Guides / Spots

21 of the Best Spots to Grab Ice Cream

Christine Hogg

2 months ago

We may be approaching August, but summertime is still in full swing! If you've yet to get your ice cream fix, check out these 21 spots across the city for the creamiest scoops, swirls, sundaes and more!

617 Gerrard St E

Wong's Ice Cream & Store

Found just outside Finch subway station, Wong's Ice Cream sells premium, Asian-themed ice cream from inside of Basil Box restaurant. There are currently five flavours on the menu: black sesame salted egg yolk, Korean banana milk, Vietnamese coffee, Hong Kong milk tea and Thai iced tea.

Tom's Dairy Freeze

Sweet Jesus

With two locations downtown, Sweet Jesus is the solution for a sweet tooth, with plenty on the menu to choose from, including traditional soft serve, take-home pints and ice cream floats. Layered with fun toppings, choose from flavours like red velvet, birthday cake, or brownie.

Summer's Ice Cream

Since 1984, Summer's has been a staple in the Yorkville neighbourhood. Nearly 40 years later, it's still a favourite for good old fashioned scoops that spotlight premium flavours and ingredients for their ice creams, frozen yogurts and sorbets.

S'cream Ice Cream

S'cream Ice Cream and Coffee is located in Yorkville. Along with the classics, there's also a special menu section offering cold concoctions like the bubble waffle, the macaron ice cream sandwich, and boozy scoops with options like Mango Aperol and Jack Daniel's chocolate.

659 Lansdowne Ave

Ruru Baked

Ruru Baked sells premium custard ice creams and frozen treats. On July 15 and July 16, they're taking part in the Big on Bloor street festival, and will be handing out free scoops and discounted buckets.

6 Markham St

On Third Thought

While it sounds too good to be true, On Third Thought is a cozy space that serves wine and vegan gelato. You can order just gelato, or, you can opt for the gelato and wine flight ($26). There's also gelato sold by the scoop, as well as alcohol-infused gelato available to purchase as one or two flavours.

1099 Yonge St

Nadege

If you love Nadège Patisserie for its French desserts, you'll love the ice cream, too. Sold exclusively at the Queen St. W. boutique, the French-inspired ice cream is made from-scratch using local dairy. Toppings include miniature macarons, and how can you resist that?

2651 Yonge St

Milkcow

Cool down in more ways than one, with Milkcow's natural milk soft serve. A premium dessert cafe, all of the ice creams can be topped with various items, like the honeycomb on the shop's best-seller, the Milky Cube.

831 Queen St W

iHalo Krunch

With five locations in the city, iHalo Krunch specializes in Asian-inspired ice cream flavours. Try the Ubenut—ube twisted with charcoal coconut, or opt for the Madagasgar vanilla bean. Whatever you do, don't forget to add the handmade charcoal cone for an extra $1.

1448 Dundas St W

Honey’s Ice Cream

With several new flavours for summer, Honey's is the go-to spot for premium plant-based ice cream. All pints are 100% plant-based, and there are plenty of gluten-free options, too.

342 Westmoreland Ave N

Good Behaviour

Spicy meatball sub, or cool and refreshing ice cream? At Good Behaviour, you can have both! This spot specializes in Italian subs, but also sells scoops in the summertime. On July 16, they're offering one free kiddie scoop in a cup or a cone to the first 20 people in line at each of the three locations.

454 Bloor St W

Eva's Original Chimneys

Eva's Original Chimneys are the perfect alternative to a traditional ice cream cone. Sturdy and crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, it's basically like eating cake and ice cream at the same time, and who could argue with that?

920 Queen St E

Ed's Real Scoop

An Etobicoke favourite, Ed's Real Scoop is known for its delicious small-batch ice cream and gelato made in store. Don't forget to add a homemade waffle cone, too!

36 Vaughan Rd

Dutch Dreams

Whimsical creations are all the rage here— after choosing your ice cream flavour, load up on toppings, from cotton candy to sprinkles, fresh fruit, chocolate, nuts and more. A staple in Toronto since the 1980s, Dutch Dreams is home to more than 35 flavours, some of which you can't find anywhere else.

1418 Dundas St W

Death in Venice Gelato

With a degree in chemical engineering, the wild and whacky flavour combinations owner Kaya Ogruce has dreamed up at this gelato spot are well worth the hype. Try the ricotta rosemary lemon to be transported to Italy, or the bourbon and smoked chocolate for a decadent dessert.

Creamery X

Specializing in frozen custard and vegan ice cream, Creamery X is the perfect spot for those looking for dairy-free ice cream options in Toronto. You can't miss the bubblegum pink storefront, and all of the vegan ice creams are made from scratch.

120 Dundas St W

Butter Baker

Sold through its Baker's Market & Cafe, Butter Baker's tasty gelatos are now available for dine-in. The mango and vanilla soft serve is their best-selling flavour, but the strawberry vanilla version is a close contender for second place!

16 Vaughan Rd A

Booyah

Located in Midtown, Booyah's ice cream taco is an absolute must, as are its ice cream sandwiches and take-home pints.

283 Rushton Rd

Bar Ape

Nothing says summer in the city like a visit to Bar Ape (pronounced "ah pay", the Italian way). Bar Ape is a vintage Piaggio gelato truck serving handcrafted gelato bars.

21 Baldwin St

Arctic Bites

Not only does this spot do adorable hand-rolled ice cream, but the flavours are second to none, with options like blueberry lavender, taro coconut, Earl Grey Nutella and matcha sesame.