Review: Smitten Ice Cream in San Francisco

Smitten Ice Cream in Hayes Valley. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

*This is part of our series this week on San Francisco.* I’ve been wanting to try Smitten Ice Cream in San Francisco for a long time and am glad I finally did, on a recent trip to the city. We went to the flagship location in Hayes Valley, which looks a bit like a pop up store. It’s quite charming. Most of the Smittens are in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, but there are now two in southern CA as well. 

Smitten Ice Cream uses special ice cream makers where they pour in the ice cream base and use liquid nitrogen at -321 degrees F to freeze it. The super cold freezing means fewer ice particles in the ice cream. Yes, it tasted super creamy.

Smitten Ice Cream menu. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

They have different ice cream makers, each with one of the flavors above. They then add the pairings you ask for, like saucesch and toppings. Sauces include spicy caramel and brown sugar caramel, in addition to TCHO chocolate sauce. TCHO is a Bay Area chocolate brand.

Smitten Ice Cream made with liquid nitrogen. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

The Smitten ice cream is almost done. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

the final result – Smitten ice cream. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Mine – with almonds and a spicy caramel sauce at Smitten Ice Cream. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Smitten Ice Cream in Hayes Valley – copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Nearby: KitTea Cat Cafe

This is part of our San Francisco series:

A day at Fisherman’s Wharf

San Francisco CityPASS review

Walt Disney Family Museum

Dandelion Chocolate Factory and Cafe

KitTea Cat Cafe

A day in Japantown