Top Spots for Ice Cream in Toronto

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite like a cold, delicious ice cream cone (or cup, especially if young children are involved). Or maybe gelato is more to your taste? Either way, both treats can be found in abundance in Toronto. We round up out 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 you and your kids, meaning chocolate is always on the menu and often so are sprinkles.
Just be sure to bring the wet wipes; we know how messy things can get with kids and ice cream.
Top Spots for Ice Cream in Toronto
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 a ice cream scooped between the two halves (we highly recommend this).
Bar Ape Gelato
283 Rushton Rd., Toronto
Originally an adorable little gelato truck, this small, traditional gelato outlet is open May to October. They have some outdoor benches and a serving window. Their handmade gelato is offered in traditional Italian flavours, with many gluten-free and vegan options. Cash only!
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-shape waffle cone dipped in chocolate and sprinkles and filled with three scopes 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 scope in a cone. Up to 36 flavours are available, with new options popping up every Friday.
The Big Chill
566 College St., Toronto
Remember LBK (life before kids) when you would stay out late on College Street and enjoy the lovely patios and wine bars? 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 is harvested from our very own backyard,” as are 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.
Dutch Dreams
36 Vaughan Rd., Toronto
Created by the Aben family in the ’80s, Dutch Dreams serves Dutch style ice cream and is recognized as a go-to Toronto destination for tourists, celebrities, kids, and adults alike. The wide variety of decadent ice cream and cones are made with quality ingredients with flavours only available in-house. All Dutch Dreams ice cream is Kosher.
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 and tiramisu gelato, and sangria sorbet.
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.
The Inside Scoop
3685 Bathurst St., Toronto
The Inside Scoop offers over 40 flavours of premium ice cream found in many of the top-ranked ice cream parlours in Toronto, as well as some of the best soft-serve ice cream in the city, as well as amazing non-dairy ice creams and sorbets. And with over 20 toppings and hot and cold syrups to choose from they can create your favourite ice cream fantasy: sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, and more. They also offer an amazing variety of desserts, like ice cream waffles, ice cream sandwiches, and their signature ice cream bombs (a scoop of ice cream wrapped in cookie dough and dipped in chocolate).
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 and creations that feature doughnuts and Cheesecake Factory brand cake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once again, you are downtown and midtown centric. Check out The Inside Scoop on Bathurst, south of Wilson, a neighbourhood shop with over 40 amazing flavours. The ice cream murals delight the kids and adults alike.
BAR APE… it’s so delicious.