Daily Recess

I came here as an exchange student from Japan and wasn’t very confident in my English, but the owner was really really kind and welcoming!!! The gelato was delicious, and the staff were so friendly that I had such a happy, comfortable time here. Everyone should definitely come and try delicious gelatos!!🏃‍♀️✨

Good gelato. They are happy to give you samples. I like the egg nog and white chocolate. Then you can walk around the mall while it’s still here as it’s going to be redeveloped for mix use.

Literally some of the best and most unique ice cream I've ever tasted. This is a must try. It is a small startup run by the amazing owner and his partner and it is absolutely worth it to come here.

Super friendly stuff. I had the passion fruit vanilla bean ice cream and it’s sooo good.

I LOVE this place. It has the absolute best gelato I’ve ever had. Going at the beginning of the month is one of my favorite things to do just because I get to discover whatever new flavors they’ve made. All of them have been hits, no misses!! So flavorful, so unique, so delicious! The staff is super friendly, it’s easy to get to… I cannot praise this place enough—it is my favorite local gelato shop! Try it! Seriously, go there now! I’m literally out the door and on my way because now I’ve gotta have some for myself. Oh, they also always have two to three sorbets for the lactose intolerant which I get for my partner. I pick up about 5-6 pints each visit! Love love love!!!

We've been meaning to try Daily Recess for a while, and regret not having tried it much earlier! Don't let its location in the forlorn Northgate Mall food court discourage you -- the gelato is fantastic. They have changing flavors every month, with a couple of sorbets available. All the flavors are so tasty. Product is made on-site and they are super friendly. This will be our regular place from now on when we're in the neighborhood.

If you’re looking for dessert/gelato/something sweet in San Rafael, Daily Recess Gelato located in the Northgate Mall is a nice place to enjoy a sweet treat! It’s located in the food court so you don’t have to worry about being outside and it has a cute store front and they make their gelato in house and the menu changes per month! I heard their brown buttered pecan is very popular and so good! I got a pomegranate rose and peppermint bark split scoop on a waffle cone. The cone was so yummy and crunchy! The peppermint bark reminded me of a mint chocolate chip and I wanted to balance it with something tarty. So they do have vegan/non-dairy flavors as well. Service was great, the workers were super friendly! The store is open mall hours so if you’re shopping nearby, def give it a try!

Since we discovered Daily Recess we are regulars. They always have great seasonal flavor choices with fresh ingredients. The owners are as sweet as their gelato too. I might have to go there today just talking about it...mmmm

I didn't know gelato could be this good! We made a trip out here just to try this place. They had so many great flavors to try. The gelato was unbelievably creamy and rich, and it was crazy how much the apple pie or the s'mores gelato tasted like actual apple pie and s'mores. The owner said he baked an actual apple pie to make the gelato with, I've never been to an ice cream/gelato shop that does that kind of thing. The shop itself and eating area were very clean and chill. The owners are very friendly and super knowledgeable and passionate about their gelato and love to talk about their different flavors and new ones they're working on. They rotate their seasonal flavors so we will definitely be back to try them!

They have handmade cones that taste phenomenal. Flavors rotate on a regular basis, and they offer tastings so you can always be sure you get the flavor you want. They also offer sorbet flavors as nondairy options. Very clean and fun atmosphere. Staff are always friendly and willing to explain the flavors. Please come support them so they can find a long-term home!

Stopped in today because I wanted a little pick me up. & wow, this affogato was absolutely delicious. The owners are always the sweetest and recognized us coming back! We have fallen in love with this place and cannot wait to continue to support this small business and try new flavors! It's in the food court in the mall and the bright neon signs pull you in. If you're ever in the area, I think you'll truly love this gelato shop. All ingredients are local and found in the farmers market.

This is a new business in the food court at Northgate Mall. The owners are very nice and they have some incredible flavors of gelato and sorbet. Apparently, the flavors change on a regular basis and they make their products on-site. I got a small with two flavors. I ordered the first two flavors I sampled. One was a banana and chocolate (?) flavor and the other was coconut / passion fruit. Both were amazing. This is probably not the best location for this business because the mall will be going through some major construction in the coming years. I suggested that they look in Novato because we need a great gelato place there. If you are ever in Terra Linda and are looking for a sweet treat, check out Daily Recess. I will be back.

All I have to say is wow! This place has such amazing flavors I will definitely be coming back. My favorite flavor was the Blood Orange, I am still craving it. Every flavor I tried was very good and I like how they switch flavors pretty often! The person who helped us was very nice and informative. The only thing I would say is that it is not in a good location, it would be better off in town center in Corte madera or even any high traffic shopping centers. This place has incredible potential.

My husband and I love Daily Recess for its delicious gelato in all kinds of creative flavors. So far our favorite is the red velvet cake gelato that has real pieces of cake in it and tastes a little like cream cheese. It completely blew our minds! We want to try all the flavors since each is more tempting than the next. We also enjoy the friendly woman who works at the counter. You can ask for two flavors in the cup, even for a small serving. We haven't tried the afogato, but hope to do so soon. Make sure to check the hours since they are not open every day and also note that they do not take cash, only cards.

Stopped by to try something new and purchased the pomegranate rose sorbet for my sister. It was absolutely delicious! The rose flavor really stood out and the scoop was the perfect size. I'm glad that we were able to taste samples and the lady behind the counter was so informative and kind. The food court was brightly lit and there weren't many people but it was nice and clean.

We had a Gelato Bar at my husband's birthday party. It was a hit! I chose four different flavors, plus toppings, cones and even cookies to make ice cream sandwiches. It was unexpected and so fun! Many people came back for seconds, some tried all the fabulous flavors. It was easy and guests were impressed. I highly recommend this as a treat for gatherings-especially adults.

​Growing up in San Rafael in the 80s, Northgate Mall used to be the place to hang out. Unfortunately, the property has seen better days. While I've moved out of the area, my parents still live in my childhood home, so I visit fairly often. Over the years, I've driven by the mall without giving it a second thought, as the shops of my youth have closed down. Thankfully, I have a new reason to visit Northgate. Since Daily Recess opened in the fall, I make sure to stop by for a sweet treat after visiting my parents (IYKYK). All of the gelato flavors are available for sampling and are made with fresh ingredients, many of them sourced from one of the local Farmers' Markets. While there is the classic Vanilla flavor, Daily Recess puts a different spin on the rest of their offerings, like Ricotta & Fig Jam, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pretzels and Maple & Waffles. They also offer seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake, Pomegranate Sorbet, and Tangerinesicle. So far, my favorites have been Brown Butterscotch & Pecan, Malted Milk Chocolate & Nibs, Apple Cider and Melon. And always served on one of their handmade waffle cones (less trash, sometimes more mess). While the relics of my childhood are slowly vanishing with the passage of time, I can still reclaim a memory of my past with a sweet treat from Daily Recess. At least, it helps with the drive back to the East Bay.

Delicious, interesting flavors while still being approachable. Love this place. New flavors each month give a good reason to keep coming back.

Lovely shop hidden in the Terra Linda mall. Unique flavors and all organic. I had the olive oil bay leaf Carmel, super interesting, complex and tasty. I also have the toasted banana Nutella, a huge hit with my kids. Our clerk was super friendly and let us sample multiple flavors. I hope they expand!

Delicious gelato and great service. Loved the chocolate and cocoa nibs flavor probably the most. But the pumpkin cheesecake was also amazing. Also liked the brown butterscotch pecan. The hot chocolate comes with a marshmallow cream top browned with a butane torch- quite the presentation. Will be back!

If you're a gelato lover, this place is a hidden gem! I tried the Red Velvet Birthday Cake flavor, and it was absolutely incredible--rich, creamy, and full of flavor without being overly sweet. Their commitment to organic ingredients is a huge plus, and you can really taste the quality in every bite. What stood out most was their selection of unique and well-balanced flavors--nothing artificial or overly gimmicky, just thoughtful, delicious combinations. The chalkboard signage added a nice homemade, artisanal touch, making the whole experience feel more personal. The only downside? The location. It's tucked inside a pretty uninspiring mall, which doesn't do it justice. Fingers crossed they move somewhere more fitting--4th Street in San Rafael would be perfect! This gelato deserves a space that matches its quality. If you're in the area, don't let the location deter you--this is some of the best gelato around!

My wife read about Daily Recess while browsing NextDoor (where she also stumbled into Bubbala's in Red Hill shopping center in San Anselmo) - subject of a subsequent review.) Daily Recess is located in the Northgate Mall food court, where only Sbarro's is a direct neighbor. From the moment the owner kindly and warmly greeted us, to the dynamite flavor combinations, and finally when we sat down to taste our choices (you can combine two in a single), our taste buds shouted out "finally, damned good gelato." In the all the year's I've been in the Bay Area, I've only had one comparable product, a place that's now closed in Walnut Creek. My choices were brown butterscotch pecan and ricotta/fig jam, while my wife opted for the pomegranate and melon/lemon/thyme. It didn't take long for both of us to stare at one another and realize something special is going down here. This gelato is just fantastic. The combinations were sometimes unique but completely worked; no flavor overpowered the other. The consistency is spot-on; the gelato canisters are covered (best gelato practice) and thus there are no huge mounds of artificially colored gelato bulging out of the canister. The thyme in my wife's gelato was actually really thyme...there was a tiny piece of it. The ricotta/fig jam is arguably one of the most joyous gelato or ice cream flavors I've had; I just don't how to describe it. All the essences, sweet or savory, balanc Northgate Mall is going through a bit of mini-renaissance that largely targets kids right now (in the transition between what was and what will be, whenever that happens), and there's some buzz on the weekends here not only with families, but many of us who might not visit a mall like this at all except for the innovations that can surprisingly pop up. Daily Recess - what a concept. Check it out - we will certainly return very soon.

Delectable gelato and sorbet. Amazing texture and perfect flavor. A selection truly based on seasonal ingredients. Plus free sampling before you buy. The owners are lovely people. I so hope that their business is successful because their gelato is top notch!! Worth the trip for sure!

Great flavor selection. Favorites were the eggnog and blood orange. Very friendly host. We ended up ordering a pint of the blood orange which was nice when added to sparkling wine.

What a treat! We went to Northgate Mall just to get this Gelato and it did not disappoint! We loved all of the flavors we tried but White Chocolate Passion Fruit was divine! We also loved Banana Cacao Nib and kids loved red velvet birthday cake. The owner, Brian, was super friendly and patient with us. It's worth a stop there just for this creamy treat!

I liked it a lot they had a bunch of flavors I didn't know could be ice cream and I definitely do recommend. And the service was amazing and the whole place had a cool vibe‍

Daily Recess has absolutely out-of-this-world gelato. Brian, the owner, is a warm, welcoming, and an upbeat guide to his delicious creations. The flavors are so much fun to experience, but it is hard to choose. We opted for a combo of ricotta and fig jam with brown butterscotch pecan. The quality is outstanding. The consistency and rich flavors are nothing like we have ever had before. You have to come by to experience it for yourselves. They are located in the food court in Northgate Mall. The flavors change monthly. You will love Daily Recess! Daniel and Mindy

So good!!! We stumbled upon Daily Recess after a skate party and are so happy to have this new delicious addition to the neighborhood. They use Clover organic dairy and farmers market produce. I had mint stracciatella and my son had malted chocolate and cocoa nibs and both were delicious. The mint was made with steeped mint instead of mint oil and it was so, so good. Go check it out! Let's keep Daily Recess in the neighborhood!

Delicious, I will definitely be back and soon. Kristi and Brian were so kind and gracious.

Today I had their Burnt banana with Nutella and rum. Run and get while they still have it was excellent. This business needs a home. The Northgate mall is dying a slow death. I hope the Gelato place can find a permanent home soon. Love your homemade gelato!! Expensive but the splurge is totally worth it once in a while. Very tasty

Definitely going to come back her for some gelato! I had the sea salt dark chocolate and thr peanut butter pretzel flavor. You gotta try the secrete flavor!

The flavors are so unique and delish! Awesome customer experience too, the owners are so welcoming and encourage sampling the flavors. They make everything in house and I love the toppings as well! Definitely recommend!

The gelato here is fantastic. There are a good number of flavor options, which I'm told rotate from week to week. Everything I tried was excellent!

My wife and I just discovered this place. I think they are relatively new which is why were excited to have this in the neighborhood. I highly recommend trying it out. It was DELICIOUS and sweet surprise.

I've been thinking about the peanut butter gelato I had from DRG since last October. So today I decided to stop by and see if they still offered that flavor. While they didn't have peanut butter, their unique flavors sounded so delicious. Inspired by their ten flavors this month, I decided to treat my amazing healthcare team and purchased a scoop of each flavor. 10 in total. When I delivered the gelato and sorbet to my team, everyone became giddy. Everyone loved their special gourmet flavors. It might only be 50 degrees outside, but that doesn't matter. No matter what the temperature or flavor you're going to really enjoy their gelato and sorbet. Rich flavors spoonful after spoonful, smile after giddy smile. Thank you DRG!

Such an amazing experience! Best gelato I have ever had and the people running it were delightful. Looking forward to coming back--reasonable prices and amazing flavors. I had the hibiscus ginger side-by-side with pb&chocolate pretzel.

The best ice cream in the bay. All the flavors are so fresh tasting. Haven't had a flavor I didn't like. 100/100

Such a cute place and the gelato was very delicious. The workers were so sweet and attentive.

Best ice cream in the Bay Area! The flavors taste like small batch, home made. They switch things up regularly. It's worth visiting Northgate for this place and they do pints to go. Very reasonably priced for quality.

Went last night to try Daily Recess. There were a great variety of really interesting flavors. I ultimately chose the dark chocolate sea salt which was so delicious. The flavors change each month so I'll definitely be back.