Nouveau Fro-Yo

1400 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

With glistening white locations in both North Beach and Union Square, this fro-yo staple features the standard tart flavor and laundry list of toppings, but the other offerings (like the shaved ice and fruit) are distinctly Asian inspired. Also, the online "fan club" is called Culture Club--and who doesn't love a punny Boy George reference?

829 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

Let your imagination run wild at this SoMa shop, because you're in charge here. The multiple flavors of fro-yo (don't worry, there's a tart original, too) and variety of toppings are self-serve; just be careful--at $0.42 per ounce, you can rack up a serious bill trying to grab "just a taste" of everything.

59 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

Perhaps the only other place in the same vein as Chill is this yogurt chain that boasts two downtown locations, one on New Montgomery Street and the other inside Westfield's SF Centre. The acai berry and raspberry pomegranate fro-yo set them apart from the competition, at least in individuality.

2356 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

The unique star at this Polk Street dessert shop is the rice pudding--which comes in a weekly rotating selection of flavors like peanut butter, Madagascar vanilla, mocha and white chocolate--but the chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt is solid as well. Order toppings ranging from candies to fruits and they'll be mixed right in, a nice variation on the standard.

125 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)

Exotic flavors like ginger, lemongrass, black sesame and dulce de leche find their way into this Financial District dessert cafe's fro-yo flavors, but the wacky offerings don't stop there. Look for their long list of toppings that include fig, crystallized ginger, chocolate-covered sesame seeds, black currant syrup and more.