During the sweltering months of summer, you’ll likely want to indulge in the top dessert spots in Toronto.
That includes exploring all the best ice cream and gelato places within the city, tantalizing your taste buds as you cool off. Heat notwithstanding, ice cream is a great heavenly dessert to enjoy any time of year.
Most, if not all, ice cream outlets make an admirable hook-up spot where you can hang out with friends and family. If you’re fortunate, you may end up meeting the love of your life at one of these outlets as you enjoy this tasty snack; who knows?!
The Best Ice Cream Shops in Toronto
However, as you explore various flavour combinations and ice cream spots, you may be keen on omitting the not-so-good ones or those that won’t leave a lasting impression. You may be looking for Instagram-worthy ice cream servings at unique outlets that you’ll enjoy recommending.
Well, here’s a compilation of the best ice cream shops in downtown Toronto.
1. Bang Bang Ice Cream
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Bang Bang was opened in 2014, offering palatable ice cream sandwiches – a generous ice cream scoop between delicious homemade cookies.
Flavours like Genmaicha-Matcha Tiramisu are ideal for those who love a tinge of alcohol in their snacks. They offer over twenty flavours that you can combine experimentally.
Food lovers tend to select flavours like Cinnamon Toast, while the more preserved opt for raisin and date-spiked Oatmeal. The atmosphere is old-fashioned with white tiling and a vaulted ceiling though it’s not a sit-in.
2. Ed’s Real Scoop
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Having been raised by a chef mother with a sweet tooth, Ed opened this outlet in The Beach in 2000. He is particular about his ingredients, ensuring they only use real cream and natural fruit.
Their preparation method of slow churning produces a densely textured product. Ed’s serve their frozen delight in freshly made waffle cones.
With over a hundred options, their fast-moving products include Tanzanian Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge flavours.
3. Ruru Baked
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Tasty baked goods combined with creative custard-based ice cream flavours make Ruru stand out. So creative are their combos that even if you don’t fancy raisins, you’re bound to enjoy the Rum and Raisin flavour.
Ruru offers a combination of mix-ins, from cereal, beans, and cookie chunks, to biscuits. Among their sell-outs are Asian-inspired Buttery Matcha Shortbread and Miso Butterscotch (sweet and salty) ice cream flavours.
Located a short distance from Lansdowne station, the outlet is easily accessible.
4. Dutch Dreams
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The couple behind this operation, Theo and Dina, are both passionate about ice cream, with Theo’s father having taught him how to make the delicacy.
Dutch Dreams has been in operation since May 1985 and continues to serve unique flavours of ice cream alongside hand-rolled waffle cones.
Don’t miss the Peanut-Butter Chocolate, Traffic Jam, and Cherry Cheesecake flavours. Arguably the most decorated exterior ice cream parlor in the city, you’ll find the queues bearable once your lips taste that frozen awesomeness. Inside, old portraits line the walls.
5. Eva’s Original Chimneys
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Also a family-run business with recipes passing down generations, Eva’s unique cones and chimney cakes, originating from Hungary, make this ice cream parlor stand out.
The Original Chimneys, a specialty of theirs, is an exciting blend of soft and crunchy – soft serve in a crunchy chimney-like pastry. The dough constitutes only seven organic, natural ingredients.
Eva’s is well known for bakeries, frozen yogurt, and desserts, alongside their tasty ice cream.
6. Summer’s Ice Cream
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Summer’s is notably Yorkville’s best ice cream parlor. It is a family-run business and opened in 1984.
They have ventured into the retail market, and you can find their unique flavours at grocery stores, neatly packed in tubs. Their high-quality tasting products set them apart as one of the best ice cream places in the area.
This delicious ice cream is homemade with signature flavours like mango and raspberry sorbet. Despite the waiting line and a pricier menu, they are well worth every dollar.
7. Bar Ape Gelato Company
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Originally started as a food truck in 2014 serving soft serve, two years later, Bar Ape eventually set up a brick-and-mortar shop.
Their handmade gelato is exceptional and is presented as bars dipped in chocolate to give it that extra twist.
Run and owned by Nick Genova and James Carnevale, they can offer up to seventy different flavours in one summer. Carnevale has years of experience with gelato knowledge he gained while employed before venturing out into his outfit.
Some of his all-time favourites include Classic Orange Cream, Bronte Pistachio, and Saffron.
8. Tsujiri
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Traditionally renowned for their specialty in Japanese tea and matcha dessert and drinks, Tsujiri has since expanded its offerings to frozen yogurt and ice cream.
Though the outlet may be limiting space-wise, the prices are reasonable, and their matcha ice cream is to die for! Their presentation is quite creative, making them stand out. The servings are generous, hence filling.
9. Kitaya
A cute little Japanese shop located in North York, this takeout joint serves Japanese sushi, dons, poke bowls, and their unforgettable delicious ice cream. You’ll actually be surprised with how their signature dessert, the Tokyo Cheesecake, turns out!
We’ve tried both their food and dessert menu and came to a conclusion in our Kitaya review that they have one of the best sesame soft serve ice creams in town! So, if you’re a sesame fan, you won’t be disappointed with this delicacy! By the way, they also serve some top-notch soy and matcha ice cream flavours – a definite must try if you haven’t yet!
10. Butter Baker
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Although Butter Baker focuses more on baked products such as their crunchy French cookies, pretty little cupcakes, butter brioche, flaky croissants, and a variety of cakes, their soft-serve ice cream is terrific.
They offer a seasonal flavour that features their standard Tahitian vanilla each month. The presentation is angelic, and the taste is refreshing—a perfect match for a hot summer day.
11. Tom’s Dairy Freeze
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Tom’s has been in operation since 1969, and their years of experience are evident in their tasty, flavourful soft serves.
Among their top dips is the butterscotch option which combines well with ice cream and frozen yogurt alike.
They open their doors seven days a week, ensuring you never need to miss out on your favourite ice cream delights. Ensuring the use of top-notch ingredients, they only use natural cream.
12. Kekou Gelato
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Kekou offers gelato goodness dipped in crumbled nuts and chocolate giving their ice cream a goosebump look, possibly to match the goosebumps you’ll get upon tasting this delight.
They serve their ice cream as gelato bars, cones, or in a cup. Why not delight in the Asian-inspired zests like roasted oolong and durian?
For milk tea lovers, they also serve some good bubble teas in Toronto.
Located within the vicinity of Bahn Mi Boys, this outlet started as a humble, seasonal ice cream parlor and has since evolved into an all-year-round spot.
13. SOMA Chocholatemaker
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Soma has some of the most fantastic gelato flavours in the city; all made with the season’s Ontario-inspired ingredients.
Blueberry Basil and Thai Coconut are among their top sellers. The name Soma is derived from the Sanskrit language. It signifies the gods’ food. While Soma is primarily a chocolate maker, their expertise in spinning gelato is unquestionable.
The place is well lit with an attractive display and products to match.
14. iHalo Krunch
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iHalo has a thing for black, evident in their offering of charcoal cones, rolled by hand. The liquid marshmallows they fill their cones with help to prevent the ice cream from melting down onto your hands.
Although there are only 4 Asian enthused flavours, their dramatic ice cream color variations make them one of the most Instagram-able. These are Madagascar Vanilla (white), Filipino Ube (purple), Japanese Matcha (green), and Coconut Charcoal (black).
As one of the trendiest, eye-catchy designed parlors in the city with its neon glow, iHalo offers some of the best ice creams in Toronto.
15. The Big Chill
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The Big Chill is ideal for those who go crazy about toppings. They have over twenty variations to combine with their thirty ice cream flavours meaning there’s enough for you to have a different taste daily for an entire month! This ice cream parlor is family-friendly with an old-fashioned, brightly lit ambiance.
Keen on freshness, the waffle cones are made to serve every day.
16. Arctic Bites
Image by @arcticbites
Arctic Bites is synonymous with its name, derived from the production method they use to create their tasty ice cream.
Made on ice-cold surfaces of up to -30°, it’s easy to think of the arctic, say owners Kwan and Ying.
Opened in 2016, the Arctic Bites duo consistently ensures all their ice cream is created using fresh cream, which is flavoured and cooked in-house. Among their all-time favourites are the strawberry ice cream rolls.
17. Lindt Swiss Choclate Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a delicious and unique ice cream experience, look no further than Lindt Swiss Chocolate Ice Cream. This gourmet ice cream is made with real Swiss chocolate, and it’s absolutely amazing since the last time we tried it at Shops on Don Mills. You can check out our review of the Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate flavours here. The rich chocolate flavor is perfect for those who love chocolate (I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate), and the smooth texture is simply divine like no other. If you’re looking for an unforgettable ice cream experience, Lindt Chocolate Ice Cream is definitely the way to satisfy your evening cravings.
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