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 icecream person, or you are adventurous and go for the latest concoction, there are plenty of specialty ice cream shops around Metro Vancouver to satisfy your craving.
The Best Ice Cream Shops in Metro Vancouver:
Bella Gelateria (1001 West Cardova, Vancouver| 1752 Davie Street, Vancouver | 4700 Kingsway [Metrotown] )
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.
Dolce Amore- The Gelato Mafia (113-2nd Street W, North Vancouver)
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.
Dukes Fine Ice Cream (104-6758 188 St., Surrey)
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!
Earnest Ice Cream (1485 Frances Street, Vancouver | 3992 Fraser Street, Vancouver | 1829 Quebec Street, Vancouver | 127 W 1st Street, North Vancouver)
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.
Elephant Garden Creamery (2080 Commercial Drive, Vancouver)
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!
Flavr Ice Cream (501-22259 48th Ave., Langley)
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a Billy Miner Pie or a Pina 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.
Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery (4090 Hastings Street, Burnaby)
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.
La Casa Gelato (1033 Venables Street, Vancouver)
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!
Mister (1141 Mainland Street, Vancouver | 1835 W. 1st Ave, Vancouver)
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.
Rain or Shine (3382 Cambie Street, Vancouver | 6001 University Blvd, UBC, Vancouver | 1926 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver)
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!
Rocky Point Ice Cream (2800 Murray Street, Port Moody | 100 – 500 Sixth Avenue, New Westminster | Town Centre Park, Trevor Wingrove Way, Coquitlam)
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 is a frequent flier here. Our family favourite flavours include: Strawberry, Peanut Butter & Chocolate and Rocky Road.
Soft Peaks Ice Cream (25 Alexander Street, Vancouver |115-4603 Kingsway, Burnaby |1000-7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond)
If the mere mention of ‘soft serve’ ice cream brings back childhood memories of getting ice cream cones at McDonalds, 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.
Vashti Rose Ice Cream (2411 Saint John’s Street, Port Moody)
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 from fresh ingredients. You can also get dairy ice cream at Vashti Rose.
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.
