Fentons Creamery
Ice cream shop · Piedmont Avenue ·
Towering sundaes, huge variety of flavors, burgers, and shakes
Towering sundaes, huge variety of flavors, burgers, and shakes
"A beloved East Bay institution since 1894, this old-fashioned parlor churns housemade ice cream on-site in 10-gallon batches with high butterfat for a dense, creamy texture; it’s credited with inventing signature flavors (toasted almond, Swiss milk chocolate, rocky road) and is famous for towering sundaes and heaping banana splits. Families flock here for celebrations, kids can watch production through large glass windows, and its pop-culture presence (featured in Pixar’s Up) adds to the nostalgic draw." - Veronica Stoddart
"It takes very little convincing to get us to Fentons, but Restaurant Week is a good a reason as any. The century-old ice cream parlor on Piedmont Ave. hasn’t released their Restaurant Week menu yet, but 2024’s menu included crab dip potato skins and a three-flavor ice cream flight." - julia chen 1
"Before the modern highway system, there was Fenton’s. At both the original Oakland location, established in 1894, and their Vacaville outpost, opened in 2007, the ice cream business scoops butter brickle, banana nut black walnut, pistachio raspberry swirl, and far more flavors that stretch back into perpetuity. Cakes and pies are on the menu, too (no guarantee they will hold up well in the car, though.)" - Dianne de Guzman
"Frothy root beer floats, towering sundaes dripping chocolate fudge onto their saucers, and the ultimate party in dessert form, the banana split, make any visit to this ice cream palace feel like a celebration. This Oakland icon is more than 100 years old, and it’s deserving of both its staying power and fame: the ice cream is that good. Responsible for originating some famous flavors including a claim to Rocky Road, the creamery is also a restaurant, where curly fries and burgers join crab salad sandwiches and blue plate specials. The dependable kid’s menu sticks to the cohort of kid favorites, scribbleable with crayons while kids wear their complimentary paper creamery hats. A constantly festive atmosphere means the place is loud; awareness important for kids with sensory issues." - Justine Jones
"Where’s the place to go for dessert? You can’t beat Fenton’s which is a classic Oakland ice cream parlor." - Edward Barsamian
