The summer’s sweltering heat calls for a cool antidote. When the weather begins to warm up, nothing beats the sweetness of fresh gelato or ice cream to cool off the weary soul. When in need of a cool refreshment, Toronto’s ice cream parlors and gelaterias offer an abundance of fresh flavours worth trying out.
Here are a few options you can’t miss out on if you want to cool off this summer.
Dutch Dreams
With an array of flavours, Dutch Dreams has been a Toronto staple since the 1980s. Created by the Aben family, the ice cream shop has a variety of flavours ranging from chocolate to Grapenut. Located at 36 Vaughan Road, this neighbourhood’s all-time favourite ice cream shop produces a new flavour each year to the delight of the community and local Torontonians. This year’s specials include a caramel-based ice cream with chocolate-covered salted pretzels and a vanilla-based ice cream with peanut butter, brownies, and cookie dough.
Summer’s
Summer’s ice cream takes its inspiration from its humble beginnings in the Czech Republic in the 1930s. Starting a small storefront in Cumberland Street in 1984, Summer’s is now a recognized name. Thanks to the owner’s hard work and ingenuity, they are credited with creating remarkable flavours that are refreshing and delightful. The ice cream store located at 101 Yorkville Ave serves flavours like strawberry rhubarb, roasted hazelnut, and others, either in scoops or waffle cones.
Dairy Cream
Dairy Cream has been a favourite hot spot for ice-cream lovers in Mississauga for generations. The shop first opened its doors in 1958 and has become a landmark in the community ever since. During the summer months, expect long lines and wait times. They also make-to-order cakes, but ice cream is what everyone’s here after. Among the popular must-try flavours are twisted dip soft serve ice cream in peanut butter and sprinkles, and the Belgian white chocolate dip ice cream. Don’t miss out on their iconic funnel cakes, the most popular being the caramel with strawberry combo and the hot fudge with Oreo.
Futura Granita + gelato
This Italian-inspired ice cream shop uses organic, natural ingredients in everything. They make their gelato using organic milk from local Ontario dairy farms, where the pure flavour of milk shines in ice creams like Fior di panna. They also serve tasty granitas during summer; this refreshing water-based specialty from Sicily allows them to showcase Ontario’s rich, bountiful harvest of peaches, plums, and melons. Granita is a semi-frozen dessert that is similar to sorbet. The most unique aspect of its texture is its crunchy quality, which allows it to melt in your mouth easily.
RuRu Baked
With two renowned locations in Dufferin Grove and Markham, RuRu Baked serves ice cream and a wide variety of sweet treats, including custard-based ice creams, treats, and pints. This summer’s most popular flavours include honeycomb, cereal milk, Biscoff cheesecake, and cookie butter ice-creams. They also serve vegan ice cream for those with dietary restrictions. Some of the quirky flavours you could try include Asian-inspired flavours like chrysanthemum, black sesame, and Viet coffee.
Mizzica Gelateria & Café
Inspired by its hometown, Italy, Mizzica’s award-winning gelato stands out in the heart of downtown Toronto. All their gelatos are made from scratch using premium ingredients with fresh fruits and pistachios imported from Italy. Once the pistachios are shipped from Italy, they are roasted and turned into a paste in-house. Mizzica also serves a variety of Italian pastries, cakes, and fresh coffee, not to mention their all-time popular Tiramisu.
Toronto has no shortage of ice-cream shops to savour its bountiful harvest. Indeed, the city is bursting at the seams with classic ice cream parlors to artisanal storefronts, serving sumptuous flavors where generations have gone for treats. So, what are you waiting for? Cool off this summer by stopping by one of these all-time Toronto favourites for a sweet treat like no other!
