The Baked Bear

302

172

499

5 months ago

It's been a while since I had an ice cream sandwich. Last time was probably at this location 2-3 years ago and I knew I had to come back here again when I visit SD. They give you a heaping serving size of ice cream and 2 cookies that you can have toasted. The employees gave me recommendations and I finally decided that for the cookies, I got the Cookie Monster and gooey butter cake. My favorite is the Cookie Monster. Super decadent and filled with cookies. The gooey butter was also good too but too soft for my liking. The bear batter ice cream is always a classic. Reminds me of an Oreo ice cream. All of this came out to about $8 which isn't bad. For anyone who has a sweet tooth or just craving some sweet, this place is for you! It's also such a rewarding treat to get on a hot day. Ice cream sandwiches just hit different than regular ice cream in my opinion. read more

The Baked Bear - Ice cream sandwich w/ lactaid in hand - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kavitha P.

123

473

1359

5 months ago

An oldie but goodie! I remember first eating this kind of ice cream sandwich a while back in San Diego on vacation and wondering why we didn't have places like this in the twin cities ( we do now!) Cute interior, busy lines but worth the wait Smells divine read more

The Baked Bear - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Chloe A.

19

253

717

6 months ago

The Baked Bear is one of the best and most fun ways to eat ice cream, especially if you like it in sandwich form. You can choose cookies or brownies and mix and match flavors, so it's easy to make something really good. The portions are huge, so sharing one is totally worth it. Pricing is definitely on the expensive side, but it feels fair given how big they are and how much you get. The service was decent, not amazing, but they got everything right and kept the line moving. Parking is tough since it's in a busy area, but you can usually find a spot and walk over, and it's a great neighborhood to wander around anyway. This location is a fun stop if you're in San Diego and craving something sweet and over the top. It's messy, indulgent, and worth trying at least once. read more

The Baked Bear - Cookie Monster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

The Baked Bear - Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

The Baked Bear - Cookies - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Jenny K.

111

184

1 hour ago

Came here bc of the good reviews, but definitely not sure why it's so highly rated. The cookie was decent but the ice cream had no flavor . I had chocolate chip ice cream with cookies and cream ice cream. I was very sad that I spent my time and money here. I would not recommend this place. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Zainab F.

15

131

665

29 days ago

Don't let the line winding outside the store intimidate you! It's fast moving and the end result is totally worth it for the sugar rush. Stepping inside the air smelled absolutely delicious! I loved my ice cream cookie sandwich (with the cookies warmed of course), which was easily shareable between 2 people at least. They are also generous with their toppings, so my friend had a heaping scoop of Nutella when she asked for that too. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jessica F.

422

299

1051

1 month ago

Not sure I quite understand the hype or why the baked bear is so popular. It's incredibly overpriced, $10 for two cookies and ice cream in between is steep, I'd rather go to a quality gelato spot! The ice cream is yummy but nothing special, equivalent to grocery store ice cream like dreyers but trying to be fancier like ben and jerry's without the richness and extra toppings. We got the s'mores flavor and it didn't taste much like s'mores more like vanilla chocolate swirl. The cookies were decent but they weren't as melt in your mouth, buttery delicious as I would have liked. The brownie cosmic cookie didn't like at all didn't have much softness to it. Maybe this is an ice cream spot with a ton of nostalgia baked in for San Diego-ins but for me it just fell short of expectations! read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Danny W.

64

282

972

2 months ago

Best ice cream sandwiches around! The caramel pretzel fudge on gooey butter cake and cookies & cream cookies was 5 stars! Fast service, plenty of seats, and consistently delicious. read more

The Baked Bear - Custom Ice Cream Sandwich (Gooey Butter Cake and Cookies and Cream Cookie with Caramel Pretzel Fudge ice cream) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Arthur T.

1572

1211

7329

6 months ago

Nice spot to get a sweet treat! Also, huge plus they are open till late. I just opted for the cookie. Others ordered the ice cream. Parking is super difficult here. read more

Helpful 10

Thanks 7

Love this 11

Oh no 0

Elizabeth D.

11

219

414

8 months ago

Was shopping next-door with my daughter and saw this ice cream place. Definitely would come back had creative ice cream options as well as the warm cookie sandwich was a hit with my kids. One sandwich cookie is good for 2 to 3 people. It's pretty big and lots of sugar. Staff was really patient as my children of course took a while to make their selections. Definitely check it out if you're in the area. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Chloe K.

13

238

744

5 months ago

Love love love this place if you're craving ice cream and cookies!! Pick your favorite 2 cookies and favorite ice cream and stick them all together! They even warm the cookies. Big portion and so worth it. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Ted T.

Elite 22

5

167

4

2 months ago

It's ice cream and cookies, damn. The tradition of slapping two yummy things together doesn't seem to ever go wrong. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jade M.

792

148

338

1 year ago

When you want that one massive dessert that makes everything else in your life fade away for that one moment... this is your place!! Got a classic chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich with Nutella topping and it was insanely good. I remembered this place from years ago in LA, and it's still just as amazing as I remembered! :) I went in around 9pm and the line was very short. Pure dessert bliss! read more

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Amanda N.

24

168

286

6 months ago

This place has been on my list for at least a year, and I finally came here with a friend recently. Food itself was fine. The cookies weren't too hard but the ice cream was really sweet. Too sweet for my taste. Also, it was a little more expensive ($9+ without any toppings or tip). Parking sucked but that's everywhere in Pacific Beach so no surprise there. What soured my visit was the service; it was terrible. I was getting "Gen Z stare" the entire time, and it was so uncomfortable. No greeting or explanation of the cookies or ice cream or anything. I had a vague idea that this place was known for ice cream sandwiches but getting the information from the person assisting me was like pulling teeth (and I asked too). Also, she said I could only try max of 2 ice cream flavors; no additional samples allowed, and I even confirmed twice. However, my friend, who was being helped by a different person, was able to try multiple flavors without a limit. Shouldn't there be some continuity in things offered? My friend and I both agreed that the service was not good. Overall, dessert was average (sweeter than I would've liked), but the service was NOT it. Will probably not come back. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Joselyn M.

274

246

548

7 months ago

Ambiance was nice. The cookies were sooo good, & the bear batter flavor wasn't bad at all. It's a blue cake batter ice cream w/ chocolate chips. As for the cookies, I got the 2 flavors of the month which were gingerbread & the strawberry matcha. (matcha cookie w/ strawberry frosting on top) Service was good. They were fast & efficient. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Stephanie L.

339

567

1115

1 year ago

The Baked Bear is always such a fun experience after a day at the beach or a walk down the boardwalk during a summer sunset. I love how fun it is to build your own customized sandwich. The Vegan Chocolate Chip ice cream is made with oat milk, which makes is creamier than other milk alternatives. While I am always grateful for businesses that offer vegan options, the gluten-free cookies are not particularly my favorite. Unfortunately gluten-free often gets lumped with many vegan options, perhaps trying to accommodate more people with each specialty item. That being said I ordered my sandwich with one of each vegan/gluten-free cookies, Chocolate Chip and Fudgy Brownie. This place can get swamped but staff work pretty fast to get the orders out and move the line along in a timely manner. Definitely worth stopping by after your next day at the beach or night in PB! read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Grace F.

58

139

411

1 year ago

A little too sweet - but tasty! I got the white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookie with their bear batter ice cream. I love the originality of this place, and although expensive, they have many options. You can customize which cookie you want for the top & bottom of the sandwich, the flavor of ice cream, and toppings. It's a bit on the pricey side but it's perfect for a late night sweet treat. Service is very fast and the menu has many other things you can order besides their sandwiches, but they are known for them so I would recommend trying it. It's located in pacific beach, which can get very busy and crowded so parking is not the easiest. They have a parking lot around the corner near the Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters but that lot gets very busy during the day when the weathers nice so you may have to find street parking and walk. The area is very walkable and many shops and other food spots to explore right on the beach, so it's a quite enjoyable area! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

D D.

3

21

0

5 days ago

Quick service in spite of a long line. Great treat! Wonderful dessert with personal choices.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Khanitta W.

0

3

4

3 months ago

It was amazing! Such a fun concept you can choose two different cookies for the top and bottom. Pick an ice cream flavor and add toppings. They'll even warm the cookies for you if you want. I got gooey butter cookies and brownies with blackberry crumble ice cream, and it was incredible. Loved it 10/10 definitely recommend a visit! read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Steve L.

2

138

0

25 days ago

Well, this is a specialty ice cream store. Some places deal with mix-ins, others have many flavors and good size portions but these folks have the cookie sandwich made in front of the customer. It is delicious and have never been to one of their stores prior to this visit. The reason to return is the quality and quantity of ice cream between the two cookies. Every part of the product was wonderful-- and filling! A freshly baked cookie ice cream sandwich was a wonderful treat after dinner...... read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tim S.

105

1730

2544

8 months ago

Came here for dessert after having pizza across the street. We all got some sort of sandwich. I got a gooey butter cake cookie and brownie sandwich with almond brittle ice cream. Was it good? Hell yeah! Delicious! Great concept. $10.00 a sandwich though! Yikes! $40.00 for 4 ice creams is a bit steep IMO. Staff was friendly and there are places to sit inside which is nice. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Annie W.

63

324

763

10 months ago

We stayed at a hotel nearby so after dinner, while walking around we saw a long line outside this store. We waited in line for about 10 minutes. You can pick different cookies on the top and bottom, and requested to have the cookies warmed. It's not as warm as the pizookie from BJ's. The ice cream sandwich is still tasty. There's a water station in the store because you will be thirsty after eating a huge ice cream sandwich. Will visit again due to a large selection of ice cream and cookie flavors. read more

The Baked Bear - Water station - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Laura M.

240

233

1827

1 year ago

Today is customer appreciation day. The line for Baked Bear today was reasonable since we lined up 20 mins. prior to the start of the "ice cream" giveaway. My brother, sister-in-law, boyfriend, and I walked to The Baked Bear after having lunch at Big Jim's Roast Beef sandwich shop. Thankful to my friend Monica who had informed me about Baked Bear giving out free ice cream today. Their ice cream is very rich in flavor and they gave us good customer service even if we didn't order anything else. read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jordyn J.

650

292

852

9 months ago

What's not to like? Cookie's are tasty. Lots of ice cream flavors. Probably would go with a different flavor next time as I could only eat a few bites of the dark chocolate ice cream. It was soooo rich (but yummy). Perfect for a hot summer day. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tresavon E.

18

37

121

9 months ago

Walking in the vibes are super chill. Employees are super friendly and was willing to walk us through their process which was pick a base, the filling, and toppings... now the base of cookies can be different and YES they allow you to try the ice cream. Luckily we arrived when it was a little more quiet. Is the place worth it.... Yup! read more

The Baked Bear - Nutella Cookie top and bottom with mudslide ice cream Nutella added and almond's - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Wendy G.

227

567

874

10 months ago

Scrumptious ice cream sandwiches are the star of the show at Baked Bear. I like how you can customize different top and bottom cookies plus the ice cream interior to create truly unique treats. There's plenty of variety of cookie and ice cream types so you're sure to find a winning combo. I recommend that you try some cookies on their own too because they are delicious and potentially have a softer texture when not squished up next to a cold swath of ice cream. I tried the gooey butter cake cookie, and it was so soft and delectable all by itself. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Amanda N.

25

192

440

5 months ago

Lots of flavors of cookies and ice cream. For me, the ice cream was a bit too sweet, but if you have a sweet tooth, this place is perfect! Service was fast but a bit inattentive as the workers were not paying attention to me as I ordered and was distracted by what was happening outside the store. Nice walking location in PB right near the beach. You can sit in the store and eat or bring it to go, and eat while walking at the beach! Would love to try the cookies next time! Hopefully it's not overly sweet. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jae S.

167

199

212

1 year ago

Go to spot for ice cream cookie sandwiches! Delicious ice cream and cookies to choose from to make a customizable ice cream sandwich. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Dana A.

4

193

170

11 months ago

Is it worth the hype, YES! Is it worth the wait, oh yeah! Homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches!!! Mocha ice cream with chocolate banana cookies, On my gosh! They have vegan options too! So good and it is our go to when we are in PB on vacation. read more

The Baked Bear - Mocha ice cream and a banana chocolate chip cookie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

The Baked Bear - Mocha ice cream and chocolate chip cookie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Joe C.

83

680

591

9 months ago

The Baked Bear is a fun dessert spot, especially if you are in the mood for something indulgent after a big meal. The location is close to some college bars, so it has that lively late night energy. Service was fine, nothing special, but the real focus here is the custom ice cream sandwiches. I went with a gooey butter cake cookie on top, a white macadamia cookie on the bottom, and toasted s'mores ice cream in the middle. They even warmed up the cookies, which was a really nice touch, but overall the dessert was extremely sweet. Personally it was a bit too much for me, though I am sure people with a big sweet tooth would love it. By the time we went around 9pm, there were only three or four cookie options left, so the selection was limited. If you are craving a sugar bomb and want a fun, customizable dessert, The Baked Bear is worth a visit, but just be ready for something very sweet. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Arley L.

3

139

311

1 year ago

Cute little build your own cookie sandwich spot. The line was out the door so we knew it's be good. You get a choice of cookies, ice cream and whether you want the cookie pressed and warmed up. We got one Nutella chunk cookie and one gooey butter cake cookie with classic vanilla is cream. Definitely rich but it hit the spot after dinner. read more

The Baked Bear - Chocolate chip and Gooey Butter Cake cookie sandwich with vanilla ice cream. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Bridget H.

34

357

1115

1 year ago

This place was popping on a Sunday night! Line out the door but it went fast and was worth the wait. You can create your own ice cream sandwich with fresh baked cookies or brownies. We did the Nutella chocolate chunk cookie and gooey butter cake cookie with vanilla. Cookies are made fresh daily. It was huge and enough for two people! There is seating available inside. Service was friendly and fast. Would go again next time I'm in San Diego. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ace D.

314

107

147

5 months ago

The Baked Bear is always a win. Fresh-baked cookies with ice cream sandwiched in the middle is hard to beat. Tons of flavor options, generous portions, and everything tastes fresh. Fun spot with a great vibe -- perfect for dessert cravings. read more

The Baked Bear - Bear Batter Pint & Strawberry Shortcake Pint - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tulisa T.

3

233

472

8 months ago

this was an amazing ice cream sandwich! personally, i don't think it was overly sweet but just a good amount. the bear batter tastes light but still flavorful. the white macadamia cookie is more sweeter. service could have been better, there was an employee who had an attitude and looked annoyed. the place is large and has many seating tables. this location is in a corner where parking can be tedious because there are many stores nearby. luckily, we found parking quickly. i would come back again but hopefully with better service. read more

The Baked Bear - white macadamia cookie with bear batter - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Uzair A.

Curtis Stone - The Realtor ®.

11

216

51

1 year ago

Ooh this place is out of the world... you can build your own ice cream sandwich, where you choose ice cream between various brownie/cookie combinations plus toppings. We chose mud pie ice cream (which was exquisite), sandwiched between the brownie and chocolate cookie, with hot fudge topping. Truly delectable. Apparently this establishment is a chain, but this location was the OG. Staff was very friendly too. This is something we'll miss on returning from SD. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

155

255

443

8 months ago

On my two-week California food road trip, I made it my mission to try every taco, every In-N-Out, and every dessert shop I could find. That's how I ended up at The Baked Bear, home of the famous ice cream sandwich. I'll admit, it was ok... its hard not to be ok when you mash ice cream between cookies. It's the kind of dessert that makes your inner kid cheer. But here's the thing: as much as I enjoyed it, I couldn't help comparing it to Swirl back home in Charlotte. The "squish" (cookie + ice cream + unlimited toppings + cookie) still feels next-level. The Baked Bear may have the hype and the West Coast crowd, but when it comes to ice cream sandwiches, the squish at Swirl puts this bear right back in its cave. If you're in San Diego, The Baked Bear is worth the stop bc it's fun, indulgent, and Instagram-ready. If you're in the QC head to Swirl, there's another level waiting for you. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Autumn B.

2

52

116

10 months ago

The Baked Bear is my new number one place for ice cream in San Diego! I did the create your own ice cream sandwich and I chose the cookies and cream cookie and nutella cookie with s'mores ice cream inside and I got it warmed up. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. It was a long line to get in, but it went pretty quick, maybe 10-15 minutes so not too bad and totally worth it. If you are ever in Pacific Beach you definitely need to give it a try. The staff were very friendly and helpful and it was clean inside. Very lively with lots of people having a good time with family and friends. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Erica M.

Elite 21

676

135

430

1 year ago

This place is delicious. I think next time I won't have the cookie warmed up because it gets hard after a while. But the cookie that wasn't warmed was absolutely delicious. Soft, a little thinner. Their bramble berry ice cream/ idk the real name but it's similar to jeni's ice cream, was absolute HEAVEN. Go try it! The ambiance is nice for families! Perfect to eat after going to any restaurants on the street. The service was fast and kind! Will definitely be coming back when I'm in the area! read more

The Baked Bear - Cookie Monster on Cookie Monster - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

The Baked Bear - Order here - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

The Baked Bear - Chocolate chip with bramble Blackberry Crumble ice cream. Good - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 2

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Leslie S.

25

529

1513

1 year ago

The Baker Bear has cookies and ice cream that you can order separately or as an ice cream cookie sandwich. We bought 6 cookies and their dark chocolate ice cream. There were so many cookie options. Some of the flavors were seasonal like gingerbread or stuffed carrot cake. We tried a he following flavors: Nutella chocolate chip, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, cookie butter, cookies & cream, and funfetti sprinkle. We liked all of them. Our favorites were both versions of the chocolate chip cookie and the snickerdoodle. All of the cookies were soft and tasted fresh. There were a handful of ice cream flavors to choose from as well. The dark chocolate ice cream that we got was rich and smooth. You definitely have to be a chocolate lover for this one! The employees working were friendly. The Baked Bear is a fun dessert spot! read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Didi A.

134

180

411

2 years ago

Long line but moves quickly Freshly baked cookie that u can make as a sandwich with icecream yum yum Close to the beach Few tables with chairs read more

The Baked Bear - Coo - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - San Diego, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Page 1 of 58

See more reviews

More info about The Baked Bear

4516 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
Pacific Beach
Directions
(619) 320-1237
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://thebakedbear.com

Hours

What time does The Baked Bear open?

The Baked Bear opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does The Baked Bear close?

The Baked Bear closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does The Baked Bear take credit cards?

Yes, The Baked Bear takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Baked Bear have catering options?

Yes, The Baked Bear does have catering options.

Indoor Amenities

Does The Baked Bear allow dogs?

Yes, The Baked Bear allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Baked Bear have bike parking?

Yes, The Baked Bear has bike parking.

Does The Baked Bear have parking?

Yes, The Baked Bear has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Baked Bear wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Baked Bear is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Baked Bear have free WiFi?

No, The Baked Bear does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

The Baked Bear specializes in custom ice cream sandwiches where customers choose between 12 baked from scratch cookie flavors and brownies and then choose their favorite ice cream in the middle.

More Info

Health Score

The Baked Bear Reviews in Other Languages

German
1 Review
Portuguese
1 Review
French
1 Review

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt 29,589 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Explore benefits

Pappalecco

4.3(3.1k reviews)

7.3 mi•Little Italy

•$

Excellent coffee drinks. I like the one with the nutella…read more Nice patio. I think I'll try a jam n cheese croissant. Someone else ordered it and it looked yummy.

super cute spot to stop by and get some gelato! got the pistachio and tiramisu and both were super…read moreyummy!! pistachio was sweet and very nutty, while the tiramisu was sweeter. only thing was that i wished there was a one scoop option, but gelato was great! yummy rating: 8.5/10

Inside

Soup Tomato.

See all

Two Scoop Gelato Cone ($5)

Extraordinary Desserts

4.0(9.2k reviews)

7.4 mi•Little Italy

•$$$

Still my go to place when I'm craving something sweet and special. Their cakes may be pricey, but…read morein my opinion, for the amount of work, effort, and quality of ingredients, I think they continue to be fair. For example, some other specialty bakeries/shops are charging similar prices for cakes and cheesecakes that are much simpler. In comparison, Extraordinary Dessert cakes take 3-4 days to make, have 6-8 alternating layers, and are typically adorned with edible gold and/or flowers. The key is to find which items you like and which are okay to pass on next time. What we ried this time: -Match Misu Cake (7/10): ricotta cake layers soaked in matcha and layered with marscapone whipped cream. This one was pretty good and ranks in my middle to high range. I only wish there was more matcha flavor (maybe if you dine in and get the sauce, this would help) or the matcha was paired with another flavor ... either go fruity (maybe a raspberry sauce, strawberry pieces, white peach pieces, or like a peach oolong cream layer) or go chocolately/coffee (maybe had some crushed up chocolate covered espresso beans). My go to's: -Ivoire Royale (10/10) - my ultimate favorite still. If you like light desserts, white chocolate, berries, and moist vanilla cake, thus one is for you. Classy and unpretentious -Shangrila (10/10) - my other favorite and will make you feel like a princess with all the pink chocolate curls. A little bit adventurous and innocently elegant. Ones to skip: -Au Chocolate / La Bete Noire / Dame Chocolate - get the Viking instead. That's my favorite of all their chocolate cakes -Lemon ricotta - get the Passionfruit Ricotta instead -Torta misu - the matcha misu is better. The tortilla misuse made me want a regular piece of tirmaisu than a cake version -Coconut cream - not bad, not amazing though

We normally come here weekly after dinner with family for dessert, but after this last experience…read morewe will not be returning. Also just so everyone is aware they're also liars just to mention & stupid.. she tells us her name is Karen thinking we don't know the owners name lol .. She was at the register at 7:20pm and was extremely rude and dismissive after we placed our order, especially regarding a child's dietary restrictions and health concerns. We politely asked if it would be possible to purchase a small cup of fruit , even just a couple strawberries cut up, because one child in our group cannot have sweets due to very strict dietary restrictions . Instead of simply saying they were unable to accommodate the request or offering another option, we were told to "go somewhere else," despite already spending the amount we did . The complete lack of professionalism and basic customer service was honestly shocking. It's disappointing to be treated that way at a place we have supported so consistently. This place has been going downhill , management for this place needs to step up .

Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

One of our 'go to' desert places in San Diego.

See all

Chocolate lemon bon bon

Salt & Straw

4.6(2.2k reviews)

7.2 mi•Little Italy

You have to try this ice cream ! At first you see the like and you don't know why ? But after you…read morehad it you understand why ! They have authentic flavors ! And a freshly made waffle cone . It smells amazing in here ! They let you taste the ice creams which I loved being our first time . The staff recommended every ice cream and I don't blame them all of it looks good and the samples I tried were all so good I couldn't pick ! Save space for this treat You won't regret it . Be patient the line does get long but they are pretty quick.

I've been a patron of this institution for many years, knowing well that every dollar I spent on…read moretheir delicious ice cream would be returned in generous scoops atop freshly made waffle cones. Much to my chagrin, my latest visit has now become my last. Excitedly, I brought my four-legged son to enjoy his first pup cup, but the service and portion sizes were fit for a hobbit at best. One would think that, in such dark times, one could still find even a glimpse of hope in an ice cream cone. I was proven wrong, and my outlook on the current state of affairs only dimmed further. I ate my ice cream in two bites. Twenty dollars for two cones, four bites total. I didn't even bother feeding my son the pup cup. He deserves better. The world deserves better. Bigger portions. Bigger smiles. Makes perfect sense, in my humble opinion. I suppose your employees do not agree.

Cinnamon snickerdoodle

Cinnamon Snickerdoodle

See all

Pink Rosé & Watermelon Sorbet (v) Watermelon & rosé sorbet, rosé-raspberry jam

Chocolate SD

3.8(1.8k reviews)

8.2 mi•Gaslamp

•$

Simply delicious coffee!…read more It's always a relief when you find a hidden gem. This establishment was so cute they even had cows hanging upside down! Such a fun and unique atmosphere. They also sell gelato, although we didn't get a chance to try it this time. The service was great, and the cashier was very helpful and friendly. I ordered an iced vanilla latte, and it was perfect. They also offer a great selection of coffee from Hawaii. The place was clean, welcoming, and had a very friendly vibe. Next time, I'll definitely have to indulge in some desserts! ts.

Popped in here on a busy Friday night to grab some gelato. I tried some flavors and we settled on…read moredark chocolate (very good, lovely bitter and sweet combo), sea salt caramel (good), and Oreo cookie (couldn't taste the Oreo). Except for the chocolate, the texture of the other two was hard which could have been why the flavor was milder since it was colder. Gelato should be served soft and creamy. The staff was attentive and helpful. Seating area was clean.

A pop of zest!

See all

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

4.0(1.4k reviews)

8.1 mi•Gaslamp

Late-night dessert always hit different, and Ghirardelli Ice cream was the one that had a sista…read moremoaning with pleasure. Customer service from Manny was amazing and welcoming from the moment we walked in. We also really appreciated that military discount was honored here. We ordered the Mini Golden Treat, which came with a warm brownie on top with whipped cream, fudge, ice cream, and a cherry. Honestly, it was the perfect size for two people to share without feeling heavy after midnight. What stood out the most was the kindness we received even as hey were closing, and our transaction was complete and paid in full. Manny still offered us cups of ice water and extra napkins without hesitation. That small gesture really added to the experience and made us feel welcomed instead of rushed out. He got a well deserved tip for that California love he gave us. I'd definitely return here whenever I'm back in San Diego. Extra deets: Manny shared the history of the failed gold rush of the owner, and how he utilized the entire chocolate plan of a drinking bar conversation and made millions. The original location is San Francisco, and he says it's like an entire block. I look forward to visiting that one day.

This place is soooooo expensive but conveniently located down the street from my favorite taco spot…read more(el gordos) so I suck it up and pay the outrageous prices. The service here is always really good and relatively quick. The place is pretty big so there's plenty of seating. Parking downtown sucks, can't avoid that. The ice cream, all the chocolate toppings, and the Ghirardelli Square they throw in on top is always delicious. Can't deny how good it is. I wouldn't recommend bringing a large family here because it's pretty much $20 a person if you get the normal size Sundays. It's too bad they stopped handing out samples. Looks like business has slowed down a bit.

Indoor dining area

See all

Lands End salted caramel brownie sundae

Cali Cream

4.7(747 reviews)

8.1 mi•Gaslamp

I stopped here while i was waiting for an event to start that i was attending. It was in waking…read moredistance for me, which is good because parking is only street parking or to find a paid lot. The flavor selection was pretty vast and they were generous with letting you try samples. They made sure to ask me if i had been there before, so they could explain things to me. He let me know they make their own ice cream. I sampled several flavors all of which were good. I was torn between the chocolate pecan and the bourbon butter pecan as they were both good. Thinking back maybe i should have gotten a combo of both, but i went with the bourbon pecan in a cup. The portion size was pretty good, and actually i couldn't finish the whole thing, even though i got a small. It was very creamy and has a good flavor, even though i didn't really taste the bourbon much, but there were plenty of whole pecans.. They also sell other baked goods that look really amazing. I will definitely need to come back to try more ice cream and maybe the carrot cake.

I came to Cali Cream since it was down the street from dinner and we were craving a sweet icy…read moretreat. I've always walked by here, but never went in. There wasn't much of a line on a Saturday night. We didn't sample, we just picked Pistachio and Banana Pudding. I liked that the banana pudding had bits of vanilla cookie mixed within. The pistachio left much to be desired as the flavor had an artificial flavor to it. Maybe it was just me but my bf also remarked that he was disappointed with the flavor as well. We did get a nice serving of each flavor and regretted not trying some other flavors before finalizing our choice. Ambiance is a typical ice cream shop with a few seats outside to enjoy your treat. Service was friendly and pricing was pretty good.

Ube matcha

Photo prop

See all

Bourbon Butter Pecan single scoop in a cone

Extraordinary Desserts

3.8(3.9k reviews)

6.9 mi•Banker's Hill

This is a rare 5 star review from me! A local restaurant that is far enough away from the tourist…read moreareas or downtown that you want to go for a nice sit down without a long wait or huge menu. The most impressive thing is the works of art that are deserts in the showcase. Knowing that the draw is the sweets I was pleasantly surprised that they have food, beer and wine to set up a nice full meal. Our order was so complete that we had to take home th desert that we camefor in togo boxes. if you are a soup or tomato love I highly suggest getting there cup of tomatoes soup and salad. my eyes popped out of my head when they brought me salad that seemed big enough for two people. With a side of smoked salmon I couldn't fit everything in. My partner had a sandwich that was bigger than the size of her head and a crazy nice strawberry spritzer. The cheesecake smob that I am I took home something that I took a a chance on because I am trying not to be a creature of habits. A lemon strudel cheesecake out of the refrigerator the next day is probably better freshly made. When I go back I will defiantly make space for everything. This is a hidden gem that I hope stays local and a tour bus dosen't stop at the front door.

The desserts at both locations are indeed extraordinary. Every dessert is lush and decadent and…read moredefinitely a treat. This location is much smaller than the other and just as popular so it can feel hectic when busy. Highly recommend the Le Bette Noir, Black Velvet and The Viking cakes. You can't go wrong with anything you try here!

La Bete Noir, Dame Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookie

Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie

See all

Counter

Milk & Cookies

I had such a wonderful experience at Milk & Cookies thanks to Amaliya. She was truly a breath of…read morefresh air from the moment I walked in. Her welcoming energy, beautiful smile, and superb customer service completely stood out. In a world where genuine kindness can sometimes feel rare, Amaliya reminded me how much a simple, warm interaction can brighten someone's day. People like her give me hope that this world can become a better place. Thank you for the great experience!

We were so excited to come back to Milk & Cookies that we made a special 50 minute walk detour to…read morevisit. Unfortunately, this time around, a man followed us into the store. When my kids started looking at ice cream flavors, the man asked me if I could pay for a cookie and some ice cream for him. When I turned him down, he then asked me if I could buy him some milk and a cookie. After I turned him down for a second time, he then asked my wife. Finally, he asked my son. At this point, a second person behind the counter asked the man to leave. I'm ok with people asking for a handout, but it is totally not cool to repeatedly ask inside an ice cream shop and asking a minor after his parents already said no. That interaction really put a damper on things, but we eventually ordered a few scoops and a few cookies. Thought the cookies were spot on again (warm from the oven). The ice cream temperature wasn't quite right - a bit on the melted/soft side. Not quite what we were hoping for this time around.

Cookies & Cream (Jumbo)

See all

Broady's House Of Flavors

3.9(18 reviews)

7.7 mi•Downtown

This was pretty awesome. Saw that they are permanently closed.. They only had 2 sizes small and…read moregigantic The flavours were amazing. It's pretty sad that they are closed now.

Broady's House of Flavors is an ice cream vendor in downtown at The Headquarters at Seaport. I…read morebelieve it took over a former gelato shop that had operated for several years in this space. Twenty ice cream flavors and three varieties of water ice were offered on the menu. The products could be served in a waffle cone, as a waffle sundae or malt, or in pints. Taste samples were available upon request which I did for a couple of flavors. Because water ice is a Philadelphia-style Italian ice not commonly found in SD, I decided to order two types in The Midway which was a mid-size cup. Cherry and mango were my picks. Both were as refreshing as advertised, but I was dismayed by the $12 price for the serving. There should be a cost differentiation between water ice and the gourmet ice cream blends. The former certainly is not as expensive to make because it has fewer ingredients in each batch. The worker (owner?) seemed distracted with his phone. Most places like this greet you warmly upon entering and willingly explain or assist with the selections. I didn't receive such a reception as there was awkward silence until I asked for samples and placed an order.

See all

Caffe Italia

First time having an affogato..... DELICIOUS!! Felt like I was visiting a little caffè in Italy…read more Service was great. They were very helpful and didn't rush us. The vibe inside was great. Nice & peaceful. #DiningWithTheAndersons #LittleItalySD #Italia #Affogato #Caffè

After a stroll from the Wednesday farmer's market in Little Italy, I had a craving for Italian as…read morethe establishments nearby caught my interest. I've worked in Little Italy in the past but have never tried Caffe Italia. I got their Italian sandwich, with the default bread being focaccia. Inside there were prosciutto, salami, ham, provolone, tomato, and house made balsamic vinaigrette. It had a good balance of deli meats, and the focaccia bread was thick to hold it all together. I thought it was tasty as well as their coffee, however my coffee wasn't filled up all the way. It is strong and their roast is bold! I liked it a lot, although a lunch meal can get costly so it would just be from time to time if I were to revisit. Not only that, but they also have a small selection of gelatos which look pretty authentic like Spumoni! Other desserts I saw were mousse, tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, carrot cake, and rugelach. The cafe is small and the service may take a bit if you are waiting for the food, but overall, I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich.