As the summer sun heats up the SF Bay Area, a refreshingly sweet way to cool down is with some icy Halo Halo! Literally translating to “mix mix,” this colorful concoction creatively combines a variety of textures and flavors to create a dynamic dessert that is delightfully intriguing, pictureworthy, and distinctly Filipino.

While its components and toppings can vary, the typical ingredients include sweet beans, coconut, and different colored jellies. These all get layered under ice and then often generously topped with ube ice cream, and sometimes even a decadent slice of rich leche flan!

Here is a list of must-visit spots around the Bay Area to obtain this culturally cooling confection during the sweltering summer, or honestly, any time of the year!

Good Good Culture Club

3560 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This definitely isn’t the traditional Halo Halo you’re familiar with… as Good Good Culture Club gives it a glamorously gastronomic glow up! Fusing different Asian cultures into one frosty bowl, their Halo Ha-Lao incorporates thai tea swirl sorbet, coconut foam, and cara cara-lemongrass ice. This is the ultimate refreshing palate cleanser after dining at this popularly swanky dining destination in the heart of SF’s Mission District.

Isla Restaurant

5720 Mowry School Rd, Newark, CA 94560

Down in Newark, Isla is a family favorite for their spacious wooden interior, warm service, and hearty servings, including their traditional Halo Halo! While it may look straightforward and simple, their version is absolutely replete with white beans, sweetened bananas, macapuno, corn kernels, cream of corn, nata de coco, and grandiosely topped with both ube ice cream and leche flan, all for only $10.98!

Mitchell’s Ice Cream

688 San Jose Ave. @29th Street,San Francisco, CA 94110

For the ultimate frosty version of Halo Halo, try it in the efficiently handheld form of ice cream at Mitchell’s! A beloved landmark in the Mission District, many flock to form a line out of the door just to have scoops of their creamy flavors both classic and culturally experimental. Their Halo Halo ice cream mixes in all, delivering a plethora of textures to contrast their smooth ice cream base. We recommend taking it for a sweet stroll down the scenic and sunny Valencia Street afterwards.

The Lumpia Company

288 9th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606

You truly have never had Halo Halo like this. The ingeniously inventive Lumpia Company is beloved for boldly reconfiguring Filipino classics into the crispy finger food, and that even includes frozen desserts! You may not believe it, but the Oakland landmark has daringly been able to completely transform Halo Halo beyond its original form, while still incorporating all of its components into the filling. This is a delightfully whimsical reinvention that will defy your temperature, texture, and form expectations of what Halo Halo can become.

Loard’s Ice Cream

1601 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Loard’s is a Bay Area favorite defined by its cozy pink aesthetic and heartwarming nostalgic atmosphere. This cute homestyle shop is no-frills and no hesitations when it comes to being generous with their sundaes! Order their Halo Halo sundae for a Filipino fusion into the traditional ice cream sundae, maximizing your order with ube, whipped cream, and all with a perfect cherry on top. We recommend their sunny Potrero Hill location for a cooling treat with a 360 panoramic view!

Macs by Icky

3900 Smith St, Union City, CA 94587

Macs by Icky is a treasured Union City cafe that is both comforting and cultural, delivering innovative takes on Filipino and tropical favorites both savory and sweet. They are known for not being stingy at all with their ube offerings, and that includes their three generous Halo Halo options! Choose from their Og Halo Halo, Ube All Day Halo Halo, or their energizing Affogato Halo Halo. All are topped with soft serve and novel additions of ube muddy mix, waffle cone pieces, cereal, and/or flan, and all for under $10!

Timog

39055 Cedar Blvd #166, Newark, CA 94560

We may have saved the largest for last! Timog is another Newark spot that is truly a hidden gem for Filipino buffets. Tucked away in an Asian shopping center hides this incredibly showstopping restaurant popular for large platters, and that includes their jumbo Halo Halo. Finish it all and you may even receive a complimentary t-shirt! This is a decadent challenge that may be worth all of the sweet brain freeze.

No matter where you are in the Bay Area, these creative and brimming Halo Halo options are sure to keep you cool!