I have eaten a lot of ice cream in my time, and I have learned to respect a parlor that knows exactly what it is. Hayward’s cold-treat terrain stretches from the unapologetic pink Barbie decor of Loard’s to the chewy, stretchy precision of Kabul Icy Treats Cafe’s sheerkah, with a stop at a roastery selling sand-bathed Turkish coffee if you are feeling adventurous.

The bar is high for fresh fruit, and United Paleteria clears it easily with a mango paleta that is not shy about being mango. You will also find tiramisu at an Italian spot and a waffle on a stick at a boba shop, which is chaos in the best way.

That is the thing about this town. You just have to know where to look.

Loard's Ice Cream

Highlights
Decades of family tradition
Kind, welcoming young staff
Delicious Hawaii sundae
Pink-and-white Barbie parlor
Excellent service and treats

I have eaten a lot of ice cream in my time, and I have learned to respect a parlor that knows exactly what it is. Loard's is that parlor. The pink-and-white Barbie decor is not an accident; it is a promise of a certain kind of unapologetic sweetness. I ordered the Hawaii sundae, a composition of pineapple, coconut, and hot fudge that somehow avoids chaos. The young staff were welcoming, which I appreciated, as I am often treated like a nuisance when I take too long to decide. The family tradition shows in the consistency of the product. It is not trendy. It is simply good, and that is enough. I left satisfied and slightly sticky, which is the correct way to leave an ice cream shop.

You might also want to check out the best ice cream in Fremont.

Kabul Icy Treats Cafe شیریخ و‌ژاله

Highlights
Polite, kind, welcoming staff
Delicious ice cream, impeccable sheerkah
Clean tables, pleasant atmosphere
Fast service, good music

Kabul Icy Treats Cafe is a place I wandered into on a warm afternoon, and I did not regret it. The sheerkah, which is a sort of Afghan ice cream with a chewy, stretchy quality, was impeccable. I have had lesser versions elsewhere; this one was smooth, not too sweet, and clearly made with care. The staff were polite and kind, which always helps. The tables were clean, and the music was pleasant, not intrusive. Service was fast, which is a relief when you are hungry and irritable. I sat for a while, ate my treat, and considered the strange joy of finding such a focused establishment in Hayward. It is a small place, but it does its one thing well.

You might also want to check out the best ice cream in Mountain View.

The Old City (nuts & spice) Roastery

Highlights
Fresh strawberry Dubai cups
Sand-bathed Turkish coffee
Unique chocolate-covered treats
Viral mango, peach bars
Sample-heavy, kid-friendly stops

The Old City is a roastery that also sells ice cream, which is a combination I find entirely reasonable. The strawberry Dubai cups were fresh, not the sad, mealy strawberries you often get. I also tried the viral mango bar, which was as good as the internet suggested. The staff let me sample things, which I appreciate, because I have opinions about texture. The sand-bathed Turkish coffee was a novelty, though I confess I mostly drank it for the experience. The chocolate-covered treats are worth your time. This is a kid-friendly spot, but I saw adults enjoying themselves just as much. It is chaotic in a good way. I left with a slight sugar high and a bag of roasted nuts, which was not my plan.

You might also want to check out the best seafood market in Oakland.

United Paleteria Y Neveria

Highlights
Fresh fruit, generous portions
Friendly service from Mari Cruz
All ice creams taste fresh
Worth returning to again
Great spot for paletas

United Paleteria Y Neveria is the kind of place you return to, and I have. The paletas are made with fresh fruit, and you can taste it. I had a mango one, and it was not shy about being mango. Mari Cruz, who runs the counter, is friendly and patient, even when I ask for recommendations. The portions are generous; I made a mess and did not care. All the ice creams tasted fresh, which is a higher bar than you might think. This is not a fancy place. It is a reliable one. If you want a cold treat that does not pretend to be anything else, this is it. I will be back, probably soon, because I have a list of flavors to work through.

You might also want to check out the best restaurant in San Jose.

Yogurt Deluxe

Highlights
Simple menu, rich variety
Friendly staff, quick service
Kid-friendly, non-dairy options
Reasonable prices, generous portions
Clean space, reliable parking

Yogurt Deluxe is a straightforward frozen yogurt shop, and I mean that as a compliment. The menu is simple, but the variety of flavors and toppings is enough to keep me busy for a while. I had a swirl of vanilla and a tart flavor, and both were fine, which is to say they were exactly what I expected. The staff were friendly and quick, which matters when you are paying by weight and want to get on with it. There are non-dairy options, which I did not try but noted for future reference. Prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. The space is clean, and parking is easy. It is not an adventure. It is a dependable stop.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Palo Alto.

Acqua e Farina

Highlights
Attentive service, excellent recommendations
Spacious tables ensure conversational privacy
Fresh salmon and delicious carpaccio
Superb linguine with clams

Acqua e Farina is technically an Italian restaurant, but I have included it because they serve a mean dessert, and the meal itself was worth noting. The service was attentive, and the staff made excellent recommendations, which I appreciate because I am indecisive. I had the salmon and the carpaccio; both were fresh and properly seasoned. The linguine with clams was superb, though I had to concentrate to avoid dripping butter on my notebook. The tables are spaced out, so I could hear my companion without shouting. It is a bit more formal than my usual ice cream haunts, but I enjoyed the change. The tiramisu was a fine end to the meal, though I still think about the clams.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Santa Cruz.

Max’s Cakes

Highlights
Light, fluffy strawberry shortcake
Real strawberries in buttercream
Reasonable delivery, clear communication
Family-owned, personal service
Cakes worth international flights

Max's Cakes is a bakery, but they also do ice cream cakes, and the strawberry shortcake I tried was the highlight of my week. The cake was light and fluffy, and the buttercream had actual strawberries in it, which is a detail I respect. I ordered for delivery, and the communication was clear, and the cake arrived intact. The family-owned operation offers personal service, which is rare. I have had cakes that were better, but I have also had cakes that were far worse. This one was worth the cost. I would say it is worth a trip across town, but I am not sure I would fly internationally for it. That said, if I were already on a plane, I would not be upset.

You might also want to check out the best eats in San Jose.

Boba Nation Grand

Highlights
Fresh fruit in lemonades
Waffle on a stick
Warm Nutella with ice cream
Friendly, knowledgeable staff
Snacks beyond just boba

Boba Nation Grand is a boba shop, but they also serve ice cream, and the waffle on a stick is a concept I did not know I needed. I tried the warm Nutella with ice cream, which is exactly as decadent as it sounds. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and they helped me pick a lemonade with fresh fruit, which was refreshing. They have snacks beyond boba, which is nice if you are with someone who does not want a drink. The place is casual and a bit noisy, but it works. I had a good time, and I left with a sugar buzz that lasted well into the evening. It is not a quiet place, but it is a fun one.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Fremont.

Tram Cream Coffee 6 - Hayward

Highlights
Beautiful interior for studying
Close to original San Jose roots
Delicious banana cream specialties
Calmer than San Jose locations
Sweet coffee and matcha options

Tram Cream Coffee 6 is a coffee shop with a strong San Jose lineage, and the Hayward location is calmer than its predecessors. The interior is beautiful, with plenty of seating for studying, which I appreciated because I had work to do. I ordered a banana cream specialty, which was sweet and creamy, and a matcha that was not too bitter. The staff were polite, and the service was quick. I did not find the coffee to be exceptional, but it was better than average. If you need a place to sit for a few hours with a laptop and a cold drink, this is a solid choice. It is not my favorite, but I would return.

You might also want to check out the best breakfast in San Jose.

Snappy's Cafe

Highlights
Cheap, filling breakfast sandwiches
Great coffee and espresso
Friendly counter service
Convenient to BART and civic buildings
Simple, traditional egg sandwich

Snappy's Cafe is not an ice cream shop, but they serve breakfast sandwiches, and I have a soft spot for a good egg sandwich. The sandwich was cheap and filling, exactly what I wanted before a morning at the civic center. The coffee was fine, and the espresso was passable. The counter service was friendly, which made the whole experience more pleasant. It is conveniently located near BART, so it is an easy stop. I did not try their ice cream, because I do not think they have it, but the sandwich was the real draw. It is a simple, traditional place, and sometimes that is all you need. I left with a full stomach and a clear mind.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Mountain View.

A. Romo’s Cafe

Highlights
Hand-made mugs with coffee
Cozy patio atmosphere
Mom-and-pop charm preserved
Brunch fare mostly decent
Service polite but slow

A. Romo's Cafe has a cozy patio and hand-made mugs, which I found charming in a way that did not feel forced. The coffee was decent, though the service was polite but slow, so I had time to admire the mugs. The brunch fare was mostly decent, which is a lukewarm endorsement, but the atmosphere made up for it. It is a mom-and-pop operation, and you can tell, which is not a bad thing. I ordered a pastry and a latte, and neither was remarkable, but I did not feel cheated. I would go back if I were in the neighborhood and wanted a quiet place to read. Just do not be in a hurry.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Redwood City.

Don Gaspacho

Highlights
Generous portions for two
Fresh, jam-packed flavors
Friendly, helpful service
House-made popsicles and bars
Refreshing, perfectly executed aguas frescas

Don Gaspacho is a place I almost did not try because of the name, but I am glad I did. The portions are generous, easily enough for two, and the flavors are fresh and jam-packed. I had an agua fresca, which was perfectly executed, and a house-made popsicle that tasted like summer. The staff were friendly and helpful, even when I asked for recommendations. It is a small spot, but it does not need to be big. I left with a full stomach and a sense of satisfaction. This is the kind of place that makes you want to come back, and I will. It is not fancy, but it is honest, and that is worth something.

You might also want to check out the best restaurants in Los Gatos.