Ice cream and Toronto summers is a match made in heaven, and the city has endless options of where to find the refreshing frozen treat!
Whether you’re craving the perfect scoop of creamy vanilla to something more adventurous, here’s our round up of the best ice cream shops in Toronto:
1. Ed’s Real Scoop
Ed’s Real Scoop is a Toronto institution, offering 150 rotating flavours of ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Their small batch menu is all made in-hour to ensure quality, and you’ll find several locations for Ed’s in the city, including The Beaches, Leslieville, Roncesvalles, and Mimico. Last summer, their Burnt Marshmallow flavour was ranked as one of the most iconic ice cream flavours in the world by Taste Atlas.
Where: Multiple locations throughout Toronto
2. Ruru Baked
Known for their small batch custard-based ice creams, Ruru Baked crafts a variety of unusual flavours that just work. Their menu rotates daily, but some fan favourites include Banoffee Pie, Condensed Milk and Red Bean, and Honeycomb Cereal Milk. This summer, you can also find their Ruru ice cream truck making its rounds in the city and beyond; track it here!
Where: 659 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto
3. Bang Bang Ice Cream
The long line-ups might look daunting, but we promise it’s worth it! Bang Bang Ice Cream on Ossington Ave is a tried and true local favourite, known for their ice cream sandwiches between two decadent freshly-baked cookies, bubble waffle cones, and unique flavours like Golden Oreo, London Fog, or Lychee Rosewater Raspberry.
Where: 93A Ossington Ave, Toronto
4. On Third Thought
If you are vegan or allergen-concsious, On Third Thought is your new best friend as all of their gelato is made without nuts, dairy, gluten, eggs, soy or sesame. The gelato shop and wine bar also has a selection of boozy flavours to try, which you can try a flight with wine pairings or turn your gelato into a float.
Where: 6 Markham St, Toronto, Toronto
5. Dutch Dreams
Dutch Dreams has been a Toronto institution since 1985, known for their vibrant frozen treats in a maximalist parlor setting. Your inner child will come alive with flavours like Birthday Cake, Bubble Gum, and Unicorn, and your scoop will be topped off with various toppings like sprinkles or a poof of cotton candy.
Where: 36 Vaughan Rd, Toronto
6. Death in Venice
Death in Venice is an award-winning Dundas West gelato shop known for their creative flavours, all crafted from seasonal ingredients and local dairy. Try their Ricotta Rosemary Lemon or Pistachio Yogurt Baklava flavours for something unique! For a behind-the-scenes look, you can even book a 16 course gelato tasting with a visit to the gelato lab where everything is produced.
Where: 1418 Dundas St W, Toronto
7. Bar Ape
Bar Ape (pronounced “ah-pay”) is a small-batch gelato bar that serves up Italian-inspired treats with a modern twist. Known for their gelato bars on sticks, this spot rotates flavours like pistachio, strawberry-basil, and burnt marshmallow depending on the season.
Where: 283 Rushton Rd, Toronto
8. iHalo Krunch
Famous for its Instagram-worthy charcoal soft serve, iHalo Krunch is a must-visit for those looking for both flavour and flair. Their signature black cone is made with activated charcoal, and popular flavours include Ube, Matcha, and Coconut Charcoal Swirl.
Where: 831 Queen St W, Toronto
9. Summer’s Ice Cream
Tucked away in the Yorkville neighbourhood, Summer’s has been scooping up rich, creamy treats for over 30 years. Their in-house made ice cream is known for signature flavours like their Toronto Pothole, comprised of chocolate with almonds, marshmallows, and caramel.
Where: 101 Yorkville Ave, Toronto
10. Mizzica Gelateria and Cafe
Mizzica is the real deal when it comes to Sicilian gelato. With locations both downtown and midtown, this authentic gelateria serves rich, creamy scoops in traditional flavours like Pistachio, Stracciatella, and Lemon. Don’t miss their brioche gelato sandwiches!
Where: 307 Queen St W, Toronto / 2375 Yonge St, Toronto
11. Good Gang Ice Cream
Only open on weekends, Good Gang is a small, creative ice cream brand making waves with their bold, inventive flavours. You can expect non-traditional hits like Toast, Salted Yuzu, or Halva Rhubarb Ripple.
Where: 656 Annette St, Toronto
12. The Big Chill Ice Cream Parlour
Step back in time at The Big Chill, a retro 1950s-style parlour on College Street that serves up massive scoops in waffle cones with all the toppings. With a fun, nostalgic vibe and classic favourites like Rocky Road and Tiger Tail, it’s perfect for families or anyone craving an old-school ice cream fix.
Where: 566 College St, Toronto
