Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

The best way to describe the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience is to imagine if Ghirardelli built its own mall - it's a whole destination dedicated to chocolate. This isn't just a single shop; it's a collection of buildings with a restaurant, a store, a takeout counter, and more, all spread out in a large, walkable square. A helpful tip for first-timers: you don't need tickets to enter. It's an open part of the town that you can freely walk around and explore. I went for their World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae, and while it felt like a week's worth of calories, it was so incredibly good that I have zero regrets. It's a must-try. The staff are also really helpful if you're looking for gifts to take home, and they let you sample some of the chocolates while you shop. For a fun and delicious experience that's more than just a dessert stop, this place is fantastic. It's a quintessential San Francisco treat.

I love this place! The chocolate ice creams are amazing—an absolute calorie bomb. Parking can be difficult, and the line is usually long, but it’s worth it. If you’re in San Francisco, you should definitely visit Ghirardelli Square and try their sundae.

One of the most iconic spots to enjoy Ghirardelli chocolate! The food was delicious, and we really enjoyed exploring the mall. We rode the train and the trolley, walked around the park, and soaked in the lively atmosphere. Everything was fun and very pleasant. Definitely a must-visit for anyone who loves chocolate and a great day out. Check out the videos to see everything we enjoyed!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience at Ghirardelli Square is a delightful stop for anyone visiting San Francisco. We visited as a family and were impressed by the immersive setup—chocolate-making displays, samples, and a rich variety of treats from classic squares to handcrafted sundaes. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and everything smells amazing. Tip: The line can be long at peak hours, so go early or late in the day for a better experience. While prices are high, the quality and nostalgic charm make it worth it. A must-visit for chocolate lovers looking for a true San Francisco treat!

Ghirardelli's is so good. Any of the stores are great, but we love this one. The service is just so nice and they are pretty fast. They have a great selection of candy and ice cream and gifts. You will love this place. It is so cute inside with lots of gifts and areas to get the best desserts. It is always well maintained. The location is super fun. There are lots pf places around there to walk. It is great on a not too hot day. The prices are just a tad high, but everything is made so well. It can get a tad crowded, but the lines move fast. They also have hot fudge and things like that to take home for later use. There is just so much to buy there. I love the gift area. It really is special.

I’ve worked in the area for years and used to stop in for monthly sundaes during my pregnancy to satisfy cravings, so I recently decided to bring my son here on a weekend visit. A few notes to clear up some misconceptions: while paid parking is available, there’s also free street parking within walking distance if you don’t mind a short walk. As always in San Francisco, it’s best to keep valuables out of sight. Menus are conveniently posted at the entrance, allowing you to browse before placing your order. Once inside, the process is simple, once order is placed, you’re provider a tracker that is to be placed on your table, that vibrates when your order is ready. The shop is busy, but the team works hard to keep the space clean and welcoming. Seating is ample, with options both indoors and outdoors in the courtyard. We ordered two sundaes: the Gold Rush and the Ocean Beach. Both were excellent: rich, sweet, and perfectly satisfying. (Pro tip: ask for water cup). The menu is extensive, with something for everyone, including a dairy-free option. The gift shop is also worth a visit, offering chocolate squares by the pound so you can create your own custom mix. While prices are on the higher side, the quality, experience, and location make it worthwhile. It’s a quintessential San Francisco stop, within walking distance of the Wharf and the Hyde & Powell cable car line ($9 each way), or a short Lyft ride away to Union Square (about $12).

WOW Chocolate heaven. I could become addicted to this if I lived nearer as touring SF and California. The Lands End sundae was incredible. Full of flavours to tickle every tastebud. Great shop catering for all tastes. Only things is I now feel a FAT KNACKER after eating it all up. 🤣

We rode the cable car across San Francisco to the Hyde St. terminus. We then walked over to Ghirardelli Square to check out what was there. We came upon the Chocolate Experience cafe and, browsing the menu and the mouth-watering sundaes, we decided to split one. You place your order at the counter and they give you a buzzer. The place was packed, so we waited for them to clear a table for two. You place your buzzer in the middle of your table, and someone brings your order. We opted for the Gold Rush Sundae, which is essentially a caramel sundae topped with almonds, sea salt, and whipped cream with a Ghirardelli white chocolate square. It was utterly delicious - and I am not a huge ice cream guy! The almonds and sea salt are what really made it - they kind of tasted like toffee to me. Be warned, the prices are INSANE - nearly $19 for one sundae! But this is a major tourist trap, in California, and you are paying for, well, the experience. At least the sundae was so good!

Oh hey Non-Dairy Hot Fudge Sundae, how you doin? https://yelp.to/lpJdopLAPc My family wanted to do the touristy thing so we rode the cable cars to Ghirardelli Square. I wasn't expecting to see a plant-based option on the menu. So when we arrived and Hubby pointed it out upon arrival, I decided to indulge in the sweet treat. The decadent layers of dark chocolate fudgy-fudge did it for me. The coconut-based ice cream helped to balance out the rich flavor. It was topped with almond-milk whipped cream, chopped almonds, maraschino cherry, and a dark chocolate square. Drool worthy! Though the dining area was crowded, we got lucky scoring a booth indoors next to a window overlooking the water. The line seemed to move fairly quick. I would come back for this!

Hot chocolate is Salted caramel hot chocolate in particular Staff are super friendly Disney lvl friendly Great views & great place to go alone or go with a Group

Kris had a ginormous ice cream sundae, salted caramel with chocolate fudge. She gave it a 10* 2 days later she decided she need another sundae. This time she had a sundae with a chocolate covered waffle cone. It was just as good but a little more messy

So. Much. Chocolate. And while we bought a handful of Ghirardelli chocolate squares, the real damage was done when we got back and bought 200 more through their website. Relax, we gave most of it away as Christmas gifts. But also, be concerned because we we've been eating whatever was left for MONTHS now. Anywho... THE FOOD. - Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Pretty straightforward flavor. I ordered one scoop which was a lot for me. - Vanilla Ice Cream with milk chocolate hot fudge, diced almonds, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. The hot fudge was deliciously sweet and went well with the vanilla ice cream. THE VIBE. Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory vibes. Lots of sweet treats overwhelmingly found everywhere. THE PARKING. We parked on a nearby street and walked over. Street parking was free at that time. THE RETURN? It's always a fun experience, especially rummaging through their chocolate bins in search of seasonal flavors. Peppermint bark, peppermint hot cocoa, white chocolate sugar cookie, caramel waffle cone, caramel apple, and pumpkin spice caramel are a few of my favorites!

We always make a point of stopping by Ghirardelli Square when we visit San Francisco and enjoy it each and every time! The staff is always so friendly and the sundaes are down right sinful. Their hot fudge is the best on the planet! This time we treated ourselves to the hot fudge brownie sundae and it did not disappoint! We also love shopping for chocolate to bring home. They had some new flavors of their signature chocolate squares. This time it was the caramel waffle cone, white chocolate caramel, and white chocolate sugar cookie that fulfilled our sweet tooths! If you are wondering if Ghirardelli's is worth visiting when in San Francisco, I would definitely say YES! Plus, it boasts some of the best views of the Bay. Enjoy!

Virual Dubai Chocolate Sundae limited edition for one day only today, March 8th starting at noon. We got here at 11am and the line was around the block. Think 2.5 hour wait for the sundae. They need to really premake this and get the ball rolling because they are so slow and there's nothing but wind and no chairs or bathrooms nearby. Also at around double the price it's quite expensive for what you get. No real special hoorahs here. Just some pictures with a cardboard sign. The Dubai sundae has pistachio butter, Phyllo (did you taste this I didn't), their signature chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, a regular chocolate square with gold leaf (picture worthy sure but didn't taste any different), pistachios on top, and whipped cream. This was a hit and miss for our group. Is it worth almost 3 hours (parking was hella expensive for 4 hours!) for thus sundae? The group said the pistachio butter eas nice but other than that this could be your average sundae. Our thoughts were meh. We gave into the hype. Also they should make this a month long dessert since most of the ingredients are ones they already have for their usual sundae. We left at 3pm and there's still a huge line. Be prepared for a 2 to 3 hour wait today until they run out.

Had to stop in for some dessert on a Saturday. We had the strawberry passion sundae and some sort chocolate freeze drink. The sundae was good and a little messy. The drink was also a little messy, but tasty.

The staff here were nice and they bring over your ice cream to your table after you order and clean up after you. Very attentive staff. We got the hot chocolate and the mini sundae. So good! A "mini" seemed huge to me so it was definitely enough :)

The Chocolate Experience is just what this place is, all chocolate, all the time!! I gave up chocolate long ago, but it doesn't mean that I can't enjoy this Experience. And my daughter loves chocolate, so I can enjoy it vicariously through her, lol!! This place was packed, and yes, it's a major tourist attraction in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf!! There was a line to get in the building, but it turns out that line was for people ordering something like hot chocolate or a sundae. So we walked around the line and walked into a world of chocolate. The first thing that hit me was the smell, the sweetness of it all. So, you can mix and match your chocolate and purchase it by the pound. My daughter really enjoyed her Sundae, and it was a lot for her!! Definitely worth a visit!!!

My favorite! Original sundae! Services is great. People are happy here. Love the ice cream.

There are several Ghirardelli stores in this plaza and it seems like they all serve the same thing. We decided to stop in for a sundae and it was delicious. The store itself is very pretty and there's plenty of seating. There's a lot of chocolate for purchase and lots of dessert to choose from. I would stop in again , if I could. Definitely check it out!

I have tried SO HARD to avoid Ghirardelli's since it's so touristy but after moving closer to here, it has grown on me SO MUCH. The more I've learned about its history and significance to SF, the more I have proudly repped it. I genuinely enjoy the Treasure Island Warm Brownie Sundae SO MUCH (I am not usually a fan of warm fudge, ESPECIALLY in those flimsy plastic to-go sundae cups). Definitely the most sundae-y sundae you'll ever see or have. The hot cocoas are so hard for me to resist when it gets cloudy and cold in SF. The treats are definitely way too pricey for what they are. I can literally purchase all the ingredients in store and made these exact treats at home - but the experience of sitting in front of the chocolate wall and original letter "G" is unmatched. Really makes you feel like you're a tourist in your own home city and makes you see the beauty of Aquatic Cove again. It can get SUPER crowded on random summer days. I usually go in early morning and late evenings when it is a ghost town. I generally enjoy Ghirardelli Square when there are people running out & about though. I am a CONVERTED LOYAL GHIRARDELLI FAN! My favorite dessert to treat myself.

Super long wait times (~1 hour) especially on weekends, so be prepared. Make sure to check with the staff if you haven't gotten your order after 30 minutes or so, to make sure you don't miss your number being called (things can get pretty hectic with so many people and orders). Prices are steep as well, and I'm not sure if it's worth for what it is - the desserts are pretty standard. I'd try for the classic SF experience, if the line isn't crazy.

Yum! Always a fun treat to come here. Hubby and I got the strawberry passion to share. Line wasn't super long and the customer service was great. We enjoyed ourselves and will be back!

First time here, loved it. Ice cream was so good and loved that I was able to get lactose free ice cream. Service was great.

We split the strawberry passion hot fudge sundae, and I have just one complaint: the price. If my husband hadn't insisted, I would've walked out. No sundae is worth that price, though the hot fudge was delicious.

Walking in was stressful. There was a lot of foot traffic at the door. The right side has ready to grab and build your own chocolate bags and bars, etc. That crowd crowds the line and entrance area. The line to order ice cream starts almost immediately once you walk through the door. There's a stand with the menu right at the front. This location is cool since you can watch them make the chocolate covered strawberries as well as waffle bowls. Seating wasn't easy. We arrived close to 4:00 on a Sunday and it was still packed. Most seats were taken and any seats that weren't were part of a larger shared table for communal use. They bring your order to you at a table. I got the strawberry sundae to share with my boyfriend. We finished it within 5 minutes. I'm not a huge fan of their sundaes but their chocolate squares are good. We bought a mint cookie chocolate square which tasted almost like a thin mint or andes chocolate

I'm not sure that I'd call this a chocolate experience. When we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, it was fairly busy but the line moved quickly. Essentially, it's a ice cream shop, where you order a sundae ($10-20) or milkshake ($8+) and you can make your own bag of assorted chocolate squares, priced by weight. The staff was friendly enough but they all seem to be rushing around.

Great place for dessert for any event. There are a ton of tourists so expect a line but they are pretty fast and efficient. You order first, then find a table and your drinks/ice creams come shortly after. Get the ones with chocolate syrup or chocolate ice cream since that's what they're known for - Ghirardelli chocolate is to die for ;) There's a parking lot down the hill but beware, it's not cheap. FYI They are closed on Thanksgiving day but opened on New Years Eve.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience.. more like Ghirardelli Expensive Experience. It's something to do once and never again. Yes, the chocolate is some of the best, but the prices are ridiculous. Not only that, I ordered a mini of the traditional Ghirardelli dessert and the ice cream was already half melted when it got to me.

My visit to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience was an absolute treat! I highly recommend this place to all chocolate enthusiasts. The variety and quality of chocolates here are exceptional. I tried their new menu items "Chocolate lover's hot fudge sundae" and "Mini World famous hot fudge sundae", both were so so delicious. The service was quick and easy. There was a small line on a Sunday afternoon but was able to get the table within 15 mins wait. Whether you're a local or visiting San Francisco, a trip to Ghirardelli Square for this chocolate experience is a must-do.

One of the best attractions in San Francisco to visit. Ghirardelli square offers a lot from restaurants from different cuisines to small shops to the Ghirardelli shop itself to the mini golf and the arcade. The Ghirardelli square has such a unique and warm feeling to it making you want to come back again and again especially during winter time with all the decoration. The restaurants offer fantastic food. I have only tried the Mexican restaurant which I liked a lot. The menu offered many choices, the service was outstanding and the food was excellent. The Ghirardelli shop offers different types of chocolate drinks and ice cream bowls which look and taste so unique. Would certainly recommend.

This might be a tourist trap but it's one of those worthy to be trapped tourist traps. Been coming here since college days and it never disappoints.

This was on our must try list for our vacay in SF. This place was so packed, we couldn't really shop around in the store. It was wall to wall people. We ordered a milkshake which was an hour long process. First you stand in line to order which took about 20 minutes, and then you wait in a jumbled mess of people to hear your name called. However, you cant hear because of the crowd and it took another 40 minutes for the milkshake. It was good, but not an hour wait worth of good. This place is definitely an experience, but a little overrated.

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience is one of three Ghirardelli ice cream shops/retail stores located in the square of the same name but it isn't the original. That one's just downstairs & a better option if you can brave the crowd. BF & I indulge in the San Francisco sweet treat randomly every few years; recently we shared an Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae ($14.95.) Piled high in a substantial glass goblet is vanilla ice cream, ribbons of milk or dark chocolate hot fudge (milk, always & forever, milk) & caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream & a milk chocolate sea salt square. We sat at one of the counters watching employees fill molds with melty chocolate that, when firmly set, will be packaged & sold for a not-so-small price. Chocolate lovers unite at Fisherman's Wharf, but I have one simple ask of out-of-towners: do learn the correct pronunciation of Ghirardelli so us locals don't have to tar & feather you ;)

You cant go to SF without checking this place out. We arrived later in the evening and it was surprisingly really quiet, not busy. There was no one in line so we were helped right away. We ordered one sea salt caramel hot cocoa and it was made pretty quickly. We found a table and sat for a few minutes and did some people watching while we sipped on our drink. We only visited the first floor which had ample tables and seating. The drink was really good but the service could've been better.

Quick Service, reasonable price and quality ingredients. My son ordered the Ocean Beach - Sea Salt Caramel Sundae, which came with it's own Milk Sea Salt Caramel Square. They also offer a few dozen pre-packaged chocolates, but there weren't any canisters of the hot chocolate. Perhaps that's seasonal. Here's What I Think... Stop by here inste ead of a meal or LONG after your meal has settled. This place is a special treeat.

This has to be on everyone's ice cream bucket list at least once! The wait time in ordering & receiving your delightful treat is extremely long. I'm not stealing any stars for this since just know it's part of the experience. Once you take that first decadent bite, you'll know it's all been well worth it! Another part of this long wait is finding a spot to sit- just keep moving around and eventually you'll get lucky. The shared banana split makes the trip all worthwhile..... I promise you'll love it!

We grabbed a milkshake and a hot cocoa, and they were both spot-on delicious -- creamy, rich, and comforting. Ghirardelli is a classic for a reason. Don't skip it if you're in the area!

What a lovely chocolate sundae experience! We got two sundaes which were both delicious: - World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae: Vanilla ice cream and hot fudge topped with whipped cream, diced almonds, a cherry, and a Milk Chocolate Caramel square. What really stole the show here was the hot fudge. Ghirardelli hot fudge is the best fudge I've ever tasted. The whole thing was indulgently sweet and delicious. The chocolate square didn't add anything to this sundae in my opinion; I'd love to see some good chocolate shavings instead. - Strawberry Passion Hot Fudge Sundae: Strawberry and vanilla ice cream, sweetened strawberries and hot fudge topped with whipped cream and a dipped strawberry. Pretty much very similar to World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae, this sundae however has strawberry ice cream instead. Plus the chocolate square is replaced with chocolate dipped strawberry. The store was nice and clean when we were there, and service was quick and friendly. Just beware that parking could be a nightmare though.

This was such a fun experience. I loved the store. The line goes fast so no worries. This would be the last hot fudge I would have in my life! So this with the ice cream.. I can die happy!

3.5 rounded up to 4. The best thing to me about this pace is that they are open till 11PM on Friday/Saturdays. I came here after dinner on a Friday night about 10PM. What I really came here for was the Decadent Drinking Chocolate. I was always a fan of the Trader Joe's Drinking Chocolate and fell in love with the real stuff when I was in Italy last year. So I always get it whenever I have a chance. I have never had a Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae before but knew it would be too much along with the drinking Chocolate but I couldn't pass up a scoop of chocolate ice cream since I had never had Ghirardelli's ice cream before. Decadent Drinking Chocolate 3.5/5 It wasn't bad but I have had better here in the States. I guess I expected more from a chocolate shop. Chocolate Ice Cream 3/5 Now I was disappointed in the ice cream. I'm not saying it was bad, but it was just average chocolate ice cream and for the price I paid I think I would have been better off getting a 1/2 gallon from the grocery store, and not even the good stuff. I really expect more of a chocolatey flavor. The visit wasn't a total loss because I did get some drinking chocolate and that's hard to come by.

Got a chocolate shake and it was phenomenal!! The perfect sweet treat when visiting Fisherman's Wharf

I've been wanting to try the sundaes here for a while because I love visiting here to buy their chocolates! I was thrilled to see that they have a Non-Dairy Hot Fudge Sundae as a new item. One sundae is a shareable size as I'm not a big ice cream fan and it's plenty of ice cream for two people. I liked most of the components of the sundae except for the hot fudge. The fudge had a strange plasticky flavor and aftertaste that was quite unpleasant. Honestly, it ruined the dessert for me, especially considering this is a chocolate shop. My hope is that other items on the menu are better.

Lived in SF 1/2 my life & just now came here. Cool place, but my god pricey! This is definitely for out of town folks. Kids will definitely enjoy this place & a lot of beautiful things to see around the area.

Ghirardelli, Ghirardelli, rolls right off the tongue like a Willy Wonka chocolate fountain. So cue the oompa loompas, it's about to get chocolatey in here! Full flavored creamy chocolate Sunday, didn't love my latte, too much bitter espresso, not enough sweet. Overall, a fantastical, sweet experience and good chocolatey fun for the family.

When looking at the map of Ghirardelli Square, we saw that there were three different Ghirardelli shops. For our retail needs, we stopped at this one. based on the naming, we expected it would be a larger store with more options. It was larger, but not something I would call an experience. There were sections where you could build your own mixes and gift sets. The one thing was unique that you could print your own customized gift tag. There was a bar area in the back that had some Cocoa beans and sections that said you could get samples but while we were there, there was no one working. In fact, that was one of the major differences from when I've gone before. They were more than willing to hand out samples in the past, but on our visit this afternoon there was no one greeting people, handing out samples or even answering questions. It felt like you had to track people down if you need anything. This spot also had a section where you could order ice cream with seating on the outer edges of the building. If I were to go back again, I might opt for this spot, of the three, because you still have the same ice cream options and a slightly larger retail section.

I scream! We scream! We all scream for ice cream!! Ghirardelli ice cream is always a treat! We always try to save some room after we eat in the area so we can make a stop here at Ghirardelli's Square. We were greeted right away when we entered by a friendly gentleman that handed us an ice cream menu. Ice cream line is on the left and their chocolate counters are on the right side. You can select your chocolate squares and you can have it in a bag or in a nice tin box - different sizes. There was a short line for ice cream. They had all their windows opened and served us quickly. After ordering, you're asked if it's for here or to go. If you eat there, they hand you a number sign. If you want to go, they make it at the next counter and will call your name. We've tried both experiences and both are equally efficient. The last time we went, we found a few chairs at their counter near their "Ghirardelli's Experience" where you can watch them make treats and see a very cool chocolate fountain. The atmosphere is fun and friendly. Area is clean and has plenty of workers around to help. There are tables near the windows where you can see the ocean view. If you haven't been here for chocolate and their ice cream, you need to check it out. Such a fun and sweet treat! What we ordered: Mint bliss Gold rush caramel World famous hot fudge sundae

The main store was closed during our whole trip, so we could only visit the busy "experience" store. I finally broke down and ordered the famous hot fudge sundae for $16. Sorry....it was just not good. The hot fudge was mediocre at best and the ice cream was flavorless. Feels more like a tourist trap now and the amazing chocolate factory smell that I remember Ghirardelli Square having years ago is non-existent.

They recently renovated so there's more seating! I'm not a huge ice cream sundae person but their sunday here is so good! Definitely share because they are huge. Highly recommend the Ocean beach sundae with dark chocolate.

I am a chocolate lover and Ghirardelli is up there in my list. The area, because its more than a store, is welcoming and relax specially after a sweet chocolate Goodness from heaven.

This is a MUST stop for ANY tourist visiting San Francisco! And this little shop knows it! They offer sundaes, shakes, coffee, hot cocoa, a very limited amount of sweet treats and of course Ghiradelli chocolate bars/bags that you can find at your local grocery store. Prices are on the high side, but that is to be expected! I went with their world famous hot fudge sundae. Hot Fudge Sundae ($14) - This consisted of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sundae, topped with whipped cream, diced almonds, a cherry, a milk chocolate caramel square. I admit the hot fudge was very good and addicting! But the price is ridiculous for such a small treat. It's about the same size, or maybe slightly bigger than the sundae at Mc Donald's! Overall I fell for this tourist trap, and you probably will too! :P You can't come to San Francisco and not stop here.

super touristy and expensive but it was definitely a vibe :) i would recommend skipping the fudge sundae and just splurging on the cookie sundae instead! it was so much tastier! expect a line here for sure! i went on a sunday night a few days after christmas and the line definitely fluctuated but we waited for around 20-30 minutes. don't forget to validate parking!

Major tourist trap with irresistible classic Ghirardelli desserts. I'm talking about the fudge, the brownies, and the sundaes.. Are you even a San Franciscan if you haven't been here yet?! I like this location more than their original shop by the corner because of the Pick & Mix station and the brighter, more modern interior! Come visit now and try their limited time Peppermint hot cocoa! I loved that they give you a Peppermint bark chocolate to enjoy with the hot cocoa. Their hot chocolate is very rich, dense, and it just warms your soul. You can get whipped cream on top as well. At their Pick & Mix station, you also have their holiday / seasonal flavors too like their peppermint bark, dark peppermint bark, and other rare flavors like crispy rice and intense dark! My husband preferred the classic hot chocolate and we both think it tasted more richer than the Peppermint hot cocoa. It's probably because they had to add the peppermint syrup and it dilutes the strength of the cocoa. Nonetheless I loved my peppermint hot cocoa especially when it was so chilly last night! We usually get the World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae but it was so cold that we opted for a hot chocolate. We don't regret it!! The line was not that long and although there was only one person at the register to take our order, it went by pretty quickly. We waited 5 minutes for our drinks and they were ready to go! I did come here a few months back and I had a chance to sample their hot fudge. Oh boy. The compostable spoon is huge for some reason and I couldn't finish it all. It would be great for fudge lovers but I think I needed ice cream to pair with it! The chocolate fudge was so smooth and decadent that it literally felt like I was drinking thick milk chocolate... don't get me wrong. I loved it - I just couldn't finish it! If I have friends or relatives visiting, I'd make sure to point them in this direction!

So not worth the hype. But hey, now I can say that I have been to a San Francisco landmark maker. First off the chocolate alone isn't my favorite; it's overly sweet but that seems to be the American way. We got a scoop of ice cream, hot fudge, and sprinkles and it was meh at best. We also ordered a hot chocolate and a mocha and so disappointed I was tempted to get Starbucks to make up for the disappointment. The hot chocolate was so watered down that it was more accurately described as water with a hint of chocolate and my child did not finish it. I will not go back, or recommend it for anything other than nostalgia.

A go to when in San Francisco. Clean stores and friendly staff. They always have some kind of sale on their chocolates. My only suggestion is I wish Ghirardelli offered "sugar free" options for their coffee drinks and some chocolate. It would make those of us with dietary restrictions feel included and I'm sure their sales would increase as there are many people who would purchase such a choice. I was excited to get a latte at this location, but, they do not offer sugar free options so I had to go elsewhere.

The line was very long on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm but the wait was definitely worth it. Just a tip, if you are just going in to buy chocolate, you can skip the line. The line is only for the ice cream counter. While hubby waited in line, I took the kids in to buy chocolate. The loved customizing their own bags with their favorite chocolates. When we finally got to the front, we ordered the cookie sundae and the marshmallow sundae. Everything was delicious! Their hot fudge is so rich and amazing. The chocolate ice cream was so creamy. Only downside is that it was so crowded inside. There was no where to sit. Fortunately it wasn't raining or too cold outside so we found a bench to sit and enjoy our treats. Definitely worth a stop especially if you are waiting for traffic to die down on the bay bridge.

Went to visit San Francisco and had to stop at Ghirardelli Square as a first-time tourist. The Ghirardelli square is really pretty and very family and pet friendly. We went twice over the weekend and had very different experiences but it was mostly because one day was raining and there was very few people, in contrast with a Sunday sunny day where it was pretty full. The place is really pretty, and the service was fine. We ordered the treasure island sundae and was a little disappointed, mostly because it had very little ice cream but so much whipped cream and the brownie wasn't the best. For the price I was expecting far better.

I have been to this particular Ghirardelli 3 or 4 times and am always left super impressed! They may have a line but move quickly to get your order out to you. I ordered a brownie fudge sundae and had chocolate chip cookies added in. Wow!! It was perhaps one of the best desserts I have EVER had. If you're in SF and have time, stop by!