Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco makes ice cream the way you’d want someone to make it if you were paying attention to what went into your dessert. They work with local producers and focus on organic ingredients, which means the vanilla tastes like actual vanilla and the seasonal flavors change based on what’s available and good right now, not what’s convenient year-round.

The outdoor seating area is where you’ll want to be with your dog. It’s set up so you can sit down with a cone or cup while your dog settles in nearby — not banished to the sidewalk, but actually part of your experience. On a warm San Francisco afternoon, this setup feels less like you’re making a compromise and more like you’ve figured out how to do ice cream correctly.

Their menu rotates, so you might find brown butter and sage one visit and bourbon and smoked cherries another. They also do soft serve if you want something simpler, plus baked goods if you’re in more of a pastry mood. Nothing feels gimmicky. The flavors are genuinely interesting without being the kind of “interesting” that’s really just trying too hard.

The Mission District location puts you near other things worth visiting with a dog. You’re close enough to walk over to some neighborhood parks if you want to work off the ice cream first, or you can just head straight there if you’re already in the area exploring. The staff is straightforward and efficient, which matters when you’re trying to keep your dog calm while ordering. They know what they’re doing with both the ice cream and the dog owners who come through, so there’s no awkward dance about whether dogs are actually welcome — they clearly are.