banana ice cream with gulab jamun bites, Mango lassi ice cream, Cardamom pistachio kulfi
What Makes it Special: Indian-inspired flavors and kulfi made in a downtown micro-shop.
#37
Le Marais Bakery
8.2
Lower Nob Hill commissary for the Parisian bakery group serving viennoiserie, croques, and quiches alongside coffee with quick counter service. A reliable morning or brunch stop when you want proper laminated pastry without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Croissant, Quiche Lorraine, Croque Monsieur
What Makes it Special: Skillful French viennoiserie with counter-speed convenience.
#38
Powder
8.2
Lower Haight shop specializing in Taiwanese shaved snow—light ribbons that split the difference between ice cream and shaved ice. Toppings and rotating flavors keep it playful without feeling heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cereal Snow with cinnamon sugar, Black Sesame Snow, Croffle with Snow
What Makes it Special: Shaved-to-order snow made with Straus dairy and inventive toppings.
#39
Primrose Bakery
8.2
Downtown European-style bakery known for elegant cakes, fruit tarts, and laminated pastries baked through the day. Locals lean on it for celebrations and late-evening dessert runs thanks to longer hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Assorted Fresh Fruit Tart, Bourbon Maple Éclair, Custard Croissant
What Makes it Special: Celebration-ready pastry case with award-winning cakes and classic tarts.
#40
The French Spot
8.2
Tiny Tendernob pastry shop baking an Ube “Mochicro” (mochi-croissant hybrid) alongside viennoiserie. It’s a fun, chewier take on the donut lane with precise lamination and rotating flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ube Mochicro, Matcha Raspberry Mochi Ring, Morning Bun
What Makes it Special: Mochi-meets-croissant rings with tight technique and flavor.
#41
Uji Time Dessert
8.2
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Taiyaki waffle cones stuffed with matcha, ube, or black sesame soft serve define this Japantown standby. The line moves quickly and flavors lean decidedly Japanese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Matcha–ube swirl taiyaki soft serve, Black sesame soft serve cup, Hojicha soft serve with rice cracker crumble
What Makes it Special: Japanese soft serve in fish-shaped taiyaki cones with classic tea flavors.
#42
AA Bakery & Cafe
8.1
Long-running Chinatown bakery-cafe known for a wide pastry case and steady fry work on Chinese-style donuts and sweets. You can grab coffee and a couple of warm, crisp items and be on your way in minutes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sai Yong (Sugar Egg Puffs), Sesame Donut Balls, Chinese Donut (Youtiao)
What Makes it Special: One-stop pastry counter with reliably fresh fried sweets.
Beloved Sunset roaster with the photogenic Snowy Plover and Belfast-inspired bakes. The bright, beach-block cafe turns out soda farls, wheaten bread, and breakfast sandos that play well on feeds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Snowy Plover (Original Bird), Soda Farl with Butter, The Original Breakfast Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Signature Snowy Plover and Irish bakery program with soda farls.
#44
Angie’s Pizza
8.1
Cozy neighborhood spot for thin-crust, wood-fired pies paired with a tight natural-leaning wine list. It’s a relaxed date-night choice with seasonal toppings and house desserts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita with basil oil, Brussels Sprout Pie, Seasonal Gelato Sundae
What Makes it Special: Wood-fired pies with seasonal produce and natural wines.
8.1
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Weekend mochi donuts share the stage with boba at this Plaza Escuela spot. Flavors skew fun—think churro, black sesame, and strawberry shortcake—made in limited batches Friday to Sunday.
Must-Try Dishes:
Churro Mochi Donut, Black Sesame Mochi Donut, Strawberry Shortcake Mochi Donut
What Makes it Special: Limited-run mochi donuts drop Fri–Sun alongside boba.
#46
Butter & Crumble
8.1
Micro-bakery near the waterfront turning out laminated pastries with playful fillings that sell out by early afternoon. Limited seating; most guests grab coffees and boxes of viennoiserie to go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter croissant, Seasonal cruffin, Kouign-amann
What Makes it Special: Small-batch viennoiserie with creative, rotating flavors.
8.1
Small Glen Park bakery turning out scratch-made croissants, cinnamon rolls, and seasonal tarts. Locals stop in for warm bakes, friendly counter service, and dependable morning rituals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Croissant, Cinnamon Roll, Seasonal Fruit Tart
What Makes it Special: Scratch-baked classics made fresh throughout the morning.
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Sweet Treats Escapes
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Classic, family-run counter turning out fresh raised and cake donuts, apple fritters, and breakfast sandwiches from pre-dawn until early afternoon. Locals stop for quick boxes before work and weekend coffee-and-fritter runs on the Sunol Blvd corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Fritter, Glazed Old-Fashioned, Maple Bar
What Makes it Special: Pre-dawn bakes with reliably fresh fritters and classics.
#49
Kiss of Matcha
8.1
Tiny Japanese dessert bar known for thick matcha and black sesame soft serve, parfaits, and affogatos. Not too sweet and meticulously whisked, it’s a go-to after Clement dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Matcha soft serve parfait, Black sesame–vanilla swirl cone, Matcha affogato
What Makes it Special: Ceremonial-leaning matcha soft serve with focused Japanese flavors.
8.1
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Neighborhood gelateria scooping classic Italian flavors alongside seasonal specials and affogatos. Locals stop in after dinner on Church Street for a quick, satisfying sweet finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio Gelato, Stracciatella, Affogato
What Makes it Special: Authentic Italian gelato with rotating seasonal flavors and affogatos.