Cream of the Crop

Ah, ice cream. That sweet, cold, creamy goodness is one of the highlights of summer. Take your beloved, take your kids, take your girlfriend or take your grandma to devour this universal treat.

Visit one of Calgary’s many cool ice cream eateries. Heck, make a point of visiting them all.

Start in the core. Uptown 17th Avenue is home to the ultra hip Fiasco Gelato. Located right next door to Melrose, Fiasco Gelato graces its space with glossy tile, glossy mirror and glossy service. The mint ice cream is the best in the city. No need to miss out on patio season—take your cup or cone outside and people watch on 17th Ave.

Travelling south, My Favourite Ice Cream Shop is a landmark in Calgary. The neighbouring playground is actually known as Ice Cream Park to many cone-licking locals. Bring a quarter to ride the mechanical horse (think children only) and order the Black Chocolate Cherry ice cream.

Cross the Bow to Amato Gelato in West Hillhurst. Like a micro trip to Italy, you’re likely to run into patrons speaking Italian and drinking espresso at this gelateria famous for its 100s of flavours (and 72 on display at any one time). There’s lots of room to sit inside or out while you slurp Cappuccino Cookie ice cream on a waffle cone. Molto Bene.

Craving a road trip? Hit the highway for the quick trip to Cochrane. Known for its beautiful mountain vistas, Cochrane has also been home to McKay’s Ice Cream for almost 60 years. The ice cream is deliciously homemade and there’s lots of bench seating on this small town main street. You won’t be the only visitors on a summer weekend but you’ll be amazed at how efficiently they herd people (literally, single file) through the shop. It’s worth the drive!

If the open road is still calling your name, hop in the car and head west, young ice cream lover. Bragg Creek borders Kananaskis country and is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. For those of you that have toddlers in tow (and don’t want to break a sweat), throw some rocks into the Elbow River and then visit The Frontier Candy Ice Cream Company. Let everyone assume you tackled Yamnuska when you say you “did K-country” on your day off.

It took a lot of ice cream eating (and subsequent sit ups) to narrow down these SavvyMom top shop recommendations. (It was tough work but someone had to do it.) Take our advice and enjoy the cream of the crop this summer.

Fiasco Gelato
www.fiascogelato.com
(403) 229-2503 (Uptown location)
Uptown – 736 17 Avenue SW
Downtown – 807 1 Street SW
Kensington – 207 10 Street NW

My Favorite Ice Cream Shop
www.myfavoriteicecream.com
(403) 287-3838
2048 42 Avenue S.W.

Amato Gelato
www.amatogelato.com
(403) 270-9733
Bay #7, 2104 Kensington Road NW

McKay’s Ice Cream
www.mackaysicecream.com
(403) 932-2455
220 1st Street West, Cochrane

The Frontier Candy Ice Cream Company
(403) 949-3575
Unit #111 10 Balsam Avenue, Bragg Creek

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