Sure, San Francisco has changed drastically over the years, but one thing remains the same: there will always be amazing ice cream shops. That's the transcendent power of this sweet stuff, really. And in true SF style, the options here are pretty incredible, ranging from old-school favorites to experimental parlors blending the most insane ingredients into their creams to keep us coming back for more (and, yes of course, we'll wait an hour for it if we have to). Here are some of the best ice cream shops in San Francisco.

1. Humphry Slocombe

This Mission shop (and Ferry Building outpost) is inspired by a British 1970s sitcom (hence the strange name) and its flavors are just as lovingly goofy (and ridiculously good). Some of their wildest flavors include Foie, Elvis (The Fat Years), Bacon, Ancho Chilies, Hibiscus Beet, Olive Oil, and Potato Chips. But you can just get plain ol' Tahitian vanilla and still be richly satisfied. This place also got the stamp of approval from the Food Network as one of the "Top 5 Ice Creams in America."

2. Mitchell's Ice Cream

This Mission/Bernal Heights institution has been serving up scoops since 1953 with globally inspired flavors that use ingredients like avocado, mango, purple yam, and coconut from the Philippines, cocoa from the Ivory Coast, coffee from Colombia, lucuma from Peru, and homegrown nuts.

3. Smitten Ice Cream

This sweet shop has expanded throughout the city, but the glassed-in shipping container in Hayes Valley is a local favorite. The flavors may seem simple and limited (just four a day) compared to other shops in town, but the process is anything but. Your scoops are made to order, in about 60 seconds with liquid nitrogen, a process that keeps the ingredients delectably fresh and the final product from quickly melting all over your hand.

4. Bi-Rite Creamery

Strategically located near Dolores Park, this Mission mainstay may be more known for their long lines than anything, but, oh, does that scoop taste so good after standing for an hour! Using local favorites like TCHO chocolate and Blue Bottle coffee, they make their ice cream in small batches with organic Straus Family milk (and even buffalo milk). For bigger celebrations, get one of their ice cream cakes, which are totally sinful (in the best way possible).

5. Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous

This minimalist Dogpatch shop was opened by two former pastry chefs, which means you'll get your fair share of sweet and interesting combinations (they're particularly partial to tea and Asian-inspired flavors) and other sugary treats as well.

6. Three Twins Ice Cream

Located in the Lower Haight (as well as Fisherman's Wharf, if you like to weave your way through throngs of tourists), this place does organic ice cream right — the chocolate peanut butter cup may just be our fave. You can also find their pints at most local grocery stores, in case you want to devour your ice cream in private (we all need to do this on occasion, right?).

7. Swensen's

This old-fashioned Russian Hill charmer has been around since 1948, and has since spread its creamy goodness across the country and even into foreign land. But right here is the original, which will likely transport you back to a more innocent time (for both you and San Francisco itself) with flavors like Sticky Chewy Chocolate and good ol' Rocky Road.

8. The Ice Cream Bar Soda Fountain

A lovely parlor in the heart of Cole Valley, this 1930s-style soda fountain makes everything in-house, including herbal extracts and syrups. This is the best place to satisfy that nostalgic craving for a banana split or hot fudge sundae. And you can still feel somewhat okay with it after consumption, because, you know, it's all organic…

9. Joe's Ice Cream

Another longtime favorite, this Richmond District spot has been satisfying the 'hood since 1959 with classic and specialty flavors like our favorite, blueberry cheesecake.

10. Polly Ann Ice Cream

This Outer Sunset gem makes the hardest part of going to an ice cream shop that much simpler with a spinning wheel that will make that tough decision of picking a flavor for you. And this actually comes in quite handy because there are hundreds of rotating flavors. More reason to come back again!

How's that sweet tooth doing? Is it aching yet? Any other ice cream shops in San Francisco we should be adding to this list? Please let us know!