Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream — Restaurant in Oakland

BAD WALTER’S IS THE BEST ICE CREAM STORE OF ALL TIME!

here’s why: The ice cream- smooth, creamy, super flavorful, and most of all EXCITING FLAVORS! They just don’t miss. Every flavor I have tried has been absolutely delicious, even if it’s not “my” kind of flavor (I’m a chocolate/caramel girl or bust, but their fruit flavors are delicious too). Some of them have been truly sublime, top tier scoops of my whole life (I eat a lot of ice cream and seek it out everywhere I go). They go heavy on the mix-ins and yet the flavors are never overly sweet- I never get that awful sugar rush feeling after eating it. There’s not a bunch of flavors at one time but they change the flavors every week so it keeps it exciting and keeps us coming back regularly! Also I’m not lactose intolerant but appreciate that people who are get to enjoy the most delicious ice cream!

The vibes- cool spot, and pretty much everyone who works there is super friendly. Not only are they always chill about letting us try flavors (the whole point of visiting an ice cream store vs buying at the store imo), sometimes they even offer us specific ones to try I wouldn’t have gone for on my own.

It’s a neighborhood spot! Local small business and you can tell they care about their product/customers. also they have a reward card that’s actually good!

TLDR Bad...

In a crowded Bay Area ice cream scene, Bad Walters shines brightest. Not only does it offer the best ice cream I've ever had, but it also stirs up deep feelings of nostalgia that seem to magically whisk you back to your childhood days. The meticulously crafted flavors are evocative and wildly delicious.

Favorites? The tart Suckerpunch and the MF'in Monster, featuring crunchy Biscoff cookie bits - both an absolute knockout. And here's the kicker! It's lactose-free, a godsend for people like me who cannot tolerate lactose.

Moreover, Bad Walters doesn’t just scoop out joy, it actively strengthens the community. Sydney Arkin, the owner, listens to her customers and integrates feedback into the product - which makes the ice cream taste even better.

Recently, I shared some of Bad Walters' ice cream with my line cooks and FOH during food service. The unanimous verdict? They loved it! Which only solidified my belief that this isn't just my personal favorite, it's an absolute crowd-pleaser.

In conclusion, Bad Walters isn't merely an ice cream shop - it's a place that genuinely cares about its product, its customers, and its community. A visit here isn’t just a treat, it’s a...

Rushed to this place the first couple weeks of opening and I am addicted. Finally, a place with lactose free ice cream of your lactose-free dreams! My favorite flavors are Big Chill (mint/chocolate) and Sexual Chocolate (marshmallow fluff, dark chocolate, a.cherries).

Friendly staff and a wonderful, nostalgic 90's vibe. There are some seats (bar style) and some tables and chairs for outdoor seating. I usually buy the pints and take them to go, along with a cup of whatever I fancy at the time, as the flavors change every week (follow on Instagram for weekly flavors and what's in the freezer)!

Sydney is a mad scientist and I love how she comes up with all these amazing flavors. I thought I would be stuck eating alternative ice creams or sorbets or even gambling by eating actual ice cream with my lactose intolerance (I love ice cream). The ice cream is lactose-free, you're eating ice cream made with lactose-free milk, the creaminess of the ice cream is un-compromised and the imaginative, familiar punchy flavors are incredible. I keep coming back for more--seriously, we are there every other week! Thank you Sydney! Please keep doing what...