With the summer heat finally here, there’s only one sweet treat that perfectly complements the season: ice cream. Lucky for us the Toronto ice cream scene is pretty sweet (no pun intended). From classic flavours to innovative creations, the city offers many options for everyone. If you have a sweet tooth or just love ice cream check out our guide to the best ice cream in Toronto below.
Bang Bang
Ossington
Try the: Earl Grey Ice Cream
What is a Toronto summer without Bang Bang’s iconic ice cream sandwiches? The Ossington shop offers a variety of ice cream flavours and cookies to mix and match for the perfect combination. They offer full or half-sized sandwiches, and full pints to take home.
Fugo Desserts
Fugo Desserts offers frozen treats which draw inspiration from all over. The small shop hosts multiple specialty flavours, like our personal favourite – Cookie Monster. A huge chalkboard wall is coloured with their menu which includes items like bubble cones and mini doughnuts. Fugo is Toronto’s one-stop shop for all of your favourite treats.
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Summer’s Ice Cream
Yorkville
Try the: Espresso Ice Cream
After a long day of strolling around Yorkville, satisfy that sweet tooth with delicious ice cream from Summer’s. Since 1984 they’ve been serving Toronto the highest quality treats, that will leave you wanting more. What started as a small family business grew its reputation without compromising its homemade taste and feel.
Kith Treats
Yorkville
Try the: The Cherry On Top
At Kith Treats, you’re in for a sweet adventure! Enjoy customizable treats like swirled ice creams, milkshakes, and cereal bowls, starting with your pick of ice cream flavour or milk type. But here’s where it gets really fun: you can mix in iconic American cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, and Froot Loops. And if that’s not enough, you can take it to the next level with delicious add-ons like brownie bites, M&Ms, Kit Kats, and Twix Bars.
La Glace French Ice Cream
Union Station
Try the: Café à la lavande (Lavender infused coffee cream)
New to Toronto hailing from Vancouver…La Glace is said to be an award-winning ice cream parlour and café. Well-known for its French-style creaminess, with a range of chef-calibre flavours among the eternal favourites that rotate weekly on the menu. Worth the stop next time you’re in the Union Station area.
iHalo Krunch
Queen St. W
Try the: Charcoal Soft Serve
iHalo Krunch made headlines for its Insta-worthy black-on-black charcoal ice cream. This summer it’s back and better than ever. This small, minimalistic spot is the perfect place to drop by in the summer, just beware of long lines! Feeling adventures? Try their other flavours: yam, match and vanilla.
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Ed’s Real Scoop
Leslieville
Try the: Mercury Espresso Ice Cream
Ed’s Real Scoop is one of our favourite summer hangout spots. There’s a huge selection of handmade ice cream flavours, ice cream cakes & jars of artisanal sundae sauce. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, and the Mercury Espresso Ice Cream is to die for.
Roselle Desserts
King St. E
Try the: Strawberries and Cream Soft Serve
Roselle Desserts is a gem in Toronto’s King East neighbourhood. The French cafe hosts a number of delicious desserts, but their signature soft serve is on another level. Infused flavours and innovative toppings are the reason Roselle makes it on our list of summer ice cream spots you don’t want to miss out on.
Tom’s Dairy Freeze
Etobicoke
Try the: Vanilla Soft Serve with sprinkles
There may not be many reasons to travel to Etobicoke, but Tom’s Dairy Freeze is definitely one of them. The small, window-serve, late-night drive-in complex has been serving up sweet, frozen treats since 1969 and is sure to leave you feeling a little nostalgic.
Butter Baker
Multiple locations across Toronto
Try the: Mango X Vanilla soft serve
Butter Baker serves a variety of desserts but their ice cream is a must-try. Their ice cream cones are so pretty that even your best photography skills won’t do it justice. They offer new flavours every season so there is always something new for you to try.
Good Behaviour
Multiple locations across Toronto
Try the: Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream
Good Behaviour Ice Cream was created by Chef Michael Lam and Eric Chow, who like many of us sought solace in ice cream during the pandemic. Combining their culinary experience with a deep-rooted love for all things nostalgic, Michael and Eric opened Good Behaviour. Together they created delicious ice cream flavours that are just as good as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
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La Paloma Gelateria & Cafe
Woodbridge
Try the: Ferrero Rocher Gelato
Although La Paloma‘s Toronto locations are now closed there is still one open in Woodbridge. Made in-house, the flavours are authentic and delicious just like you would have in Italy.
Honourable mention: Purdys Chocolatier
Multiple Locations (typically in most malls and plazas) across Toronto
Try the: Ultimate Bar
I know what you’re thinking, “aren’t they are chocolate shop?” Yes. But that’s why you KNOW they do chocolate right. 😉 So if you are a chocolate connoisseur OR just love a good chocolate ice cream bar… Purdys is the PLACE for your. They serve what our editors’ call the best thing since sliced bread. Okay that’s a big statement, but honestly it never disappoints. Fair warning, if you have any lactose or nut allergies then STAY AWAY. But if you don’t and can indulge, be prepared for a RUDE AWAKENING. Their Ultimate Bar is definitely the iconic option but during price this year they launched the PRIDE Ultimate Bar that changes things up and they also have a Unicorn dipped bar too. Honestly, none of them would disappoint.
Find them at your nearest mall or plaza. In Toronto we know they’re at Toronto Eaton Centre AND at the Bloor-Yonge underground plaza by the TTC Station in Bloor-Yorkville (right across from Starbucks), in the Toronto-Dominion Centre and more.
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