Winter in Chicago is all about parkas and your kid’s mittened hand clutching a glorious cup of hot cocoa. The weather gets downright artic some days, but a steaming cup of hot chocolate will definitely make Jack Frost’s nipping a whole lot easier to handle. If your kids love cocoa—or need a good introduction to it—check out these local restaurants or cafes that make their own from scratch. Scroll to find our favorites.
When this local confectioner isn’t busy making mouthwatering truffles and caramels, it's drawing people with delicious hot chocolate in flavors like bittersweet, semisweet or salted caramel topped with homemade ‘mallows. The secret? Steamed whole milk and a cream-top cream that has 45% butterfat.
Previously named Mindy's HotChocolate, Chef Mindy Segal of Mindy's Bakery switched things up and is now specializing in handcrafted sourdough bagels and bialys, babka, za'atar challah and seasonal pastries. Lucky for us, Mindy still has a sweet spot for the roasty-toasty drink she serves with a house-made marshmallow on top.
It was named one of the five best cups of hot chocolate in NYC by CBS New York. No need to travel to get your own cup, order the cioccolata con panna at their Lavazza café, which is rich, dark, and sweet. It's a perfect place to take a pause from holiday shopping or while your table is being set in the restaurants upstairs.
Oh, yes, Firecakes offers more than donuts. The next time you head here for a chocolate old fashioned or a season favorite, double the decadence with Chef Jonathan Fox's frothed-to-order, Parisian-style hot chocolate. It balances Belgian bittersweet chocolate with organic milk, a touch of vanilla and cane sugar, and is topped with a house-made, Tahitian vanilla bean marshmallow. Be on the lookout for the roaming bakery they loving refer to as Billy the Truck.
Locations in River North, Lincoln Park, Naperville & Oak Park or look for Billy the Truck; Online: firecakesdonuts.com
Little Branch Cafe
Before or after a trip to The Field Museum, head to this neighborhood cafe for a warm-up. It serves creative American favorites for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and is great brunch alternative to nearby Yolk, which always has a longer wait. No matter the time of day, you can't go wrong with hot chocolate made from a tasty combo of vanilla syrup, Ghirardelli chocolate powder and milk, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
1251 S. Prairie Ave., Prairie Avenue Historic District; Online: littlebranchcafe.com
The San Francisco-based icon is known for its chocolate bars. It also knows a thing or two about the drinkable version. Stop by its Mag Mile location for chocolate mocha, double chocolate or chocolate caramel hot cocoa (or some seasonal favorites!). While you're on a roll, pick up the mixes to take home—and don't forget chocolate and caramel sauces.
Chances are you're already familiar with this restaurant known for its organic food and neighborhood charm. The hot chocolate is a new reason to try it. Made from omanhene chocolate and topped with whipped cream, you can have it served in a soup bowl for great slurp-ability.
3800 N. Clark St., Lakeview & 1401 W. Devon Ave., Edgewater; Online: uncommonground.com
While its name is the Mexican slang for "little sister," chef Rick Bayless’ restaurant is a big shot in the hot chocolate scene. The Mexican hot chocolate is made from cacao imported from Tabasco, which is put through a grinding process more meticulous than the judges on Top Chef Masters. One sip and your whole family will be crying olé!
Sipping hot chocolate at the Euro-inspired cafe is a special experience. When you dine in, drinks are served on silver platters with glasses of water on the side. The smooth, rich flavor of the hot chocolate is also worth talking about. It's made from steamed milk and milk chocolate powder shipped from Austria. Ask for it topped with whipped cream and homemade marshmallows.
1920 W. Montrose Ave., Ravenswood & 3601 N. Southport Ave.; Online: juliusmeinlchicago.com
Get ready for sugar bliss. This Naperville cafe serves a wide variety of decadent hot chocolates, along with cases of baked and chocolate goodies. We highly recommend their carrot cake, one of the best around.
Let the teachers know you appreciate all their hardwork with these thoughtful, easy teacher gifts you can snag on you next shopping list.
Teachers are pretty much our saving grace, but with the hecticness of the end of the school year (and multiple teachers to thank) it can get tricky to pull off DIY projects or not blow your budget. The secret? Pair up simple, affordable items from the grocery aisles to make extra-special teacher gifts. Just add a homemade card or note from the kids and you are good to go.
A beautiful box of tea is always a lovely gift, but you can one-up the package by adding a box of simple cookies in the English biscuit style: We love green tea and ginger snaps; black tea and lemon thins; chai and snickerdoodles, but there’s really no wrong pairing here!
Don't just give flowers and call it a day—the simple addition of sending them in a reusable tote makes the gift both beautiful and practical, long after the stem fades. Tote here!
A gift card is always a welcome item, but you can up the joy by pairing it with a few donuts. Who doesn't like donuts, right? Try and find a gift card for somewhere special—teachers always spend their own money on school supplies so skip the Target or Amazon cards and go for a local restaurant or coffee house where they can really treat themselves. Or give them a grocery gift card so they can spend the money on special supplies (or wine) for the holidays.
Let your kiddo's teacher know that you want them to really relax and unwind over the winter break by combining two of the world's greatest decompression tools: wine and novels. Most grocery stores have the latest paperback sensation and a bodice-ripper might not be as looked-down on as you'd think. It makes for an adorable gift pairing, that's for sure.
The whole cocoa and marshmallows thing is great, but why not up your game by adding either real, vanilla extract or the actual whole vanilla beans to the gift bag? Drop in a high-quality powdered chocolate to the gift bag, marshmallows and maybe some cinnamon sticks too.
Tip: If you slice open a vanilla bean and place in on a tray in your oven at a lower temp for 30-45 minutes, you'll get a house that smells like cookies without having to bake!
You can’t go wrong with a bottle of fancy bubble water: look for one in a glass jar to make it uber-special and then add a few fresh lemons to the mix. Paired together in a small basket, this simple gesture is cheerful and healthy at the same time.
Give the gift of celebration and recovery! Assuming your teacher partakes in a glass or two on the weekends, a nice bottle of wine or champagne is always a treat. Add box of effervescent relief of a different kind and you can make it a funny-but-practical gift, too. Warning: do not give this gift if you or your giftee do not have a sense of humor.
Whether it’s a box of chocolates or your favorite local artisan bar, give the gift of “treat yo’self” directly to your favorite teacher by pairing chocolate (or another candy) with fun magazines. Choose 3-4 of the latest issues on a couple different subjects: if you know your teacher’s hobbies you can tailor the stack or just go for general coolness (House Beautiful; Conde Naste Travel; National Geographic). Tie the magazine stack together with twine and tuck the chocolate bar inside.
Eating natural honey is said to be good for staving off illness and allergies, and the soothing properties for a teacher’s throat after a day in the classroom can’t be beat. Take this treat from sweet to indulgent by adding a nice round of goat cheese: bonus props if you can find the kind with edible wildflowers pressed in.
For a proper tea time, package a nice lemon curd or jam with traditional crumpets. If your grocery store doesn’t have crumpets, you can opt for nice basket of muffins and scones.
Help teach keep her blood sugar up in the afternoons with a sweet gift in a reusable jar! Also, gummy bears + blue Ball jar = the perfect gift. Any kind of Mason or Ball jar will do, of course. Just fill it up with colorful bulk candy such as gummies, individually wrapped caramels, Jelly Bellys, licorice, etc. You can buy a set of jars and make these gifts for all the teachers in your life.
A nice coarse sea salt is a handy kitchen item: some grocery stores sell them in bulk and include Hawaiian red clay; pink Himalayan salt and more. Choose your favorite and then snag a bottle of olive oil to go with: look for an extra-virgin and stick to a smaller bottle so you don’t break your bank.
For many teachers, coffee goes with everything (especially grading papers and report cards) but even if you didn’t have time to paint a mug in advance you can still pair a pound of coffee with something spectacular. Look in the sugar aisle for a nice raw sugar, cane sugar or turbinado sugar.
The traditional teacher gift of a shiny red apple gets an upgrade when you place a triple-cream brie in the mix. It’s a simple pairing that never goes wrong: we’re pretty sure if your teacher doesn’t like brie there’s someone in his house who does.
This one is only for a teacher you know well enough to know that they drink vodka! You don’t have to go top shelf, just make sure to steer clear of the bottom shelf. Grab some queen stuffed olives for their martini mixer and you may just become the most popular parent on campus.
You can grab this one the night before or even the morning-of gift giving because the fresher the bread the better. Choose a crusty, rich loaf and then pair with a spreadable olive tapenade. You can also look for a rich roasted red pepper version, or opt for artichokes. The point is, give them something delicious to spread on their bread that screams “special occasion” and not mayo.
Fight cold and flu season (which is year round for teachers!) with a big basket of fresh oranges. Add in a box of tissue (go for the kind with lotion infused in a fancy-patterned box) and you’ll not only give them a chuckle, you’ll actually give them something they will use. Like, right away.
There’s self-soothing, and then there is self-soothing. Put the bath salts in a beautiful jar (ahem, Mason jars to the rescue again!) with a label that says what the contents are (bath salts) for soothing weary muscles and then get a package of mini-cupcakes or bite-sized brownies. Tell your teacher to take a bath and eat a brownie, because they deserve it!
We think the best way to celebrate National Ice Cream month is with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato from one of Boston’s best ice cream shops. It’s like summer in a cup! So the next time your crew is chanting (you know the one) for their favorite summer treat, head to one of these spots families love.
Families love this small batch ice creamery in Cambridge, and it’s not just because they have inventive flavors like Horchata, Honey Lavender and Port Cherry Vanilla. We think it’s their sweet take on Taco Tuesday that makes this shop a must-visit on a sunny day. Grab street tacos from your favorite spot for dinner, followed by Honeycomb Creamery’s taco-shaped waffle cone filled with your favorite ice cream and dipped in chocolate for dessert.
When it comes to finding a great scoop of ice cream in the city, you can’t go wrong with Toscanini’s. Started in 1981, this fantastic spot is known for their creamy and flavorful cups of ice cream and their frequently rotating menu of choices. On the can’t-miss list is Toscanini’s Vienna Finger and Tiramisu.
The rock ‘n’ roll story behind Emack & Bolio’s is almost as legendary as their ice cream. And although the shop’s hours have changed over the years—from après show, late night hours to something more standard—their ice cream still rocks. Whatever flavor you choose, we suggest tricking out your treat with a covered cone (it’s kind of their thing). Get yours with Oreos, Rice Krispies or Fruity Pebbles to earn extra enthusiastic thanks from the kiddos.
When it comes to interesting ice cream flavors you can’t find anywhere else, Tipping Cow is the place. Their ice cream is made in-house and families with food sensitivities can always count on it being peanut, tree-nut and sesame-free (psst... they have non-dairy options too). We’re crushing on their original flavors like Goat Cheese and Fig, Strawberry Basil and Sweet Corn.
Named for the irresistible fish-shaped waffle cone it’s served in, Taiyaki NYC serves up Japanese-style ice cream your kids will scream for (in the “I scream, you scream” sense of the word). Fish-shaped cone? Check. Unicorn sprinkle topping? They’ve got it. What more could a kid ask for on a swelteringly hot summer day?
119 Seaport Blvd., Suite B Boston Online: taiyakinyc.com
Whether you track down one of the trucks, or visit a bakeshop location, you and the kids will be hard pressed to find a tastier ice cream sandwich anywhere else. And if you ask us, it’s the DIY aspect of the treat that makes it so good. After all, if there’s one thing we know kids always want (besides ice cream, of course), it’s to be in charge. Let them choose their favorite cookie and ice cream flavor combo to create the sweet sandwich of their dreams.
Locations in Danvers, Swampscott, Burlington and Needham. Plus food trucks (find out where they’ll be popping up next). Online: thecookiemonstah.com
If plant-based is your jam, FoMu is where you’ll find creamy vegan ice cream to enjoy. All their creative flavors are made in-house and from scratch, and the coconut milk base gives their ice creams a smooth, gelato feel. Although you might be tempted to try the avocado ice cream, don’t neglect the more traditional flavors like chocolate cookie dough, vanilla bean and cold brew ice cream when you go. They’re just as good as FoMu’s more creative flavors.
Locations in Allston, Jamaica Plain, South End and Fenway. Online: fomuicecream.com
With flavors like Ol’ Dirty Custard, Peanut the Kidnapper and Joe Bananas you might wonder what exactly is in this ice cream. Count on enticing combos that keep you and your little ice cream lovers coming back for more. Beyond these everyday flavors families can take advantage of OddFellow’s summer collection. These ice creams featuring light and fruity flavors are available for pick-up now.
Go old school with a trip to the Forge Ice Cream Bar. Whatever your hankering for, they’ve got it on their menu. Traditional scoop on a cone? Check. Shakes, ice cream sodas or a root beer float? Your kids can order it here. And if they really want to go bananas, try a Curious George (or an ice cream flight) to share.
Add a little (bunny) bounce to your Easter weekend activities at a restaurant serving Easter brunch. Whether you and your little “peeps” want to sit down to a three course meal of find a buffet bursting with the flavors of the season, these restaurants are serving up traditional (and not-so-traditional) meals so you can enjoy the day. Don’t forget to pack an Easter activity in your diaper bag. Read on to make your plans.
Goldfinch Tavern
Goldfinch Tavern
You can always count on the restaurants at finer hotels to provide an Easter feast. And this year, Goldfinch Tavern inside the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, will be serving a delish Easter Day brunch. The three-course meal will start with an appetizer buffet, featuring fresh seafood, yogurt parfaits and salads. Entrees will include Lemon Ricotta Ravioli, Lobster Frittata, Alaskan King or Dungeness Crab and prime rib. Choosing is the hard part here. A dessert trio buffet finishes off your meal, and will surely leave everyone happy.
Insider tip: Kids will love the Candy Bar they can use to fill their Easter baskets.
Hours: April 17, 2022; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $99/Adult; $35/Kid, 12 & under; $25 for bottomless mimosas
Whether you're looking to dine indoors or outdoor on the heated patio with a view, Easter with Ray's is a tradition for many Seattle families. And this year you can choose to graze at the grand holiday buffet that will be served at the Cafe upstairs, or sit down for a three-course, spring-inspired meal at the at the first floor Boathouse. Reservations are recommended no matter how you plan to spend your Easter morning, but if you've got antsy kids, we recommend the holiday buffet. It's where you'll find your favorite buffet fixings (think: appetizers, salads, desserts) plus the carving and seafood action stations. Families with older kiddos can try the three-course meals that's just as delicious, with a little less up and down. And you can always order from the children's menu in the Boathouse, if the Easter feast is a little too egg-citing.
Date: Apr. 17, 2022 Hours: Cafe: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Boathouse brunch: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Boathouse dinner: 3-8 p.m. Cost: $70/person; $35/Kid (5-11) in the Cafe only
6049 Seaview Ave. N.W. Seattle, WA 206-789-3770 Online:rays.com
Elliott's Oyster House
Catherine Tonner / Elliott’s Oyster House
Take a break from preparing bunch for your bunny bunch when you sit down for a casual meal at Elliott's Oyster House at Pier 56. The views are second only to the creative cuisine they'll be serving that morning. The Alder Smoked Alaskan Salmon Scramble and the Crab Rosti will satisfy those looking for seafood. While the Sweet Cream French Toast or Biscuits and Gravy make great choices for kids. But if you've got an Elliott's favorite you totally craving, not to worry, their regular menu will be available too. Parent perk of this brunch? It's gotta be the pricing. Every dish is under $25.
From Tiramisu pancakes, to grits with Beecher’s cheese, to waffles with sundae toppings, Eques is known for serving up some seriously good eats seven days a week. And for Easter brunch, you can expect high-quality, locally sourced ingredients featuring classic comfort dishes with exciting Northwest flavors. Classic and festive dishes from the hot table and cold top will include Sweet Potato and Cashew Gratin, Seared Salmon with Beetroot Chimichurri, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Breasts, alongside an array of sweet Easter treats and usual breakfast fare. For the little ones, there will be a special kid's menu with mac and cheese and chicken strips Reservations are required by calling 425-698-4100.
900 Bellevue Way N.E. Bellevue, WA 425-698-4100 Online: hyatt.com
Copperleaf Restaurant
Copperleaf Restaurant
When you make a reservation for Easter brunch at the Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge, you can expect to enjoy a peaceful meal on a serene patio with your brunch bunch. Fresh and seasonal is what you'll find on this menu that's a definite crowd-pleaser. Served buffet style, you can start your feast with chef-prepared omelets that are made-to-order before wandering over to the carving station and grand seafood and shellfish buffet. The grazing table will make your charcuterie heart happy and the kids will flip for the donut wall that is part of the sweet tooth endings. Reservations are recommended at this hot spot.
With outstanding views of the Snoqualmie Falls and Snoqualmie River, The Dining Room at Salish Lodge & Spa provides a first-of-the-season experience. The brunch menu will feature Pacific Northwest cuisine paired with local, homegrown flavors and the best ingredients and refined cooking techniques. Start your meal with freshly baked pastries and assorted fruits, before moving onto the first course of Spring Carrot Soup, Smoked Duck Salad or Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes. Then, indulge in your choice of main courses: Roasted Wagyu Beef Striploin, Vegetarian Croque Madame and Smoked Ham Shank Eggs Benedict are a few of the creative options. Psst...be sure to save room for dessert! This year it will be a Carrot Cake we're sure every bunny will love.
Good to know: The Dining Room will be closed for reservations from April 3-7.
The Dining Room at Salish Lodge & Spa 6501 Railroad Ave. S.E. Snoqualmie, WA 800-272-5474 Online: salishlodge.com
Metropolitan Grill
Catherine Tonner / Metropolitan Grill
Celebrate Easter at home with Metropolitan Grill's oven-ready, at-home meals. Each pre-packaged meal comes with everything you need to feed two people, including roasted rosemary fingerling and sweet potatoes, harrrisa and maple-glazed baby carrots, baby spinach salad with braised pork belly, sourdough bread with butter and a baked apple crisp for a sweet finish to your meal. The mains are where Metropolitan Grill really shines. Expect expertly prepared mains like Prime Rib with Au Jus and Horseradish, Hazelnut Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Kurobuta Ham with Orange Ginger Glaze to be the highlight of your at-home feast. Meals start at $165.
Good to know: Order by April 13, 2022 for pick-up on April 16, between noon and 4 p.m.
Make memories with your kids this Easter while enjoying a casual brunch on the Hood Canal. Although The Restaurant at Alderbrook is currently undergoing a facelift, the Terrace has been transformed into a scenic spot for families to enjoy this seasonal favorite. The restaurant is known for showcasing local seafood harvested from Puget Sound and Hood Canal with savory creations, so you know Easter brunch is going to be fantastic! This year it will be the traditional brunch classics with a few seasonal dishes to make it extra special.
Good to know:Plan to stay at the resort over Easter weekend to make your celebration egg-stra special. They'll have eggs hidden around the property for families who are staying on-property to find.
Seattle families can enjoy their annual Easter brunch at Salty's on Alki at the restaurant or at home this year. The Easter brunch menu features an array of Northwest local seafoods (think: Dungeness crab legs, Black Tiger prawns and Puget Sound clams and mussels) and iconic faves like Belgian waffles, pancakes and French toast, alongside creative drinks and decadent desserts that will leave tummies full and happy for the day. Hop over to Salty’s online menu to see even more tantalizing dishes planned for this year’s feast. Reservations are encouraged for in-house dining.
2022 Update: Salty's is still in the planning stages for Easter Brunch.
Alki 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 206-937-1600 Online: saltys.com
Eat with a view at this 16th floor restaurant atop the Lotte Hotel downtown. Brunch here is full of culinary surprises that parents will love, and kids will find many of their go-to favorites on the kid's menu (think: buttered noodles and PB&J). Make your mouth happy with the amuse before diving into the prix-fix, four course meal that features PNW cuisine. Poached Chilean Sea Bass and Anderson Ranch Lamb are a couple of the enticing entrees you'll find on the menu. Don't forget to pair it with spritzers ($25) for the perfect balance.
2022 Update: Easter brunch plans are still being made here.
2022 update: Ivar's is still in the planning stages for Easter brunch.
For an Easter brunch that is uniquely Northwest, Ivar’s Salmon House, Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing and Ivar’s Acres of Clams, on the downtown Seattle waterfront, are offering a robust Easter brunch buffet. Indulge in Alaskan salmon, mussels, clams, crab legs, crepes, prime rib and all the other usual breakfast suspects at Ivar's Acres of Clams and Ivar's Salmon House. For those who prefer a sit down-style meal, the Mukilteo Landing will be serving a plated version of their brunch. Psst! Keep an eye out for Ivar’s famous Easter Clam (yep, we told you this was a uniquely Northwest Easter brunch).
Ivar’s Salmon House 401 N.E. Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98105 Reservations: 206-632-0767 or online
Mukilteo Landing (next to Mukilteo Ferry Dock) 710 Front St. Mukilteo, WA 98275 Reservations: 425-742-6180 or online
Ivar’s Acres of Clams 1001 Alaskan Way–Pier 54 Seattle, WA 98104 206-624-6852 or online
Hot days call for cold treats, and there’s no time like the present to swap out your go-to Otter Pops for a new dessert that’s perfect for kids. From delicious frozen cookie dough bites to oat-milk chip ice cream, we’ve found a few new products to infuse a little fun into your llife. Keep reading to see them all.
It's pretty much everyone's dream to have frozen cookie dough ready to pop in the oven for a warm treat. Home Dough totally gets that convenience is key and delivers in the taste category as well. With Home Dough, fresh-baked, better-than-homemade cookies are always just ten minutes away. Choose from Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Toffee, or Molasses Ginger Spice, all made from tried and true, mom-approved recipes and the same simple ingredients you’d find in your cupboard. They even come in gluten-free varieties! We suggest you order up a variety pack and try them today!
$18 for 8 cookie balls, $48 for a 24-ball variety pack. Available here.
Enlightened Sundae Cones
Sundae cones are what summer is made of and Enlightened is here to bring this favorite treat to your home with less sugar than regular cones. You'll get a crunchy cone filled with frozen Green yogurt or light ice cream and topped with nuts and chocolate. A final surprise? The chocolate-filled tip is there for your last bite. Order them online or find them at a store near you.
Killer Creamery's Sammies
courtesy Killer Creamery
For a treat that doesn't have a lot of sugar but tons of taste, we love the new Sammies from Killer Creamery. Offered in chocolate or vanilla ice cream with the classic cookie outside, with only 120 calories, no added sugar and only two to three net carbs, you'll feel just fine having one after dinner!
Available at stores nationwide, $5.99 - $6.99 for six.
Bubbies Vegan Mochi & Cookie Dough Bites
Bubbie's
Two new options from Bubbies will get you starting the summer off right.
The irresistible combination of ice cream wrapped in a decadent chocolate chip cookie dough is easy to eat—and even easier to enjoy! Like all Bubbies products, the Cookie Dough Bites are made with all-natural ingredients, are Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher dairy, no rBST, and Non-GMO!
Those looking to add a vegan treat to their dessert lineup will love these new additions to Bubbies mochi repertoire. You'll find mango, chocolate and strawberry vegan mochi that enrobe the non-dairy frozen dessert in perfectly sweetened mochi dough.
Daiya’s Dessert Bars make for the perfect treat for a hot day. These indulgent, chocolate-dipped, frozen dessert bars are completely plant-based and so tasty, parents will want to keep them for themselves!
If you want indulgent taste without the guilt, Nubocha is here for you. This low-sugar, non-dairy gelato brand was co-founded by famed Italian chocolatier Gianluca Franzoni, and it is reimagining gelato with health and wellness in mind.
Its low-sugar, dairy-free recipes consist of just three main ingredients: premium varietals of nuts or cacao, pure spring water, and allulose, a rare, zero calorie sugar found naturally in foods like raisins, figs and maple syrup. The simplicity of Nubocha’s recipes and its unique use of spring water as a base, allow each thoughtfully sourced ingredient to shine, offering a healthier, flavorful gelato with no added sugar and less than 350 calories per pint.
Beckon Ice Cream’s lactose-free ice cream is the perfect cold dessert for your summer gatherings. They just released perfectly-sized snack cups in flavors vanilla (with rainbow sprinkles in the lid), dark chocolate (with brownie chunks in the lid) and mint chip. These portable cups are a great option to bring in your cooler for your next park picnic.
If you love ice cream but it doesn't necessarily love you, ReThink has you covered. All of ReThink’s ice cream flavors are made with A2/A2 Dairy to be extra digestible. They're diabetic-friendly, Keto, gluten-dree, lactose-free, and made with all-natural ingredients including collagen, prebiotic fiber, and green tea extract for antioxidants.
We sampled the current flavors of Vanilla Supreme, Chocolate Majesty, Mint with Chocolate Flakes, Chocolate with Almond Butter, Coffee Hazelnut, Lemon Poppy Seed, Cardamom Pistachio, Almond with Chocolate Flakes, and Black Cherry Vanilla. Chocolate Majesty stood out as the kid favorite while Lemon Poppy Seed was much loved by the adults.
Attention, your new summer obsession is here! Check out Must Love—a new non-dairy, GMO-free, plant-based ice cream that will be the perfect addition to your freezer stash. Must Love is now available at Sprouts and select Whole Foods stores, with wider distribution ahead! Must Love offers two different bases: bananas and oat milk. The banana base is made with only bananas, coconut milk and dates while the oat milk base with only oat milk, coconut milk and dates. Cashew Cookie Dough is a kid favorite and Choco Choco Chip is for all you chocolate lovers out there.
Coconut Bliss Cups of Joy
If you are looking for a plant-based frozen dessert to add to your freezer this summer, you definitely need to try Coconut Bliss. The brand’s first ever single serve ice cream indulgence,Cups of Joy, are perfect for kids (and their parents) looking for a convenient and delicious plant-based treat. The cups are available in two flavors, Dark Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla Bean. The four-pack retails for $8.99.
Want a little hands-on fun for your family's dessert? Coconut Bliss’s at-home ice cream machine, theBliss Maker™, brings their convenient plant-based scoops directly to your home. Order up the bundle and you'll also get ice cream mix that's ready to pop in the machine!
N!CK's Swedish Style Light Ice Cream
Amazon's #1 ice cream N!CK's Swedish Style Light Ice Cream has expanded its vegan line to include four new flavors that you're going to love: Vanilj Bean, Strawbär Kräm, Hazelnöt Fudge and Peanöt Butter Fudge.
Perfect for your summer sundae party, these flavors are joining the line up that tastes and melts just like dairy, but is still lactose and animal-free thanks to Perfect Day technology. Perfect Day’s real milk protein is made without animals, so kids can enjoy the real taste, texture, and nutrition of dairy—but produced sustainably and without the downsides of factory farming, lactose, hormones, or antibiotics. A dessert that you can feel good serving your family!
Your fave Outshine bars are getting some new flavors! Made with fresh milk for that creamy goodness, each bar contains five grams of protein, 25% less sugar than regular frozen dairy bars and four delicious flavor choices. Enjoy Strawberry and Mango, which are made with real fruit, in addition to Chocolate and Coffee, which offers 20mg of caffeine!
Available at retailers nationwide starting Spring of 2021.
Turkey Hill's 2021 Lineup
Get ready to sit down and cool off with Turkey Hill's new line of novelties that include 16 products like Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches, Fruit & Cream Bars and Layered Sundae Cups. With flavors that include Caramel Brownie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Peanut Butter, Choco Mint Chip, Coconut, Orange and Strawberry Lemonade there is something for everyone.
You can find all the new products at retailers nationwide.
So Delicious Dairy Free Light Frozen Desserts
So Delicious Dairy Free has just launched its brand new Light Frozen Desserts! Each pint is less than 330 calories and they are certified gluten-free, vegan action certified and non-GMO Project Verified. Current flavors include Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Cocoa Chip, Mint Chip and Tiramisu.
Available in grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.49 per pint.
Popsicle Fruit Twisters
Popsicle's newest sweet treat combines real fruit and milk. The twisty popsicle has a surprise fruit filling and is just 70 calories each. Enjoy two fresh flavors that include Strawberry, Blueberry & Vanilla Swirl and Peach, Raspberry & Vanilla Swirl.
Talk about the perfect bite! These mochi-covered ice cream bites from Mochidoki are a new favorite summer treat with kid- and parent-approved flavors like vanilla chip, Thai tea, mango and salted caramel. At just 80 calories a piece, they are full of quality, natural and non-GMO ingredients, and are less messy than typical ice cream treats. They are currently available for purchase at their NYC stores and can be shipped to 26 states plus D.C. (with more to come).
Each one of these 3.5 ozs cups is filled with healthy ingredients like chia and flax seeds and organic fruits. There are no artificial flavors, they are dairy and gluten-free and they come frozen, so each one is perfect for a snack at any time. Chocolate and strawberry were our favorite flavors!
What's better than gelato delivered to your front door? New gelato flavors created each month and delivered to your front door! Each month has a theme based on the season, or collaborations or whatever strikes their fancy. Think watermelon, banana split, root beer float and more.
Kids will flip over these Organic Ice Wands featuring Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen 2 and the plant-based Organic SuperFruit Freezies that were released from DeeBee's just in time for the summer heat. DeeBee's Organics shelf-stable freezies are made from premium organic fruits with zero added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and are allergen-free of nuts, dairy, fish, wheat and soy. You can feel good serving them every afternoon this summer!
Officially the first oat milk pop available, Chloe’s Pops come in three tasty flavors: Mint Chip, Salted Caramel and Raspberry Chip. All three flavors are dairy-free, plant-based, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free and made without any artificial ingredients. Also, these oat milk pops are free of the top eight allergens.
Inspired by a coconut macaron, this flavor from Talenti is not just a non-dairy alternative, but it’s got layers of goodness, including real coconuts, chocolate cookies and a non-dairy hot fudge swirl.
Another fun treat from Chloe’s is their Marvel Pops! Inspired by Marvel Universe, these fruit popsicles are made with just three ingredients: fruit juice, cane sugar and water! Perfect for a backyard treat, these new pops are free of the top eight allergens.
Get your kids in on the super sweet Fat Tuesday fun. Start at local bakeries that sell paczki (pronounced “poonch-key”), the traditional must-eat Polish donut that symbolizes the start of Lent. But, you have to act fast: They’re typically available for an extremely limited time. This year Paczki Day is Tuesday, March 1, and we’ve got you covered with a guide to great bakeries from Downers Grove to Bridgeport so you can stock up and go wild.
Delightful Pastries
Delightful Pastries
Owner Dobra Bielinski and her team are frying up thousands of paczki using a beloved, generations-old family recipe with a few modern-day twists when it comes to the filling: Apricot Jelly, Plum Butter, Salted Caramel with scratch-made caramel using sea salt, Fresh Strawberry, German Chocolate with pecans and coconut custard topping and more. They're famous for the booze-filled options as well: vodka and vanilla bean custard, Jameson Whiskey with chocolate custard and moonshine and lemon. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-ordering is recommended and must be completed by Feb. 21. The minimum order is a dozen.
It’s Fat Tuesday 24/7/365 at this no-frills but much-loved Polish/Lithuanian bakery. They specialize in paczki and serve them year-round. You’ll always find at least four types, but on Fat Tuesday they go into overdrive with over 20 different fillings from cheese to pineapple. There will likely be a long line of local families looking to load up on this traditional pre-Lenten treat.
Available in all 16 Chicagoland locations, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee are offering four pazcki offerings that will please chocolate and fruit lovers. Guests can choose from vanilla pastry cream, chocolate pastry cream, cannoli cream and cherry paczkis. Stop into your favorite Stan's, Feb. 26-Mar. 1, or order online.
Locations all around Chicagoland, find the one nearest you online.
Fat Tuesday is one of the busiest days of the year at Roeser’s Bakery, one of Chicago’s oldest family-owned bakeries. This year’s Paczki menu boasts over 24 varieties! Since they tend to sell out fast, we recommend ordering in advance. While you’re there, grab a loaf of Roeser’s famous bread, available in rye and buttercrust white.
West Town Bakery is offering raspberry, chocolate and vanilla paczkis in their West Town, Wrigleyville and Financial District locations. Avoid lines by pre-ordering through Feb. 24 at noon for pick-up on Mar. 1 or visit them in person.
Located in the heart of Avondale, the northwest side neighborhood nicknamed “Polish Village” for its large Eastern European population, Kurowski’s and Rich’s Bakery is an emporium of all things Polish and yummy. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into babcia’s kitchen thanks to the sweet smells of kielbasa and paczki that waft through the air. The paczki lean toward the more traditional here, with plum, poppyseed and sweet farmer’s cheese among the top three requests. Take home a kielbasa to make your Fat Tuesday even fatter: You’ll find more than 20 varieties, all freshly smoked on the shop’s second floor.
2976 N. Milwaukee Ave., Avondale
KD Market
This local polish grocery store offers a variety of baked breads, pastries and fresh meals, all made from scratch year-round. But this time of year it’s all about the paczki. They’re proud of maintaining the old baking tradition of frying the paczki with the filling inside, making them unforgettably delicious. Order by Feb. 27 for guaranteed pick-up on Mar. 1.
Locations in Schiller Park, Schaumburg, Wheeling & Mount Prospect; Online: mykdmarket.com
Firecakes Donuts, the delicious artisan donut shop now with four locations as well as Billy, the donut truck, are ready to delight you with Chicago’s tastiest paczki. This year’s lineup included four different varieties: Housemade Raspberry-Blood Orange Jelly with Powdered Sugar, Malted Chocolate Cream with Chocolate Sugar, Lemon Curd with Lemon Glaze, and Apple Bourbon with Sugar, but it’s the other Mardi Gras donut delight that steals the show here, the baby topped King Cake Donut!
Bennison’s has been baking up European-style pastries, cookies, and custom-decorated cakes on Chicago’s North Shore since 1938. If you haven’t stepped into the small, Old World-style bakery, perhaps you’ve peered through the big glass window that gives a peek into the cake decorating room. They started celebrating early this year, so go in anytime between now and Mar. 1 to get your paczki.
Family-owned for over 30 years, Oak Park Bakery offers a wide selection of homemade-from-scratch baked goods. Polish baked goods are a mainstay here, with over 12 types of kolacky offered daily, and Paczki Day is a big deal. The pre-Lenten Polish treats are fried fresh and filled with different flavors, with lemon and cherry being the most in-demand. This bakery is small and old-school. But while it could be lost in the modern, glossy age, its retro-Americana vibe and service is what makes it remain a favorite.
The yellow and black awnings of Ingram's Busy Bee Bakery have always been beacons of happiness for west suburban families looking to satisfy a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, they had to close their doors after the owner, Chuck Kalousek, lost his months-long battle with Covid-19 in Jun. 2021, leaving behind a loving wife and two kids. Chuck's dedication to his community is greatly appreciated and it didn't feel right removing them from this list just yet. If you'd like to support his family, please consider donating to the GoFundMe in Chuck's honor.
If 2020 taught us anything, it was to have a stockpile of healthy snacks for kids ready at home when the hangries strike. Fuel up with these low- or no-sugar store-bought snacks for kids that will boost their brain power and give them the energy they need to play and learn. From brand-new snacks just released in 2021 to healthy snacks we always have in our pantry, read on for the best new store-bought snacks to stock up on now.
Spudsy Sweet Potato Fries
Those misshapen sweet potatoes aren't going to waste! Spudsy take them and upcycles them into a plant-based snack the whole family will love! The brand's Sweet Potato Fries are grain and gluten-free, non-GMO, plant-based and come in three flavors including Hot Fry, Vegan Ranch Fry and Cheese Fry. While you're shopping, be sure to pick up a few of our other faves, cinnamon churro and Bangin' Bar-B-Q sweet potato puffs!
These are not your Corn Nuts of the 90's! Love, Corn products are gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, kosher and come in so many delicious flavors. New this year, Vegan Cheezy makes the perfect, guilt-free snacks for moms and a great addition to school lunches.
Perfect for toddlers, big kids and even busy moms, Yumi's fruit leathers come in mixed berry, mango and strawberry flavors. Kids will get a full serving of fruit and vegetables with no added sugar in each strip!
Don't just eat, feed your brain! Brainiac's new products include Brain Squeezers, Brain Butters and Smart Tubes & Smoothies that pack a proprietary blend of brain nutrients including Omega‑3s and Choline and are Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Kosher, have no added sugars or artificial flavors and are approved by pediatricians. Did we mention they taste great, too?
Get all the things you love about an Everything bagel in a thin, tasty cracker! RW Garcia's delicious snack is organic, verified non-GMO, gluten free, kosher and is made with corn, seeds, garlic and onion.
Find them at local grocers nationwide.
KIND Bar Minis
KIND Minis pack massive taste into 100 calories or less, with choices like Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew and Peanut Butter. Kids will love adding them to their lunchbox rotation and you can feel good that they are getting some good nutrition in at snack time.
Yes, you can still have your tasty cheese balls and eat them too! The Good Crisp just turned your guilty pleasure into a healthy snack with no fillers, artificial flavors, gluten or GMO's. On top of that, they've added Wellmune, which helps support your kiddos immune system.
Make packing that sweet snack a breeze with GoGos squeeZ brand new AlmondBlend Pudding! The plant-based pouch offers 5 grams of protein and 30% less sugar as compared to traditional dairy pudding so no guilt required.
The Famous Amos brand is being reimagined for today’s world with three new cookies. While sticking with its bite-sized shape that people know and love, Famous Amos is shaking things up by introducing three new recipes with premium ingredients from around the world including:
Belgian Chocolate Chip: An elevated classic chocolate chip cookie with authentic Belgian chocolate
Philippine Coconut and White Chocolate Chip: A bite-size variety with coconut from the Philippines
Mediterranean Hazelnut and Chocolate Chip: A bite-size variety with hazelnuts from the Mediterranean
These Lemon Blueberry Bars from Hungry Buddha are the perfect combo of zesty lemon with the sweetness of juicy berries all in one delicious, vegan, plant-powered and allergy-friendly snack bar. These gluten free, Non-GMO bars are packed with 10g of protein and only 2g of sugar, and are made without the use of palm oil, sugar alcohols, dairy or soy. Pick these up at your local Sprouts Market for $2.49.
Catalina Crunch
Catalina Crunch, the makers of delicious keto-friendly cereals and cookies, just released a brand new Crunch Mix that features protein, fiber and specially curated natural ingredients in four delectable flavors: Traditional, Cheddar, Creamy Ranch and Spicy Kick. Each variety is made with the same delicious taste and crunch of your favorite party mixes and features a delicious mix of Catalina Crunch cereal, vibrant seasonings, nuts, chickpea pretzels and (depending on the flavor) cheese crisps. We love to keep these in the car for impromptu park days and hiking trips.
Perfect Bar to the rescue! The new snack size is perfect for kiddos and now comes in Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter. Made with organic peanut butter and organic honey, 20+ organic superfoods and six grams of whole food protein, these petite bars make the ideal lunch or after-school snack.
Get them in the refrigerated sections of Target, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway and retailers nationwide for $6.99 for an eight count box.
Undercover Snacks
Healthy ingredients… in disguise! Developed by a mom whose two daughters were diagnosed with celiac disease, all Undercover Snacks are made with carefully sourced all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, simple ingredients and Rain Forest Alliance Certified chocolate.
Undercover Snacks are made with crispy quinoa, which is naturally gluten-free, packed with protein, fiber and nutrients, and has an incredible crunchy texture. They are made in a dedicated facility that is free of the top ten food allergens. For lunchboxes, tuck one of their single-serve packs in as a treat!
Looking for healthy, allergy-friendly snacks to pack in your kid's backpack or lunchbox that are free from the top 8 allergens? Look no further! Developed by a mom whose children have severe food allergies, Without a Trace offers a mouthwatering variety of plant-based, gluten-free Chewy Granola Bars, Power Bites and Cookies. They are perfect for tucking in lunchboxes or as a grab-n-go snack for everyone in the family.
A sweet, popcorn-based treat without all the extra added sugar? Yes please! Just a 1/2 cup clocks in at 60 calories and 2 grams of sugar thanks to their all-natural sweeteners. Now you can feel good about treating the kids without any of the guilt.
Make snack time fun and educational! Dick and Jane's educational snacks are all-natural, non-GMO and 100% nut-free. Each pack is made with crackers imprinted with learning opportunities like spelling, abbreviations and more. Varieties currently include States & Capitals, Presidents, English & Spanish, Food & Nutrition, Fun & Fitness and Farmers Market.
KRAVE recently introduced a new Zero Sugar Jerky line that marries grass-fed beef with all the flavor and none of the sugar. Your kids will love the two new flavors: Sonoma Style BBQ and Southwest Hatch Chile. KRAVE Zero Sugar Jerky perfects bold flavor and tender texture for a snack that delivers on taste and nutrition—both 100% grass-fed beef jerky flavors have 12g of protein, 0g of sugar and only 1.5g of fat per serving.
KRAVE Zero Sugar Jerky is available now in select CVS stores nationwide and online at kravejerky.com, with availability in Meijer, Kroger and on Amazon coming soon.
Belgian Boys
Belgian Boys make delicious non-GMO European sweets and you're going to want to stock up on them for your next road trip. Kids will especially love the speculoos cookies that come in the too-cute mustache shape and the Belgian chocolate cookie bars (hide these, you'll want them for yourself). Try their frozen breakfast items like waffles and bite-sized pancakes for on-the-go munching.
Up your protein game this year with these in your backpack. Perfect for a day at the beach or a hiking adventure, these jerky bars are the savory treat your crew needs. Hot Honey is our favorite with its sweet kick. Tender Chicken Bars also come in teriyaki and original flavors.
Plant-based eaters, listen up! Pure Batch has grab-and-go cookie batches that include four types of truffles, a protein brownie and refrigerated-to-eat cookies. You'll love knowing that you are feeding your body with something nutritious while also enjoying a sweet treat.
2Betties creates dairy-free, nutrient-dense mini donuts with no refined sugars. We love them for a hiking treat to motivate the kids to keep going! They are currently offered in six delicious flavors: Chocolate Chunk, Maple Cinnamon, Sweet Almond, Mocha Chip, Vanilla Bean, and Pumpkin Spice. Hide the wrapper and your guests will think you’re an expert donut maker.
Developed by parents, DINO BARS are the healthy, travel-friendly bar that your kids will love eating. They are wrapped in edible paper and available in three fun flavors: strawberry, blueberry, and mango. Parents will love that they are non-GMO, USDA certified organic and free from nuts, gluten, soy, and dairy.
Horizon Organic's Yogurt Pouches and Cultured Dairy Smoothies
Horizon Organic's newest offerings from their Growing Years line include a yummy dairy smoothie and yogurt pouches. The dairy smoothie comes in a small container that's perfect for school lunches or a quick snack. We also love that these new snacks were developed with the help of a pediatrician, so you'll know your kids are getting great nutrition.
Sink your teeth into RIND’s new Skin-In Dried Fruit snacks! The chewy, tasty snacks have no added sugar and 4-6g of fiber per serving. Because the skin is still on, kiddos will get more vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber than other dried fruit brands. Not only that, they are non-GMO project verified, Kosher certified, allergen-friendly and gluten-free. We love all the flavors that include Tropical Blend, Straw-Peary, Orchard, Tangy Kiwi, Coco-Melon and Coconut Crisps.
Enjoying lentils never tasted so good! Perfect to enjoy by the handful or tossed on a salad, these salty snacks pack plant-based protein, are gluten-free and have vegan options. Choose from Pink Himalayan Salt, Barbeque, Falafel and Cinnamon Sugar.
Quinn is known for making crazy delicious and totally craveable pretzels and microwave popcorn using only 100% REAL, simple ingredients and kicking artificial ingredients and unpronounceables to the curb. We love the maple almond butter filled pretzels for family hikes and the whole grain sea salt pretzel sticks for school lunches.
For on-the-go snacking that you can count on to be free of junk, look to Supernola. These superfood clusters come in Triple Berry Vanilla, Dragon Fruit Lemon Zest, Honey Sweet Goji, Banana Nut Crunch, and Dark Chocolate Nut Crunch. Supernola fits many specialty diets including Paleo, Keto (4 flavors), Vegan (4 flavors), and is naturally dairy, gluten, grain, peanut and refined sugar-free.
Chips made out of cactus? Just say YES to Tia Lupita! These grain-free chips come in flavors like sea salt (our favorite), salsa verde, hot sauce, and chipotle, you'll definitely find one that you love.
The world's first Greek yogurt bar wrapped in chocolate has two new flavors! Delicious enough to pass for dessert, the Coconut and Berry Açaí treats are just 100 calories, contain one gram of sugar and pack eight grams of protein.
The two newest flavors are available exclusively at Whole Foods and you can find the others by visiting cliosnacks.com.
Raisels Pick-Your-Mix
Raisels, the creators of the fun-flavored Golden Raisins, has just launched the perfect way to get the flavors you want sent right to your door. The new Pick-Your-Mix option will allow you to mix-and-match delicious Raisel packs to create a perfect, custom Raisels box. Choose from among 7 options to bring the sweet, sour and slightly-spicy Raisel flavors to you. We love these as an alternative for kids who love sour candies—they won't know they're really eating fruit!
Bobo's Almond Brownie Oat Bars and Bites
Bobo's is back with new whole grain snacks! Get ready to let kiddos sink their teeth into gluten-free whole grain oats, cocoa, chocolate chips and chocolate almond butter in the new almond brownie oat bars and bites. Not only that, choose from brand new strawberry and apple stuff'd oat bites for a fruity snack that keeps you full.
Solely's new Organic Whole Fruit Gummies contain only two or three ingredients, real whole fruit and a little Vitamin C. Every pouch offers 0.7 ounces of fruit, is only 60-70 calories and has no added sugar, preservatives, gelatins, colors, or gums. They're also USDA organic, Kosher, and Non-GMO verified. Choose from Organic Mango and Organic Mango & Orange flavors!
Available exclusively at Whole Foods Market.
LesserEvil Lil' Puffs
We'll just come out and say it: these new snacks from LesserEvil are so delicious you'll want to buy one bag for them, and one bag for you. The brand-new line includes flavors like Veggie Blend, Sweet Potato Apple, Non-Dairy Cheddar and Strawberry Beet. The puffs, which are in fun star-like shapes, use organic coconut oil and offer zero grams of sugar. They're certified USDA organic, vegan, non-GMO project verified, grain-free and gluten-free. The tasty snacks are best for toddlers 12 months and older.
We love these refrigerated bars for on-the-go snacking as they come in kid-friendly flavors like Almond Butter, Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter and Honey Almond Butter. Pop them in your purse for a protein-rich, plant-based snack that you can feel good about serving. With 10g of protein per bar, you can definitely keep the hangries away.
We love this delicious line of tender chicken snacks made from real, wholesome ingredients like antibiotic-free chicken and various spices and we think you will too. They’re available in three flavors: Original, Teriyaki, and Hot Honey and they're the perfect option for hikes or to keep in your purse for when the hangries hit. High in protein, they can definitely get you through a playdate at the park that ran through lunchtime.
Give their lunches a colorful boost with Butterfly's brand-new nut butter that comes in two unique colors and flavors: Blue Dream and Pink Panther. Each is a unique mix of walnut, cashews, macadamia and MCT oil. The color comes from pitaya (dragon fruit) and blue spirulina. Both new flavors are organic, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free.
If your babe is a puff fanatic turn to the brand-new grain-free puffs from Serenity Kids. With zero grams of sugar and no fillers like rice and grains, Serenity Kids leads with cassava root and real veggies. Choose from flavors like Carrot & Beet with Olive Oil, Broccoli & Spinach with Bone Broth, Tomato & Mushroom with Bone Broth and Sweet Pepper & Basil with Olive Oil. The entire line is non-GMO and USDA Organic certified.
This uber-fresh plant-based food company gets a 10,000/1000 rating from our editors, which basically means these protein bars are beyond tasty! Handcraft and plant-based, Urban Remedy's bars are low in sugar, high in protein and rich in healthy fats. Currently, they are available in Cacao, Matcha and Superfood Chaga flavors.
Ditch your traditional sandwich cookies that are loaded with sugar for these low-carb treats that taste delicious! Packed with 4g plant protein, 2g sugar and only 5g net carbs. 100% plant-based, nothing artificial, great macros and now available in four flavors: Chocolate Vanilla, Chocolate Mint, Vanilla Crème and Peanut Butter.
These delicious mochi ice cream bites are available in individually-wrapped packaging and are gluten free and non-GMO. Made with all-natural ingredients, they are a tasty, no-mess, perfectly portioned treat everyone will enjoy. The new single serve mochi are available in varieties including Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Strawberry, and (non-vegan) Green Tea, Triple Chocolate, Cookie Dough Bites and more at the self-serve freezers in Whole Foods and other grocery stores nationwide!
CLIF Kid Zbars: Cinnamon Roll
Our tots adore Zbars (and we do, too), which is why we're eager to let you know about CLIF Kid's brand new flavor: cinnamon roll. It's packed with whole grain oats and swirls of cinnamon, and it tastes just like your fave doughy cinnamon rolls (but without the gooey, sticky mess).
Our kids can't get enough of Nature's Bakery fig bars, which means this brand has set the bar high for kids (and adult) snacks. Good news: Nature Bakery's brand-new soft-baked bars are just as delicious as their beloved fig bars. The new snack comes in two flavors: Chocolate Oat and Banana Chocolate Chip. Both flavors feature organic whole grains, fruits and veggies with 9 grams of whole grains, fruits, veggies and chocolate chips. They're free of high fructose corn syrup and are nut-, dairy- and soy-free. Our toddler loved the bar and we thought that it was soft enough to give to our 11 month old who devoured it as well.
Launched in early 2020, Mavericks Snacks is new to the snacking game. But that doesn't mean they're going unnoticed. Mavericks Snacks was recently voted "Best New Healthy School Snack" and are winning kids (and parents) over with their delicious Cookiez and Crackerz. Their Cookiez have 40% less sugar than the leading kids cookie and their Crackerz boast 8 grams of whole grains. All snacks are non-GMO and peanut-free.
This keto-friendly snack brand strives to make OG-tasting products in a healthier way. Each product is gluten-free, grain-free, made with clean ingredients and has no added sugar. Shop seven delicious products for 2021 that include Caramel Clusters, Salted Caramel Mini Cookies and Vanilla Shortbread Mini Cookies.
A great on-the-go snack, GOOD GOOD's Krunchy Keto Bars taste like a dessert. Packed with nutrients, each bar is loaded with eight to 13 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and has no added sugar. Choose from Raspberry Cheesecake and Caramel Friendly flavors in this snack that is great for parents and kiddos!
We all know how hard it is to get kids to eat healthy—the constant battle over sugar and veggies never ends. That's why ICONIC® Kids was created. It's a delicious kid’s drink with 0g of added sugar, a full serving of daily organic vegetables, Vitamin D3, and a taste that will trick kids into thinking it’s dessert. Try the sample pack and you'll get two of each of these flavors: Fruity Fiesta (tastes like the milk leftover from a bowl of Fruit Loops), Chocolate Carnival (as decadent as a sliver of rich dark chocolate cake) and Vanilla Vacay (tastes JUST like a vanilla milkshake).
Gluten-free and plant based, Without a Trace's Power Bites are tasty as can be. The allergen-friendly bites are made with real ingredients and are free from chemicals, fillers, are non-GMO and the Big 8, plus sesame. Enjoy these fork-free morsels in Red Raspberry and Cinna-Monster.
Snacking Avocado is a uniquely light and crispy clean-ingredient snack made with slices of real Hass avocados that are freeze-dried and simply seasoned with sea salt and spices. Available in three savory flavors, including Sea Salt, Sea Salt Lime and Roasted Chipotle, the nutritious new line is vegan, keto, gluten-free, Non-GMO, high-fiber and sugar free.
Addicted to Thin Mints but looking for a better-for-you option? Check this out! Kate's Real Food just launched their newest all-natural energy bar flavor, Dark Chocolate Mint, and you're going to love it. Like all Kate’s Real Food products, the Mint Bar is loaded with tasty USDA-certified organic ingredients, including cool peppermint extract, smooth dark chocolate, natural cacao powder, creamy peanut butter and certified gluten-free oats. It also includes organic, dried bits of cacao beans, adding texture to the bar with chocolate in a pure, unaltered form.
For a breakfast or on-the-go snack you can feel good about, we love The Soulfull Project's new granola. Made with steel-cut oats, brown rice crisps and puffed quinoa, your kids will love the "no junk" flavors of maple pecan, toasted coconut and dark chocolate cherry. You'll feel good knowing that for every serving of a Soulfull Project item that is purchased, one is donated to a food bank in that same region.
Bubba's Fine Foods Sweet & Savory Nut Mixes
These brand-new nut mixes from Bubba’s Fine foods come in six different flavors, three savory, and three sweet. Each one is filled with real food ingredients, and pack a whopping seven grams of protein. The 1.2oz serving size makes this an easy snack for busy parents and kids alike. And, if you’re trying to eat a more keto-focused diet, these nut mixes also only have three grams of net carbs per serving, too!
Clio has launched a new less-sugar Greek yogurt bar in two flavors, peach and mixed berry. With only one gram of sugar and eight grams of protein, this is a sweet treat you can feel good about sharing with the kids.
You know and love KIND bars for their low-sugar combo of nuts, dark chocolate, salt and much more. Now, they've just launched their second-edition EQUALITY bar. While the bar itself is the favorite Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Nut, but the new wrapper is custom designed by a Black female artist, and it represents a world that’s beautifully diverse, inclusive and equitable.
Ditch the sugary sports drink and hydrate with Greater Than instead. With new flavors that include Strawberry Lemonade and Peach Clementine, this electrolyte drink is non-GMO, gluten and dairy free, 100 percent vegan, organic and paleo friendly. It's perfect for busy kids and parents on the go!
Summer desserts are easy—a scoop of ice cream, sorbet, or gelato and everyone’s happy. But as the weather begins to cool down and the darkness creeps in earlier, you might be craving something that provides a little more comfort. Get ready to snuggle up to DC’s best sweets; we rounded up the city’s most iconic fall desserts so you can tuck in to a satisfying sweet treat. Whether your favorites are cinnamon, chai or pumpkin, grab your utensils and get your fall flavor on!
What says autumn more than apples and apple cider? A quintessential fall treat, apple cider donuts do double duty as a delicious breakfast or dessert. And The Farmer’s Porch at Butler’s Orchard is offering up some major fall treats. In addition to the traditional pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll, they offer apple cider donuts by the donut or the half-dozen. But perhaps the best reason to make the 40-minute drive is their Apple Cider Donut Sundae: an apple cider donut with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel topping.
Insider tip: Due to the 40-minute drive and the orchard requiring reservations, it’s worth making a day of this. Pick your own Halloween pumpkins, enjoy the huge slides, and spend some time with the farm animals before enjoying dessert (before or after dinner!).
If you or your little one often feel like you have to miss out on dessert because you’re gluten-free, Rise Bakery has you covered. Plus, many of their dishes are also dairy, soy, egg, and/or nut free! They’ve got some deliciously tempting treats on their menu that just scream autumn. Some of our personal faves: their apple pie (or the vegan apple pie), pumpkin cheesecake with ginger molasses cookie base, pumpkin roll, carrot cake, cinnamon roll, or cinnamon coffee cake. Yeah, there’s plenty to love.
Insider tip: There’s a super-small seating area so plan to take your treats to-go. You can walk to Kalorama Park in about five minutes to enjoy your desserts.
Ice cream might not be your first idea of the ideal fall dessert, but if you head to Rocky Point Creamery, it just might become your first idea. Offering unique flavors like Pumpkin, Salty Caramel Pretzel, and Caramel Apple (on rotation, so check their Facebook page to know when it’s available), their ice cream goes from summer refresher to fall comfort. They also have a Green Apple Sorbet for dairy-free dessert. Not to miss: check out their Halloween candy-themed flavors, such as Reese’s Pieces, M&M, Almond Joy, Trick or Treat, and Monster Mash. Yum! Sometimes they offer spur of the moment flavors, so make sure to check their Facebook page each week to know what’s on offer!
Insider tip: This ice cream shop is on a working farm, so your littles can wave to real-life dairy cows and climb a farm tractor converted into a slide!
Got a little pancake-lover in the house? Then they’ll probably love Crepeaway. Crepes are very similar to pancakes but much thinner, and Crepeaway serves them up with a variety of sweet-tooth satisfying choices. First, they add Nutella chocolate, then they add your choice of powdered sugar, cinnamon-sugar, fruits, berries, or cookies. There are a lot of options here, so it’s unlikely anyone’s going to leave disappointed. If you’re not sure what to order, ask the staff for recommendations.
Insider tip: They offer both pickup and delivery, but you will want to make sure you can eat your crepes as soon as possible so they’re still hot. They do lose a little of their yumminess as they cool down.
If you thought doughnuts were just a breakfast food, you’ve never been to District Doughnut and Coffee. These delectable doughnut flavors are swapped out seasonally, but you’ll sink your teeth into delicious scratch-made Vanilla Bean yeast dough year-round. Their fall menu includes Pumpkin Crème Brulee, Pumpkin Glazed, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Apple Cider Bites.
Insider tip: While these specialty doughnuts are delicious any time of day, swing by early in the day to make your selections. By late afternoon, you may have limited options or none at all. They’re that good!
Your little one's picky palate may not be ready for French food in general, but their immature taste buds will appreciate this vanilla bean crème brûlée. The toasted sugar crust has the perfect amount of crunch, while still remaining a creamy, rich dessert. It comes with a French cookie on the side, too. For some truly autumnal flavors, try their Apple Tart Tatin or the Milk Chocolate Pot De Crème.
Insider tip: The crème brûlée, like their other desserts, is sized for sharing so grab a spoon!
If you’ve got a unicorn or rainbow lover in the house, head to Baked & Wired for a cupcake that looks like it was baked and frosted by Lisa Frank herself. It's a funfetti cake topped with buttercream frosting and brightly colored sprinkles; frosting colors change regularly for extra fun. Their fall assortment is a dozen delicious cakecups for $52.80. You get four each of pumpkin, dirty chai, and chocolate doom flavors. You might want to wipe the drool of your chin before you go.
Insider tip: Some of the cupcakes have adult-themed names. If you have a non-reader, it probably is a non-issue.
Does your tot love Nutella? S’mores? Anything and all things gooey? Then they’ll adore this Nutella pizza meant for sharing. It’s thin pizza dough topped with mascarpone, Nutella, pistachios and mini-marshmallows. Rich and delicious, this dessert is the best combo of pizza and dessert.
Insider tip: Even if it’s just you and the kiddo, order this full-size pizza. The leftovers will taste just as delicious reheated in the microwave tomorrow.
Osteria Marzano 6361 Walker Ln Metro Park VI (#140) Franconia, VA Online: www.osteriamarzano.com
If your little has never had churros before, this Spanish tapas restaurant’s delectable dessert may spoil them on traditional churros forever. Boqueria offers churros con chocolate, the traditional fried dough with a cinnamon-sugar dusting that you dip in thick hot chocolate. They also have churros rellenos, filled with either Nutella or dulce de leche. Whichever ones you get, your kiddo is guaranteed to love them.
Insider tip: The main dining area at the Penn Quarter location can get a bit loud when it fills up. You may want to swing by during quieter periods if your little one is sensitive to loud noises.
Does your munchkin live on waffles for breakfast? One of the most beloved hand-held foods just got more fun with... bubbles! At Tiger Fork, the bubble waffle is served with two scoops of ice cream plus “fun stuff." The “fun stuff” is a random assortment of toppings from sprinkles to crushed cookies to pixie sticks chosen by the kitchen. You might not know what toppings you’ll get, but you know sugar overload is guaranteed!
Their Baonut holes are fried bao with cashew sauce and cinnamon and sugar. Like a traditional donut hole but with that extra flair, these are utterly delicious. If you want to have that fall bonfire feel with a little something special, try the Chinese S’more. It’s roasted marshmallow with chocolate five-spice streusel and ice cream.
Insider tip: They only serve the bubble waffle at dinner.
Indique offers Gulab Jamun, a milk solid donut hole drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream. This melt-in-your-mouth dessert comes out piping hot with a super-soft texture and a hint of rose flavor. You might even catch a hint of cardamom in the ice cream. Plus, it’s perfectly pint-sized, making it an excellent dessert for littles.
Insider tip: If you plan to go at brunch, make sure you get a reservation. They get very busy!
Indique 3512-14 Connecticut Ave. NW Cleveland Park Online: www.indique.com
The Source
The Source by Wolfgang Puck offers a 15-layer carrot cake that is worth its weight in gold. While a serving looks light and thin, this rich dessert is easy to share (and is topped with ginger ice cream. Yum!).
Insider tip: Take your little on their birthday, and the restaurant will write their name on the menu!
The Source 575 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC Online: www.wolfgangpuck.com
Make dessert an extra special occasion by bringing the kids to Firefly for dinner. Firefly doesn’t advertise it on the dessert menu, but they have the perfect make-your-own dessert for kids. Before dinner, each kid is given cookie dough to decorate to their own satisfaction. While you eat, the cookie is baked and then served to your little one as dessert. This might be the perfect dessert: a pre-dinner activity to keep them busy, and a dessert they’re guaranteed to eat since they made it themselves!
Insider tip: The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so if the kids are cranky, it might be better after a nap.
Firefly 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW Dupont Circle Online: www.firefly-dc.com
I scream, you scream, and living in sunny SoCal, we all scream, in perpetuity, for ice cream. All that volume is not for naught either, LA has responded to our cries, offering a wide variety of shops serving up some of the finest frozen treats fit for any family.
Does your kiddo crave breakfast cereal all hours of the day? Grape-Nuts, Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are blended into creamy concoctions at two establishments on this list. Have you seen rolled ice cream that could pass for a bouquet of flowers? The chilled dessert from Thailand is available in our city. In search of the perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream? We found it and the secret might be cane sugar. Velvety smooth Italian gelato your thing? This DTLA spot will have you and the kids saying grazie.
Van Leeuwen
Carter Jung
Vanilla is the cheese pizza of ice creams. It’s a blank canvas that with the proper additions can be turned into art. At least, that’s what our family thought until we tried the vanilla bean at Van Leeuwen. Cajoled by a scooper to try the typically beige flavor, we were impressed by their incredibly nuanced and flavorful take on vanilla. Using choice ingredients that include cane sugar, it is the best scoop of vanilla we’ve ever tasted, as are their chocolate and strawberry options. With flavor combinations becoming wilder than a three-year old’s imagination at many boutique creameries, sometimes a familiar ice cream crafted to perfection is everything you need.
Locations: Silver Lake, Platform Culver City, Franklin Village, The Arts District, The Point in El Segundo & via a food truck on Abbott Kinney most weekends Online: vanleeuwenicecream.com
Taking the kiddos to Scoops is a mini-adventure. With the exception of one consistent flavor, they change out their ice cream selection daily, creating a delightful sense of discovery with every visit. Tai Kim, the founder, chemist and Willy Wonka of all things frozen, pulls from a recipe library that is seemingly endless, churning out micro-batches of inventive flavors such as lychee-strawberry, horchata-burnt sugar, blueberry lavender tea, coconut peanut butter pretzel or chocolate-Guinness (made with the actual beer!). No two visits will ever see the same exact flavors, which includes vegan, dairy-free options made of oat milk.
Each “one scoop" at Scoops actually comes with two. Our rec is to go with their daily fixture, Brown Bread—vanilla swirled with caramel and Grape-Nuts cereal—for one scoop and exploring a new flavor for the other. Don’t be afraid to be bold, either. The creamy, not too heavy of a base, deftly mixed in with whatever wild flavors strikes Kim’s fancy that day never-ever disappoints, helping Scoops edge out the other incredible establishments on this list as our family’s top ice cream shop.
I once spent a week in Milan for work and ate gelato every single day. On really rough days, twice a day. When I returned to LA, I experienced withdrawals and went on a hunt to find gelato comparable to what I consumed in embarrassing amounts in Italy. After many false leads, I found Gelateria Uli. Their stracciatella scratched an itch I otherwise thought would require a 13-hour flight. Better yet, if you’re at their original Spring Street Arcade location in DTLA, if you squint a bit, the atrium court with its hanging lights could almost pass for Europe. Almost. But then again, who would want to go across the pond when you can have local-inspired flavors like horchata or vegan California pistachio.
This Little Tokyo outpost whips up intensely flavorful soft serve ice cream in a form factor optimized for photography -- strikingly colored frozen cream artfully swirled in a cup or cone makes for the perfect prop. If you’re going for a B&W monotone mood, the charcoal pineapple and vanilla swirl on a charcoal cone is the look. If pink and baby blue are your colors, or if breakfast cereals are a thing for your small ones, the Pegasus combines their Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fruity Pebble for a combo that pops. If you feel like flexing for our newly stacked Lakers team -- welcome home, Russell Westbrook -- the Ube and Mango combo will have you repping purple and gold in a handheld, edible form.
Founded in Santa Barbara in 1949, McConnell’s has been serving honest ice cream for over 70 years. Fillers, artificial flavors, colorings and other industrial food processes have given way to fresh, simple ingredients sourced from Central Coast farmers. In 1975, McConnell’s purchased their own dairy farm in Santa Barbara that now produces milk exclusively for their ice cream. Control of their supply chain and passion for quality comes through in every scoop of ice cream they serve. Vibrant seasonings tempered with a creamy, sweet base results in choices such as chocolate covered strawberries, Eureka lemon and marionberries, or peppermint stick that the whole family will enjoy.
LA Locations: DTLA, Studio City & Pacific Palisades Online: mcconnells.com
For Angelinos, no visit to the park would be complete without the ringing bells of vendors selling paletas from their hand-pushed carts. The refreshing fruit popsicles are an affordable counteragent for kids heated from running around the playground. Mateo’s has elevated the humble paleta, tapping a wide range of tropical ingredients such as mango, hibiscus and guava with traditional flavors such as strawberry, lemon and watermelon in a spectrum of colors so vivid, it would make Crayola blush. For parents who are fans of Mexican candy or spice in general, try their mango or cucumber peppered with chile. The firey kick is a nice juxtaposition to the chilled pop.
Locations: Mid-City, Pico-Union, Sawtelle & Culver City Online: mateosicecreamla.com
Has your little one ever asked what a fish eating its own body weight in ice cream would look like? Somisomi takes a freshly baked “ah-boong,” Korean for a fish-shaped pastry (that tastes nothing like a fish), lines the inside with an insulative filling (sweet red beans, custard, taro, Nutella), and loads it with soft serve ice cream pouring out of its doughy mouth. The warm, slightly crisped cone and creamy frosted stuffing are a delicious contrast, and the cartoonish packaging is sure to please the kids (and this adult).
LA Locations: Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Santa Monica, Sawtelle, Glendale, Long Beach, Torrance, & Santa Clara
In hot and humid Thailand, for a few local baht, street vendors will pour a creamy liquid onto a chilled, thin metal pan and dice in fruits and ingredients of your choosing. As the mix starts to cool and congeal, the craftsmen spread the blend into a thin, spackle-like coating. The sheet rapidly freezes and is scraped and rolled like a rug, and neatly arranged in a cup resembling a bouquet of flowers. Holy Roly Ice Cream has brought that Thai tradition to our city, offering Western ingredients such as marshmallows, graham crackers, Oreos and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
LA Locations: Koreatown, Melrose & Arcadia Online: holyroly.com
I first heard about Jeni’s on another work trip to Columbus, Ohio, ten years or so ago. The locals raved about a neighborhood ice cream parlor that turned out fantastic scoops. They were right. The smooth creams with fun ingredients were fantastic. Fast forward a few years and the frozen dessert from the Buckeye State has won over the we-scream-for-ice-cream LA, garnering fans for its signature and limited edition flavors. Now with five locations in LA, it’s easy to see what’s so splendid about Jeni’s.
LA Locations: Los Feliz, Venice, Larchmont, Playa Vista & Calabasas Online: jenis.com
When Salt & Straw first landed in Los Angeles, the Portland export opened to much fanfare and for good reason. They craft scrumptious ice cream. It begins with dairy from grass-fed cows free of hormones and antibiotics. Their artisans add locally sourced ingredients, including seasonal fruits and herbs to produce flavors that rotate on a monthly basis. Wild-foraged berry slab pie and goat cheese marionberry habanero are a few mouth-watering examples that are a mouthful to say. If your young ones are daring, check them out during Halloween. Crickets, mealworms and pig’s blood have been some of the components used in past spooky seasons. If you fear forever ruining ice cream for your clan, there’s always chocolate gooey brownie or mint chocolate chip from their Classic Flavors list.
LA Locations: Larchmont, Abbot Kinney, Arts District & Studio City Online: saltandstraw.com
Stay cool on your days out with a sweet treat from one of these amazing Bay Area ice cream spots. From cones shaped like a fish, fresh flavors made-to-order or a delicious non-dairy alternative, there is something for everyone. Get the real scoop this summer with our guide to the best ice creams in the Bay!
This Fisherman's Wharf ice cream shop is dishing up our favorite scoops sandwiched between two deliciously-fresh cookies and we are down for it. With cookie options like snickerdoodle, funfetti and red velvet, you may just have a hard time deciding. Get your sandwich pressed for that warm-from-the-oven goodness.
2824 Jones St. 303 Columbus Ave. San Francisco, CA Online: thebakedbear.com
Polly Ann Ice Cream
Polly Ann’s has been a celebrated fixture in the Outer Sunset for over 60 years. Overwhelmed by all the choices? Spin the flavor wheel and leave it up to fate. You may just get lucky and win a free cone! Get your scoop and head on down to Ocean Beach for some ice cream, sand and surf with the kids.
3138 Noriega St. San Francisco, CA Online:pollyann.com
Bi-Rite Creamery
Bi-Rite Creamery, a San Francisco institution, is just steps away from another SF destination-must, Dolores Park; ice cream after a romp in the kids’ playground makes for a grand outing. There’s almost always a line out the door, so if your brood is getting impatient, try the soft-serve line: it’s usually shorter, and you can score ice cream sandwiches and popsicles from there as well.
3639 18th St. and 550 Divisidero St. San Francisco, CA Online: biritecreamery.com
Gott’s Roadside
Gott’s Roadside
Looking for a dairy and nut-free (but still delicious) ice cream? Gott’s has your back with their oat milk-based soft serve from their Ferry Building location. Choose from a chocolate, vanilla or chocolate-vanilla swirl.
Ferry Building Marketplace, 1 Ferry Building #6 , San Francisco, CA Online:gotts.com
Humphry Slocombe
Head to Humphry Slocombe for the ultimate in wacky and unexpected flavors. Although they’re most famous for their exotic inventions like chèvre fig and Szechaun strawberry, you’ll still be able to find more kid friendly delights like Wexler’s root beer and malted milk chocolate.
2790A Harrison St. and 1 Ferry Building San Francisco, CA
Ice Cream Bar is the coolest and not just because of the ice cream. It’s a full service 1930s-style soda fountain, down to the servers in bow ties and paper hats. The bar at the back of the shop serves genuine old fashioned concoctions like tinctures and phosphates.
This long-running Outer Mission favorite has been serving delicious specialty ice cream, sorbet and sundaes for over 50 years. They serve up all the classics, as well as their signature tropical flavors; we love Ube-Macapuno, purple yam blended with young coconut. They also sell pre-packed half gallons if you want to stockpile a supply at home—or make the kids really happy.
If you are hanging near Fisherman’s Wharf, there are two places to score classic scoops complete with a killer view. Dating back to 1864, the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory in the Clock Tower Building serves up World Famous Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundaes, plus it has a bustling chocolate shop and original chocolate manufacturing equipment on display. At a second location in the West Plaza, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Marketplace also serves legendary sundaes and features a live chocolate master creating handcrafted chocolates.
900 North Point St. San Francisco, CA Online: ghirardelli.com
Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous
The most tongue-twistingly named ice cream shop in San Francisco, this Dogpatch shop is worth the visit even if you keep mispronouncing the name. Their flavors are smooth, clean and inventive without being over the top: try Pink Squirrel (a mix of almond and chocolate flavors) or candied violet, while the kiddies will love the milk and cookies flavor.
699 22nd St. San Francisco, CA Online: facebook.com
San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery
San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery
This Inner Sunset spot is run by two brothers with a passion for ice cream and the neighborhood. Their wildy creative, house-made flavor combinations include strawberry balsamic, honey berry breakfast and peanut butter chocolate fudge. Hometown Creamery currently is the only ice cream shop in San Francisco that makes their ice creams completely from scratch in-house.
What started as a svelte shipping container serving up no more than three flavors a day has turned into a local household name, in no small part to the high-tech show that comes with a visit: Proprietor Robyn Sue Fisher developed the Brrr machine, which uses liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in 60 seconds. The original Hayes Valley location still serves a limited menu, but their newer, bigger outposts offer more choices. Bonus: they also ship nationwide!
432 Octavia St. 2404 California St. 904 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA
This wonderfully retro-style ice cream parlor in Russian Hill is known for its rich, creamy, flavorful ice cream. Parking is tricky, so plan accordingly. Give the kids an extra thrill and hop on the Hyde Street cable car (or the 45 bus from Union Street) and let someone else take the wheel. But don’t spend all your quarters—this place is cash only.
1999 Hyde St. San Francsico, CA Online: swensens.com
Salt and Straw
Salt and Straw
The Portland favorite made it down to the Bay Area and we are thrilled! They specialize in unique, interesting flavors, like brown butter rice gelato and olive oil with lemon custard, but the most popular items are sea salt caramel ribbon and toasted strawberry tres leches. Bonus: you can order in advance for local pickup. You can also have your pints delivered or shipped nationwide!
2201 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA
586 Hayes St. San Francisco, CA
250 University Ave. Palo Alto, CA
1309 Burlingame Ave. Burlingame, CA
Westfield Valley Fair 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. San Jose, CA Online: saltandstraw.com
Twirl and Dip
Twirl and Dip is the sweetest food truck in Golden Gate Park. Stationed near the California Academy of Sciences, their signature offering is an organic vanilla bean soft serve dipped in TCHO dark chocolate and sprinkled with Maldon sea salt that has grownups and kids alike queuing up for a cone.
335 Martin Luther King Jr Dr. (near California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park)San Francisco, CA Online: twirlanddip.com
Garden Creamery
Super unique and decadent flavors with a punch. Huge ice cream selection made from the best local ingredients and one of the most extensive vegan menus in the city.
COVID-19 Update: You can pre-order on Thursday at 7 p.m. for pick up on Friday or Saturday.
This spot is seriously old-school—the original Fenton’s opened in 1894, when they delivered fresh milk by horse-drawn wagon. They seem to have ignored the crazy flavor fad—dark chocolate raspberry swirl or green tea is as wild as it gets—but they have truly mastered the more than 30 classic flavors they still mix up by hand. Movie trivia: Fenton’s classic ice cream parlor was even featured in Pixar’s Up.
This sweet little creamery in the Temescal neighborhood serves up scoops, ice cream sandwiches and fresh-made waffle cones. For treats on the go, track down their cooler-equipped trike on the weekends at the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market, Bites at the Lake and Bites off Broadway.
COVID-19 Update: You can pre-order for pickup or have your ice cream delivered via Caviar.
Blink and you'll miss this tiny shop in a Danville shopping center. Gelato fans rave about all the amazing flavors that are made in house by the owner himself. Need to impress someone for their next birthday? Yersen's Gelato Cakes are almost too good to eat (we said ALMOST).
Little Giant has made a giant impression on the Oakland ice cream scene—their ice cream is sweet, smooth and made on-site. Kids will love peeking into the back kitchen where the ice cream is made. Chances are they’ll also love the robot-themed décor with vintage robots hung on the walls.
COVID-19 Update: Pre-order for pickup or delivery.
Tucker’s is THE place for ice cream in Alameda—they set up shop in 1941 and have been here ever since. They serve over 30 flavors of ice cream, sorbet and sherbet in their charming, old-fashioned parlor, all extra-whipped in order to live up to that “supercreamed” title.
Ice cream that's 100% vegan, dairy and gluten free? Mr Dewie's Cashew Creamery has done it with their cashew milk-based gelato. The brothers who founded Mr Dewie's were inspired to create the concoction when they found out they were both lactose intolerant. If you're a cashew fan, go for their roasted cashew flavor, otherwise they have a full menu of classic and updated flavors from chocolate orange chip to green tea.
1116 Solano Ave. Albany, CA
5959 Shellmound St.(inside the Emeryville Public Market) Emeryville, CA
4184 Piedmont Ave. Oakland, CA 94611 Online: mrdewies.com
Impress your little ice cream lovers with this Japanese soft ice cream treat. Their eyes will triple size when they get to hold their taiyaki, an oversized cone made out of pancake batter, shaped like a fish (symbol of good luck in Japanese culture). Taiyaki means "baked sea bream" and it is perhaps the cutest Bay Area trend when it comes to noshing soft-serve in style.
2575 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA
22 Peace Plaza Suite 440 (inside the Japantown East Mall) San Francisco, CA
Cookies and ice cream together sound like every little kid's dream come true. Add in some decidedly kid-tempting ice cream flavors like Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch and this is a must-stop if you're in the neighborhood with the littles. You can get just ice cream, just cookies, or get them together as an ice cream sandwich—we know what our choice would be.
Yogurtland is now available on all major platforms (Doordash, Grubhub, Postmates, Ubereats) along with in-store pickup offering a peachy treat right at your doorstep—even contactless. Bonus: they just debuted their new Plant-Based Piña Colada flavor and it's just the vacation-substitute we all need right now.
It’s-It ice cream sandwiches are a bit of Bay Area history: they used to be sold only at San Francisco’s iconic Playland-at-the-Beach before the park was demolished. Fortunately, It’s-It lives on. Yes, you can find It’s-It in grocery stores around the Bay Area, but it’s worth a stop by their factory store, as they carry some hard-to-find, rare flavors like pumpkin and strawberry.
Palo Alto locals used to flock here for the 15-cent milkshakes. Sure, that was 1923, but besides the price, not too much has changed since then. Come here for the ultimate old-timey diner experience, with breakfast served all day, burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes, of course.
This ice cream shop is tucked away in an unassuming shopping center, but offers up a “rather rich” experience. They carry 48 flavors of ice cream, all hand-made in small batches, as well as their version of a popsicle, called "frozen ice." Take a hint from Rich’s store motto: “Eat Ice Cream for Daily Happiness”.
Scoop is indeed a micro-sized store, but it’s hard to miss when you’re walking down University Avenue—there’s always the amazing scent of fresh waffle cones wafting out the door. Scoop’s ice cream is made with liquid nitrogen, although not to order; available flavors are displayed already made in the case.
This sweet spot was started by a former dessert chef at Facebook, and today its “likes” are off the charts. No wonder, with it’s fabulously rich, smooth ice cream and a constantly rotating menu of flavors like Orange Dreamsicle and Roasted Banana Fudge Ripple. Tin Pot has kept tech-connected by partnering with Postmates and Door Dash, so you can get ice cream delivered to your front door. They've now expanded to four locations in the South Bay and Peninsula.
855 El Camino Real, #121 Palo Alto, CA
170 State Street Los Altos, CA
1875 South Bascom Ave. #370 Campbell, CA
3081 South Delaware St. Suite B San Mateo, CA Online: tinpotcreamery.com
With something for everyone, stop by and sample Campbell Creamery’s menu of ever-changing flavors. Kids will love a scoop of the bright blue Cookie Monster, while adults might want to check out the delicious frozen custard or frozen yogurt.
This Orange County favorite has made its way north to San Jose and we couldn't be more thrilled. The puffle cone topped with liquid nitrogen-churned ice cream shaped like a flower is an Instagram favorite and a kid favorite, too. Choose from traditional flavors like double chocolate or opt for Earl Grey lavender for a more exotic flavor.
If you’re dreaming of the Italian Riviera, visit Dolce Spazio for traditional gelato—a dense, creamy dessert in a variety of rich flavors. Relax in the shady courtyard with your family and enjoy the laid-back Los Gatos vibe.
221 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA Online: dolcesapazio.com
Icicles Cream Roll
Skip the scoop and rock the roll instead! Locals are lining up around the block to try this hand-made Thai treat at Icicles Cream Roll. Cream, milk, eggs and sugar—that’s all you’ll get at Icicles where top-notch ingredients are the only way to roll.
1275 Lincoln Ave. Suite 1 San Jose, CA
Other locations in San Mateo, San Francisco, Newark, Cupertino, Pleasanton and Mountain View Online: iciclescreamroll.com
CREAM
Fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies with a scoop of your favorite ice cream sandwiched in the middle is what makes CREAM a Bay Area favorite. You can also get your ice cream in a taco (YES!) or go for a float on a hot, hot day. Cakes, pints and other baked goodies are the perfect option to take home with you.
COVID-19 Update: Grab pints or the ice cream sandwich kit for delivery.
1275 Lincoln Ave. Suite 1 San Jose, CA 95125
Other locations: Palo Alto, Concord, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Alameda and Berkeley Online: creamnation.com
Sure, this is a pizza joint (and a fantastic one at that), but those in the know come for the Strauss soft serve ice cream. The first choice is simple: chocolate, vanilla or swirl. But then things get interesting. Try topping it with olive oil and sea salt, or getting it dipped in a Scharffenberger chocolate “magic shell.” Our go-to combo? Chocolate soft serve topped with warm caramel and sea salt. What pizza??
Started by Kyle Caporicci, a local dad and former pastry chef, Posie offers an artisanal array of ice cream and even to-go pints. All of the ingredients are locally sourced, and you’ll often spot Kyle at local farmer's markets gathering whatever’s in season. As a bonus, Posie also has dairy-free options and all of their cones are gluten-free, so ordering for your whole family is easy.
250 B Magnolia Ave. Larkspur, CA Online: posie.com
