Is there truly just one season for ice cream? Yes, it makes sense to eat ice cream on a hot summer day. But is there anything wrong with a creamy bowl of ice cream alongside a cup of tea or a mug of hot chocolate? I eat ice cream 12 months of the year, and I know I’m not the only one.
Whether you are partial to tried-and-true favourites like Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, or Vanilla, you fancy yourself a fruit-flavoured ice cream person, or you are adventurous and go for the latest concoction, there are plenty of specialty ice cream and gelato shops around Metro Vancouver to satisfy your craving.
The Best Ice Cream Shops in Metro Vancouver:
Bella Gelateria
Art meets science at Bella Gelateria. Their hand-crafted gelato is nothing like you’ve ever tasted before. Recognized around the world, this piece of heaven exists within our city limits and should be visited frequently.
Address: 1001 West Cordova, Vancouver; 1752 Davie Street, Vancouver; 4700 Kingsway [Metrotown]
Website: www.bellagelateria.com
Dolce Amore- The Gelato Mafia
Did you know that there is actually a Gelato University? Neither did I, but the owners of Dolce Amore are both graduates of Carpigiani Gelato University and have translated a life-long passion into Vancouver’s first (and only) grass-fed gelato. With an impressive menu, visitors can get creations such as “Gangster Toffee Life” “Crooks of Cream” and “Dons of Dough,” you’ll have just as much fun ordering as you will enjoying the flavours.
Address: 113-2nd Street W, North Vancouver
Website: www.dolceamore.ca
Dukes Fine Ice Cream
Craving a milkshake? How about some vegan sorbet or sherbet? You’ll find all these options, plus delicious ice cream at Dukes Fine Ice Cream. Using natural ingredients and local partnerships, a trip out to Dukes is well worth the drive!
Address: 104-6758 188 St., Surrey
Website: www.dukesfineicecream.com
Earnest Ice Cream
I’ve never met a flavour at Earnest Ice Cream that I didn’t like. And considering how many times I’ve been, that’s saying something! Ridiculously good, small-batch ice cream with new flavours to try every day.
Address: 1485 Frances Street, Vancouver; 3992 Fraser Street, Vancouver
1829 Quebec Street, Vancouver; 127 W 1st Street, North Vancouver
Website: earnesticecream.com
Elephant Garden Creamery
You can get wine flights and beer flights, and at Elephant Garden Creamery, you can try an ice cream flight! Here you will also find unique flavours such as Durian and HK Milk Tea, plus the ice cream is the perfect balance of creamy and sweet!
Address: 2080 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Website:elephantgarden.ca
Flavr Ice Cream
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a Billy Miner Pie or a Piña Colada into an ice cream cone, then Flavr has you covered! At Flavr, each order is made fresh and can be customized to accommodate whatever your imagination can dream up! But we think you will be thoroughly impressed by what is already on the menu.
Address: 501-22259 48th Ave., Langley
Website: flavricecream.ca
Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery
Get ready to go old school! Step back in time as you climb on the spinning stools and order your fountain drinks and floats. Who doesn’t love a 1950s ice cream sundae? Not only is the decor to die for, but the ice cream treats are also worth the drive.
Address: 4090 Hastings Street, Burnaby
Website: www.glenburnsoda.com
La Casa Gelato
Where else can you find wasabi ice cream, garlic ice cream, or even corn & cheese-flavoured ice cream? While there certainly are wild flavours, La Casa Gelato also offers up a HUGE selection of “regular” ice cream flavours. In the summer, there is almost always a line to get in!
Address: 1033 Venables Street, Vancouver
Website: lacasagelato.com
Matteo’s Gelato
If I offer to take you for gelato, you can bet we are heading to Matteo’s Gelato in Port Coquitlam! They have a great selection of flavours, will patiently wait while you try little taster spoons to select the perfect scoop, and always have great intel about what flavour combinations to try if you’re looking for something different. With sugar-free and vegan options available, you can’t go wrong with a stop at Matteo’s!
Address: 2615 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam
Website:www.instagram.com
Mister
If you want to increase your ‘cool’ factor with your kids, take them to this Vancouver gem. Prepare to have your mind (and your taste buds) blown as you sample ice cream treats made with a liquid nitrogen process and transformed into new and exciting ways to see (and eat) ice cream. Their presentation is as impressive as the taste of their treats, made with all-natural, locally sourced ingredients.
Address: 1141 Mainland Street, Vancouver; 1835 W. 1st Ave, Vancouver
Website: madebymister.com
Nani’s Gelato
A popular Toronto-based gelato shop opened in Pitt Meadows, and it’s been rave reviews ever since then! Featuring a wide variety of flavours, plus ice cream sandwiches and sundaes, Nani’s Gelato has something for everyone! Their ihandcrafted gelato is full of real, fresh ingredients so you can definitely categorize a few scoops as your helping of fruit for the day!
Address: 19800 Lougheed Hwy. #310, Pitt Meadows
Website: www.nanisgelato.com
Rain or Shine
Delicious, homemade, organic ice cream. There’s always a line or a group of people hanging around outside, and once you’ve tried Rain or Shine, it’s easy to see why. Be sure to try ice cream taco-style!
Address: 3382 Cambie Street, Vancouver; 6001 University Blvd, UBC, Vancouver;
1926 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Website: www.rainorshineicecream.com
Rocky Point Ice Cream
Established in 1997, Rocky Point Ice Cream is a must-experience part of visiting Rocky Point Park in Port Moody. Because of their delicious ice cream treat, the company has expanded to 2 additional locations. All the ice cream is made completely from scratch, and they are always experimenting with new flavours. Our family are frequent flyers here. Our family favourite flavours include: Strawberry, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, and Rocky Road.
Address: 2800 Murray Street, Port Moody (original location); 100 – 500 Sixth Avenue, New Westminster; Town Centre Park, Trevor Wingrove Way, Coquitlam
Website: www.rockypointicecream.com
Soft Peaks Ice Cream
If the mere mention of ‘soft serve’ ice cream brings back childhood memories of getting ice cream cones at McDonald’s, then you might be a Millennial parent. It also means that it’s time to level up your soft serve ice cream and try Soft Peaks, voted one of Vancouver’s best ice cream places by a recent survey on @eatcouver. With a surprisingly small number of ingredients used, these delights are refreshing and fun flavour combinations.
Address: 25 Alexander Street, Vancouver; 115-4603 Kingsway, Burnaby; 1000-7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond
Website: www.instagram.com
Vashti Rose Ice Cream
When you pull up to Vashti Rose for the first time, you will probably think your GPS has led you to the wrong place. The sign out front advertises a Boot Camp, and on any given day, you may see people inside working out. But don’t let that fool you, because just inside the doors is an incredible ice cream shop with a vast array of vegan flavours. They make all their ice cream from scratch with fresh ingredients. You can also get dairy ice cream at Vashti Rose.
Address: 2411 Saint John’s Street, Port Moody
Website:
Do you have a favourite ice cream shop you love? Share them in the comments section below, or send an email to vancouver@familyfuncanada.com, and we’ll add your suggestions to our list.
