Swensen`s Ice Cream in San Francisco

In Asia, Swensen’s Is a big deal. However the ice cream here is totally different, in a bad way. IMO the sticky chewy chocolate was really lacking the sticky chewy part. Overall flavour felt sweeter than what I felt was necessary, although the chocolate flavour was definitely great. Large large scoops to satisfy even the most obese American. At less than $5 I would say it’s definitely affordable. Nowhere to sit down or standup to eat, unfortunately. 3/5 above average quality ice cream, come here if you’re literally 2 blocks away. Other than that, you probably can find a good substitute.

I love eating here. good to cool a days of hot temper! HEHEHEH

One of my favorite ice creameries in the Bay Area. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I don't get tired of it. It's usually busy here, so expect a wait. It's definitely worth it though. They offer more than just ice cream, you can also order off of their full menu which has hot food.

My absolute favorite ice cream of all time! Swensens is a MUST! Their seasonal flavors are not to be missed. No one beats their pumpkin! Their cones are freshly made as is their ice cream! Cash only, so keep that in mind. Take the cable car over and hop off, or climb that hill if you're not already on top. It's such a special treat!

Delicious Ice Cream! Very reasonable prices. Beware: They are Cash Only, so be prepared for that. There is an ATM at the convenience store across the street.

Amazing ice cream sundaes!! For three people, we got two sundaes: The Saddleback Brownie and the Cookie Connection. Once we saw them come in, we knew we had made a mistake. The ice cream sundaes are huge - 1 sundae is probably enough for 3-4 people.

The Icecream here is great! Worth a visit if you’re ever in the area. Just be weary that parking might be difficult to find and that there isn’t space to sit down and eat your Icecream inside.

Really nice staff, excellent ice cream!

Quite different from Italian gelato:3 I think Italian one is better :/

When you want to step back in time taste Goodness ask for 2 scoops with a cherry on Top!

Freshly made ice cream. Yum.

Been going to this store since I was a child. The fresh banana ice cream is a MUST try if you have never had it. You can't go wrong no matter your choice. I once met basketball great Wilt Chamberlin at this store. He rose out of a Rolls Royce and was nice as could be. The ice cream topped off that great memory.

Love this place and glad that it's back open. been dreaming of their cookies and cream!!!! Fyi they are only serving in cups right now...and still cash only

Got seriously hooked up on Sticky Peanut Butter Chocolate. Coolest ice creamery)

Kind service.👍👍👍 Good price. The white chocolate was the Best. Everything is delicious and tasty also the quality and the quantity is in balance with the price.

COOKIES AND CREAM old fashioned. Buy a quart or a gallon. Don’t just get a scoop of this. It’s cash only! You’ll be rewarded with amazing ice cream at Swensen’s.

Great location to meet with friends. I will be back with my relatives. Prices were average for the menu.

Simply my favorite ice cream. Swiss orange chip. Get a cone and walk down and back up Lombard Street for an authentic SF experience.

Super tasty icecream in so many different tasts.

It is refreshing and perfectly balanced. It's hard to describe why it's so good.!! This is a beautifully delicious place..

Cute ice cream joint on top of the hill. A must do if you're in the neighborhood.

Ive been here a few times (every time I come to San Francisco). It's a great stop when I'm walking down the hill after seeing Lombard Street. The ice cream is fantastic and there are a ton of great choices - including many that might not be available elsewhere. A nice treat for anyone!

Wow-the sticky chewy chocolate flavor was just incredible and tastes exactly as you’d imagine it would taste. The store is tiny and looks like it’s a snapshot in time. Cash only!

HISTORY...The company started in 1948 by Earle Swensen, who learned to make ice cream while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[2] Swensen opened his first shop at the corner of Union and Hyde Streets, along the cable car tracks in Russian Hill in San Francisco at what had been a failed ice cream parlor.[3] Although vanilla was his lifelong favorite, he developed more than 150 flavors, which he marketed under the motto "Good as Father Used to Make". The original store sold ice cream and other frozen dessert specialties (such as sundaes and banana splits), with primarily take out service. Later other Swensen's franchisees added indoor seating and offered various types of food, including sandwiches and hamburgers.

Just as I remembered it as a kid, except there was no Lychee. Which was delicious!

Quite an interesting experience to be there, good taste, more home taste than the commercial Swensen's franchise one I get in BKK...love it

Small, cozy great ice cream.. Sorry no restrooms available.

We went to Fentons (4 children & 7 adults) today around 1PM. There wasn't a line at all, must have been the rainy weather so we got seated right away. Parking is still tight in that location.

Very good ice cream. I got the sticky peanut butter and it was delicious. The waffle cones are just average. Love the location near Lombard st.

*Cash only*Delicious flavors, nice location. Unfortunately there is nowhere to seat around the shop. The missing star is because the place didn't look extremely clean.

Swenson's lychee ice cream tastes exactly as I remembered it tasting when I used to come here as a kid. I visited recently and they had markers on the ground to help customers self regulate social distancing and the employees inside helped make sure parties were small, only allowing 2 people into the store at a time. When you visit, remember that its cash only and don't forget to leave a tip!

Best Lychee Ice cream ❤️

Good but no seating here

Every time like last time.... great service best ice cream in town ... and the floats.The First Swensen's Ice Cream Store.

This is one of my favorite spots, I always come here with my children. they have great ice cream at great prices. Their homemade waffle cones are to die for!

I got the RED STAR!!! Free ice cream if you’re lucky and your receipt has a red star. Prices are high $4.25 for a small — which is what I got. They have “peppermint stick” ice cream which I love and can’t find at most places. This is a must stop and located along the cable cars. Great place to walk to after checking out Lombard St. or after riding the Hyde St. cable car.Enjoy!Yummy. 😋

Butterscotch candy ice cream; black walnut ice cream...

First time going inside this place, i’ve lived in SF all my life & i’ve never had the chance of going to this place til today, thought this place was bigger than it looks, it’s a really small ice cream shop, they even have an old school water fountain inside! haven’t seen one of does since elementary school! anyway i asked the girl behind the counter what were their best flavored ice creams she gave me samples of the top three but i got the orange chocolate, you can literally taste the orange in this ice cream! when i was inside this place i felt like i was a kid again, it has that nostalgic feeling, too bad there aren’t more ice cream shops like these in SF, i really miss does days but at least i have Swensen’s hope they never close, this place brings me back to my childhood!

Nice ice cream place with interesting history, if you are a fan of Swensen’s, do not miss this place. The ice cream taste like original! Famous Lombard street is close by, you can walk there after ice cream.

The place to go in Hyde St, for ice cream... be patient... always a line but worth the wait. A ton of variety and quality!

Delicious ice cream. they have all the right flavors! Watch out, it's on a hill so prepare to climb or make sure you come from the right direction.

A scoop of Sticky Chewy Chocolate on a sugar cone was fantastic in the 80's and it's still the same. If you like creamy ice cream, it is The Best.

This is the spot! Hands down one of the Best Ice Creams in SF! This is the original spot, opening in 1948. If you are in the area or love ice cream. Take a quick trip over. This is a popular place. And normally one person at a time. But it's well worth it! Especially if you love ice cream or milkshakes. The waffle cones are the Best! I grabbed the cookies and cream with peanut butter milkshake ! So yummy.

This ice cream store offers a VARIETY of flavors!!! You can definitely select a flavor of your choice. Aside from a huge choices, it tastes good as well! I just love this place

Expect more than just an old place for swensen's

Great small corner old-fashioned style ice-cream joint. About 15 flavors of traditional hard style (not soft serve). They have ice-cream, floats, soda, sundaes,Cones, Pints, Quarts, etc. This place focuses on ice-cream and not selling tons of un-needed side items. Cash-Only if I remember correct.Great flavors when visited; I recommend the Caramel Turtle Fudge and Bordeaux Cherry.So bring a friend, your kids, a date, or treat yourself. Good quality ice-cream and good simple service.

Don't let the long line intimidate you, Swensen's is well-worth the wait. The cookies and cream was the best ice cream I've ever had, 100%.

The best real ice cream in San Francisco. Hands down.

Great flavor, kind patient informative servers! Nice cap off a hike from Lombard.

If you're around, it's alright, otherwise, it is a pretty unremarkable icecream shop. They could be more friendly. And oh, no credit cards.