Toronto Top Ten: The City's Best Ice Cream
- emilyelizabethfran
- Jul 20, 2015
- 3 min read
I scream, you scream … you know this one. The truth is we all scream for ice cream because there are few things more delicious, summery and utterly joyful than this simple iced dessert. There are a few ice cream shops in Toronto that I just cannot get enough of when the temperature turns up, and I thought the second installment of my Toronto Top Ten series would be the perfect place to share them with you. Here it is – my list of the top ten ice cream parlors in Toronto:
1. Il Gelatiere Artiginale – Technically this dessert haven serves gelato rather than ice cream, meaning the primary ingredient is milk, as opposed to cream. What Il Gelatiere’s gelato lacks in fat content, however, it makes up for in taste. My favourite flavour is the Mascarpone, which pairs well with just about every other option: hazelnut, Amaretto, coconut and port wine, just to name a few.
2. Hollywood Gelato – Tied for first place is Hollywood Gelato – a Leaside staple. While this place also serves gelato rather than traditional ice cream, its selection of flavours never ceases to entice me. Ferraro Roche and Skor Bar are both popular choices, but I head to Hollywood Gelato for its Key Lime flavour; it has the freshest lime taste and chunks of real graham cracker, and oh my goodness, just writing about is making me drool.
3. Dutch Dreams – For those of you who aren’t completely sold on the idea of Italian ice cream, take a stroll over to Dutch Dreams on St. Clair West. This parlor’s eclectic décor and eccentric personality will draw you in, but its giant cones with endless toppings will keep you coming back for more, time after time.
4. Ed’s Real Scoop – Don’t you just hate when your ice cream cone starts dripping from the bottom and trickles all over your new summer dress? Me too. That’s why the folks at Ed’s are utterly genius. They place a tasty marshmallow at the bottom of every ice cream cone, before filling it with scoops of your chosen ice cream flavours. Ed’s main store is located in The Beaches, but there are two more shops in the city as well - one in Leslieville, and another on Roncesvales Avenue.
5. Greg’s Ice Cream – I first fell in love with Greg’s Ice Cream via Summerhill Market. My grandfather was always an avid fan of their Stout flavour, and I have to say, if you yourself have particularly adventurous taste when it comes to ice cream, Greg’s on Spadina Avenue is a must-try. Their roasted marshmallow flavour is on its own level.
6. The Red Bench – For those devilishly indulgent days, ice cream alone won’t cut it. That’s where The Red Bench’s ice cream sandwiches come in. Plopped between two organic, freshly baked cookies, you’ll find sweet organic ice cream, or if you prefer, delicious low-fat frozen yoghurt.
Relaxing outside The Red Bench, last summer
7. Bang Bang – Speaking of ice cream sandwiches, Bang Bang is a must-try for the connoisseur of these layered treats. Located on Ossington Avenue, Bang Bang also offers sumptuous scoops between freshly baked cookies, but this place is even more famous for its wildly unique ice cream flavours, including Beer & Brown Bread – a surprisingly addictive option for the foodiest of foodies.
8. Summer’s Ice Cream – If you feel like spotting a few celebrities while noshing on your well-deserved treat, then Summer’s is the place to be. The walls of this Yorkville landmark are collaged with photos of the A-listers who have stopped in for a cone at this basement sweet-tooth club. Even better is this joint’s selection of Torontonian flavours, including the chocolate favourite: “Toronto pothole”.
9. My Favourite – This tiny Rosedale gem is only open in the warmer months, so you’ll certainly want to prioritize this shop when deciding where to enjoy your summer sweet-fix. There’s a charming picnic table outside the shop where you can enjoy all of the classic ice-cream flavours, as well as low-fat frozen yoghurt, if the mood strikes.
10. The Village Chill – I have particularly fond memories of this long-standing establishment, located in the heart of the Forest Hill Village. I love standing outside the shop, in front of its old-school window, ordering two scoops of bubblegum ice cream, or a large cup of Dippin’ Dots (the most groundbreaking discovery I made as a ten-year-old). If you’re craving an old-fashioned ice cream date, this is the place to come to.
Stay tuned for more Toronto Top Ten posts in the weeks to come, and enjoy your ice cream ;)
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