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On a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite like a cold, delicious ice cream cone (or cup, especially if young children(adults too) are involved). Or maybe gelato is more to your taste. Either way, both treats can be found in abundance in Toronto. We round up our top picks for the yummiest ice cream in Toronto and gelato shops that are also family-friendly. All these spots offer delicious frozen desserts that are sure to please both young and old, meaning chocolate is always on the menu, and often so are sprinkles.
TOP SPOTS FOR ICE CREAM IN TORONTO
Dairy Queen (Treat)
Let's start out with my childhood memory. My family would go to the Scarborough Bluffs'(Bluffers Park & Beach beach) and play in the sun. Then we would head to Dairy Queen on 2882 Kingston Road in Scarborough, Ontario. Yes, three decades later, it's still there, upteen 😉 years later! My favourite treat when I was a kid was a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. Yum!
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Ed’s Real Scoop
Various locations around Toronto
Ed’s Real Scoop has been a favourite for ice cream in Toronto for over two decades. Ed’s crafts homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and more in house—and you can tell. The ice cream is rich and flavourful, and the gelato is some of the best around. Expect a lineup at peak hours on hot summer days—but don’t worry, it’ll move fast, and the results are so tasty. The flavours here are original without being too weird; think toasted marshmallow or cinnamon cheesecake for the ice cream, tiramisu gelato, and sangria sorbet.
Bang Bang
93 Ossington Ave.
The lineups at this west-end spot are legendary, but trust us, the ice cream and other treats are worth the wait. Beloved options include London Fog, Chocolate Hazelnut, and one loved by kids of all ages: Cinnamon Toast. Those with a lactose intolerance will also adore Bang Bang’s milk-free options. And while you can get ice cream in a cup or cone, Bang Bang is best known for its ice cream cookie combos, which are perfect for sharing. Other selections include made-to-order Hong Kong-style bubble waffles and the ultra-indulgent option of a cinnamon bun sliced open with ice cream scooped between the two halves (we highly recommend this).
Hollywood Gelato
1640 Bayview Ave., Toronto
For over a decade, this Leaside spot has been drawing a crowd that’s hungry for some of the best gelato in the city. Over a dozen flavours are available, including cake batter, Skor, and key lime pie. A small selection of sorbet, all made with 100% fresh fruit, is also available, as are a few other tasty items, including made-to-order gelato cakes. Need a tub, or even just a cup, of gelato delivered to your house? Hollywood Gelato can satisfy that need through its partnership with several leading food delivery services.
Summer’s Ice Cream
101 Yorkville Ave., Toronto
For nearly 40 years, this small shop has been serving up homemade ice cream to Yorkville residents and visitors. Up to 26 flavours are available, all made with the highest-quality ingredients. The flavours here tend to be more "traditional," so this is a great spot for fussy kids and ice cream purists.
La Paloma
(Corso Italia, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and Piazza Del Sole)
Prefer gelato over ice cream? Then you need to head over to La Paloma. Since 1967, this gelato shop has been serving up the real Italian stuff. With up to 75 flavours to choose from, making a decision can be tough, so may we suggest the Limoncello? It’s tart but sweet and completely refreshing. All the classic flavours, including chocolate and strawberry, are also available, as are take-home containers of La Paloma’s authentic gelatos.
The Big Chill
566 College St., Toronto
Remember LB (life before kids, pets, nieces, nephews, and friends kids) when you would stay out late on College Street and enjoy the lovely patios? Well, your bedtime may be earlier, but you can still be cool—albeit with a homemade waffle cone filled with delicious Big Chill ice cream. Don’t let the big line-ups deter you from visiting, though; it caters to kids with its fun, interior cow-themed décor, colourful chairs, and fun kid cars to sit in outside.
Delight
3040 Dundas St. W, Toronto
Specializing in handmade, fair-trade, organic chocolates, this French-based chocolatier makes all kinds of standout confections, including some of the yummiest ice cream in the city. The ingredient quality used here is exceptional; "Our fresh mint and lavender are harvested from our very own backyard," as is the variety of flavours. In addition to such kid-friendly flavours as s’mores and peanut butter chocolate, this place also offers such unusual options as pumpkin pie and Quebec blue cheese. A nice selection of dairy-free ice cream is also available.
La Diperie
Various locations across Toronto
As the name suggests, this place is known for its dipped treats. Pick your soft serve ice cream (over a dozen flavours are often available), then your dip, then your coating, which includes such options as pretzels, gummies, and, of course, classic rainbow sprinkles. Other delicious choices include milkshakes, creations that feature doughnuts, and Cheesecake Factory brand cake.
Booyah
16 Vaughan Rd., Toronto
You know what’s better than an ice cream cone? An ice cream taco. This fun take on an ice cream sandwich features a taco-shaped waffle cone dipped in chocolate and sprinkles and filled with three scoops of creamy ice cream and toppings like cookie crumble and chocolate syrup. If that sounds like too much ice cream, other options are available, including just a classic scoop in a cone. Up to 36 flavours are available, with new options popping up every Friday.
Lickadee Split Ice Cream Shoppe
980 Coxwell Ave., Toronto
Fans of classic ice parlours will love this cozy east-end spot (and your wallet will likely appreciate its not-too-high price tags). In addition to the usual cones or cup options, your family can also indulge in banana splits, sundaes, milkshakes, authentic Greek frappe (a type of ice coffee), and more.
Tom’s Dairy Freeze
630 The Queensway, Toronto
You can’t have a roundup of amazing Toronto ice cream shops with mentioning Tom’s Dairy Freeze. This beloved spot does get long lines on hot (and even just warm) days, but the wait is worth it. Tom’s is famed for its soft serve but it also offers hard ice cream alongside shakes, sundaes and banana splits that can be covered with all kinds of toppings. Can’t make it out to Tom’s? Don’t worry, certain items are available for delivery through a trio of leading food delivery services.
via savvymom.ca